Marriott Resort Exemptions - Really?
 

It has gotten to the point that Marriott needs to decide if their "resorts" (a BIG set of quotes") is antiquated. Many of these properties have MORE BUSINESS TRAVELERS than vacationers and are considered a resort. Why? A bigger than normal pool? Not a good excuse. Yes they may have a golf course and a spa but that doesn't mean resort. That being the case ALL Marriott hotels seem to have more and more business people every day. It just sounds like a way that Marriott gets to avoid having to provide the perks that we EARN by staying in all the rest of their properties.

I would put money on the fact that the Marriott in Times Square has more vacationers/city tourists than business people. Should that be considered a resort? I am a Lifetime Platinum and am getting tired of trying to understand if Ritz Carlton/ Autograph/ Resort, etc means that I will get my benefits or not.

I am Lifetime Platinum with Starwoods as well and NEVER have to worry about that and MANY of their hotels are far better than Marriotts best.

Fix the system and get in line if you want more of my money.

Feel better?

Just curious (legit question) - if golf course, spa & pool aren't enough to qualify as a resort for you, what is your criteria that makes a place a resort?

Cheers.

The lack of the overabundance of business travelers. And if you have been to a true resort, like the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale the differences are glaring. Tennis, multiple golf courses, cycling and other activities and events and décor that provide a different feel. The World Center is weak at best compared to other properties. The largest part here is the convention center. The feeling of business is everywhere. Banners hanging around for conventions in house, people running around with badges, etc. How do you get that level of relaxation you are looking for in this environment?

Ok, so you're pissed off at a single property vs. resorts worldwide it sounds like.

Cheers.

No, Marriott needs to treat all properties with the same consistency. You earn points and status everywhere so you should be recognized with all of the same benefits everywhere.

I've long wished that Marriott would publish a set of finite criteria that make a place a resort.

If I get to a place that has a golf course, spa, beach, tennis club, etc., I just sort of know I'm at a resort. But there are a bunch of hotels that don't have any of these that just use the label to withhold benefits from elites.

I've honestly never understood the logic behind it. If I do 1-2 resort stays per year, those are likely the exact stays where I'd want any elite status I had to mean something. When I'm traveling solo for work to a city hotel, my needs are minimal: get bed/smoke right and let me into the lounge. The MR resort rules were one of my initial (and continue to be) reasons to be active with HH in particular and SPG to a lesser extent.

Breakfast not being included at a resort is a sore spot for elites (well, no free breakfast at CY too), but what other bennies do you not get at resorts/are you referring to?

I hear you & agree. Places like Ren Orlando Seaworld, LeMerigot, Cosmo aren't resorts re: of the name.

Sounds like the OP is irritated because he's at a resort that also does have a convention center attached to it. I've stayed there when attending conferences. Ironically I was always bummed because I couldn't take advantage of the resort aspect of the property because I was tied up w/ bizness.

Cheers.

Would I like free breakfast at Marriott Resorts? Sure, I would also like free breakfast at CYs as well, since sometimes those are the only places we can get Government Rates.

As a Platinum attending a couple of conventions over the last three months, I have gotten some really nice upgrades at some of the JW Marriott "Resorts," probably because they have more suites to offer up. I have also gotten the resort fee waived at these same resorts and I get to use the spa facilities free at some of these same JW Resorts, pretty good benes if you ask me (YMMV).

So while I miss free breakfast at the resorts, since I am attending a convention that's usually covered in some manner anyway. And I am not going to complain too loudly, because as you know with Marriott Rewards, while they may offer an, "enhancement," to our benefits and add free breakfast at resorts with one hand, they will also likely reduce a benefit or take a benefit away with the other!

Regards,

RIP...

Yeah, I've been to a couple conventions in that hotel as well. It's one of my least-favorite Marriotts anywhere to be honest.

I can understand the complaint about how a large convention takes over a hotel and deprives non-convention guests of services (e.g., a large number of simultaneous private parties at various pools, bars, restaurants, etc.), but that's a bit different from the typical resort vs. non-resort issue with Marriott.

Agree on all points.

Cheers.

You are preaching to the choir here, make these feelings known to the folks in Bethesda, MD.

I've always thought of mailing a gigantic chart to Mr. Marriott with the brands differences, inconsistencies and carve outs (plus carve outs within a brand) as it applies to elite benefits, PAW, guarantees, etc. And ask him to commit it to memory as a loyal guest. Except it would have to three dimensional or more...

I couldn't follow what Resort people were commenting on above, but I loved going to conventions at the Orlando World Center as I could bring the kids along when they were young, for a lower cost vacation while I was attending, then spending a weekend in Disney with them afterwards.

+1 ^

Le Merigot is not listed by Marriott as a resort and doesn't call itself a resort.

I noticed that after I posted, but wasn't it listed on the resort list a few years back? I thought the long LeMerigot thread had comments about it being listed as resort when it wasn't really resort like, just an upscale hotel somewhat close to the beach. Similar for Seaworld Ren, which bounced off/on the resort list but didn't even have resort in its name.

Cheers.

One of my few FT moments of glory: inducing the Marriott Concierge to publicly back down on our very forum. He had declared that despite not having the word "resort" in its name, it was, nevertheless, a resort and could skate on the benefits of a regular non-resort hotel. But then...
See posts beginning at no. 28 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...nica-ca-2.html