I stay at the property every six months to attend a trade show on the Airport strip. Every January and August the gift show takes place and many of the airport strip hotels are full of exhibitors and attendees. The Congress Centre and the International Centre are very close. So if you are wondering who stays in this hotel besides those not wishing to have a long drive before they catch that early flight to the Carribean in the morning, you will find a lot of business travellers.

Having said that, the Marriott is a very comeptent hotel. They have just gone through a renovation - for those of you who have visited this hotel in the past, the Mikado restaurant is gone, the bar/club is gone. There is now a bar next to the restaurant which style-wise I think is nicer - that old billiard bar always seemed out of place. However, they need to adjust the lighting for the outer part of that bar, it is way too bright for a bar. The part closer to the restaurant is more pleasant.

The service in the restaurant is very warm and helpful - their staff seems to stay there for years and years, there seems to be a big loyalty factor. They remember my name even though I have not been there for six months (and I have not left on my name tag from the show!) The food is very good, and the restaurant has a nice ambience with a view to the back lawn and wooded area which is pleasant (seeing that it is an airport hotel). They have a vegetarian ravioli dish which I could not get enough of, I could have had it every time I ate there.

The rooms are nice and the bedding is fantastic - nice puffy duvets and pillows. I love it. Cannot say anything bad about the rooms. And I didn't hear noise even though it is close to the airport.

The hotel is located very close to the airport, but don't take a taxi, it costs almost $20 which is ridiculous. Take the shuttle. It depends on which terminal you are in for which post wait next to, but ask someone as you follow the signs for shuttle buses, OR call the hotel and they will tell you. I have never had to wait that long and I go there often. It is a pleasant ride and they stop at the Marriott first, it is not a milk run like some of the other shuttles.

They have a business centre which is handy, you can go on the internet, etc. and print (for a price).

What kills me when I stay here in the summer is the lack of an outdoor pool. If you stay at the Holiday Inn Select across the road they have a fabulous outdoor pool (and indoor as well). The Marriott only has an indoor pool. And if you sit outside in the back, try getting served a drink. In this area the Select has it all over the Marriott. However we don't want to switch back and forth between the Marriott and the Select, it gets confusing for our group, so we stick with the Marriott. Also the Marriott has a good points program, make sure you sign up.

One final note: they can handle themselves in a crisis - a number of years ago there was a blackout in Toronto. It affected a large area of the city, hotels included. The Marriott handled itself wonderfully, passing out little 'glow in the dark' sticks to find our rooms, it opened the buffett to everyone, and it was all handled very well I thought.

All in all, a good solid business hotel.