Marriott and AC Hotels to Form "AC by Marriott"
Feb 13, 2012, 1:21 pm
#181
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NJ USA
Programs: AA PLAT 2MM, MR TITANIUM 2M, HH DIA, Hyatt EXP, BW DIA, IC AMB, IHG PLAT, UA GLD
Posts: 1,086
AC Cuenca Spain
Very interesting town. Nice day trip from Madrid if you don't have time for a night's stay. I stayed here one night. Mixed results but generally I liked the property and AC chain very much.
Hotel is far from the new and old city but bus service to town is good and less than 1 euro. Near hotel is a large mall, 2 supermarkets (one in mall), and a McDonalds next to the hotel. #12 bus from the AVE station stops nearby (1e10).
Hotel and room decor is very very attractive. AC seems to be trying to emulate the Starwood W brand look and feel.
As platinum I was upgrade to a large corner room with small sitting area, separate large bathroom, and dressing area. Very very nice room, however there was NO safe. In this day every hotel room should have a private safe. I had to use a public safe a front desk which was so small it scratched my Mac. Room had bathrobe, slippers, proper hangers. Only one electrical outlet near desk.
Platinum amenity was a jar of nuts, a jar of candy (i think it might have been chocolate covered nuts--not sure) or 250 points. These were same offerings as other ACs so it may be standard. I think Marriott could do better. I took the points.
There is free internet in the lobby for all.
Free minibar was a nice touch although I tend to drink a lot of water so I still had to lug water from the grocery store. Minibar included 2 small still waters, 1 sparking water, 2 orange juice, 1 each tonic water, fanta, coke, coke light, San Miguel especial beer, a non alcoholic beer. I'm not 100% sure but I believe minibar attached to main electrical line so when you take out key your drinks and any food you are storing will get warm and possibly spoil.
Things I wish the room had:
--SAFE--all hotels should have a private laptop size safe in the room for security
--alarm clock or any kind of clock.
--coffee or hot water pot (rare to find at all but 5* hotels in spain)
--better lighting near desk
and lastly: -- AC is now part of Marriott more and more Americans will be staying at their properties. I stayed at 3 AC's on this trip and none had an English newspaper (even one on a pole in lobby would have been better than nothing). All had only BBC and CNN which to me are useless stations. I think it's time for AC to add CNBC and/or Bloomberg TV particularly if they are trying for a business clientele. (NH hotel in town has Bloomberg)
Also, they need better English speaking front desk clerks. We could barely communicate.
If anyone has any questions feel free to PM me.
Hotel is far from the new and old city but bus service to town is good and less than 1 euro. Near hotel is a large mall, 2 supermarkets (one in mall), and a McDonalds next to the hotel. #12 bus from the AVE station stops nearby (1e10).
Hotel and room decor is very very attractive. AC seems to be trying to emulate the Starwood W brand look and feel.
As platinum I was upgrade to a large corner room with small sitting area, separate large bathroom, and dressing area. Very very nice room, however there was NO safe. In this day every hotel room should have a private safe. I had to use a public safe a front desk which was so small it scratched my Mac. Room had bathrobe, slippers, proper hangers. Only one electrical outlet near desk.
Platinum amenity was a jar of nuts, a jar of candy (i think it might have been chocolate covered nuts--not sure) or 250 points. These were same offerings as other ACs so it may be standard. I think Marriott could do better. I took the points.
There is free internet in the lobby for all.
Free minibar was a nice touch although I tend to drink a lot of water so I still had to lug water from the grocery store. Minibar included 2 small still waters, 1 sparking water, 2 orange juice, 1 each tonic water, fanta, coke, coke light, San Miguel especial beer, a non alcoholic beer. I'm not 100% sure but I believe minibar attached to main electrical line so when you take out key your drinks and any food you are storing will get warm and possibly spoil.
Things I wish the room had:
--SAFE--all hotels should have a private laptop size safe in the room for security
--alarm clock or any kind of clock.
--coffee or hot water pot (rare to find at all but 5* hotels in spain)
--better lighting near desk
and lastly: -- AC is now part of Marriott more and more Americans will be staying at their properties. I stayed at 3 AC's on this trip and none had an English newspaper (even one on a pole in lobby would have been better than nothing). All had only BBC and CNN which to me are useless stations. I think it's time for AC to add CNBC and/or Bloomberg TV particularly if they are trying for a business clientele. (NH hotel in town has Bloomberg)
Also, they need better English speaking front desk clerks. We could barely communicate.
If anyone has any questions feel free to PM me.
Feb 20, 2012, 7:19 pm
#183
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Greener Pastures
Posts: 10,515
Hotel Atocha
Just did 3 nights there & I think fmkgb gave a good review & mine would be very similar, but here are some additional thoughts/comments:
Re: Alarm Clock - I used the TV as the alarm clock, it is programmable using the Menu -> clock function.
Re: TV channels - sure the only primary US channels were BBC/CNN (and France 24 was in English) - however, if you go into the TV menu options, you can actually change the language settings to English & about 5-6 other channels come in English. After midnight, there's some free porn on the sex ad channels if anyone's interested in that
I didn't have any thermostat issues (and I was there in February...GoingAway was there as were 2 of my friends & GoingAway did have some thermostat issues).
The shower floors were a little weird - but the shower itself & the multiple head options were good...agreed that it wouldn't be a room to share with someone you're not intimate with.
My room had a safe which a laptop could have easily fit in - maybe not if you're carrying a huge laptop, but it was a decent sized safe...big enough for my work laptop.
Front desk staff's engilsh was fine - no problems communicating. They did not charge me for 3 stamps for postcards to the US.
There are a few restaurants around the corner, not open on Sunday nights - but the train station area is only a few blocks away, so not a far walk.
I stayed at Atocha, but Carlton was about 2 blocks away - the picture of the Carlton on the website is pretty poor in comparison to how it looks in real life, FWIW.
Finally, you had the option of paying in USD or Euros...I chose Euros because the USD had the Visa rate +2.5% markup & I was using a credit card that did not charge foreign transaction fees.
Re: Alarm Clock - I used the TV as the alarm clock, it is programmable using the Menu -> clock function.
Re: TV channels - sure the only primary US channels were BBC/CNN (and France 24 was in English) - however, if you go into the TV menu options, you can actually change the language settings to English & about 5-6 other channels come in English. After midnight, there's some free porn on the sex ad channels if anyone's interested in that
I didn't have any thermostat issues (and I was there in February...GoingAway was there as were 2 of my friends & GoingAway did have some thermostat issues).
The shower floors were a little weird - but the shower itself & the multiple head options were good...agreed that it wouldn't be a room to share with someone you're not intimate with.
My room had a safe which a laptop could have easily fit in - maybe not if you're carrying a huge laptop, but it was a decent sized safe...big enough for my work laptop.
Front desk staff's engilsh was fine - no problems communicating. They did not charge me for 3 stamps for postcards to the US.
There are a few restaurants around the corner, not open on Sunday nights - but the train station area is only a few blocks away, so not a far walk.
I stayed at Atocha, but Carlton was about 2 blocks away - the picture of the Carlton on the website is pretty poor in comparison to how it looks in real life, FWIW.
Finally, you had the option of paying in USD or Euros...I chose Euros because the USD had the Visa rate +2.5% markup & I was using a credit card that did not charge foreign transaction fees.
Apr 28, 2012, 6:58 pm
#185
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
have experience with the Spanish/Portugese ACs, but if they stay to their standard, no recognition as gold (or plat)........... Italian ACs do provide breakfast to ALL guests (as opposed to Spain/Portugal). Wifi available in lobby. No lounge............ and if like Spain/Portugal, no in-room safety boxes and they'll turn on their A/Cs only seasonally, despite outside temps/noise.
Mini-bar contents were comped to all guests (part of AC brand program even before going w Marriott). Some had beer, others just soft drinks/juices/water.
Just think American CY and ýou'll get the idea of what to expect......
Mini-bar contents were comped to all guests (part of AC brand program even before going w Marriott). Some had beer, others just soft drinks/juices/water.
Just think American CY and ýou'll get the idea of what to expect......
Last edited by BKKLEE; Apr 28, 2012 at 7:12 pm
May 2, 2012, 12:26 pm
#186
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Here and there...
Posts: 1,501
AC Hotel - Florence
have experience with the Spanish/Portugese ACs, but if they stay to their standard, no recognition as gold (or plat)........... Italian ACs do provide breakfast to ALL guests (as opposed to Spain/Portugal). Wifi available in lobby. No lounge............ and if like Spain/Portugal, no in-room safety boxes and they'll turn on their A/Cs only seasonally, despite outside temps/noise.
Mini-bar contents were comped to all guests (part of AC brand program even before going w Marriott). Some had beer, others just soft drinks/juices/water.
Just think American CY and ýou'll get the idea of what to expect......
Mini-bar contents were comped to all guests (part of AC brand program even before going w Marriott). Some had beer, others just soft drinks/juices/water.
Just think American CY and ýou'll get the idea of what to expect......
Complimentary WiFi for elite: You get to choose either in-room PC or iPhone/iPad (not both). Since you need to get a code everyday (expires daily,) you can technically do one day PC, next day iPhone...
Complimentary Mini-bar: water, sparkling water, Fanta, Coke/Diet Coke, Juice (no adult beverage is stocked)
Others: in-room safety box, 24/7 access to in-house Turkish bath, no concierge (front desk folks are supposed to do all), lobby lounge turns into restaurant in the evenings, a bit "off" location from city center
May 4, 2012, 4:07 am
#187
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
AC Atocha (Madrid) breakfast not SO great as to be worth $20 IMHO
Regarding AC Atocha (Madrid):
It wasn't bad, but:
1. The only yogurt was packaged ones. A "great" breakfast buffet would have better yogurt available than major mass-produced brand packaged ones.
2. The only eggs availalbe of any kind were in the Tortilla Espanola. If you knew to look for it, great. If you were a visitor from outside Spain for the first time and you hadn't heard about it, you might have passed it over not knowing what it was.
3. There was no hot food (excepting bread you toasted).
And yet, desipte all this, it cost 14 Euros before VAT, 15.12 Euros all-in, which translates to about $20 at current exchange rates. Somewhat overpriced given those ilimitations IMHO.
That price was tolerable for one night, but if I were staying longer, I think I'd want to look for alternatives for breakfast outside the hotel.
Btw, I had originally booked for 2 nights, using 2 cat 1-4 certs I had, but my plane from the US had a mechanical and I arrived a day late. It was nice that the hotel (at least on the free night cert rate) had a day-of-arrival 6 pm local time cancellation, as I was able to call Marriott (in the US) in time to change my arrival date to a day later (and to remove one of the certs from the reservation and put it back into my account).
Which the hotel staff didn't know!!!
The hotel itself has a restaurant, but (despite no sign to that effect and a menu sitting outside) is also closed on Sundays. The night I was there was a Sunday, so after finding out the hotel restaurant was closed, I asked for a nearby recommendation that was open. They referred me to one of the restaurants around the corner, which as you note, is closed on Sundays! Duh!
1. The only yogurt was packaged ones. A "great" breakfast buffet would have better yogurt available than major mass-produced brand packaged ones.
2. The only eggs availalbe of any kind were in the Tortilla Espanola. If you knew to look for it, great. If you were a visitor from outside Spain for the first time and you hadn't heard about it, you might have passed it over not knowing what it was.
3. There was no hot food (excepting bread you toasted).
And yet, desipte all this, it cost 14 Euros before VAT, 15.12 Euros all-in, which translates to about $20 at current exchange rates. Somewhat overpriced given those ilimitations IMHO.
That price was tolerable for one night, but if I were staying longer, I think I'd want to look for alternatives for breakfast outside the hotel.
Btw, I had originally booked for 2 nights, using 2 cat 1-4 certs I had, but my plane from the US had a mechanical and I arrived a day late. It was nice that the hotel (at least on the free night cert rate) had a day-of-arrival 6 pm local time cancellation, as I was able to call Marriott (in the US) in time to change my arrival date to a day later (and to remove one of the certs from the reservation and put it back into my account).
Which the hotel staff didn't know!!!
The hotel itself has a restaurant, but (despite no sign to that effect and a menu sitting outside) is also closed on Sundays. The night I was there was a Sunday, so after finding out the hotel restaurant was closed, I asked for a nearby recommendation that was open. They referred me to one of the restaurants around the corner, which as you note, is closed on Sundays! Duh!
Jul 12, 2012, 10:57 pm
#188
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
AC Hotel Pisa – PSAPS
MR Notes: The only perk at this hotel for elite members is the free internet. It is an excellent wifi connection and because they charge otherwise, it is not a useless benefit. All paying guests (but not reward stays) get free breakfast in their restaurant (it is a cold one, no hot items). All guests also get free minibar (a selection of sodas, juice, and water) in their room.
Review: Finding a place to stay in Tuscany was hard. Because I was leaving via PSA airport, this made my choice more focused. This is likely comparable to a Courtyard property. Very business-like and corporate in style. Inside is stylish (lots of glass and use of shapes in the furniture). I would recommend this property again as a value stay option and where you need not be right next to major tourist sites or a train station. We had a problem with the first room given to us and were moved to another room without issue. I did not have the breakfast at this property (was on a reward stay where it is not free).
Nearby: This is right next to Pisanova which is a very large mall and Esselunga is a mega grocery store that you can visit (recommended). Not many eating options in the area by the way. You would need to go back to the train station area to get more choices if the grocery store could not meet your needs.
Getting There: I again arrived by train to Pisa Centrale. You would take LAM Blu public bus to your stop (it is again easiest to ask to be dropped off at the Pisanova stop). From the bus stop look past the gas station and you will see a large AC Hotel sign. I left via the aiport and decided to take a taxi, but you could use a combination of LAM buses to get there as well if you wanted to.
Rasheed
Review: Finding a place to stay in Tuscany was hard. Because I was leaving via PSA airport, this made my choice more focused. This is likely comparable to a Courtyard property. Very business-like and corporate in style. Inside is stylish (lots of glass and use of shapes in the furniture). I would recommend this property again as a value stay option and where you need not be right next to major tourist sites or a train station. We had a problem with the first room given to us and were moved to another room without issue. I did not have the breakfast at this property (was on a reward stay where it is not free).
Nearby: This is right next to Pisanova which is a very large mall and Esselunga is a mega grocery store that you can visit (recommended). Not many eating options in the area by the way. You would need to go back to the train station area to get more choices if the grocery store could not meet your needs.
Getting There: I again arrived by train to Pisa Centrale. You would take LAM Blu public bus to your stop (it is again easiest to ask to be dropped off at the Pisanova stop). From the bus stop look past the gas station and you will see a large AC Hotel sign. I left via the aiport and decided to take a taxi, but you could use a combination of LAM buses to get there as well if you wanted to.
Rasheed
Jul 16, 2012, 11:31 am
#189
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
Creating individual property threads
Since this thread is quite long (5 pages at max views per page) & multiple properties are being discussed, it occurred to me someone has to wade through a lot of reading to get info on a single property s/he might be interested in staying.
So I volunteered to sort out individual property reports on this & other threads & provide links on those AC properties to bdschobel. He will then create a property thread & move the appropriate 'trip report' posts re: that property to the newly-created thread.
So we'll have individual property threads for AC properties, similar to the other brands, & thus making it easier for FTers when they do a search.
Give me (us) a bit of time to get it sorted.
Cheers.
So I volunteered to sort out individual property reports on this & other threads & provide links on those AC properties to bdschobel. He will then create a property thread & move the appropriate 'trip report' posts re: that property to the newly-created thread.
So we'll have individual property threads for AC properties, similar to the other brands, & thus making it easier for FTers when they do a search.
Give me (us) a bit of time to get it sorted.
Cheers.
Jul 17, 2012, 3:44 pm
#190
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: S Cal
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, United Silver, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,142
Granada AC Hotel
I've got a stay coming up at the AC in Granada. I'll have a rental car and will be visiting several cities in Andalucia.
I have read that in Granada there are restricted zones where you cannot drive. You can be cited for driving in one of these zones.
Anyone with information on driving to the AC Granada? Am I going to run into one of these "no drive" zones? Any tips or info on how to get there in a rental car? Coming home to a nice, fat traffic citation would be a downer and spoil what I hope will be a lovely trip.
I have read that in Granada there are restricted zones where you cannot drive. You can be cited for driving in one of these zones.
Anyone with information on driving to the AC Granada? Am I going to run into one of these "no drive" zones? Any tips or info on how to get there in a rental car? Coming home to a nice, fat traffic citation would be a downer and spoil what I hope will be a lovely trip.
Jul 17, 2012, 4:08 pm
#191
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Bethesda, MD
Programs: UA Million Miler, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 814
Gold member reward stay - no breakfast
I am currently staing at the AC Lisbon. I am a Marriott Gold Member and was told during check-in that I have to pay extra 10€ for breakfast, it is not included with reward stays. I looked on the Marriott Rewards website and from what I can decipher, that is incorrect, breakfast should be included for gold members. Are hotels anle to make up there own rules? Sort of kills the brand quality. Can anyone provide me with additional info? I already sent an email to Marriott and look forward to their response.
Jul 17, 2012, 5:12 pm
#192
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
the AC brand by Marriott is NOT required to provide you breakfast.......
Guaranteed Lounge Access/Free Breakfast
Help yourself to light snacks, beverages and complimentary continental breakfast in our Concierge/Executive/Club Lounge at participating JW Marriott Hotels, the Autograph Collection, Renaissance Hotels and Marriott Hotels & Resorts.
http://www.marriott.com/rewards/member-benefits/gold.mi\\
it is one, of several, drawbacks of the ACs which I've previously written up on my tour of Spain/Portugal using the brand (that is if anyone actually reads these postings or for that matter the rules cited above BEFORE posting their comments which are completely wrong)
Guaranteed Lounge Access/Free Breakfast
Help yourself to light snacks, beverages and complimentary continental breakfast in our Concierge/Executive/Club Lounge at participating JW Marriott Hotels, the Autograph Collection, Renaissance Hotels and Marriott Hotels & Resorts.
http://www.marriott.com/rewards/member-benefits/gold.mi\\
it is one, of several, drawbacks of the ACs which I've previously written up on my tour of Spain/Portugal using the brand (that is if anyone actually reads these postings or for that matter the rules cited above BEFORE posting their comments which are completely wrong)
I am currently staing at the AC Lisbon. I am a Marriott Gold Member and was told during check-in that I have to pay extra 10€ for breakfast, it is not included with reward stays. I looked on the Marriott Rewards website and from what I can decipher, that is incorrect, breakfast should be included for gold members. Are hotels anle to make up there own rules? Sort of kills the brand quality. Can anyone provide me with additional info? I already sent an email to Marriott and look forward to their response.
Jul 17, 2012, 10:40 pm
#193
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Reutlingen, Germany
Programs: LH FTL, UA 1K MM, Lifetime Marriott Platinum, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 558
Regarding breakfast it sometimes just helps to ask. At the AC Avenida America in Madrid they offered the breakfast as an alternative to the 250 points welcome gift. Great deal for two breakfast buffets including fresh OJ, great ham & cheese selection.
These are not luxury hotels, but I wsa feeling at 51,-EUR p. N. including minibar, breakfast, internet and upgrade to a very nice superior room I cannot complain ;-)
These are not luxury hotels, but I wsa feeling at 51,-EUR p. N. including minibar, breakfast, internet and upgrade to a very nice superior room I cannot complain ;-)
Jul 18, 2012, 12:45 am
#194
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
Great......glad you found an AC that goes above-and-beyond cause of my 12 different ACs in Spain/Portugal I got nahdah (even as a plat) except headaches from their lack of in-room safety boxes (and I was carrying alot of cash) and noise from outside which kept me awake all night as construction went on but I really couldn't close the window as their AC was not working (as they only turn it on in mid/late June and we were there in April)...............personally, if I ever do an Andalucia tour again (which would be my 7th) I'll be returning to the Melia branded props.............
Regarding breakfast it sometimes just helps to ask. At the AC Avenida America in Madrid they offered the breakfast as an alternative to the 250 points welcome gift. Great deal for two breakfast buffets including fresh OJ, great ham & cheese selection.
These are not luxury hotels, but I wsa feeling at 51,-EUR p. N. including minibar, breakfast, internet and upgrade to a very nice superior room I cannot complain ;-)
These are not luxury hotels, but I wsa feeling at 51,-EUR p. N. including minibar, breakfast, internet and upgrade to a very nice superior room I cannot complain ;-)
Jul 18, 2012, 1:29 am
#195
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Bethesda, MD
Programs: UA Million Miler, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 814
Great......glad you found an AC that goes above-and-beyond cause of my 12 different ACs in Spain/Portugal I got nahdah (even as a plat) except headaches from their lack of in-room safety boxes (and I was carrying alot of cash) and noise from outside which kept me awake all night as construction went on but I really couldn't close the window as their AC was not working (as they only turn it on in mid/late June and we were there in April)...............personally, if I ever do an Andalucia tour again (which would be my 7th) I'll be returning to the Melia branded props.............