Must say I do agree with posters here, I find myself paying less for weekend s4b rates now than I did room only a few years ago, making the abandonment of breakfast certs something of a nonentity, albiet that in UK almost all Marriotts offer free breakfast to plats anyway, lounge open or not. This does work especially well with rock bottom room only rates, which when coupled with the EEO can mean a weekend FS B+B for £50 ($80) for the entire weekend, and thats a cracking-value £25 night!!!

The cutbacks are tedious but the rates are being pegged back and in that scenario something has to give... Lounge facilities seems to be it, although I have noticed recently inferior toiletries too. Even so, the pricecuts make it well worthwhile since the main benefit of a Marriott are their beautifully comfy beds, clean rooms and excellent onsite bar/restaurants.

Of course the downside is that redeeming points in the current environment makes little sense, unless in the Eurozone, so my points balance is increasing to very high levels, thank goodness Marriott did its devaluation last year, hopefully my value is safe until the economy gets properly motoring and prices increase when I can then use those "cheap" points.