Originally Posted by
pinniped
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.
In addition to the resort properties, the Sheraton in Old Town San Juan, Puerto Rico, (not a resort) charges a housekeeping fee.
Originally Posted by
pinniped
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.
Outside of marquee properties, I never see a concierge desk.
Very few properties have stationary anymore to write a letter (doesn't cost the hotel anything, but it's free advertising if the guest writes home or someone else on hotel stationary) to say nothing of bathrobes, slippers, umbrellas and other staples of full-service properties. Some properties at least have bathrobes and slippers upon request.
Don't get me wrong. I like Marriott, but I few the domestic properties as unfortunate and only a commodity to get points for international trips.