After two recent stays within the past month, we share your disappointment. We stayed here two years ago and immediately put in in our favorites category, along with places like Prague and Munich City.

Our two most recent stays removed it from that list, although we had nothing approaching your problems.

The quality of the food in the lounge has declined seriously. I can't believe it's all due to the lounge renovation and the temporary lounge although having the concierge desk separated from the lounge itself is an impediment to service.

On our final stay (two rooms on a "breakfast included" rate), I had to make my case the following morning to be allowed to eat breakfast in the restaurant rather than the lounge. During our late check-in the people at the front desk told us the breakfast was "the same" in the lounge as in the restaurant. Sadly, it isn't that much better (although an omelette chef supplied us with quite tasty omelettes), but worth an argument to get what we'd paid for and were entitled to.

I don't know if it's the economy or what - while we would stay there again it's no longer a property we'd be looking forward to.

edited to add: Mrs. Fredd notes that we saw a price list for coffee and tea posted near the machine. We remember it because it seemed rather odd (as well as cheap), especially since we were on an Executive floor and they at least had better coffee and tea available throughout the day.

Cheers,
Fredd