I don't claim to be an expert by any stretch of the imagination and I am sure that others can answer better than I can.

Since Marriott Gold is 50 nights and Hilton Diamond is 60, it takes about the same amount of effort IMO.

Because of where I was working, the only Marriott property in the area was a RI and a CY about 5 miles further. I think I stayed at the CY 2 nights, RI 13 nights and then a Marriott 3 nights for my challenge. At the CY and RI, I didn't receive anything as a gold. At the Marriott in Atlanta, it was a Thursday-Sunday stay so the lounge was only open Thursday night and Friday morning. I'm not sure if I should have received breakfast on Saturday and Sunday and didn't ask because we had plans.

I think I received an upgraded room but it wasn't on one of the top floors. With Hilton, I have always received one of the top floors and they usually have designated Executive floors. I am still not as familiar with Marriott so I'm not sure if they have the same.

Other than Hilton lounges being open on the weekends, I didn't see much of a difference. But, as stated above, most of my nights as a gold were at RI and CYs.

Now that I'm platinum, I do like the welcome gift at Marriotts but other than that, I haven't seen much of a difference from a Hilton Diamond. I wish that Hilton had a Diamond Elite and Diamond Premier like Marriott does since I have over twice the amount of stays and nights required for Diamond.