Unfortunately, I come around here all to infrequently, but I share much of the same concerns and observations that the rest of you do. While I am sure that this is happening at many, many properties, I did want to share one experience of a location where I had a hard time noticing a reduction in service - the DFW Airport Marriott South location.

I was just there for a four-night stay last week, and I was pleased to see that the staff was just as engaging as they had been previously. The bell staff is courteous and prompt; the room was appointed with all of the previously commonplace bathroom amenities - including mouthwash, q-tips, etc.; the lounge had a decent selection in both the evenings and mornings; the HDTVs actually had the high-def programming. Other than it's horrible location (only really convenient to the airport - but, not at all to either Dallas or Fort Worth!), it has become one of my top choices for stays in the metroplex.

The few negatives....the newspaper issue. Even though it is in my profile preferences, and I confirmed that I wanted one at check-in, there was no paper at my door in the morning. I know that this sounds like a minor issue - but, I actually LIKE reading the paper...and trying to find one in the course of the day is a hassle. I am pretty sure that one unintended consequence of not delivering newspapers to everyone's room is that those who do not receive newspapers might be more inclined to swipe their neighbor's paper. At the very least, papers should be delivered to the concierge floor guests. Desserts in the lounge in the evening were always cookies. It used to be nice to find a slice of cheesecake or torte or something else that the restaurant was offering...but, I seriously burned out on oatmeal raisin cookies. There weren't even any chocolate chip....and I suspect that they might have been recycling the cookies, too. Still, in the scope of all of the cutbacks I have seen elsewhere, this property was a plus.