Marriott Rewards (including Ritz-Carlton) - New Marriott Columbia, SC

Anyone been here? Any comments? Treatment of Silver Elite? Wasn't there some promo for stays paid with AMEX? Anyone know details?

Thanks!

When it was orignally built about 15 years ago (or so) it was a Marriott. Later, it was sold off to Adam's Mark, and according to a cab driver (not the best source of info), they let the hotel go down. Now it's a marriott again. I stayed there too long ago, but it has a good downtown location. Hopefully Marriott has put some money revamping it or will.

Billy

Just stayed there. Went throught the Plat Premier line to get GOV rate which was not available online.

New bedding.

Very nice C-lounge with a few 30 inch Plasma screens.
Staff are very nice.

Nice workout room and pool.

Did not eat in the resturant.

Great downtown location.

Thought I would add to this thread with my recent experience. We were looking for a stopover on the trip home for FLorida. I got such a great deal on Marriott's website for a package that included dinner (Steak and Lobster or any other entree) as well as breakfast, that I was a little worried about the quality of the place (Escape Dining Package $99a night). So I was very pleasantly surprised to find such an upscale facility with an extremely helpful staff. All my requests were promptly and cheerfully filled including a request for a rollaway that was actually delivered to the room before we could get our luggage up there. Reastaurant was excellent for both meals, though the service at night was a little on the slow side (only negative, but with tired children, bordering on cranky, it was a little bit of a problem). Kids loved the indoor pool the next morning that we used to expend some of their energy before continuing the trip home. I would certainly stay here again if in the area. Don't know how they can offer a dining package at this good of rate, they even threw in breakfast for the kids. I figure we probably almost ate what the room rate was (the steaks would have been $25 ea if we had to pay menu price).
Cindi

I stayed there last weekend. I used a Bonus Euro certificate which the clerk at checkin had never seen before. I told him it was like bonus bucks but was credited at the hotel's foreign exchange rate for euro's. He said he'd figure it out by checkout and indeed we had a credit of $128.00 on our bill.

The hotel staff were all very nice and helpful. I even received an email from a Senior Sales Manager thanking me for my stay.

The carpets in the hallways on the 9th floor could use replacing but the room itself was fine. The elecrtonic locks on the room doors are tempermental. I had to insert the key several times to get a green light. Same for friends that were ina different room.

The building uses a chilled water cooling system. Although undocumented in the room or on the thremostat, you have to have the fan speed on 2 or 3 for the AC to work otherwise regardless of what temperture you set the thermostat resets itself to the current tempurture and clicks ebvery minute or so. Once an engineer came to the room and told me about the fan speed 2 or 3 thing it was fine the rest of the weekend.

Does anyone think this hotel is worth the Category 4 for rewards?

I'm going to a USC/UF game next week and debating $250/night for the hotel or Stay Anytime award for Cat 4.

It seems like a nice enough hotel. You might also want to check out the new Courtyard downtown/USC. I think it's only a category 2 and, if I remember correctly, it's a bit closer to the stadium. I'm thinking that, wherever you choose to stay, you'll probably still have to drive to the stadium.

This hotel should be a category 4 on a redemption. Great location for any before and after activities concerning the game. You are a few blocks from the university, and a few from an area known as the Vista, which has lots of restaurants and bars.

You will need to drive to the game. Perhaps the hotel or local bars will have a shuttle. I do not know. Either way, Go Gamecocks!

Could we walk from the Courtyard? It just opened up for a Stay Anytime award too - is the location as good as the Marriott?

The Courtyard is within reasonable walking distance of the game. I'd say, prob. a 25-30 minute walk. If you drive it, expect to pay at least 20$ for parking.

There will NOT be a shuttle (or at least I doubt it) as Assembly Street is one-way during the games... So I don't know how the shuttle could make it back.

The Marriott is a good bit further, prob. an additional 20-25 minutes, for a total near 1 hour walk. If you like walking and the weather is good, not that big a deal.

The Courtyard, btw, used to be a Holiday Inn. The Vista is about a 10-15 mins walk from the CY, it's a bit uphill but not too bad.

For vittles, try The Blue Marlin in the Vista, or Liberty's (both are $$-$$$ out of $$$$). There's also a new Ruth's Chris in the new Hilton, not sure if they have opened or not yet. If you like cajun food, "Doc's Gumbo Grill" ($-$$) is pretty good. They usually have bands on fri/sat. It's a straight shot down (well uphill technically) Assembly from the CY. Mellow Mushroom on Gervais ($) has decent pizzas and an eclectic patronage.

Wild Wings (corner of Lady street and ?) can be a lot of fun too for after-game partying. So is Flying Saucer (corner of Park st &?)

Anymore questions? I live there, and often go to the Gamecocks games! :D

JP
Could we walk from the Courtyard? It just opened up for a Stay Anytime award too - is the location as good as the Marriott?

The Courtyard is within reasonable walking distance of the game. I'd say, prob. a 25-30 minute walk. If you drive it, expect to pay at least 20$ for parking.

There will NOT be a shuttle (or at least I doubt it) as Assembly Street is one-way during the games... So I don't know how the shuttle could make it back.

The Marriott is a good bit further, prob. an additional 20-25 minutes, for a total near 1 hour walk. If you like walking and the weather is good, not that big a deal.

The Courtyard, btw, used to be a Holiday Inn. The Vista is about a 10-15 mins walk from the CY, it's a bit uphill but not too bad.

For vittles, try The Blue Marlin in the Vista, or Liberty's (both are $$-$$$ out of $$$$). There's also a new Ruth's Chris in the new Hilton, not sure if they have opened or not yet. If you like cajun food, "Doc's Gumbo Grill" ($-$$) is pretty good. They usually have bands on fri/sat. It's a straight shot down (well uphill technically) Assembly from the CY. Mellow Mushroom on Gervais ($) has decent pizzas and an eclectic patronage.

Wild Wings (corner of Lady street and ?) can be a lot of fun too for after-game partying. So is Flying Saucer (corner of Park st &?)

Anymore questions? I live there, and often go to the Gamecocks games! :D

JP

Thanks for the info! I'll probably swap to the courtyard for 50% less points..

Here's the map from the CY to W-B stadium:

http://tinyurl.com/ysf83z

It takes you on Rosewood Dr., which I would prob. want to avoid at night :)

Just stay on Assembly, and make the right turn on George Rogers Blvd. You'll pass by the state fairgrounds and the insane amount of tailgaters.

JP
Thanks for the info! I'll probably swap to the courtyard for 50% less points..

The stadium is not on campus. You can't walk to the game from either the CY or Marriott downtown. Just too far unless you like walking 1 hr. You won't find any shuttles to take you to the game either. You'll have to park near the stadium for $15-20. Enjoy one of the billion tailgates.

You are within walking distance of the vista area. (10-15 minutes). That would be a good place to go hang out after the game.

The Marriott is ok, nothing special. I did used to be an Adam's Mark, and recently changed hands a few years ago. It may be too late to book an award stay though. If you're Platinum, you can get an override. It's a football weekend, so the rate is probably higher than normal. Their usual weekend rate is $109-$119.

Go Gamecocks!!