OK. Clarifying a little:

I checked in online 24h before arrival and was definitely assigned a room - there was a card from the staff addressed to me by name welcoming me. I don't know if my colleague checked in online.

Talked to the FD during check-out. The reason I was given is that I reserved a double queen room and they didn't want to upgrade me to a single bed suite since I might have needed the two beds. OK, I guess that's legitimate, but they could have asked me. <shrug>

Just checked in to another CY for a one-night stay - no upgrade. They show a suite is available when I go to reserve a room for tonight at the same property.