So I had to drive up from San Diego to North LA/Ventura for work earlier this week, and was going to split my two nights at the Ventura Beach Marriott and the Burbank Airport Marriott. Hours before I left, I booked Monday night's hotel (Ventura). Mind you, this was around 6 PM on day of check-in. Done deal. Now for Tuesday night. I had looked earlier in the day and say they had rooms, so figure this would be quick. I searched for Tuesday, and there were no rooms available. Odd, i thought. So I repeated my original search (Monday and Tuesday nights), and, what do you know? Rooms are available. I searched Tuesday and Wednesday, same thing. But just Tuesday, nada!

Quickly called the property and was told the Revenue Management group sets minimum night stays depending on hotel load and occupancy. And no, should couldn't waive it for a Gold member. Ugh.

Then I called Elite Reservations to confirm. First I asked her for a room for Tuesday and Wednesday, and she quoted me a rate. Then I said, on second thought, it will just be for Tuesday. The she said, "well, they are all sold out". I countered, "but you just said that had a room I could use for Tuesday and Wednesday." "Oh, yeah, you're right. There is room. But when change it to Tuesday, there isn't. I don't know why it is like that." I asked if they had minimum night requirements, and she said yes, sometimes they have a two night minimum, at the properties discretion. I explained how I had never heard of this before with Marriott hotels, especially near an airport. We ended with her putting me on a wait list.

Good 'ol efficient Marriott. Less than 15 minutes later I receive a survey invitation for the agent I spoke with. I said they agent was fine, nut that the policy was killing me. The part I didn't understand the most was this being an airport property. Few people in the right mind elect airport hotels for multiple night stays. Generally I see folks staying one night before catching an early flight.

I received a phone call not 15 minutes later from some gal profusely apologizing for the situation. I said no need to - if that is the policy, so be it. I can't stick around on a wait list, I was looking at the nearby IHG property (was actually going to user a Courtyard, but said HG to see if I could leverage it). She offered to find an alternate property for me but I declined.

Then, not 15 minutes later, I am driving and checking my Marriott app to check in to my hotel, and viola, what do you know? I can now book a Tuesday night stay (only) at the Burbank Airport Marriott.

Has anyone else suffered heartburn over a two-night minimum stay requirement at a Marriott property? IF so, please say which one (and if it is an "Airport" property)?