Originally Posted by
ohmark
For many folks, the prime benefit of elite status is the concierge lounge. I absolutely agree that at many properties the concierge lounge fare has been so diluted that the only reason I go to the lounge is out of sheer curiousity as to what new way the property or Marriott has decided to diminish the lounge. At one Marriott, the breakfast offering was so meager and the restaurant buffet so expensive, that I actually went to the nearby Courtyard (God forgive me) and paid for their breakfast buffet in order to get some protein.
Service is deteriorating rapidly. Moving stays to (gasp!) Fairfield Inns, Residence Inns, Courtyards, etc. when I can now. The vibe is changing in the FS properties and I don't feel as welcome as a Platinum Elite as I used to.
Went back to a Suites property last week and a front desk manager made a special point of telling me they were no longer offering a free breakfast on saturday "to be consistent with other Marriotts".
As it turns out, Saturday was the only morning I had time to sit down and eat breakfast in the restaurant, I just said forget about it. It's more the availability of the lounge and being treated special that seems to appeal to me than actually partaking - I probably only make it to the lounge for anything substantive on about half of my days there. But I really like to have it there when I need it.
I wish Marriott would at least sent out something to their Elite members telling what they were doing and why. I don't understand how this makes good business sense (other than more restrictions on the hours when they offer prepared foods, I guess that aspect might offer more substantial savings without irritating too many of their customers too much).
I'm skeptical whether there are very many properties right now where the CL offerings are worth the cost commonly be assigned to it in reservations.