Originally Posted by Zumajay

For the time being i want to do my best to maximize my Marriott points. However, I've been in places where the only Marriott property was sub-par (e.g. Goshen, IN), and came close to switching to a Hilton. I was working on my Elite, though, so I toughed it out. Then my co-worker told me about the Platinum Challenge, could have bypassed the whole ordeal if I'd known about it in February.

Yes, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...
Wondered about that, but of course that's true of Courtyard's too. Recently spent a month in NW Atlanta, which is full of Courtyards. The first one I stayed in (Courtyard Marietta on Delk) was a dud. Finally got fed up and moved over to the Cumberland Center, into an upgrade to a top floor corner room. That was a nice Courtyard, although it didn't actually have a courtyard...


Do full service Marriotts provide a fridge? Stayed in one in Mobile for a few weeks in April, the room was nice, but not spectacular. They gave me a fridge on request.

Although Marriott is fairly good on consistency, as you have already found, there are variances. The majority of FS and Ren's do not have frig's - you have to ask for them. I don't like to do that as there is now one more thing to trip over...generally there are no good places to put them.
Is it common to stay at hotels like Renaissance and Marriott's for long term trips?

You will get a dozen different answers on this - depends on the city the FT'er, whether they have a long term relationship with the property, etc. My answer would be no - being limited to one FS sized room (generally not super sized) for 2 weeks would be annoying to me. If you are moving from city to city, the SHS probably is your best bet, as you have ruled out Res Inn.
I always browse Tripadvisor before deciding on a property. Great resource.
Yes, it can be, and you will recognize some of the same folks there as here. However, you also get a lot of people who do not travel very often - so they think a hotel providing a hair dryer is the epitome of elegance. Or they just got fired and are now leaving a scathing "guest" indictment of the place. Always best to throw out the best and the worst review - and then take the average from there.