Inconsistent concierge lounge experiences?
Jan 19, 2016 | 9:14 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Plat since 2008. Hyatt Diamond since 2015
Posts: 133
Inconsistent concierge lounge experiences?
Anyone notices full service properties where the concierge lounge is inconsistent?
At a property where one week it's great with plenty of items for everyone and the deserts are excellent. The next week I'm using a napkin cause all the plates are gone and I'm starring at a few remaining carrot sticks.
I understand that there may be more than people accessing the lounge from one week to another, but to left with carrot sticks an hour after opening is annoying.
At a property where one week it's great with plenty of items for everyone and the deserts are excellent. The next week I'm using a napkin cause all the plates are gone and I'm starring at a few remaining carrot sticks.
I understand that there may be more than people accessing the lounge from one week to another, but to left with carrot sticks an hour after opening is annoying.
Jan 19, 2016 | 9:19 pm
#2
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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Posts: 102,617
Anyone notices full service properties where the concierge lounge is inconsistent?
At a property where one week it's great with plenty of items for everyone and the deserts are excellent. The next week I'm using a napkin cause all the plates are gone and I'm starring at a few remaining carrot sticks.
I understand that there may be more than people accessing the lounge from one week to another, but to left with carrot sticks an hour after opening is annoying.
At a property where one week it's great with plenty of items for everyone and the deserts are excellent. The next week I'm using a napkin cause all the plates are gone and I'm starring at a few remaining carrot sticks.
I understand that there may be more than people accessing the lounge from one week to another, but to left with carrot sticks an hour after opening is annoying.
Jan 20, 2016 | 5:43 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DCA, EGE, IAD
Programs: MR LTT, BA Gold, AA LTP, UA Silver
Posts: 6,094
It obviously wasn't rabbits since carrot sticks were still available.
Jan 20, 2016 | 6:29 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 211
I think the bigger thing here to discuss might be how disappointing the Marriott CL experience is when compared to other brands like Starwood and Hyatt. I recently stayed at the Sheraton Cleveland Airport whose club lounge I was expecting to be a disappointment, yet they had such a great spread, including spare ribs, rice, asian salad, and dumplings in addition to the fruit/veggie and crackers/cheeses tray.
In sharp contrast, the Marriott I stayed at the previous night had Shepard's Pie (disgusting!) and a kettle of soup out for hors d'oeuvres.
In sharp contrast, the Marriott I stayed at the previous night had Shepard's Pie (disgusting!) and a kettle of soup out for hors d'oeuvres.
Jan 20, 2016 | 6:44 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 9,109
Inconsistent concierge lounge experiences? Yes, sharply since 2008.
Jan 20, 2016 | 9:21 am
#6
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
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I'll almost always take the Marriott lounge over the Starwood one. That doesn't mean Starwood doesn't do other things better than Marriott, but at least with lounges, my experience has been much better with Marriott.
Jan 20, 2016 | 9:24 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Plat, MR AMB + (LTT) , Hertz PC, UA Silver, HH Gold
Posts: 267
i've found that the full service marriotts, that are more remote, tend to have lesser lounges, than the ones closer or in big cities.
Jan 20, 2016 | 2:05 pm
#8
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I can't comment on Hyatt lounges, but I've been able to hit quite a few Sheraton lounges in NA. And while I'm sure there are specific instances (possibly like the one you bring up) where the Sheraton lounge is better, that is NOT the norm per my experience.
I'll almost always take the Marriott lounge over the Starwood one. That doesn't mean Starwood doesn't do other things better than Marriott, but at least with lounges, my experience has been much better with Marriott.
I'll almost always take the Marriott lounge over the Starwood one. That doesn't mean Starwood doesn't do other things better than Marriott, but at least with lounges, my experience has been much better with Marriott.
Jan 20, 2016 | 3:12 pm
#9
Moderator: Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Jan 20, 2016 | 4:08 pm
#10
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Note that there are Starwood lounges that aren't Sheratons. For example, many Westins have lounges and overseas, LRMs IME have lounges, plus some LCs even. In addition, element properties do a manager's reception three or four nights a week (free beer, wine, and snacks at most locations) for all guests.
Overseas Marriotts (of all brands) are significantly better overseas than domestic, just as SPG is int'ly.
But domestically SPG falls way short re: exec lounges than Marriott brands. Not even close.
LRMs are probably LeMeridiens for the person who asked.
Cheers.
Jan 20, 2016 | 5:16 pm
#11
Moderator: Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards
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Jan 20, 2016 | 5:36 pm
#12
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Jan 20, 2016 | 8:55 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: York, PA
Programs: MRSPG LT Tit, HH Diamond, Hertz Pres.
Posts: 1,737
Anyone notices full service properties where the concierge lounge is inconsistent?
At a property where one week it's great with plenty of items for everyone and the deserts are excellent. The next week I'm using a napkin cause all the plates are gone and I'm starring at a few remaining carrot sticks.
I understand that there may be more than people accessing the lounge from one week to another, but to left with carrot sticks an hour after opening is annoying.
At a property where one week it's great with plenty of items for everyone and the deserts are excellent. The next week I'm using a napkin cause all the plates are gone and I'm starring at a few remaining carrot sticks.
I understand that there may be more than people accessing the lounge from one week to another, but to left with carrot sticks an hour after opening is annoying.
Jan 21, 2016 | 3:20 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BA, Marriott, Hertz, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 2,017
Inconsistent everything from week to week: check in experience, room allocation, room service, gym equipment, room cleaning, check out experience.
Jan 21, 2016 | 6:14 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA/MAD
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Posts: 1,807
I still maintain that the best Marriott CL is the one in Budapest. Beautiful patio view of Pest and Parliament, full meal and free booze. The JW in Mumbai is decent too. On the other hand, recent experiences at the JW CL in Chicago, DC and New Orleans leave much to be desired as the seating is generally inadequate. I can put up with lousy food, why waste the calories, but overcrowded lounges is what gets me. 
The JW CL Chicago's breakfast is a zoo. There seemed to be a lot of 'guesting' going on.
I'd take an Element over most Sheratons any-time.
The JW CL Chicago's breakfast is a zoo. There seemed to be a lot of 'guesting' going on.I'd take an Element over most Sheratons any-time.