Originally Posted by UScolorado1k
Stayed at the TownePlace Falls Church VA again this week. Guess I must be stupid becuase this is the 4th time I've stayed there in the last 3 months. Twice the stays have been ok, twice just tolerable.
This time I got a Platinum welcome gift (only gotten that once before at this property), however today there was no bill under the door. When I went to check out, I was told that they only put the bill under the door when the guest specfically requests it (hmm, that's strange as every other time I've stayed there, it's been under the door and I've never specifically requested it).
I've been staying at the hotel becuase it is the only Marriott within a reasonable distance of McLean that is at or below per diem and of course being a Platinum, I kind of have a loyalty to Marriott.
Now my question: Do you think having "status" (such as Platinum) drives stupid behaviours? If this was another chain's hotel, I sure as heck would not have stayed there twice, much less four times! Yes, I could get per diem rates at other hotels closer to my client's office (such as Embassy Suites), but I think I'm Marriott point-adicted. Is there a cure??
TownPlaces are not really the cream of the crop when it comes to Marriott properties. As a Platinum myself, I don't really expect too much out of them becase (1) there isn't a whole lot they can offer and (2) I don't think they are exactly designed to cater to the frequent upscale traveller. I guess, in short, I have a different level of expectations if I'm staying at a TownPlace/Fairfield vs. a Courtyard/RI/SHS vs. a Marriott/JW/Renaissance.
In your situation, having to choose between a TownePlace (especially one that you're disappointed with) and an Embassy Suites, the Embassy would be a no-brainer for me (unless there's something about that hotel that isn't up to standard). The two of them just aren't even in the same class of hotel. And while I might miss out on the full kitchen at TownePlace on a long-term stay, the Embassy at least has a microwave and mini-fridge so you can make a few things if you don't feel like going out every night.
Of course, I typically get well over 100 nights with Marriotts each year, so a few diversions to other brands don't cause me to lose my status. Plus, even though I don't worry about getting status at other brands, its nice to have a few points built up for those occassions where Marriott isn't in the exact location you're looking for.