Review: Courtyard Marriott, Kuwait

But you quickly get used to the higher levels of security and the hotel tries to minimise the disruption it causes.

Once past the security, you start to see the brighter side of the Courtyard Marriott. Staff at check-in are friendly and efficient and the lobby area is big and airy, with space to sit and relax.

Rooms are to the standard you would expect from the Marriott - big and spacious with the facilities you would expect. As well as internet access in the rooms there is also free wireless access in the seating area next to reception. In both cases, we got decent speeds.

Breakfast and dinner

A buffet breakfast is included in the price and there was plenty of choice. The Italian restaurant, Il Forno, served up a tasty menu in the evening.

The hotel is well positioned in the city and is attached to a small shopping centre. It is clearly targets women, judging by the shops inside.

The hotel will arrange a car and driver should you wish. Here we had mixed success. To say the first driver was terrible would be to pay him a compliment, but the hotel quickly organised a second driver who knew his way around.

If you need a visa for Kuwait, the hotel will organise it, and it will also send a driver to pick you up at the airport. Anyone with a GCC, EU or US passport does not need to get a visa before travelling, but we faced chaos at the airport.

After disembarking, you'll need to get a ticket number, have your passport photocopied and then wait in a lengthening queue. Once your number's up, you pay a small fee but that is not the end of the hanging around. Your passport is then passed to another desk, where you will wait in another disorganised queue until your passport is top of the pile and given an entry stamp.

This whole process took well over an hour. My travelling companions, both of whom had to organise a visa before leaving Dubai, had meanwhile breezed through immigration. If it's possible to get a visa organised before leaving your starting point, our advice - until the entry process is made smoother - is to do so. You'll save yourself a lot of time and frustration at Kuwait airport.

It's difficult to criticise the Courtyard Marriott - we had a pleasant stay where we enjoyed good food and efficient, friendly staff. Would we stay again when we travel to Kuwait? We've already booked our rooms for our next trip.

AME Info paid for its rooms and all food and beverages while staying at the Marriott Courtyard.