This seems to be now typical policy at most Marriotts. It's a good way for them to piss off the few business traveller's they have left during this economic slowdown.

I know that my corporate travel dept says they only use hotels that DON'T charge an early departure fee. Correspondingly, the list of Marriotts has dropped.. tho one I went to, still on the list, told me there was still an early departure fee. Didn't have to leave early, so don't know what would have happened when my travel dept clashed with that hotel and they lost a very lucrative $200/night contract which I'm sure is used for at least several dozen rooms a night..