Only booked with FHR and except for the time I booked a 2-br suite, I received either 1 or 2 category upgrade. Always offered, didn't have to ask (though I would have asked had I not been offered!).

The warnings of parking views should be qualified by the proportion of rooms that this applies to. My guess would be about 10% have bad views, another 20% have inland views (but not bad ones) and the balance will either be direct oceanfront or north/south facing, which simply requires looking left of right a bit to see the water. There is enough space on either side of the building that you will be able to see the water comfortably from the north or south facing rooms.

If you book into the second room category, and get a one category upgrade, you'll likely have a direct ocean-facing room. I've never had less there.