Originally Posted by
pinniped
Oh, I'm not questioning the quality of Fairmont Hotels - I've stayed in a few and love them. Even as a nonelite they've treated me well and given me some mini-upgrades just for signing up for their club. Vancouver, Seattle, Montreal, NYC, Kansas City (now an IC), San Francisco, and Chicago - I've been to all of those Fairmonts.
It's just that their global footprint isn't nearly as large as Marriott or Starwood. They're strong in Canada and have a lot of U.S. cities covered with 1 hotel (usually a very good one!). Between Starwood and Marriott I know that *most* places in the world that I travel will have one of the two or both, and if it's a big city it probably has multiple options.
I've never thought you questioned Fairmonts.. only saying that it makes sense to frequent Fairmonts where I live.. and agree completely with you that Marriott or Starwood has bigger footprints around the world..
In fact.. I wish there was something at WDW.. a Fairmont.. hopefully half decent.. we plan to visit Mickey and Donald quite often as the kids grow up..