So I drove up to Minneapolis a couple of weeks ago to start the new job. Spent the first week or two bouncing from Fairfield Inn to Courtyard to Residence Inn looking for the best place to park. Finally settled on the Fairfield Inn in Coon Rapids, MN. Close to work, and I negotiated a good rate with the Manager, who's a really nice guy.

All I expect with a deal like this is a safe place to sleep and that the heating, a/c, plumbing, and TV work.

Imagine my surprise this week when I check in and the room turns out to be a suite! OK, a suite at a Fairfield Inn is not like a suite at the Ritz-Carlton, but still ...

Big king bed (the new ones), separate seating area with couch and coffee table, two tables and chairs (desk, eating area), nice 'fridge and microwave in a neat cabinet (custom?), 70+ channels, large bathroom with mirror and counter top the whole length of the room, plenty of towels, basket of fruit, personal note from the manager, and so on. The place also has a heated indoor pool and hot tub. Two telephones and free Wi-Fi.

If this is an indication of how Marriott treats their plats, I think I'm going to enjoy spending some of these hard-earned points!