Kacee

Actually it does.

warakorn

Link?

warakorn

Restaurant doesn't have to be open at 3am or on December 25 (e.g. in Finland).

tfred

what property? Sounds like the Marriott Opera location....

Kacee

The rules expressly state the A/C must be "functional." To break this into very simple concepts for you, that means when you turn it on, cold air comes out.

Antarius

but that is disclosed ahead of time.

your stance is not supported by the French hotel standards. It's not supported by general common sense. Heck, theres probably 2 people here that would agree - and they are the 2 who think that socking someone with an undisclosed 32k cancellation fee is acceptable.

Antarius

globetraveler

Hotel Banke, Paris (newly on-boarded Autograph Collection)

Thanks to the more empathetic responses here- as always there are a couple posters here who don't take a very understanding approach (they would only agree if the issue was plaguing them directly).

As an update, I have reached out to Marriott Customer Relations and they have subsequently reached out to the property GM. I've asked for one night compensation (via a refund of points), which I feel is more than fair given that this was a multi night stay. So far the property has only offered 12.500 points total (one night to redeem at this property is 50,000 points) which is only 25% off of ONE NIGHT.

Will keep everyone posted of the end result.

Kacee

Thanks for outing them. It's good to know how properties respond to these sorts of problems, as it's really something of a litmus test for their overall approach to guest relations.

I would absolutely take this property (which otherwise looks pretty nice) off my list based on your report.

globetraveler

It's a shame because it was one of the best service experiences I've had in Paris. The staff are genuine and friendly, but I was quite surprised by how they have responded to this issue. My sense is that they are not yet accustomed to an American guest expectation, standard etc. as they are new to the Marriott portfolio. The staff did mention that MANY customers were complaining about the building/rooms not having A/C.

BTW, as an aside- they did inquire with the engineering team about activating the A/C however they said it would take over 2 days to turn the pipes over. Perhaps it's time to install a modern A/C & Heating system that can accommodate both on demand. If I wanted the uncertainty of not having A/C when outside temps rise- I would have just booked a 3 star hotel.

Kacee

Given that the building was converted to a hotel in 2009, I'm surprised they don't have a more modern HVAC system.

fastflyer

This means they are using a single system, probably water based, for heating and cooling. I would expect a 5* hotel (and frankly a 4* hotel also) to have a modern, dual-mode system. Most buildings built since the 1970s have separate heating and cooling systems because of the need to keep equipment (computers) cool even in winter. BTW, modern environmental systems do not require a vent "in situ" to the outside. That's a cheap method. Class A and B buildings mostly operate in plumbed lines with the heat or cold transfer equipment on the roof atop each line.

Having said all that, there are older, high-end properties in Canada and other cold climates where air conditioning is so rarely needed that it is not offered. Not sure if Paris would qualify as a cold climate. Glasgow or Helsinki, however, yes.

globetraveler

Interesting, thanks for the background.
I bet if Marriott is made aware and this gets flagged- it's going to create some challenges for this property. American guests will not have any tolerance for the few week periods in the Spring and Fall when temps fluctuate unknowingly. It's easier to bundle up then it is to try to cool down!

UKTraveller4Fun

Not sure about not being accustomed to American guest expectations, I am from the UK and have the same expectation as you. Generally I think most guests staying at a hotel that requires that many points a night would have the expectations of you. It is more a case of the property trying to get out of giving reasonable compensation and once you have left the property really not caring!

KRSW

2 pipes are cheaper than 4...could very well be a price-cutting move. Although, I do find this thread amusing considering the Marriott I usually stay in Alaska has heating and cooling available all year-round.