As I suspected, it has a lot to do with WHO you speak with in Mr. Marriott's office. Fortunately, I was able to direct OP to a better person for him to speak with, who was able to resolve his problem to his MUCH BETTER satisfaction (the details are best left unstated for the time being, unless the OP wishes to disclose them in this public forum). In the end, the OP was a happier camper, the hotel was spanked, and Mr. Marriott's office prevailed, as it always should in blatant cases such as put forth by the OP. Congrats Emanon! (Though too bad it took so much time and effort for you to get noticed and properly compensated in the first place, not to mention, so very awful how deplorably you were treated at the subject hotel!)