From someone who has split 102 nights this year between FI, SHS, CY, FS, RN, and JW, your point is half-agreed with...

There is really no reason to choose a CY. Period. Each of the other brands has something going for it, but the CY has nothing. But most if the CY employees I've encountered also try very hard to please. (Shout out to Shaumburg, Miami Lakes, Cincy Airport, and the one in Birmingham next to the Mercedes dealership.)

A couple years ago, most of my stays were CY. Now, if I'm staying at a CY, it's either because it's an inexpensive on-the-beach location (Jacksonville Beach, Carolina Beach) so I can spend some hours on the sand when not working, or there is absolutely no other Marriott family choice. (Altoona, Burlington, Murfreesboro, WilmingtonNC, Bellevue, Downtown Spokane, although the Bellevue and AOO CYs are actually a cut above.) It's no longer my go-to brand.

But ... this thread made me do something I've never done before: actually track which Marriott brands I use the most. Turns out, over the past year, FS and CY each with 38 nights. I must not mind CYs too much. JW (5) RN (7) SHS (7) and FI (4). So CY must have something going for it. It really must be the locations and the fact I've spent nine of those nights on the beach in Jacksonville Beach or Carolina Beach.