The construction at LRM is a PIA! Lobby is busted, you enter thru the side and then often smell the strong solvent in the air and walk a narrow temporary walkway or driveway area, total PIA and too small for such a big hotel!

If you have Lounge access it is on the 44th floor and has a pretty decent view, good selection for breakfast and one of the better dinner selections, not as good as Westin for food, better for view. The main breakfast buffet has been moved to the 9th floor ballroom and is in a temporary place. I think they've worked the kinks out but it is another double elevator ride or elevator plus two flights of stairs.

With merger it will come down to rate and upgrades and how important are things like the gym/pool. For me at least I always get upgraded and choice of rooms usually Bund view high up, or Junior Suite People Park, or the end Apartment style with both Bund/People's view so I'm not moving because of a extra few minutes elevator wait.

Moondog JW is too rich for me, how is the Marriot Gym?