Originally Posted by Flyer23
Why is it important to note that the smells were due to a "cultural cross section?" Personally, I am an American, but I find the smell of hotdogs nauseating (and rather "bizarre"), so I wouldn't appreciate my next-door neighbor cooking those. Why not just say that you didn't like the smell of whatever was cooking?
Did you call down to the front desk, to see if someone could ask them to be quieter? Or ask for a different room?
Why is wired Internet a negative? I bring along a wireless router that's about the size of a deck of cards, so I have wireless Internet wherever I want it. I much prefer this arrangement to the hotel's wireless Internet, which I find to be quite flaky. Especially at Marriott properties, it seems. In the past two months, I had a stay at a Fairfield where I actually had to switch rooms (which I hate doing) because the wireless didn't work at all in my original room, as well as stays at a TownePlace and a SpringHill Suites where I tolerated extremely unreliable wireless access because I didn't feel like switching rooms. Never had problems with wired access, at any hotel, in many, many nights...
Personally, I like Residence Inns. They sold me with the one I stayed at in Cleveland on one of my first business trips, which had a gas-operated fireplace. Come in from the chill of Cleveland in March, flip a switch, and poof! fire. I also like that I have a little more room to spread out in, even though most of my business trips are shorter. Although I don't usually cook (at home either
), I do like having a refrigerator, microwave, etc. for any restaurant leftovers. And I like that there is usually a wider variety of TV channels at RI's compared to regular Marriotts. I am a much happier camper when I have Comedy Central for my "Daily Show" fix
But the 5 pts/$ really does suck, especially since most of RI's "free" amenities can be had at Fairfields or SHS for significantly less per night.
Sorry if my xenophobia is showing. What I was pointing out was the incompatible mixture of cooking odors. If the first Star Wars movie had featured a food court instead of a bar, it would have smelled like this. I'm sure someone was cooking hot dogs somewhere in the building.
Wired internet is less mobile unless I buy additional hardware. Not a biggie - I just got annoyed when the phone rang and I couldn't take the laptop with me. I have been given rooms where the wired connection is broken. I haven't had a problem with wireless connections.
I called the front desk to ask for quiet in the courtyard. I received lip service. No one actually went out and asked the group to quiet down. This is similar to my experience 2 years ago asking for corrections to housekeeping issues at the same property. Yes, Mr BamaVol. Of course, Mr BamaVol. Nothing fixed the following day. I hate changing rooms. I have 5 changes of clothes hung in the closet (assuming there are sufficent hangers) and put away in the dresser and food in the fridge, and my shoes are off, and the laptop is fired up, etc.
I like the fireplace, too. Had one at a RI in Youngstown a couple years ago. I don't miss it in September - Cleveland lows were in the 60's last week.
And as far as TV is concerned, I like the local cable system there just fine. I enjoyed a couple channels I don't have at home like VH1 Classics.