I must be in the minority here, but I almost never fail to get a decent sleep on one of those thin mattresses. I actually find them very comfortable....as long as they are replaced regularly. If you get a worn one, then you are in trouble.

The appeal of Marriott, in my view, is much like the appeal of McDonalds...consistency. It comes from having much higher standards than other chains. Sure, you can probably find some great Hilton and Starwood properties, superior to your typical Marriott. You can also find some real losers with those chains. Marriott properties, in every brand, have far less variability. If someone told me that I had a choice of staying at a Marriott, a Sheraton, or a Hilton, with absolutely NO other information, I would unhesitantly pick the Marriott.