Close and Convenient — But is the Marriott LaGuardia Airport Hotel Worth the Price? (Review)

First of all, I understand that the featured image above isn’t of a hotel. But it’s from a video I shot of the stunning approach to New York-LaGuardia Airport (LGA). And I stayed at a hotel close to LGA. So, that’s how this all ties together.

I flew to New York and reviewed the brand new (and gorgeous) Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at LaGuardia. I arrived the night before at around 8:00 PM and was due back at LGA around 11:30 AM. I love Manhattan — but it didn’t make sense for me to go out of my way to stay in The City.

So, I looked for a hotel close to LaGuardia. Naturally, I wanted to book an award stay with points.

The welcome offer from my Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card came with three Free Nights, each valued at up to 50,000 points. One night remained — and expired in March. The Marriott LaGuardia Airport Hotel was 35,000 points for a night. I didn’t love that price. But  my award was about to expire in seven weeks. Plus, the Marriott has a free shuttle to and from LaGuardia. So, I figured I’d burn the Free Night award at the Marriott. (It’s better than paying retail, right?!)

(All information related to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card was collected independently by Eye of the Flyer and was neither provided nor reviewed by the card issuer.)

Marriott LaGuardia Airport Hotel Review

After a quick dinner inside a Delta Sky Club, I called the Marriott to request a shuttle. I think I waited outside maybe three or four minutes — but it seemed like an hour because a cold wind blew through the arrivals level that night. (I took the shuttle back to LGA the next morning. I waited about 7-8 minutes for the ride — I’ve spent longer waiting for ride shares.)

The ride to the hotel took about five minutes. I checked in, (and received a thank-you for my Marriott Bonvoy Gold status, a perk of my Amex Business Platinum Card (enrollment required) and headed to my room.

The first thing I noticed: the place — or maybe just my room — needs a splash of paint or something. Kind of like the O’Hare Hilton, it shows its age.

I don’t love hardwood floors — I’m more of a carpet person. (#FirstWorldProblems.)

The bed was comfortable and I slept fairly well. I’m someone who frequently doesn’t sleep well during their first (or only) night somewhere other than their bed at home.

Here’s the TV view from your bed.

(That’s not an adjoining room door. What you see is a mirror reflecting the bathroom’s sliding door. But it still kind of opened up the room.)

No complaints about the bathroom and closet.

I brought my own toiletries because I’m always skeeved out by the refillables.

Food and Beverage

I visited the bar for a night cap. (The things I do for my readers. 😉 )

I ordered my favorite cocktail: an Old Fashioned with Buffalo Trace bourbon. (Knob Creek is the house hooch.) It was a little sweet for my liking. I watched the bartender make someone else’s; he poured a generous helping of maraschino cherry juice into the glass and added a lot of orange bitters. When I ordered another one (again, purely for research), I asked that he forego the cherry juice, lessen the orange bitters, and instead add an extra half-dash of regular bitters. “We’re out of regular bitters,” he said. Fail.

I enjoyed chatting with the bar staff. They’re funny (“Food menu? Or strictly liquid diet?”), but beware, they will bring out that New York Attitude. (My wife’s family is from New York, so I’m used to it. 🙂 )

Here are the food and beverage menus. (Sorry for the poor views — the lighting made it tough.)

I was hungry the next morning and headed down for breakfast.

The buffet wasn’t exactly amazing. It was fine but I didn’t love it.

Final Approach

The Marriott LaGuardia was decent for a night. I’ve stayed in much nicer airport hotels (such as the Hyatt O’Hare and the InterContinental MSP). But the five-minute ride to/from LaGuardia was great. The staff was nice.

35,000 points was pretty obnoxious — but, again, you’re paying for location. Not the property itself.