I'm staying there next month, using points. I have no illusions about getting anything but a dated room in an old building in a great location for what we want to do in Boston.
I'm happy I won't be filling up on a hot buffet breakfast because then I won't be ready for a lobster roll for lunch then a great Italian dinner in the North End.
But I do agree with you...it does seem the lower the hotel the more they give you. Microwaves, fridges, free breakfast...all at the Hamptons, HGI's. I *think*, and this is just a generalization, that the lower levels are more leisure travelers, families, who the value is important to...the higher properties (full service H's, WA's, Conrads, etc.) are more geared to business travelers who just pay for $25 breakfast and the $5 water in the room because their company will reimburse them, so they don't bat an eye.
But you should know this.