Originally Posted by
hockeyinsider
As I said earlier:
Just when does a "full-service" hotel become the hotel version of a low-cost carrier when it:
- No longer provides a newspaper.
- No longer offers in-room dining (many Marriott hotels now only offer grab-and-go, even if you order "room service" you get the food in boxes and a bag with plastic flatware).
- No longer provides slippers or a bathrobe as a brand standard.
- Doesn't have shoe shining.
- Doesn't have real bellmen.
- Doesn't have a concierge.
- Asks you to tip for housekeeping.
- Charges you for the fitness room, internet, housekeeping and pool towels, as some/many Marriott "resorts" do.
I'll bite: which FS Marriott charges extra for housekeeping and pool towels? I've stayed at lots of resorts and never run into that.
I've also never run into a FS Marriott without a bellman. Granted, this is only a service I need about once a year (mostly at golf resorts), but when I've needed a guy to help me transport a ton of luggage and golf clubs, one's been there.
Most Marriotts seem to have a guy at the concierge desk, although he's not (and never has been) the same as a true luxury hotel concierge. The Marriott version is a guy who hands you maps and writes down directions for you. Maybe tells you where to find a good pizza. Now that everybody has a smartphone, he's less needed.
I guess the pro-Marriott take would be this: Marriott in 2017 has a lot more "interesting" (and very good) hotels in the portfolio than it did in 2007. Genuine leaps forward, for people who like full-service hotels, are Autograph, a rejuvenated Renaissance, and the whole addition of SPG. I've been staying at quite a few Autographs that have great food and interesting bars, whereas 10 years ago I always felt Marriott restaurants/bars were tired and predictable. The lobby bar usually produced a solid burger and 3-4 craft beers, but you didn't really *want* to be there. So there are some things that are definitely better than they were.