Maybe I am going out on a limb here, but perhaps the Renaissance personnel do go the extra mile for their VIP guests, because they want to prove that their properties are as good as the Marriott properties that remain the jewels in the crown, so to speak, of Marriott lodging. I, too, have had very nice stays with Renaissance, as well, and happen to prefer their Montreal prperty to the Chateau Champlain as the rooms are larger, and the location is far better. They do appear to be somewhat more solicitous of their Marriott Rewards guests.

Finally, more often than most Marriotts, Renaissance properties will also have a very good Entertainment discount rate available for booking. Many Marriotts, especially in Europe, do not offer that rate, although they are listed as doing so in the Entertainment books.