I am not a Marriott guy.  The Weekly Flyer makes good points about why his loyalty remains. However my experience after spending a (dark) year of my consulting career exclusively earning Marriott points was learning my loyalty earned me not much more than popcorn and a bottle of water at check-in.  To his defense, statistics show Marriott continues to have some of the most loyal customers and is a favorite amongst my colleagues.

For my birthday I decided to try a ‘destination birthday’ concept and have my friends fly to Boston for the weekend.  There were several points collectors in the group so it became an all points funded trip. On our last night, the Marriott contingent put up points for us to stay at the Courtyard by Marriott near the airport to soften the blow of our 6AM flights.  After mocking the Courtyard on the taxi ride over, I immediately ate crow when we opened the window shades and I saw the view.

Standard room

WAIT, I kind of like this Marriott!

Aer Lingus rounding the turn

Only 17K Amex points roundtrip?!

I spent a good hour overlooking Boston Logan in complete enjoyment watching the long-haul planes land and takeoff from the likes of Iberia, Lufthansa, and Aer Lingus.  Thanks to lucky, I now know this Aer Lingus flight is only 17K Amex points (25K Avios round trip) with limited fuel surcharges! I’m sold.

I’ve spent time in ATL at the Renaissance airport hotel with some solid views along with this Courtyard at Logan.  What are your favorite airport hotels with views of the long-hauls?  Have you ever spent hours watching the planes take off?