Fort Wayne Marriott
 

I stayed at the Fort Wayne Marriott last night and was disappointed -- I know that not all of our trips make up happy but...

I arrived after midnight due to "ATC Computer problems." I was given my key and I made it to my room. I open the door and "Boom" the smell of a smoking room with deodorizers.

Went downstairs to ask for a new room and was told I had my choice of that room or a Parlor room with a pullout couch (non-smoking). You all know where I stayed. Since I am Marriott Gold (I know, not black or Plat -- but a respectible number of stays none-the-less), I would have expected that they at least hold my preference (in my profile and in the reservation). They were nice enough to offer free breakfast in the AM -- but still a disappointment.

To make matter worse, I no sooner get back to my room then I notice my message light on. Check messages and told I had a Package at the front desk. Back to the front desk -- which was a hike to find out that they could not find the package. (Granted, I was not expecting one -- so it was even more annoying). As of 9am this AM -- no package.

--Jim

I certainly agree with you. This hotel is not up to the typical Marriott standards. I spent 10-20 nights/yr at this sad place for many years. Too near the airport, a non-descript restaurant and one of the poorest bar layouts I have ever seen.

I shifted to the Hilton downtown (Conv Ctr) and was more than pleased (except when they had the state sewing contests at the Conv Ctr). Downtown is deserted after 520pm, thus quiet and still some good restaurants there.

Can’t find anything on this property within the last nine years – any updates? Flying into FWA for one night and trying to decide if this is worth a stay or if I should go to the Hilton.

For one night you should be ok....I just find this hotel a bit "weird" in its set up.

Seems like an okay place to me. Standard-issue...if slightly older...FS Marriott. Several restaurants within a short drive.

I don't remember this being a standard-issue Marriott, unless you mean standard issue roadside Marriott from 20-30 years ago. The external layout reminded me more of a nicer than average older roadside Holiday Inn. Inside, the layout, at least the lobby, is a little more impressive, and, of course, the property is staffed with the usual nice Marriott folks.

There used to be a similar Marriott in Ann Arbor. It's been converted to a Holiday Inn (of course). There was also a similar one in Grand Rapids, which has been converted to some non-Marriott brand, which I don't recall.

I'm guessing these were prototypes of roadside Marriotts in middle-sized towns, and not many were built. Maybe if Socrates is around (haven't heard from him lately) he can comment.

I used to stay here often. Older property that for the most part is two story, then at one end they have a four story "tower" with meeting rooms and ballrooms on the first floor of the tower. It was my experience they put those with status in the tower with the CL being on the fourth floor. Staff is exceptional. It was an older property but the staff kept me returning even though there were other Marriott Family properties around. One drawback with the tower, if a concert is going on in the ballroom, the noise affects the rooms on the ballroom side of the tower.

Sorry I'm around but you guys are answering most of the questions before I even have a chance to read the threads

My assumption has always been this hotel was a "Marriott Inn" - the building itself is 38 years old which would make this very likely - Marriott Inn's were the franchised Marriott hotels way back (thankfully Marriott decided to merge everything into one) all of the others you've listed above were at one time Marriott Inn's which IMO tended to be road side (but this is purely my opinion)....I, unfortunately, am very familar with the A2 and this hotel (ugh...all I can say is Go Green - Go WHITE!)

Why would you pick the Marriott? Points? If so, I might opt for the Courtyard. Closer, cheaper, and just about the same quality.
There are a few nicer hotels, including the Hilton, but most are out west of town.

Both the Courtyard and the Marriott are on the North side of town. Distance to downtown is negligible. With that said the Courtyard is an older property, a converted Carlton Inn. At the CY there are some rooms that still have the antiquated noisy Heat/AC units and it has a second floor with no elevator. My last two stays there resulted in getting lodged in each of those settings. And the rate I get, both are comparable in price. I do understand Fort Wayne is supposed to be getting a new downtown CY in the future through the same franchisee that runs the current CY. Makes me wonder if thats the reason more updates haven't went into the older property.

Thanks to all who responded to my original request for information. Stayed here last night and found it to be an average hotel. Definitely seems like it's a bit older. Room was fine, bedroom was an average size but the bathroom was very small. I was located on the 6th floor (concierge level). C-Lounge had a nice spread for breakfast with a couple of hot dishes (egg mcmuffins along with something else), smoked salmon & etc, fruit, cereal, etc. Lounge was pretty spacious with a friendly attendant. Fire alarm went off at 5:15 this AM for about a minute, then stopped. Hotel was extremely quiet .. seemed like there were just a handful of people there. But, the staff was very friendly. This hotel is nothing exceptional, but the staff were friendly and I would stay here again.

I guess I have just lucked out when staying there. My rooms have been ok.
But they desparately need a new Marriott presence in Ft Wayne. That is good news if they get a downtown CY.

I've stayed here a few more times over the past couple of months so I wanted to update this thread with more information on the property.

The first time that I stayed here, as I mentioned above, the property was truly desserted - I didn't see another person at the hotel, period. However, since then I've found the hotel to be pretty full for my weeknight stays. While I would not want a room in the motel-style part of the hotel (looks pretty old and the parking lot backs right up to the ground level rooms), I've always been assigned a room in the "tower" part on the concierge level and have been quite satisified. While the bathroom is a little on the tight side, all other furnishings have been updated and I've been pleased with all of the rooms that I've been in. The staff has always been very friendly to me and have done a couple of favors for me over the months - for instance, two weeks ago I no-showed on a one-night stay due to a very late night at the office, and the front desk manager waived the no-show penalty without me even asking (he mentioned this to me the next week when I asked for a receipt for that night). Similarly, there have been a couple of times when I get a very early start to catch a flight (before the c-lounge opens), and the front desk has given me bottled water and coffee from the gift shop "on the house" since the lounge was not open yet. Everyone at this hotel has been very friendly, including the lounge attendants.

The hotel is pretty close to the interstate, which makes it convenient, and there are several stores and restaurants around. I have never eaten at the hotel restaurant, but they do have one. So while this may not be the newest property around, I continue to stay here while in Fort Wayne as the c-level rooms are comfortable and the staff has always treated me very well.

Withdrawn comments.