Posted this in a thread on the China forum, but haven’t received any response to my post. Trying here to see if anyone has input:

Headed to Xi’an in September. Have looked for current hotel recommendations, but haven’t found much in regards to Marriott properties. Leaning towards the Westin, but considering all the newer options, renaissance, ritz, w...is there a better choice?

Budget is flexible. I often like to have lounge access. Also pertinent that I am doing a status challenge for Marriott so looking primarily at those properties. Getting off topic, but I do see that the Fairfield has very cheap rooms; even if I don’t stay there, could I pad my Marriott nights a bit by booking a few nights there?

I think I have a partial answer to the part about padding nights. My current understanding is that I can’t collect nights for two properties on the same nights (maybe I should consider other chains in Xi’an to actually stay at?). However, I assume that I could check in to a cheap Marriott property on my departure date and just leave the keys in the room for housekeeping to find when my stay is up (assuming I don’t check into another Marriott property elsewhere during the stay)?