Kacee

In the US, many JWs barely qualify as 4* IMO. I'd put SF, LA Live, and MSP in this grouping for sure (with SF actually being best of those three).

hockeyinsider

Ugh.

It looks like Marriott is once again experimenting with eliminating or downsizing the in-room desk. Here's what an executive said:

Tizzette

bhrubin

MSPeconomist

bhrubin

hockeyinsider

For new-build properties, I think much of it will still come down to the owner, who has to build the hotel to Marriott's minimum specs and standards. They can exceed minimums, but that's an added cost -- especially if you're using a cookie-cutter design. Anything extra will require additional design expenses.

As for renovated properties, I suspect the cost of removing the bathtubs is expensive and most owners will avoid, unless they're gutting the building.

It is kind of amazing that not even a century ago a good hotel boasted of en suite bathtubs and toilets. Now, a bathtub is an inconvenience. At this rate, the toilets will soon be an inconvenience and we'll see the return of chamber pots, albeit fancy, hipster-designed chamber pots for the millennials and whatever the generation that comes after them is called. I mean, who has the time to sit down on the toilet anymore in this always connected, 24/7/365 world we live in?

hockeyinsider

The problem is often the bathtubs aren't clean. I can't tell you how many times there is visible body or pubic hair in the tubs. I travel with flip-flops for the shower because of this exact reason. I also travel with the anti-bacterial wipes to clean the toilet seat.

Zeeb

I can totally understand why some people want a bathtub, but for hotels that are marketed towards business travelers I see a shower as a positive as a replacement for the small bathtubs that I've never, ever used except to shower in. If I'm on a romantic getaway or something then yeah, a big soaker bathtub is a positive. But when I'm traveling for work having a walk in shower is nice and way less slippery compared to the type of bathtub they are replacing.

Brucemcdou

This. I like a deep soaker tub (we renovated our bathrooms at home to include one) but most hotels with tubs only have the cheap, shallow builder tubs that aren't comfortable to lay in and can't hold enough water to actually soak. So if you can't give me a good tub, at least give me a good shower. I applaud Marriott and their brands for upgrading many of the hotels with nice, large showers. I can relax after a long day or a hard workout with a long, steamy shower just as well as a bathtub soak (assuming we're not in a drought).

That said, if I'm in a resort or getaway location, I expect a deep soaking tub AND a shower.

awb824

The Renaissance that I stay at in Dallas has just rennovated their rooms. They used to have rooms with two queen beds with a bathtub/shower combo with two counters and sinks, one outside the bathroom.
It was great, espcially if you had several people in a room. They have taken out the bathtubs, one of the counters and sink and put in a large shower. I agree a large soaking bathtub and shower combination would be so much better.

s0ssos

I stayed at a Towneplace that is new, was in construction just a few months ago. The wall mounted AC unit is right next to your bed so you get to feel the air blowing over you. Now, if you were at a junky motel that might be expected, but really?

And now I'm staying at a Residence Inn, which is pretty new, and half the one-bedroom suites are next to the street. You can hear the cars (meaning they didn't bother to change the windows).

They are both beautiful properties from the outside, and from the inside initially. Until you start staying there.

cre95

My question as well. My view is that folk that design these are not regular hotel users. From my point of view, I want functionality & pleasant experience. At many properties, the lighting is atrocious, desk is not functional, bathroom have no space to put toiletries. The list goes on and on from my view.

And to make matters worse, they use the same footprint from hotel to hotel. You would think somebody would at least give it a test run and improve on the next iteration.

s0ssos

That's exactly how the manager responded when I complained about being next to the room. She noted the designers should stay here, and realize that one-bedrooms (the "upgraded room") should be away from the street, not next to it.
Here an "upgrade" is a mixed bag.

goodeats21

Placement of Air / Heat unit in the SHS / Courtyard level properties is a major pet peeve of mine. Worst is when it is directly in front of the desk. Just what I want when trying to get some work done....

My hack is to drape a towel over the ironing board, and place it directly in front of the unit. Effective to block the air from blowing directly on me while still providing heat / cool air.