sethb

That was someone with a similar situation in a different thread.

Kacee

No, it was the same poster (sean1397) who published the nonresponse from Marriott.

C17PSGR

Interesting response which suggests it is getting some attention.

I think this highlights that Marriott is trying to figure out how to deal with an owner who is very short term focused.

Lets keep in mind this owner doesn't disclose the penalty at the time the reservation is made and then sends out emails about $32,000 charges if cancelled within 90 days. I realize this hotel is a destination hotel but 90 day cancellation penalty and emails about $32,000 in charge is ludicrous.

hockeyinsider

It's the management. And the management is Marriott, not the owner or the owner's asset manager. The owner hires Marriott and Marriott manages the property in keeping with its policies, based on the budget approved by the owner or owner's asset manager.

I highly doubt the owner came up with this scheme. It's a general manager. Any front desk manager or operations director works for the general manager and takes orders from the general manager, not the owner or owner's asset manager.

rickg523

If I'm on a 5 day booking and have informed the hotel that I won't be using the room the first night, but will pay for it, what does checkout time on day two have to do with anything?
The problem here is, in an era of OLCI, the hotel neglected to check him in when he called. From the way this has played out, it's clear they did this with the clear intention of undercutting common practice and using their own failure to cook up a charge which they then neglected to inform him of until he concluded - and of course, paid for - the rest of his booking. Frankly, it's despicable and indefensible. The fact that Marriott seemingly endorsed this malpractice is equally contemptible and besmirches their brand.

freed0m

It is wrong for hotel to check in a guest without the guest presence. The hotel will not go through a proper document check. The contract between the hotel and Marriott would not allow such loophole that the hotel can just improve occupancy with little cost.

We can all be whatever elite level we want so long as we can find a hotel allowing check in without physical presence.

yosithezet

freed0m

That's not an actual checkin. You still need go to front desk for document check. Or in some hotels, you don't need?

Can I just book a lot of nights in some cheap hotels and mobile checkin all of them without any physical presence?

EdofFX

There are travelers who want to have a early check-in, perhaps way early in the morning. The conventional wisdom has been that you should not count on the hotel to give you an early check-in. If you want to make sure that you can check-in at 7 am, for example, you should have booked and paid for the room for the night before.

Now with the Marriott's T&C, they can cancel your reservation for the first night, and charge you whatever amount they want but have not told you?

C17PSGR

You may be right but I think its more likely that this property is being managed under a legacy SPG contract and the owner reserves the right to establish cancellation and other policies. If this was a Marriott policy, we'd see it elsewhere. Additionally, this is pretty consistent with De Baets approach to the REIT and blockchain

SHLTP

Oh mighty Zeus. What to do? If I arrive before official check in time at 12pm, I should book the night before so I have a room available at 7am, right?

But now these gods of hospitality in Aspen would call me a no show if I don't arrive before Big Ben strikes 12.
​​​​
​​ I thought it would cost an extra night for the convenience of having 5 hours to bathe in the Aspen spring water, not the price of a BMW series 3. Even Helen is not worth that.

What to do mighty Zeus?

[I burn some lamb in sacrifice]

Zeus says to me, go to another chain. Hyatt. Hilton. 4S. Anyone not blackened with the tint of Arne.

I did this with Hard Rock once. I flew 20 hours and wanted a room guaranteed at 8am when I arrived as I didn't want to wait until noon so I booked night before.

genotonda

Just stayed in 2 different Marriott properties in Houston. Both hotels supported E-key. Never interacted with the front desk at either property. Got to hotel, got in elevator, went to my room.

hockeyinsider

This is increasingly more common, including at legacy Starwood properties.

Kacee

Simply not true, as already noted above.

freed0m

Which hotel and how much is the room rate?

No document check required? Is it because you are American? Can foreigners do the same?

if cheap enough, I would like to book some nights.

I haven't stayed at a hotel which did not require passport check. Maybe because I only stay in hotel when abroad.