Originally Posted by
BillyIdol
I think that what used to be standard practice was way back when the Marriott web site used to let you type comments, a lot of people would type "request upgrade to suite" or something along those lines in the remarks field.
The comments field came back about two months after it was taken away, but the average person is more likely to bump into Judge Crater riding a live rainbow colored unicorn in the hotel lobby than find the comments box with which to communicate with the hotel.
When making a reservation - and this is the only time you will have access to the comments box - after choosing your room and confirming your preferences, you will either be taken to the guest information page or the review and complete reservation page. (If you data is stored and you've entered your password, you're taken to the latter. Otherwise, the guest info page.)
If you are taken to the guest info page, scroll to the bottom of the page, the comments box is there.
If you are taken to the complete reservation page, you need to click "edit" in the "Guest Information" box, which is the third box over towards the top of the screen. Scroll to the bottom of that page to add comments.
Either way, you are limited to 45 characters, so you need to write like your choosing a vanity license plate. (UR ltd 2 45 chrctr ... reminds me of a former neighbor who had the plate "4NICK8" on his white CR-X del sol. OK, it was a long time ago.)
The way Marriott has hidden this box and limited what can be typed is a clear indication of how much Marriott really wants our comments. Compare this to the Hilton sight, and it becomes very clear that there is a difference in this area. The worst part is the hotels usually don't even read the comments. Many desk clerks have told me that it's difficult for them to retrieve the comments, as though that somehow excuses them not checking for the comments. If you know where to look for the comments, and you know that unless you look there, you won't see the comments, wouldn't you make sure you look there for every reservation instead of just blowing it off, planning to apologize for being lazy?? (Sorry, it's a pet peeve.)
The better run Marriott properties send an email a few days prior to a stay asking if there are any special requests that can be accommodated. It's been awhile since I've gotten one of those emails.