I think Marriott's brand portfolio is a little too cluttered. For instance, two lower-end suite brands: TownePlace and Springhill. Why? What the hell is the difference? Neither is really even all that different from Residence. And then at the top there are a number of barely distinguishable brands... Renaissance and Marriott are pretty much on the same level IMO.

The only sense I can make of it is that it allows larger markets to have many different brands instead of just having 5 Marriotts and 5 Courtyards scattered throughout the city.