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.

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.

Is it common to stay at hotels like Renaissance and Marriott's for long term trips?



I always browse Tripadvisor before deciding on a property. Great resource.