sdb55

this sound completly UN appetizing to me!
and comes across as cheesy

I stayed 95 nights in 2007, and LIKE the MARRIOT chains -- in general tried to stay at RI whenever there was one nearby. Reason: breakfasts & dinner were tasty and easy - especiialy when had work to do; and a refrigerator and MW. Lately I can get fridge and MW in many other hotels - so now that Breakfast & dinner has been downgraded -- I will be moving away from RI.

so to marriot lurkers {and officials who claim "to represent themselves", (but they claim to have top secret Marrriot info)}: listen up -- I will speak with my wallet immedaitely.

I look forward to hearing here when you switch back ( based experience - it normally takes you 12+ month to recognize the error)

SkiAdcock

Back on topic to the social hour offerings

Today's Thursday. If anyone's staying at RIs, please report your experiences. Still seems to be some inconsistency.

Cheers.

DADISGARYK

Do I count 3 thumbs down on the pulled pork?

It's Friday night, California time...where are the Thursday reports?

Sharon - maybe Socrates is right and there are no business travelers on Thursday

socrates

I didn't say none....I said it was a cross over day between business travel and leisure travel I've switched where I'm staying next week to check it out first hand...I'll let you folks know what I experience

DADISGARYK

Here it is Saturday and there are no further replies...

Maybe the pork killed everyone off

SkiAdcock

Maybe everyone who would stay at an RI on a Thurs decided to decamp to the competitors who still offer food/drink on a Thurs

Cheers.

socrates

Ok here's the menu for January for the RI I just checked into, they do cover the 3 required nights in the format required (Turned In, The Manager's Toast, The BBQ) but they have a 4th night "local event"

Turned in is Chicken Wings every week 5:30-7:30
The Manager's Toast is Meatballs 5:30-7:30
BBQ is Hamburgers & Hot Dogs every week 5:30-7:30
Local Event varies each week hours not stated

SkiAdcock

Just curious - is 5:30-7:30 the new extended time? What were the times previously?

Cheers.

ArtM

Sorry, got wrapped up in other things. The Naples, FL RI had no social hour on Thursday.

Now I have to recover over at the Ocean Pointe resort. Only social hour over here is a wine and cheese get together for the owners tonight.

Art

socrates

Yeah but the wine served isn't bad (isn't terrific but is decent)

socrates

Was only an hour - btw to follow up on the social this evening - I went down at 7:10pm

Salad bowls were full (green and potato)
wings were pentiful
cookies were a little sparse

but I purposely stayed for 30 mins - they were still putting food out at 7:15pm

The presentation that I observed was much better than in the past

OU812

At least they are offering real food for each of those nights. At the RI Baton Rouge at Cedar Lodge the offerings were as follows last week:

Turned in: 6:00 - 8:00 Chips, salsa, popcorn, soft pretzels, beer, wine and soft drinks, cookies for desert
BBQ: 6:00 - 7:30 - Hot Dogs, Potato Chips, Salad w/ dressing, beer, wine, iced tea, lemonade, soft drinks, cookies for deserrt
Manager's Toast: 6:00 - 7:30 - Gouda Cheese, Brie, Crackers, popcorn, beer, wine, soft drinks

This has been pretty standard each week. Swap the Pork BBQ with the Hot Dogs and that is about the only difference I have noticed the last couple weeks. Nothing that really stops you for going out to find something to eat.

I will say the breakfast offerings are much better with eggs, bacon or sausage, french toast or pancakes, make your own belgin waffles, oatmeal, and a variety of pastries,muffins and bagels in the mornings.

Counting the weeks until I am back in a city with a decent FS Marriott or Renaissance.

RIP...

SkiAdcock

Ok, a month in & it sounds like the new 'enhanced' changes are not wonderful enhanced changes at all. Certainly enough mixed results in terms of timing (hours), dates (varies) & food (varies) that the new policy is eh - no big deal, no matter how much socrates wants to spin it.

So to me it's still thumbs down & NOT an enhancement by Marriott. Sounds like UA - take something away & say it's great. As though people are stoo-pid.

OVMV. Cheers.

joshua362

My first RI stay since the "change".

Dothan, AL, a new RI stayed 4/28-5/1.

6 hour drive to there Monday afternoon, raced the last few hours to get there somewhat "on time" to see the new spread. NO FOOD at all.

Was told that they rotate 2x/week then 3x/week but it was now "catered". Come back tomorrow evening.

Tuesday, left work "early" to arrive by 6:30pm. Had to wait until 7pm. The now obligatory tray of pulled pork plus coleslaw and chips delivered by a steakhouse chain (Logan's) across the street. No beer, wine, buns. Gone very quickly as limited quantities were available to the now gathered crowd.

Stayed away from it but did visit the chain later on, it was pretty bad, managed to mess up Shrimp and salad.

Wednesday, again got there 6:45pm. Was told it would be out at 7pm. Bagel bites and doughy "pinwheels" - out of the box Costco/Sam's Club bulk food I buy for my kids parties. Did not enjoy being health conscious. No beer/wine.

Did not stick around Thursday but suspect it was an off night.

Pathetic, IMO. Better off the old way. I could usually count on a salad. What an absoulte scam if this is a chain wide "improvement".

mecabq

I stayed here last night (Thursday), and they offered chili (out of a can), cornbread, and shredded cheddar cheese. I think that they had little single servings of sour cream, too. All in all, pretty good.