We stopped by the Courtyard by Marriott Fort Wayne Downtown at Grand Wayne Convention Center to take a tour of this 3-star hotel next to the Grand Wayne Convention Center and the Tin Cups Ballpark in downtown Fort Wayne. Within a short walk of this six-floor building are the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, the Embassy Theatre, and the main branch of the Allen County Library. In fact, its location is the perfect location to begin your story in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
First Impressions
So what’s the hotel like? Well, when we stepped inside, we were pleasantly greeted with holiday decorations and a welcoming, warm lobby. It was before check-in time, so it was pretty quiet, but with plenty of seating and spaces to relax, it seemed like the perfect location to relax to wait for a room to become available or wait for the attached diner to open for dinner.
The Lobby and First Floor
The people at the front desk were friendly and eager to help. As we waited for the manager to take us on a tour of the rooms, my family and I wandered around the first floor to find three huge banquet rooms (that they were setting up for a night’s event). The pool looked a bit small and dark as it was tucked into a room that looked a little darker than I would have liked, and a weight room was attached to it, although we didn’t have access to it since we didn’t actually stay for the night. But, as small as that space seemed to me, it was clean and inviting, so while it wasn’t the most attractive pool I’d ever seen, it also wasn’t horrible. Outside, an outdoor seating area with large fire pits that was both inviting and cozy – the perfect place for an evening chat or to curl up with a good book.
The Room
Upstairs, we visited a room on the fourth floor that had a view of the ballpark. And I am telling you, that was cool. Anyone in this room would be able to watch a free game, and if it was a night at Parkview Ballpark offered fireworks, you’d have the chance to see them with an unobstructed view. The room itself was large and clean with a king-sized bed, a small couch, and a spacious, bright bathroom.
Final thoughts
All in all, this Courtyard property is placed in the perfect location for a stay in downtown or as a base to explore the nearby area. Though a city, it doesn’t take long to make it around the greater area by car, and if you are staying within the city, it's an easy walk to restaurants, entertainment, the convention center, and many businesses. Best of all, with the ease of connections to entertainment and food, you can find the perfect start to your stay in Fort Wayne.