I was picking up a friend this afternoon (he was staying at a CY while I am at a close by Embassy Suites). While I was waiting for him to come down, I talked with the manager for a bit about their change to the Bistro. And basically for this CY, they have seen a huge increase in revenue since the changeover. They make more for breakfast and do quite well for evening drinks and dinner. When I dropped him back off just a bit ago, the Bistro wasn't completely full, but it wasn't empty either (with about 15 or so patrons in there all eating or drinking.)

So at least for this one CY, the change to the Bistro has been a big hit for them. And I have to believe that given Marriott's big push toward the Bistro concept that doing so has been very good for the brand in general.

So the question is would adding in points for incidentals give Marriott more than it costs them? And keep in mind that NOT having points for incidentals could also be a differentiation point between CYs and FS hotels (possibly driving some to stay at FS rather than CYs). So would adding points for incidentals drive more business to Marriott in general (or possibly just shift it from one brand to another?)

However you don't get points for incidental spends at Ritz or Edition either which are full service hotels.

And is the in creased rev at bistros more than if it had stayed restaurant style and is there a dif in rev on bistros if one is on Podunkvolle vs main city areas.

Will do Sharon

If only....!! When we were at Penha Longa in April we spent far more on FNB each day than on the room rate. That's another reason to take a club room at RC city hotels (don't think any resorts have club rooms). In addition to unlimited champagne, drinks and usually excellent food, all that is part of the rate so you're credited properly re: points

I would guess that given Marriott has seemed somewhat reluctant to even bring RCs into the rewards program, they probably don't feel there would be any real benefits (to them) for adding incidentals to earning points.

I don't really know much about Edition hotels, but it may well be that Marriot has a similar feel with those.

But I admit I'm just guessing.

I'll admit the Ritz lack-of-earnings don't really bother me as much. I can't explain exactly why - other than the fact that I only do about 1 Ritz stay per year and still accept that they are a different animal from anything else in the Marriott system.

At this point, it's really CY. That's where I tend to have a few stays per year and where points-earning would influence spending behavior to some extent.

I'm a little different (and yes, we are sidetracking from what to expect from a CY). If a property offers additional items (food, drink, spa, i-net), whether it's FS or CY/SHS & I have to pay for them then I want the points for that spend. I spoke to Ed French about it a few years back (before he switched) & he said they needed to take a look at it/address it.

PS - To the OP, when you do your trip report please start a stand-alone thread w/ the name of the property in the title. Will make it easier for search than it coming up in the middle of a what should I expect from CY thread.

Cheers.

Is a courtyard somewhat like a Hilton Garden Inn?

Yes, I would guess that HGIs are Hilton's version of a CY. Though the HGIs I've stayed at still have full breakfast offerings (including a buffet) like CYs used to offer.

I have stayed at only a couple HGI's but the breakfast is free and (IME) much nicer than a FI/SHS breakfast.

I recently stayed at the HGI Frankfurt airport and it was excellent, and right in the terminal (10 minute walk).

The nearest Marriott property (I believe) is the FS Frankfurt, which is a 20+ Euro taxi ride each way. Great hotel/lounge, but for a short layover, staying at the terminal is nice.

I try to avoid CY's except the "boutique" ones e.g. San Diego.

It would be more correct to say that HGI is Hilton's version of Courtyard. Courtyard was years earlier in rolling out the limited service business concept (now a bit expanded).

Free breakfast is not part of the worldwide HGI brand standard. (Comment on remark above, not on CY brand standards.)

CY doesn't offer breakfast unless you include it in your rate. HGI, elites can choose breakfast as their my way benefit so can get free breakfast at a HGI but not an option for elites at CY except included in rate. I prefer HGI. But I have finished my Diamond re-qual for this year so time to concentrate on MR to see if can hit Platinum, then back to Hilton.

Question. Searched but couldn't find anything. And it does relate to staying at a CY. Anyone stayed at the Calgary Airport CY and can fill me in on what to expect there? Will be staying 18 out of the next 22 nights there. 9 then 4 at home then 9 more.

True, but Hilton Gold/Plats can get free breakfasts as one of their benefits.

I'd start a separate thread re: your question. That way if someone has stayed at it recently (or at all) they'll see the thread. Not sure someone would think to find it in a generic CY thread.

Cheers.