Le Meridien Philadelphia [Master Thread]
#151
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond, AA 2.5 MM, United Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,460
Bonvoyed!
I'm staying here now, and it appears that Marriott has now Bonvoyed the breakfast at this hotel. The coupon is good for a continental breakfast, and that's it. If you don't want a continental breakfast, you need to pay full price for anything else on the menu. You get no discount.
#152
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
I'm staying here now, and it appears that Marriott has now Bonvoyed the breakfast at this hotel. The coupon is good for a continental breakfast, and that's it. If you don't want a continental breakfast, you need to pay full price for anything else on the menu. You get no discount.
#153
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,656
#155
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver (Thanks Marriott!), Marriott Lifetime Titanium & Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 643
You may want to ask about that. I stay there 50-60 nights per year and just stayed last week with no issues on the coupon. Picked something on the menu and it was covered with the coupon.
I am checking in tomorrow night and will report back with any issues with the free breakfast.
I am checking in tomorrow night and will report back with any issues with the free breakfast.
#156
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA Exp, SPG Plat 100
Posts: 54
The breakfast benefit of choosing off the menu seems to be gone for sure. I've had that option in May 2019 but today was told only the Continental Buffet which was bread, cereal boxes, and a fruit plate - extremely disappointing. I took the breakfast coupon back to the desk and asked for points.
In addition the property has seemed to go downhill, even more, there is no GM only an Assistant GM. Lock on my door was always unlocked and told they were at capacity and just to use the latch since no one in overnight engineering can fix the lock.
In addition the property has seemed to go downhill, even more, there is no GM only an Assistant GM. Lock on my door was always unlocked and told they were at capacity and just to use the latch since no one in overnight engineering can fix the lock.
#157
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond, AA 2.5 MM, United Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,460
The breakfast benefit of choosing off the menu seems to be gone for sure. I've had that option in May 2019 but today was told only the Continental Buffet which was bread, cereal boxes, and a fruit plate - extremely disappointing. I took the breakfast coupon back to the desk and asked for points.
In addition the property has seemed to go downhill, even more, there is no GM only an Assistant GM. Lock on my door was always unlocked and told they were at capacity and just to use the latch since no one in overnight engineering can fix the lock.
In addition the property has seemed to go downhill, even more, there is no GM only an Assistant GM. Lock on my door was always unlocked and told they were at capacity and just to use the latch since no one in overnight engineering can fix the lock.
#158
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,656
I've stayed at the hotel numerous times and years ago actually thought it was one of the better LeM in the US with a great restaurant. Even back then I thought the management was doing their best to NOT follow the upgrade rules and basically try to get away with what they could. The fact that the breakfast has changed confirms this to me yet again. I recently tried the Renaissance DT for a visit I had and I was pleasantly surprised. Anyone upset with the LeM should give them a try. The rooms are spacious and the elite breakfast was a small buffet set up in the bar. In addition to the small buffet, they allowed us to order toast off the menu and said there was not extra charge. Just to clarify, it wasn't a huge buffet but it had scrambled eggs, potatoes, meat, pastries, cereal and yogurt...sort of like what you would find in most club lounges but definitely better than what is described above as being the new norm at the LeM.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31344565-post26.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31344565-post26.html
Last edited by christianj; Sep 13, 2019 at 6:18 am
#159
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Wow. Sounds like I need to check out other properties in town if this one is really getting as bad as is being suggested herein.
I will say that I had a disastrous experience the last time here—and my dealings with first the sales director and then the GM were truly unimpressive. That largely made me look elsewhere. Thankfully, it seems.
I will say that I had a disastrous experience the last time here—and my dealings with first the sales director and then the GM were truly unimpressive. That largely made me look elsewhere. Thankfully, it seems.
#160
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
I haven't heard many horror stories out of this property, but my colleagues have been unimpressed with it as a business hotel for practical reasons such as oddly-shaped, awkward desks and poor room service. So I opt for less-shiny, but more functional properties when the few nice ones are sold out, and have actively avoided this one.
@bhrubin - book the new Four Seasons, thank me later!
@bhrubin - book the new Four Seasons, thank me later!
#161
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
I haven't heard many horror stories out of this property, but my colleagues have been unimpressed with it as a business hotel for practical reasons such as oddly-shaped, awkward desks and poor room service. So I opt for less-shiny, but more functional properties when the few nice ones are sold out, and have actively avoided this one.
@bhrubin - book the new Four Seasons, thank me later!
@bhrubin - book the new Four Seasons, thank me later!
#162
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Rittenhouse I never managed to make it around to but have obviously heard very good things. Though I don't know if I'd trade the Logan for it - they seem like comps on paper / photos, but obviously Hilton points and benefits at the latter.
#163
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Will be curious about your take on 1) the FS at the very top of the market (how does it compare to other top-tier, big-city properties, as I haven't been to a huge number), and 2) the RC as compared to RC brand standards (I have my opinion...).
Rittenhouse I never managed to make it around to but have obviously heard very good things. Though I don't know if I'd trade the Logan for it - they seem like comps on paper / photos, but obviously Hilton points and benefits at the latter.
Rittenhouse I never managed to make it around to but have obviously heard very good things. Though I don't know if I'd trade the Logan for it - they seem like comps on paper / photos, but obviously Hilton points and benefits at the latter.
Marriott Bonvoy Hotels in Philadelphia, PA
#165
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: DC|NYC
Programs: UA GS, DL Plat, Marriott Bonvoy LIfetime Titanium/SPG refugee, Hertz Prez, Amtrak Select
Posts: 3,201
Just checked out after two days. Lifetime Titanium and I got an upgrade to a nice corner room with a bit of interior passage away from the hallway and associated noise. Each and every member of the front desk staff is excellent. Friendly, welcoming, always smiling, happy to help! Very good shower with very hot water and great water pressure. Unfortunately, that's where it ends. The room was not clean. Put some clothes on a shelf and when I took them off, they were covered in dust. Went to move the easy chair for a better tv view and clearly nobody had moved that chair--or cleaned behind it!--in a long time. Housekeeping never even showed up on my second day, despite two calls to the operator. Was told they had a lot of check-outs and were quite busy but when I returned at 9:30pm, they'd never come. Four square, sad lumpy little pillows on a king bed and lots of wear and tear--peeling wallpaper, stained lamp shades, wearing out furniture, etc. Mostly a beer and wine lobby bar. The bartender--who was incredibly friendly--didn't know some basic cocktails and didn't have on hand for the one he did know. Asked what he could do with gin. Answer: gin & tonic. Mind you, it's a great location if you're in town to be a tourist and the price was right. But now I know why. (Oh, and park at the Love Park Garage 1/2 block away at $22/night on weekends vs. $65+tip for valet.)