Yes, yes, and a thousand times yes. I was silver for years - Marriott was my "3rd" choice - but I took them up on a Gold challenge and I am impressed. So much so that I'm going to be a few short and will do a mattress run just to make sure I keep it. The free internet and concerige lounge are valuable enough to me.

You can apply for the Chase Marriott Visa and get 15 of the nights right off the bat.