Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on November 11, 2023.
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When it comes to hotels in the Cultural District in Pittsburgh, it is hard to beat the Courtyard Marriott Downtown.
Part of this is because the hotel is right in the middle of the Penn Avenue business district, but the other part is simply that the hotel is within just a few blocks of the theaters, the convention center, Market Square, and so much more.
But the real perk of this hotel is that if you are lucky, you may also find a room rate that doesn't break the bank. A reasonable price with a location to match? That is a winner- even if this hotel doesn't stray too far from the mold of the chain.
Comfortable Rooms in the Heart of Downtown
For the most part, the rooms at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown follow a pretty standard mold for the hotel chain- if you have stayed at this one before, odds are good you already know what to expect.
The rooms have modest space, conventional amenities, and comfortable, albeit firm, beds. The decor also has a Pittsburgh vibe with artwork depicting local buildings in a unique style that we appreciated as well.
One of the more interesting things about the rooms here comes from the building design as, actually true to the brand name, the building features a central courtyard.
As such, some rooms face out to the city, while others (like room 808 that we stayed in), face inward. I cannot say whether all even rooms face inward and all odd rooms face out, even though it seems that way from our walk around, but what the interior room lacked in the form of a view it made up in being quiet- high level away from street traffic? We heard nothing even at peak downtown hours.
So in this respect, the hotel simply offers a nice respite while being centrally located in the Cultural District in downtown Pittsburgh.
Other Amenities On Site
Going beyond the room, the Courtyard Marriott Downtown Pittsburgh continues with a fairly standard spread of amenities.
The central courtyard has cozy seating for those wanting a quiet space to sit outside on a nice day, the fitness center is straightforward, and breakfast is offered at The Standard restaurant next door.
It felt like a bit of a missed opportunity for the hotel to not utilize the courtyard for a happy hour or bar setup on a nice night like the one we were there for, but ignoring that, this one does not stray too far from the mold you expect from the chain.
Truly, the real perk of this hotel is its location. You are right in the heart of the Cultural District. You are quite literally just a few blocks away from most of the theaters, the convention center, and within easy access of some of downtown Pittsburgh's top bars and restaurants.
Although there are several hotels in this stretch of downtown, the prime location at a reasonable price point (during most days we have researched) makes the Courtyard an intriguing option for those who want to be right in the middle of it all without breaking the bank- especially if you do not desire any more unique amenities on property.
The only real downside here is that parking services at this hotel are on the high end and valet-only, but city operated garages like the Smithfield-Liberty garage is only a couple blocks away with far cheaper night and weekend rates- walking a couple extra blocks could save a fair bit of money here.
Overall, the Courtyard Marriott Pittsburgh is one of those “you see what you get” hotels. Have we stayed in more interesting hotels downtown? Absolutely. But the location of this one and amenities you are likely already familiar with make this a worthy option for those who want to stay downtown, especially if you can find a room at a reasonable price point like we did.
Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Pittsburgh is located at 945 Penn Avenue in the Cultural District.
