Originally Posted by
Horace
Does Marriott really need four "select service" brands (Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, AC Hotels, Springhill Suites) in the United States plus one more (Moxy) in Europe? Although they each have distinguishing characteristics, they really all compete with each other and with other companies' brands in the sector below full-service.
Well.... If Marriott were in the business of selling hotel rooms, the answer would clearly be, "No." But Marriott is in the business of selling franchises. Having FI, SHS, CY and, now, AC means being able to sell four franchises on a street corner rather than one.
In my thinking, I'll stay at a "SHS/FI/CY" or a "FS/Ren/Autograph/JW" or a "TS/RI" as though those are three groups of hotels, rather than nine. Within each grouping, I gravitate towards a certain brand if everything is equal. SHSs tend to work better for me than FIs, and CYs have the dreaded Bistro. Rens are usually less expensive than AUT or JW and nicer than a FS. TS/RI are avoided because of the points issue. Even with those preferences, though, I'm thinking within the larger group of hotels rather than within each brand individually.