If you're trying to determine suite availability for elite upgrade purposes, the best thing to do would be to call the hotel and ask the front desk and ask them to put a note in the reservatio - its best to do this day of arrival because sometimes you may be able to get them to block in you a suite right then & there and then when you get to the front desk to check-in, you can use the "I called a little while ago & spoke to (insert name of the person you spoke to) and they told me they'd put an suite upgrade request in my reservation if it was available - I was wondering if it was?" If it's available & the person you talked to earlier in the day put a note in the reservation, then your chances of upgrade are a little better.

However, if you're calling in advance and you'd like a suite for a special occassion (such as for a wedding or a hospitality suite for a meeting or even if it's just for a trip) - I would recommend calling the hotel sales office. Often times, suites aren't made available to the general public (i.e. on Marriott.com or by calling reservations) because when there are conventions or group meetings or something, the companies that are conducting them or the meeting planners that are planning them get the suites & most hotels have a limited number of suites.

Editted to add - In regards to the OP, for the people that saw availability on the web, realize that sometimes there are last minute bookings & other plats may have gotten upgraded between the time that you checked online and the time that you checked in. Also, if you're trying to check suite availability when you check-in online - make sure that you're checking it for your entire stay, not just the check-in date.

[This message has been edited by bhatnasx (edited Feb 13, 2004).]