I am sure Marriott would like to kick themselves for ever including the "room upgrade" as a bennie....more threads seem to be about this than almost anything else!

A few comments from my personal experience:
1) I too have a high floor indicated. So, when I am given a room that starts with a 1 (or even a 2, or 3) I very politely state - "my profile states a high floor. Is one available?" Should it happen - probably not. But Gold means you are with Marriott @ least 50 nights -so if youonly ".... remember on one occassion", I think they are doing a pretty good job.

2) As far as the bed types, the US does not have twins, so I can't address that. Perhaps room types are not guaranteed internationally? But again....it seems this only happened once???

3) If the hotels you are staying in ask you to remind them at check in of your preferences, and are prepared at that time to meet the preferences - who cares? It doesn't take me that long to say "high floor away from elevator, xtra pillows, don't care about bed type." Voila - I get a room I am happy with.

I can count on one hand the number of times that I have actually received a noticeable upgrade as a gold member.

Do you know what the upgrades are? I am not being sarcastic - other than a suite - they are not always so definitive that you would recognize them. (I didn't at first). You know how you get the little soaps and shampoos? Well, when you get a mouthwash, too - that's an upgrade. Room with a bath scale and bath robe? Upgrade. Room with bottles of water that you don't have to pay for? Upgrade. So - " On a couple of occassions I have stayed at the same hotel as non Marriott reward members (whom I have known and also seen their room) and guess what, as a gold member I had exactly the same room as they did as a non member." Are you sure? (and again, I am not being sarcastic - others will verify that these are upgrades)

Regarding lounges - that too is an endless topic on this forum - but here is some food for thought. (oops, no pun intended)

1) Again, if you do not get the key at check-in, why don't you just ask for it. Don't trot back, just get it before you trot away.
2) An empty refrig and coffee pot during hours is unacceptable. Has this happened often? Did you bring it to the GM's attention? They cannot fix a problem they are unaware of. If they know about it and don't fix it - different scenario, but I have never seen that happen.
3) re breakfast - agree totally - especially with the last line - Mr Sophie and i just book a room with the S4B rate - easier, less hassle, and most of the time, it is less than $10. I would rather have someone wait on me anyway, so $10 is a cheap treat.

Check-In - late, early- whatever.
1) I have never been asked to wait to check in (where the hotel was not) able to keep my luggage in a secure area. Never. Again, is this an international issue? Not sure.
2) As far as the room not being ready, I have found that the following usually works for me. Them: "Ms. XXXX, your room is not ready" Me - "oh, may I have another room that IS ready? Them - "well, we can give you a room right now, but it isn't as nice" Me - "I don't care, go ahead and give me a key" [B]OR [/B]"Have the bellman keep my luggage - I am going to go over to XXX and I will be back in a half hour to get the nicer room." If this happened every time, I agree it would be annoying - but does it?

From what I hear and read, I do think the Euro experience for Marriott is much different than that in the US - and not for the better, it appears.

But I also think that our (and this is absolutely not directed at you) expectations have gotten a little out of hand.

I am a plat - stayed 91 nights last year. One of Marriott's best customers? Don't think so, as there are people who have already stayed 91 nights this year and it is only April.

Am I a good customer? Yes. A loyal customer - yes. And I think I am rewarded for that with the overall program - and, so, overall, I am happy with Marriott. It is not a perfect experience - but I feel I am getting good recognition and value for the nights I spend with them.

I agree with European Pete. For whatever reason, you are not happy with Marriott right now. I doubt any of us on FT can change that - so a good answer might be to try out Hilton (or as a previous unhappy poster is doing, Hyatt) and see what happens. Hopefully you will get an experience you are happy with because.......

I have traveled for 20 years. If you missed Plat by 4 (mistake, by the way - I find there is BIG difference between Gold and Plat) - then you are at 71 nights out....and my friend, 71 nights out is bad enough. 71 nites when you are bent out of shape with your hotel service provider is misery. Truly.