The Internet speeds for the "free" Internet at virtually all FF and CY properties won't even support the postage-stamp sized YouTube videos without frequent hiccups, much less a full-screen Netflix stream.

I have and they don't......Even at some FS properties.

At most CY and FF properties, there will be a small stack of USA Today papers at the front desk which will be gone if you are not there by 7:00AM to grab one. If so many people are "not reading them", why are they gone so quickly?

I have stayed this year at Holiday Inns, Hampton Inns and Hilton Garden Inns, the last two are direct competitors to FF and CY, respectively. ALL of them will have a paper outside my door every morning - and this is one of several reasons they are getting a larger share of my business when I have a choice of properties against a FF or CY.

Bingo. Money is the true color of "green". Newspapers are easily recycled and are biodegradable if you don't recycle - about as green a medium as it gets.

Wow, CY ATL downtown is very impressive! I will have to try it the next time I am in ATL.

I have found newspapers to be an inconsistent issue at both full service and select service MI hotels. Some hotels put the papers in front of every door, every weekday, while others put them by the elevators on each floor, and others place a stack in the lobby. At some hotels they run out early, and at other hotels there are still several available at the end of the day. However, I usually get a newspaper if I want one.

I can understand why some hotels choose not to put them at each door, because it is time consuming to place papers at 200 or 400 or X number of rooms. In that regard it is a money saving issue, but not the costs of the papers, since they still provide them to those who wish to have them.

On the flip side, IMHO, receiving or not receiving a paper, which sells for approximately $1.00, is hardly a reason to stay, or not to stay, at a particular hotel.

Clearly, newspapers are not obsolete, and clearly people are reading the newspapers, because if they were not, then some of the hotels would not be running out.

Since you've updated your profile but are still not getting the papers requested I'd ask that you send a quick note via M.com to provide feedback

My updated profile for newspapers is rarely honored. At my last stay, I was asked whether I wanted a newspaper (despite my profile requesting USAToday). I guess asking me is better than not getting one.

I see your point but respectfully disagree. For one, a hotel employee has to run every hallway of every floor, every morning, slipping bills under the doors for the guests who are checking out. It seems to me the same employee could wheel around a cart of newspapers and drop them in front of every door, too. And it shouldn't be that hard for him to have a printout (or an electronic list on a tablet or something) specifying which guests have requested specific papers.

Furthermore, even if it is time-consuming and labor-intensive, it's one of the services that I expect at a "full-service" hotel. Just like softer towels, a more comfortable mattress, a fancier lobby... These are things that don't have to be done but that do set a higher-end place apart from a lower-end one.

To add/clarify, full serve properties earn you points on incidental charges also. The indicated "select serve" properties only earn on room rates.

And if you collect miles instead of points, 2x @ full serve per $1 on all charges, 1x @ "select" per $1 on only room rates.

I personally don't understand this, especially as noted where CY properties approach FS amenities - i.e. some of the newer international ones that have full bars integrated (ARN, TXL, GYE are a few that come to mind). With the chintzy breakfast policy @ CY, the least they could do is throw us a couple points for the charge... and encourage us to drink onsite where there's a bar .

I get why FI doesn't offer incidental spin; other than PPV, what's there to buy. But now that some of the SHSs are putting in small restaurants/bars, as well as CYs, having them I don't get them not counting incidentals. It's something I intend to mention to Marriott folk at the FT Awards on Thursday.

Cheers.

I get that people don't spend *much* at the limited service properties, but I still don't get why you can't earn points on incidentals.

It's just one of those things that sorts of chaps my hide. It's like they're daring me not to spend a dime on anything while I'm at the hotel. If there's a Courtyard lobby bar, I'll be d*mned if I'm going in there for a beer.

Contrast that to FS Marriott/Renaissance...I almost always stop at the lobby bar for a drink at some point during the stay. Maybe even a sandwich if it's one of those late nights when I don't have a planned dinner... I know I'm paying a hotel premium for the drinks or food, but knowing that I'm getting about 20% back in points somehow makes it seem fair.

Whether it's actually mathematically fair or not doesn't matter...it's that I generally feel okay about it and am therefore willing to eat/drink there. At CY, I always feel like I have to leave the building for food/drink.

Totally agree!!! With regard to the OP question, I stay often at CY even with a lower rate FI next door. The main reason is consistency over most properties within my per diem. Especially when it comes to the mattress.Cy invests in their bedding. At FI I feel like somebody just plopped down a slab of foam, put a sheet on it and calls it a mattress.

Most CY's I stay in have been updated with the new lobby, which I could care less about. I might care more if I could get point credit for the food and drink for which I have to pay hotel premium prices. But until then, my food and drink dollar will go to adjacent restaurants which usually can be found around most CY's.

Did end up staying at a FI over the weekend. Can't speak for them all, but on this location a huge thumbs up. I'll do a trip report later this week w/ pics.

Cheers.

I stay in Courtyards often these days - even in spite of the Gold/Plat situation.

Can you explain. I am currently doing a Platinum challenge and want to make sure the Courtyard stays count towards the requirement. Thanks.

You're stays will count towards status. No worries.

The "Gold/Plat situation" refers to the (lack of) elite benefits (upgrades, breakfast at CY) at these properties once you've made status.

Just as a follow up...

I ended up going with the RI the first week (4 days). When I booked online, they only showed queen bed suites, so I called and asked if any kings were available (after I booked my reservation). I half-jokingly said that I was going to ask for a platinum upgrade when I got there, so they might as well give it to me while we were on the phone. I laughed a bit so the guy knew I was kidding around-no pressure thing. Then he agreed. I got upgraded to a penthouse suite. It SOUNDS a lot better than it really is. Hard to call it a penthouse when it's on the 2nd floor. What was unique was this place was laid out more like an apartment complex than a hotel... And my suite was a 2-story loft. It was a neat concept.

But ultimately, I found out for my particular consulting assignment, I was on actual meals instead of a per diem (where I can pocket what I don't spend). So, I've moved to the CY and getting twice the points.

Sounds like you ended up staying at an old style "Village" style RI's, my very favorite but sadly getting harder to find. Better for family stays than solo travels though.

The "penthouse" with the open air loft BR was pretty cool and I used to get it quite frequently.

For whatever reason, even at the newer hotel styles RI's, only Queens are available....