Courtyard Boone

Courtyard by Marriott Boone is popular with sports teams that need a place to stay near Appalachian State University, and the hotel's large modern lobby -- with an orange-and-blue carpeted seating area with chairs and couches -- is a popular gathering spot for these teams and visiting families. The main lounge area has a slight mid-century feel to it, with curved blue booths and grey window seats topped with floral cushions, organized around coffee tables and flat-screen TVs. The Bistro restaurant serves breakfast and dinner in adjacent dining area, with orange leather chairs at dark wood tables; on the counter, pastries like pound cake and blueberry scones are displayed for a more casual, cafe-style feel. Outside, there’s a large stone patio with rattan chairs encircling a fire-pit where guests can enjoy the outdoors. 

The hotel is located on busy Highway 105 in the Blue Ridge Mountains, within a mile of Appalachian State University. Some guests complain that it can be difficult to make turn out of the parking lot onto the busy highway. There are plenty of fast food and casual restaurants, as well as a shopping mall, within a short drive. Boone Golf Course is under a 10-minute drive, and there are plenty of ski areas within an hour’s drive, such as Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain, and Appalachian Ski Mountain. The region has plenty of parks for hiking and camping. Grandfather Mountain, the tallest mountain in the Blue Ridge, is around a half-hour drive, and the Blue Ridge Parkway is less than 15 minutes away.

Rooms at the hotel are classic mid-range chain fare, in keeping with the brand's aesthetic, with cream walls, striped carpeting, and wooden furnishings, including a desk. Floral accent walls and framed photos add some color. All rooms have coffee/tea facilities, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with premium channels. Bathrooms have white tile floors, granite countertops, red accent walls, walk-in showers, and Paul Mitchell toiletries. Guests complain of hearing noise from the hallway, but love the clean rooms and comfortable beds.

The hotel has a small indoor pool and a whirlpool hot tub. There’s also a small, modern fitness center with two treadmills, an elliptical machine, and a stationary bike, all with personal LCD screens, in addition to other equipment. The casual, cafe-style restaurant, called the Bistro, is open for breakfast and dinner, and serves Starbucks coffee and pastries, as well as wine and beer. There is an outdoor patio with grills and a fire-pit. The lobby has a business center with three computers and two printers, as well as a small marketplace offering drinks and snacks. Coin-operated laundry machines are available, and parking is free. A meeting rooms is available for private events that can accommodate up to 75 people.