There is a new full service Marriott opening up this summer at Adrian's Landing, next to the Convention Center as part of an effort to rejuvenate downtown Hartford. (It's already listed on the Marriott website.)

There's another full-service, option about ten minutes west off exit 37 of I-84, The Hartford Marriott Farmington which I've stayed at on several occasions.

Special rates are variables - so much depends on what the hotel projects as their occupancy during the period of time for which you want to contract.

Having said that, I think it's safe to say that the downtown location (particularly because it's geared toward convention business) will be the one that's more apt to take the tougher line - but again, it depends on the time period you're negotiating for and how they stand at that point - who knows?

Farmington seems to get many smaller meetings and weddings; doesn't have the facilities for huge groups, so as a pure guess, I think they'd be more flexible.

There's no predicting - all you can do is ask.

But, if you're interested, following is my take on the property -

Up to recently it was a rarity - owned as well as managed by Marriott and it was a gem. Marriott sold it to a local group, and while they still manage it the new owners have introduced some economies (hostess in Concierge Lounge told me about them in a conversation where she didn't offfer any editorial comments other than a "between-the-lines" sort of way).

Personally, I think it's fine; they discontinued their valet parking, but who cares. They also installed a "green room" program and cynic that I am, I cannot accept 100% altruism as the motive for doing so.

The rooms and public areas got a major refurb last summer; including "old-new" beds. One annoyance (when two people are sharing a room) is that the sink is not in the bathroom, rather in the bedroom opposite the closet and when one person is using it and the other is passing by or rumaging in the closet they get in each other's way. Obviously, that's the design and thery're stuck with it.

If I have any criticism it would be that the last time I was there, for some reason the bed had one of those obsolete foam slabs instead of a true mattress. Why is a mystery, but I'll chalk it up to a simple goof - too many other things are executed in a very snappy/efficient fashion and I've found the staff to be consistently friendly, helpful and efficient.

I think it's a fine hotel - concierge section is in a building that's contguouis to the main one, and quiet.

BTW, not that it matters now, but that concierge building has a garage - found it mighty handy when I didn't have to dig a car out last winter.

If you're in the area I would definitely check it out if I were you.

It's located at the far end of an industrial park - nothing doing there in terms of after-hours entertainment or dining, but you're relatively close to West Hartford and downtown (what there is of it).

Just as an FYI the downtown Hilton just reopened after a thorough refurbisment - it had the reputation of being a pure dump, but I must say, that at least from the common areas it appears to be pretty spiffy.

There's also a Crowne Plaza, but I've never visited it.