The Idiots who Design Marriott Rooms
May 17, 2015, 6:30 am
#46
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DCA's home, AA hubs and spokes are where you'll usually find me
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Posts: 367
May 17, 2015, 7:00 am
#47
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,042
The typical European hotel tub/shower setup is deep enough for a good soak and there is usually a better quality shower with a detachable hand held spray and often an overhead nozzle as well. I like the half glass shower door they use. I wish the modernizations would upgrade the quality of the old American tub/shower combos instead of doing away with the tub.
May 17, 2015, 7:23 am
#49
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SDF
Programs: DL:360/DM/6 MMer; Bonvoy: Lifetime Titanium 10+M pts, 3100+ nights;
Posts: 1,441
It would have been cool if you posted a few pics of the absent desk and other issues. Do you mean there was no desk at all, or just a small one clogged with the phone, coffee/ice bucket? I had a small desk in my room a few weeks ago with the coffee/tea/ice bucket on one side, but it also had a pullout desk on casters underneath. That worked for me. If I ever want to spread out a bunch of hard-copy files and need 5 or more feet to do it (rare) the new chairs are full height adjustable so I just spread the stuff out on the bed.
I've logged a lot of nights there and the tiny rooms -especially the bath - were very claustrophobic, so putting in a sliding door and shower in place of the solid door and tub is a huge improvement. They dumped those armoires in place of a low dresser to hold the TV and that makes it seem roomier.
Agree a luggage stand is a must - I never totally unpack a roll aboard so instead of putting it on one side of the bed, it would be better to have a stand. Closets always seemed like a void that wasted space in these small rooms. I rarely hang more than 3 or 4 garments, so a large closet seems like a waste.
I think they have done a decent job with these tiny rooms. Well, mostly.
I've logged a lot of nights there and the tiny rooms -especially the bath - were very claustrophobic, so putting in a sliding door and shower in place of the solid door and tub is a huge improvement. They dumped those armoires in place of a low dresser to hold the TV and that makes it seem roomier.
Agree a luggage stand is a must - I never totally unpack a roll aboard so instead of putting it on one side of the bed, it would be better to have a stand. Closets always seemed like a void that wasted space in these small rooms. I rarely hang more than 3 or 4 garments, so a large closet seems like a waste.
I think they have done a decent job with these tiny rooms. Well, mostly.
There was a small set of drawers in what used to be the closet. When I arrived, all the towels and wash clothes were stacked there. I was informed by the manager that that was the luggage stand.
Oh really? Where do I put all these towels? Silence.
I asked if he minded that my heavy duty "pilot" bag would likely scratch the finish? Silence.
Oh well. I guess I'll try the nearby Westin or Hyatt next time.
May 17, 2015, 7:49 am
#50
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Tucson AZ
Programs: Global Entry, United Silver, Marriott Platinum Premier, Hilton Gold
Posts: 380
I travel twice a month for business. Marriott is still my hotel brand of choice but I've been weighing my options for a year or so on some other issues -- such as the fact that the points you earn are cut in HALF if you stay at a RI or TPS. Really? Two of my favorite properties for business travel and I only get half the points. Why? So I'm back at a CY again, getting full points but dealing with some inconveniences, such as the lack of any free coffee/tea in the lobby -- the only "free" coffee is the crappy dollar store stuff they put in the room.
The moment they tell me there's no desk and the bathroom door is now peek-a-boo, I'm outta there.
May 17, 2015, 8:08 am
#51
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA EXP, UA Gold,Marriott PP,Hilton Diamond, National EX, Hertz PC
Posts: 114
Stayed at a Marriott in St. Louis recently with the new rooms and no desk. Manager said they are getting a lot of complaints about it. Let him know there were lots of other hotels and If I cannot work in my room with a desk, will have to stay elsewhere. They may be designing rooms for those in their 20's, but how often do they travel?
May 17, 2015, 8:11 am
#52
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SDF
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May 17, 2015, 8:53 am
#53
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Tucson AZ
Programs: Global Entry, United Silver, Marriott Platinum Premier, Hilton Gold
Posts: 380
Stayed at a Marriott in St. Louis recently with the new rooms and no desk. Manager said they are getting a lot of complaints about it. Let him know there were lots of other hotels and If I cannot work in my room with a desk, will have to stay elsewhere. They may be designing rooms for those in their 20's, but how often do they travel?
On the other hand, if Marriott wants to get rid of business travelers and focus on other market segments, then I suppose removing the desk is a smart move.
May 17, 2015, 10:18 am
#54
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: DCA
Programs: MR Plat; AA Gold; UA Silver
Posts: 352
So I’m a millennial travel and frequently get these Marriott surveys. I always say I have no need of a desk or chair – because I don’t. When I travel for leisure, esp with other people, it just gets in the way and is a total waste of space. And I never need more than 1 or maybe 2 drawers for my stuff. Hanging my clothes free form, like in the cool new AC hotels, is totally fine. Who needs a closet really? And if I have work to do, I can go in the club lounge or in the lobby – which I actually prefer. It’s buzzing with people and I can get food and drink there – who wants to just sit alone in their room and work? That’s boring and lonely.
Re: the luggage rack – that lack of one is annoying. When I’m in a hotel room and there isn’t one, I just call down and ask that one be delivered. I get it within a few mins. No problem there.
And I LOVE the new CY design. My sister (who is younger) and I were at the CY in Buffalo we had a room with the new grey design. It was so modern! We loved it – my sis thought the desk design was cute. And I liked the color scheme. According to the manager, it’s called a “Synergy Package” which makes total sense. I don’t know how anyone could not love this design, esp compared to the boring standard CY rooms which I hate. It actually makes me want to stay at more CYs.
So I guess there’s another perspective.
Re: the luggage rack – that lack of one is annoying. When I’m in a hotel room and there isn’t one, I just call down and ask that one be delivered. I get it within a few mins. No problem there.
And I LOVE the new CY design. My sister (who is younger) and I were at the CY in Buffalo we had a room with the new grey design. It was so modern! We loved it – my sis thought the desk design was cute. And I liked the color scheme. According to the manager, it’s called a “Synergy Package” which makes total sense. I don’t know how anyone could not love this design, esp compared to the boring standard CY rooms which I hate. It actually makes me want to stay at more CYs.
So I guess there’s another perspective.
May 17, 2015, 11:51 am
#55
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SDF
Programs: DL:360/DM/6 MMer; Bonvoy: Lifetime Titanium 10+M pts, 3100+ nights;
Posts: 1,441
When I travel for business (99% of the time) and I'm working for different clients on different projects, the hotel room is the only place to spread all the stuff out and concentrate. While I can multitask with the best of them, I really don't want to make business calls from the lounge or lobby where it sounds like I'm doing a customer's business in a bar and where other people I don't know will hear my confidential conversations.
Maybe Marriott should offer "desk-free" rooms like they offer "feather-free" pillows and see how many people check the box?
May 17, 2015, 12:43 pm
#56
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LA
Posts: 1,281
I usually stay at that hotel about 6-8 nights a year, and I was just there about two weeks ago. I was in one of their newly renovated room and perhaps I'm missing something here, but there was definitely a small desk built into the wall near the window. They removed the dresser where the TV usually sits and the TV is just mounted on the wall and they placed new furniture in there. One of the ottoman type of chairs near the window had one of those smaller tables that can be pulled up to that chair and serve as a portable desk as well.
Maybe odd man out, but I actually really liked that design (because yes, the desk may be smaller and a portable desk provided, but it is very functional IMO). Yes I'm a Millennial, but sorry to share this, Millennials will be half of the workforce within the next 3-4 years, so it is actually smart of Marriott to start catering (from a business perspective) to the group that will generate half of their revenue verses the three other groups that will split the other half....just my two cents.
Maybe odd man out, but I actually really liked that design (because yes, the desk may be smaller and a portable desk provided, but it is very functional IMO). Yes I'm a Millennial, but sorry to share this, Millennials will be half of the workforce within the next 3-4 years, so it is actually smart of Marriott to start catering (from a business perspective) to the group that will generate half of their revenue verses the three other groups that will split the other half....just my two cents.
May 17, 2015, 12:51 pm
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
I usually stay at that hotel about 6-8 nights a year, and I was just there about two weeks ago. I was in one of their newly renovated room and perhaps I'm missing something here, but there was definitely a small desk built into the wall near the window. They removed the dresser where the TV usually sits and the TV is just mounted on the wall and they placed new furniture in there. One of the ottoman type of chairs near the window had one of those smaller tables that can be pulled up to that chair and serve as a portable desk as well.
Maybe odd man out, but I actually really liked that design (because yes, the desk may be smaller and a portable desk provided, but it is very functional IMO). Yes I'm a Millennial, but sorry to share this, Millennials will be half of the workforce within the next 3-4 years, so it is actually smart of Marriott to start catering (from a business perspective) to the group that will generate half of their revenue verses the three other groups that will split the other half....just my two cents.
Maybe odd man out, but I actually really liked that design (because yes, the desk may be smaller and a portable desk provided, but it is very functional IMO). Yes I'm a Millennial, but sorry to share this, Millennials will be half of the workforce within the next 3-4 years, so it is actually smart of Marriott to start catering (from a business perspective) to the group that will generate half of their revenue verses the three other groups that will split the other half....just my two cents.
May 17, 2015, 12:54 pm
#58
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SDF
Programs: DL:360/DM/6 MMer; Bonvoy: Lifetime Titanium 10+M pts, 3100+ nights;
Posts: 1,441
Absolutely no desk in mine.
Website shows this picture (which is what it used to look like BEFORE the redesign):
and room description says:
Furniture and Furnishings
Maybe it is just false advertising because the wine wasn't there either.
Website shows this picture (which is what it used to look like BEFORE the redesign):
and room description says:
Furniture and Furnishings
- Chair, oversized
- Alarm Clock
- Desk, writing / work, electrical outlet
- Iron and ironing board
Maybe it is just false advertising because the wine wasn't there either.
Last edited by DL-Don; May 18, 2015 at 9:28 am
May 17, 2015, 1:12 pm
#59
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Wesseling, NRW, Germany
Programs: UA *S , MR LT Titanium, HH Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,940
I do not do this frequently, but it happens I take a bath. For example last year in January when I had a bad cold, I first took a very hot bath after work and then went to bed after throwing some Pseudoephedrine-pills. Worked wonders, was able to get back to work with my customer the next day with no problem..,
Greetings - Dirk
Greetings - Dirk
May 17, 2015, 1:13 pm
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Absolutely no desk in mine.
Website shows this picture:
and room description says:
Furniture and Furnishings
Maybe it is just false advertising because the wine wasn't there either.
Website shows this picture:
and room description says:
Furniture and Furnishings
- Chair, oversized
- Alarm Clock
- Desk, writing / work, electrical outlet
- Iron and ironing board
Maybe it is just false advertising because the wine wasn't there either.