Long Beach Marriott Review

After I couldn’t extend my stay at the awesome Palm Suite of the Hyatt Regency Long Beach because the room was sold out, I decided to check out. My plan was to go up to the Mojave desert anyway, but I wanted to stop by at the Festival of Flight at the Long Beach Airport before heading out into the desert. I checked for a close-by hotel to stay there, the night before the event and after visiting the event, my plan was to head out to the desert. The Long Beach Marriott is one of the closet hotels to the airport.

Location

The Long Beach Marriott is just about a mile away from the Long Beach Airport terminal. One side of the hotel has great views of runway 12-30, which is used by all the commercial airliners with JetBlue as the biggest carrier out of LGB. The hotel parking lot also features a Tesla Destination Charger. It’s easy to get from the hotel to the I-405 Interstate.

Check-In

After arriving at the hotel, I pulled up to the front entrance and walked inside to check-in. There were a few people in front of me, some of them from the Air Force and most likely attending the Air Festival as well. Danielle was checking me in and she was just awesome. She pulled up my reservation, double-checked my I.D. and credit card and I received bonus points as a welcome amenity and a food voucher for one of the restaurants as the club lounge is closed on weekends. She put my keys with all the vouchers in a small pouch and handed them to me. This was a great check-in experience.

I walked outside, to park my car and headed to the elevator which is next past the front desk on the right side. To use the elevator you have to swipe your room key. Your room key will only give you access to the floor you are on and none of the other floors. Usually, the room key gives you access to all floors. The club lounge is located on the 7th floor and not on the highest floor, which would be the 8th. Once getting off the elevator you will walk right past the club lounge to get to your room, no matter which one you have.

Guest Room, 1 King (Room 747)

The room is almost at the end of the hallway on the left side, facing west, towards the Long Beach Airport. When I walked in the sun was lighting up the whole room. Immediately to the right are the vanity and a closet. Separated by a door is the bathroom with toilet and shower-tub combination.

Past that is the main bedroom with a King-sized bed on the right. On either side is a nightstand with a lamp on top of it. The right nightstand is the only one that provided power outlets and USB charging ports, while the left one had a light switch and dimmer for the light above the headboard and the lights on top of the window.

In the corner is a chair with a footrest and a table. On top of the table was the ice bucket and two glasses. Next to the chair and table is a lamp.

Opposite the bed is a TV on top of a closet. On top of the closet, you find beside the TV, a coffee maker, and two water bottles. The closet itself houses a refrigerator and a safe.

Next to the closet with the TV is a table with an office chair. The marble-imitation top of the table, unfortunately, affected my mouse negatively and I had to use a mousepad. Otherwise, the table is well sized and comfortable to work on. On top of it is also a lamp and a telephone. A mirror is mounted directly above the table.

The window gives you a good view of the runway and airport. Also, a great spot to view the sunset. Unfortunately, the windows were pretty dirty, which you could see especially during sunset. It’s not worth it taking pictures through the window. You can slide them open a little bit, but there is still an outer window layer.

I was surprised how quiet it is inside the room. Of course, you can hear the plane, especially if they take off towards the North. But other than that, the room is very quiet and you don’t hear a lot of outside noise.

Public Areas

The Long Beach Marriott has a beautiful lobby. The main part of it is the Starbucks and Lobby Bar. There are plenty of chairs and tables to hang out and relax.

Out at the back of the hotel is a huge outdoor swimming pool and some additional ponds with a waterfall. It makes you feel like you are on a tropical island.

On the one side are some tables and chairs of the restaurant. The other side has a firepit with seating around it. Next to the firepit is a smaller indoor pool. The indoor pool area also comes with some chairs and tables.

Next to the indoor pool is a pretty big and well-equipped fitness center. Perfect for every workout.

The Long Beach Marriott also has an on-site car rental service from Allied – Rent a Car.

Next to the front desk, you can find a concierge, to help you out booking trips and experiences. A free shuttle service is offered to all destinations within 3 miles, which includes the Long Beach Airport as well as a few restaurants. Ask the front desk or concierge for more information.

Dining

Breakfast is served at The Terrace Grille & Patio, which is just behind the elevator lobby. You have the choice between buffet and a la carte. However, if your room rate comes with free breakfast or you get free breakfast because of your Marriott Bonvoy status, then only the buffet is included in this offer. The breakfast buffet runs about $19 according to the hotel’s website. Don’t expect too much from the buffet. It is pretty standard but it comes with an omelet station. The buffet itself offers no eggs, just order your eggs, for example, scrambled eggs, right at the omelet station. If you are craving some toast, you won’t find it anywhere on the buffet. Instead, you have to order it with your waitress or waiter directly. The Terrace Grille & Patio is also open for lunch and dinner. You can also decide to sit outside at their patio, overlooking the pool area.

Breakfast Buffet

Besides the Terrace Grille & Patio, you can enjoy some Tex-Mex at the Tamarindo’s Margarita Bar & Cantina. The entrance to this restaurant is located next to the rental car counter. It also features an outdoor patio but this one is facing the parking lot in front of the hotel.

If you are just hanging out in the lobby or just for a drink and small finger food, try the Vista Bar & Starbucks Lounge in the lobby. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Room service is also available from 6 a.m. until midnight. There is a menu in your room. For all other needs, there is a small market next to the front desk, which sells snacks and drinks.

Conclusion

Altogether, it was a great stay at the Long Beach Marriott. I am a little disappointed about their weird lounge hours. The pool area is definitely one of the best features. Aviation geeks may be more excited about the great views of the runway. Thanks to an outdoor stairwell access, you can get awesome pictures of the airport and planes taking off and landing. No windows are between you and your picture anymore.