The Sad State of Fairfield Inn Breakfast
Aug 10, 2022, 2:51 pm
#1
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
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The Sad State of Fairfield Inn Breakfast
Obviously you don't stay at a FI expecting haute cuisine. But, like when you stay at a similar Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express, you figure you'll get a basic level of hot food options that can save you time and money and be convenient in the morning over having to go out. At least in the past you'd get the normal liquid eggs and sausage or similar options. Now, you get this:
I've experienced this new breakfast at two FIs in the last month and each time it's been so disappointing. The ham and cheese and egg croissant manages to not only be tasteless but it's half frozen. Not the way one wants to start their day.
I've experienced this new breakfast at two FIs in the last month and each time it's been so disappointing. The ham and cheese and egg croissant manages to not only be tasteless but it's half frozen. Not the way one wants to start their day.
Aug 10, 2022, 3:13 pm
#2
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Obviously you don't stay at a FI expecting haute cuisine. But, like when you stay at a similar Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express, you figure you'll get a basic level of hot food options that can save you time and money and be convenient in the morning over having to go out. At least in the past you'd get the normal liquid eggs and sausage or similar options. Now, you get this:
I've experienced this new breakfast at two FIs in the last month and each time it's been so disappointing. The ham and cheese and egg croissant manages to not only be tasteless but it's half frozen. Not the way one wants to start their day.
I've experienced this new breakfast at two FIs in the last month and each time it's been so disappointing. The ham and cheese and egg croissant manages to not only be tasteless but it's half frozen. Not the way one wants to start their day.
David
Aug 10, 2022, 3:47 pm
#4
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
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Not directly, but I always write a TA review and I was pretty clear about it there. I wish Marriott sent more surveys because I'd mention it there too.
Aug 10, 2022, 4:25 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2020
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium United Silver
Posts: 126
I almost completely avoid these properties now. My wife has a lot of food allergies and before we could always count on fruit, bacon (sometimes chicken sausage, and breakfast potatoes depending on how they were cooked. Now she can't eat any of the breakfast foods besides the fruit. I always fill out the surveys and leave reviews.
Aug 10, 2022, 4:54 pm
#6
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When the Marriott CEO declares that his customers (hotel owners) are more important than the end customers (guests), this is what you get
Aug 10, 2022, 9:42 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 417
I checked out of a FI in Seattle this morning and my experience was just as bad. They had one chafing dish filled with the english muffin sandwiches all pre-opened and warmed, the other with "jalapeno cheese souffles" I was down at 7:30 and they were already absolutely dry as a bone and the tops of the "souffles" were inedible from being overcooked.
There was also a sign posted in the elevator explaining "Marriott Brand Standards" for housekeeping is no longer daily. It was kind of comical considering my rate was about $400 a night all in after parking.
There was also a sign posted in the elevator explaining "Marriott Brand Standards" for housekeeping is no longer daily. It was kind of comical considering my rate was about $400 a night all in after parking.
Aug 10, 2022, 10:54 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Posts: 2,401
I am currently staying at a SHS in NYC with the same sad state of affairs. They still have oatmeal and cold cereal. This is all part of the new breakfast rollout across FI, SHS, RI, & TPS brands which is projected to save operators %15 to %20 on breakfast costs IIRC. Of course, Marriott spun it as an enhanced breakfast based on customer feedback. In reality it is just another downgrade and reduction in service. YMMV...
--Jon
--Jon
Aug 10, 2022, 11:24 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
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The pictures in the press release looked amazing: https://news.marriott.com/news/2021/...-select-brands
i stayed at a Fairfield inn a few weeks ago and have to agree, its dreadful.
i stayed at a Fairfield inn a few weeks ago and have to agree, its dreadful.
Aug 10, 2022, 11:50 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
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"We're sorry that you were unhappy with <issue>. I have brought your comments up with my team to ensure that we will be able to better serve you in the future."
Aug 11, 2022, 6:24 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Lisboa
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Posts: 469
The pictures in the press release looked amazing: https://news.marriott.com/news/2021/...-select-brands
i stayed at a Fairfield inn a few weeks ago and have to agree, its dreadful.
i stayed at a Fairfield inn a few weeks ago and have to agree, its dreadful.
Aug 14, 2022, 8:00 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,308
Obviously you don't stay at a FI expecting haute cuisine. But, like when you stay at a similar Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express, you figure you'll get a basic level of hot food options that can save you time and money and be convenient in the morning over having to go out. At least in the past you'd get the normal liquid eggs and sausage or similar options. Now, you get this:
I've experienced this new breakfast at two FIs in the last month and each time it's been so disappointing. The ham and cheese and egg croissant manages to not only be tasteless but it's half frozen. Not the way one wants to start their day.
I've experienced this new breakfast at two FIs in the last month and each time it's been so disappointing. The ham and cheese and egg croissant manages to not only be tasteless but it's half frozen. Not the way one wants to start their day.
Aug 14, 2022, 8:15 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: rural Indiana - IND
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One of the reasons that Marriott has slipped to #3 on my list of preferred programs. For work, my budget is usually FI/Courtyard/HIX/Hampton. At least with Hampton and HIX i can (most of the time) know what to expect. Not fine dining, but consistent. Current preferences are now Hilton, IHG and then Marriott. Sad that they have fallen so far.
Aug 15, 2022, 6:01 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
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Posts: 6,019
I'm not very experienced in limited service properties that serve free breakfasts, so apologies for the ignorance. I'm also not trying to start a flame war between Marriott vs. Hyatt. However, I'm legitimately curious - do Hyatt Places offer similar pre-packaged breakfast options. I seem to remember this from a stay many years ago as a child - I don't remember a real breakfast area even. At least, the one and only Hyatt House I've stayed at had an omelet station.
Regardless, this is a negative trend, for sure. The one and only time I've ever had to remove breakfast food from my mouth was a premade breakfast burrito at Hotel Kansas City (premade is very rarely good).
Regardless, this is a negative trend, for sure. The one and only time I've ever had to remove breakfast food from my mouth was a premade breakfast burrito at Hotel Kansas City (premade is very rarely good).