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.