The Courtyard, upgraded from a Holiday Inn in 2008, keeps in theme with Bradenton’s Spanish/Hernando de Soto theme via its archways and red barrel tile roof architecture and lushly vegetated fountains.

The ultra-modern lobby holds a Starbucks café and a bistro, plus lots of inviting spaces to gather, work on computers, and play games.

It is the only place to stay along downtown Bradenton’s Riverwalk, a 1-5-mile paved pathway overlooking the Manatee River. It takes pedestrians and bikers along the property’s sand beach, plus a fishing pier, Family Fun Zone playground with interactive fountain, skate park, and other engaging spaces.

It is also close to downtown’s shopping, restaurants, history museum, and performing arts hall.

All accommodations offer free Wi-Fi, plus a coffeemaker, flat-screen TV, and cable with premium movie channels. Worker bees will appreciate the large desk and ergonomic chair.

Suites
The hotel's 57 suites are located on all five floors of accommodations with balconies overlooking the pool. They contain either a king-sized or two queen-sized beds in a separate bedroom, plus a double sofa bed in the living area. They also have a small refrigerator.

Standard Rooms
Opt for a view of the river or the courtyard. Rooms with king beds come with a sofa bed. Otherwise, there are two queen beds in each room. The Riverview rooms have a very narrow balcony. Some standard rooms are adjoining.

Pool
Lush vegetation surrounds the property's one six-sided pool, which is outdoors but heated. It ranges from 3 to 6 feet deep. There's also a whirlpool in the fenced pool area -- a perfect place for parents to relax while the kids cool down after an active day in Bradenton. Guests can enjoy the pool from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Sand Beach
A man-made sand beach lies between the hotel and the Riverwalk. Cool, curvy cement lounge chairs are surprisingly comfortable. Two sand, fenced volleyball courts lie adjacent to the sunning area. The facility is open to the public as part of Riverwalk amenities.

The Bistro
The hotel has only one dining venue that serves Starbucks coffee free all day and does breakfast, lunch, dinner, and beer and wine. Kids have their own menu with games to keep them busy while they wait for their food. Kids meals are $4.50 each and include such options as French toast or cereal with a banana for breakfast; turkey sandwich, cheese quesadilla, or Caesar salad for lunch or dinner. Milk or juice are included in the price, and lunch/dinner meals include a choice of one healthy side, such as vegetable sticks or yogurt. The regular menu too tends toward healthy with egg white frittata, flatbreads, salads, and sandwiches.

Delivery
A number of downtown pizza places and restaurants deliver food.

In-Room Dining
The hotel's market sells frozen entrees (and has a microwave), ice cream, snacks, and pre-made sandwiches.

All About the Extras
Fitness Center
The hotel's fitness center is new with state-of-the-art theater cardio machines that overlook the courtyard through a walls of glass. There are treadmills, elliptical and biking machines, and free weights.

Pet Policies
There's a $75 plus tax non-refundable fee for pets to stay; no weight limit.

Amenities
All rooms have coffeemakers, hair dryers, iron and ironing boards, and in-room movies. Complimentary Starbucks coffee and weekday newspapers come with no resort fee. Besides laundry service, the hotel offers guest laundry facilities. A cool, interactive big screen in the lobby helps with all sorts of local information.

Check-In/Check-Out
Check-in is 3 p.m. and check-out is noon.

The Art of Smart Timing
High season for the Bradenton area runs from Christmas through Easter. That's when rates are highest and rooms harder to come by. Summer brings a brisk family clientele as well, especially on weekends, but rates go down. The best rates can be found during the low seasons between Easter and summer vacation and after school starts and the holidays.

Getting There
The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is the closest airport to this Courtyard, but has limited airlines service. Tampa International Airport (TPA) is better served and lies about 50 minutes away near interstate access.

Getting Around
You can walk or ride a bike the 1-mile distance to downtown Bradenton along the Riverwalk. From downtown, you can catch Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) buses to the beaches on Anna Maria Island and other destinations around the county.

For Mom and Dad
Downtown Bradenton provides a number of options for cocktails or dinner away from the kids. Pier 22 is a popular restaurant with drinks and dining on the river.