I just achieved Gold with Marriott and thought I was in for a real treat, i.e., a comp continental breakfast.

Lo' and behold, when I went to inquire about said expected comp, I was informed that Courtyards are not full-service properties. Who knew? Maybe I'm naive, or maybe I'm just stoopid (sic), but it pains me that after 50 nights at Marriott properties this year, I'm worth less to them there than I am to Starwood at an Embassy Suites (don't need *any* status to get a good, cooked to order breakfast and the mgr's reception at night).

I've been staying at the Marriott properties in Las Vegas for the last 3 months (and will be here through the end of the year), but I think I'll probably take my Platinum status once I get it in mid-December and shop it around for someone (SPG?) to match. (I used to be Hyatt Diamond, but then switched jobs and unfortunately Hyatt isn't appropriate for my new company/position).

Not really looking for any advice here; just needed a place to vent.

:-(

"At participating Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, and Marriott Conference Centers locations, enjoy light snacks, beverages and complimentary continental breakfast in our Concierge/Executive Club Lounge. For those locations without a Concierge/Executive Club Lounge, we invite you to enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast on your weekday stays, Monday - Friday. Just show your membership card and room key in the hotel restaurant. We guarantee that you will always receive access to the lounge during normal hours of operation, or your Healthy Start Breakfast, or we will reimburse you $100 USD at full-service hotels. (Not available at resorts.)"

You're not entitled to a free breakfast at Courtyard.
http://www.Marriottrewards.com/Elite...WT_Ref=mi_left

Just answered your own question, at participating Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, and Marriott Conference Centers locations, aka the full-service properties.

You have run into the one of the issues that keeps me away from Courtyards, this is really a Negative in my view... The other is their uncomfortable beds at many of the older locations.

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Oracle Implementations .... Will Travel....

Although I usually stay at full-service Marriots, I really like what they've done to upgrade many of the Courtyards. New furniture ,better mattresses, and larger TVs. They also put in a dry bar where the close used to be (opposite the sink). A couple other improvements and they will have it made: put in a refrigerator under the dry bar and include breakfast.

[This message has been edited by boltor (edited 10-29-2003).]

CY's are the worst of the Marriott properties in general. I will stay at a FI before a CY. CY's are overpriced and underserviced. There is absoulutely no benefit to staying at a CY over another MR property.

How is a FI (Fairfield Inn, I presume) better than a CY? I've never stayed at a FI, as I've (naively?) considered them to be the bottom of the Marriott food chain. I'm here in Vegas through mid-December, and after migrating from the Residence Inn (only 5pts/$) to the CY (with occasional stays at the Marriott Suites and one at the JW), I've settled on the CY. There are several (I believe) FI's in LV; am I missing out?

Fairfield Inn's have free breakfast. They also have one decent cat 4 property ON Miami Beach. Can you say redemption cert?

I think the beds are same as courtyards. But I don't mind a firm bed.

Not cooked to order breakfast. FIs offer a few cereals, juice/coffee, toast/bagel, and some have donuts and/or waffles.

PS I always use them as they are decent hotels and inexpensive (trying to save the company $$$ but still earn 10points/$)
I'm in currently in Vegas for several weeks but I can get better rates at the casinos.

IMHO, I feel the best of the Marriott affordable chains is Spring Hill Suites. I do like the Marriott high end properties but often cannot justify the cost. However, the Spring Hill Suites offer comfort and a free breakfast.

...not to mention that many SpringHill Suites properties are fairly new, so they are usually clean.

Fairfield Inns offer a very good to excellent value for the money. My favorite Fairfield Inn is the Merrimack/Nashua one in New Hampshire.

I also agree that the Courtyard properties are virtually useless, in my experience, for many of the reasons posted above in this thread.