Review: Marriott Hotel Georgetown, Guyana
Intro
During my one-night stay in Georgetown, Guyana, I had the opportunity to stay at the Marriott Hotel. When staying in Georgetown, there are realistically two options for high-end hotels: the first is the Marriott, and the second is the Pegasus, located less than a mile away. Seeing as it was my first time in Guyana, I opted for the Marriott this time around, as I was able to get a decent deal of 15,000 points+175$ for my stay.
In all honesty, this hotel seemed to be a complete business hub for international businessmen. If you are looking for a taste of Guyana, this is definitely not the spot that I would recommend. However, it is an enclosed hotel with security outside; it overlooks the ocean and is relatively nice inside.
Location
Once landing onboard the American Airlines Max 8 from Miami, I had pre-arranged a taxi service to take me on the 45-minute drive to the hotel. The hotel offers a taxi service with a dedicated driver waiting outside for 65 USD one way. This is slightly more than local taxis, but it also creates a stress-free experience.
For those wondering about the exact location, it is situated in the northernmost part of downtown Georgetown, right by the ocean. Prime real estate territory, if I had to guess.
Check-In/Lobby
Once through the security gates, we made it around to the driveway, where doormen were waiting for customers. Once out of the car, the hotel is present, and that is where this grand lobby was situated.
Once scouring the lobby and taking in that this was in Georgetown (crazy difference out of the grounds versus on the grounds), it was time to head over to check-in.
Keep in mind the pictures of the lobby were taken at 4 am the next morning when no one was around.
The staff were very kind, confirmed my room, and offered a complimentary welcome drink. When I heard a Banks beer, I was all over it😅.
Rooms
The Marriott is a large property, considering they accommodate pretty much all of the business travelers and cabin crews from flights. My room would be on the 8th floor with a gobsmacking ocean view. Everything is a bit old, as you can tell from the pictures, but everything still functions nonetheless.
The view out of this bedroom was unbelievable. The only thing that shocked me was how dirty the water was. I wonder whether it was just the season or something else because the rest of the Caribbean certainly doesn't look like this...
The Club/Terrace
From 5-7 pm every day, guests who booked club access or who have premium status on Marriott can enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks on the terrace. Seeing as I was traveling with status on this reservation, I opted to head down to the terrace to enjoy some of it. It's a wonderful place to relax and watch a Caribbean sunset while enjoying a beer. The food offerings are simple finger food, while a few liquors are available, as well as two options of beer.
The Pool
Before heading to bed, I decided to go for a late-night swim in the pool. Like most hotels, the pool had also seen better days, but you could tell that the Marriott was doing its best to maintain it. With a nice hot tub, free towels, and a big pool, it is certainly a nice addition.
The Restaurant
There are three restaurants for guests to choose from at the Marriott. The main restaurant is Terra Mare, which is supposed to be a decent restaurant that is open from 6:30 am- 10:30 pm. The second is a sushi bar located in the lobby at the bar, and the third is the outdoor restaurant by the pool open for lunch and dinner.
I was so knackered I didn't get a chance to try any of them out.
Additionally, across the way from the main restaurant is a wine store. My guess is that the prices are well above average, but it is a unique addition to the hotel.
Observations
I tend to be quite an observant person, and this hotel especially piqued my interest in many ways. Here are some of my observations:
I don't think I saw a single person there on vacation; it was all business colleagues or flight crew drinking at the bar. Heck, even at the airport, people were wondering what I was doing in Georgetown...
It was mostly all caucasian people from Europe in blazers.
The hotel is completely separated from the rest of the town in terms of energy.
The staff were very friendly during my time there and happy to help in anything that I needed.
Final Thoughts
I recommend this hotel if you are a business traveler to Guyana or somebody who is comfortable going out and exploring what Georgetown has to offer. With that being said, if you are a tourist looking to go out partying at night and exploring the local markets, this hotel offers very little cultural aspect representing Guyana, plus it can get extremely expensive (500$ per night).
However, the hotel is probably the nicest and safest in Georgetown. With walls around the premises and security, you have very little to worry about. The rooms are decent, with great views, and the pool is a fantastic addition.
Comentarios