The Idiots who Design Marriott Rooms
#436
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,004
Depending on how sensitive you are to noise, a large number of rooms may be unacceptable due to outside roads, HVAC, etc. at many properties.
When I stayed at a property in Delaware for a year, check-in was always "5th or 6th floor, room higher numbered than 40, odd number if possible, please". There were about 25 rooms (540-550 and 640-650, iirc, plus 3 odd ones in a center core surrounded by hallways) of the 250 in the property that weren't too loud for me.
You would think they'd have enough feedback by now to have eliminated some of them. I understand road noise is just a cost issue, and they'll put up with a certain number of complaints or room moves rather than pay for better glass. But HVAC placement and other controllables should be known by now.
When I stayed at a property in Delaware for a year, check-in was always "5th or 6th floor, room higher numbered than 40, odd number if possible, please". There were about 25 rooms (540-550 and 640-650, iirc, plus 3 odd ones in a center core surrounded by hallways) of the 250 in the property that weren't too loud for me.
You would think they'd have enough feedback by now to have eliminated some of them. I understand road noise is just a cost issue, and they'll put up with a certain number of complaints or room moves rather than pay for better glass. But HVAC placement and other controllables should be known by now.
#437
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
That manager shouldn't be criticizing the designers. Rather, she should be complaining that the owner didn't consider the immediate surroundings and failed to adequately sound-proof the rooms.
#438
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,235
Simply put, RI, CY properties are cheaper because they are cookie cutter. If someone had to individually design each room to be optimal due to the surroundings, well, thats gonna cost a lot more.
#439
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
#440
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
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.
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.
#441
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,264
However you can come up with 5-6 different subsets of each brand that meet different needs and conditions based on what surrounds the hotel. Property in rural area at least 100 meters from four lane or wider highway? You don'r have a soundproofing requirement. An airport hotel underneath the runway approach for a major hub airport? You must meet these soundproofing specs because most of the time they will result in room noise levels less than X decibels of noise when a 777 takes off overhead. Here's a product list of approved sound mitigation materials you may select from.
#443
I'd like to bludgeon the designer who designed the lighting in rooms for St. Regis Astana. A suite with separate doors for guest powder room, main bathroom, closets, living area but unable to work and light up the living room. No clear dimmer settings. No independent lamps to talk about for the living room. Ended up working on a chair near front door with bathroom lights on.
#444
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,158
And the ones in Asia are usually much quieter...
#445
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 1,079
Do the people who are redesigning the Marriott rooms ever try to work in them?
I have been staying at the SFO Airport Marriott for nearly 20 years. I arrive today to discover that
So what do I do? I throw the coffee pot, coffee/tea box, ice buckets, etc.. on the floor with all the usual Marriott waste of paper and turn the TV stand into a desk. I like the huge TV but not at the expense of a place to work.
I have been staying at the SFO Airport Marriott for nearly 20 years. I arrive today to discover that
- There is no desk in the room
- No desk means only the phone by the bed
- No closets
- No luggage stands
- Door to the bathroom is glass and not well frosted
This last time, I was staying for 3 nights so I went ahead and moved it all off so that I could use the desk. Following day when I come back in the evening... you guessed it. Everything had been neatly arranged back on the desk.
I guess, old dogs do learn at some point. So, I take it all off and put it away in the closet on the ledge above the hangers.
#446
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 1,079
For the love of God hotel chains -- PLEASE put in (or keep) closing, locking doors that block out ALL light and noise from the bathrooms. And while you're at it, please keep the showers fully enclosed with either a curtain or doors. No more of this permanent half-barrier glass nonsense that keeps the ambient air freezing cold when trying to take a shower!!
#447
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
I don't understand why hotels, whether new-build properties or renovated properties, don't have better overhead lighting. Seriously. Instead of a half-dozen lamps and switches, how about one or two central, overhead lights that aren't yellow?
#448
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
My primary design pet peeve in a hotel room - poorly placed (or lacking) outlets and charging stations (NO excuse in newly renovated rooms)
And the most perplexing corollary- the orphan coffee maker placed no where near power- WTH?
I have seen that in at least half a dozen hotels.
And the most perplexing corollary- the orphan coffee maker placed no where near power- WTH?
I have seen that in at least half a dozen hotels.
#449
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
My primary design pet peeve in a hotel room - poorly placed (or lacking) outlets and charging stations (NO excuse in newly renovated rooms)
And the most perplexing corollary- the orphan coffee maker placed no where near power- WTH?
I have seen that in at least half a dozen hotels.
And the most perplexing corollary- the orphan coffee maker placed no where near power- WTH?
I have seen that in at least half a dozen hotels.
#450
My primary design pet peeve in a hotel room - poorly placed (or lacking) outlets and charging stations (NO excuse in newly renovated rooms)
And the most perplexing corollary- the orphan coffee maker placed no where near power- WTH?
I have seen that in at least half a dozen hotels.
And the most perplexing corollary- the orphan coffee maker placed no where near power- WTH?
I have seen that in at least half a dozen hotels.