Originally Posted by
platbrownguy
Unfortunately, the new terms do not define "breakfast" like SPG's terms did, so I am not hopeful that a challenge to "continental breakfast" arrangements will be successful at stubborn properties. Here are the terms applicable to Renaissance, from
marriott.com:
Clearly, for La Concha (regardless of whether it's "United States" or "Caribbean" -- presumably it's "Caribbean") is supposed to provide "breakfast in restaurant."
But without a definition, there's nothing really to stop it from offering pastries and coffee.
The only argument you could make is that "continental breakfast" is used elsewhere, and if the terms
meant for properties to be able to give "continental breakfast" instead of "breakfast," then they would have said that in the quoted rule above. But that's the sort of argument that a stubborn property will simply dismiss regardless of its validity. (For example, the terms say "Lounge offers light snacks and daily continental breakfast." Why specify "continental breakfast" instead of "breakfast" unless the terms are defined differently, etc., etc., -- but the failure of Marriott's terms to define breakfast is the real problem.)
I am staying here on Thursday and will decide whether to escalate or ignore. Suite upgrade cleared and I used a 35k free night award before the category change so I'm pretty happy with the situation either way. Sucks paying $55 for resort fee + parking after getting spoiled on Hyatt where those are free on awards.
I look at resort-designated properties differently because breakfast doesn't fall under the lounge provision of the terms and conditions, which admittedly says a hotel with an open lounge only has to provide a "continental breakfast." It's debatable whether non-resort hotels without a lounge can claim a "continental breakfast" in the restaurant is in compliance. I would argue it isn't compliant, but there is no question that Marriott deliberately chose not to define the welcome gift breakfast benefit as a "continental breakfast." As such, the properties in Hawaii that only give you a coupon for Starbucks are not compliant. Coffee and sweet bread also isn't compliant.
I would have no problem invoking the $100 compensation guarantee and, if necessary, escalating both to on-property management and to corporate management.
In the couple cases I've had to do this at Autograph Collection properties the property's manager has quickly relented and provided a compliant breakfast.