I am just a couple of nights away from Gold and I thought I'd do a couple of 'mattress runs'. There are some good values at Marriott properties on Friday and Saturday nights in the 'business' areas around the Washington, DC beltway.

Last night, I stayed at the CY in Tyson's Corner. But since I have worked hard on bringing my cholesterol to an acceptable level, I occasionally like a good breakfast buffet. I know that won't happen at a CY. So I went to the RC thinking it would have a buffet breakfast. Nope. Very expensive, but standard ala carte fare (Jose Andres name). OK, the Tyson's Marriott? Nope - very small breakfast area; ala carte.

By the way, despite being a 'business' area, all 3 properties were teeming with guests.

Is becoming a Marriott trend?

I hope not. I love (good) buffets.

That's a really expensive way to go about things, considering the alternative.

Well, the question is, which you presumably can't answer yet, is what do Gold/Plat members get, at full-service Marriott family hotels, for breakfast if the lounge is closed and there is no buffet in the restaurant? Presumably a voucher, but how much would it cover there?

IOTW, sometimes the buffet is "expensive" too, but if you're Gold/Plat it presumably doesn't matter.

While if you aren't and care about cost, then what matters is not whether there is a buffet but whether it's a good value. It wasn't a Marriott brand, but once overseas I was at a hotel where the buffet was $33ish continental or $50ish full (the actual price was in Euros), or for a tiny fraction of that you could go half a block outside the hotel and order a-la-carte breakfast at a restaurant.

So buffet isn't always necessarily cheaper than a-la-carte.

This should let you know what the DC & area properties offer on the weekend (most seem to offer full brekkie or buffet brekkie). It's not totally updated, but gives you a good overview.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/13849211-post1.html

Marriott's T&Cs is that if an exec lounge is closed or there isn't one, elite+1 get cont'l brekkie. Often properties will either do full breakfast (off the menu) or full buffet breakfast even if the policy is cont'l.

If buffet breakfast only is important to the OP, then he should probably contact the properties before staying at them to find out what they do when the lounge is closed.

Cheers.

Tysons Corner Marriott has a breakfast buffet, and it is one of the best on the East Coast. I have not stayed there recently, but I am certain the buffet is still there based on past weekend demand for it. Gold and Platinum members get it for free on the weekends when the concierge lounge is closed.

I can state that I was at the premises today (8028 Leesburg Pike). I didn't see any buffet; asked about breakfast, and was shown a menu. The breakfast area, right off the lobby, was very small.

I was unaware of this...good to know. Thanks!

Anyhow, I have enjoyed many Sunday breakfasts at Marriott's or Renaissance's. I was just surprised by today's findings and thought that Marriott was making a change.

The breakfast area at Tysons Corner Marriott is not small. They usually seat around 80 for breakfast on weekends at one time with a separate area for Korean Air crew. The dining area extends beyond the immediate area adjacent to the lobby. As you walk towards the bar area, there is additional seating area to your left. They reserve part of that area for Korean Air crew, but there are also additional tables for hotel guests.

I just called the hotel, and they told me they offer a free buffet for gold and platinum members on the weekend. The coupons they give say continental, but they are good for the full buffet. I have stayed over 200 weekend nights at this property from 2006-2015 and have claimed the $100 guarantee for not getting the platinum arrival gift twice.

I stayed at the Bethesda Marriott a few weekends ago. The lounge is adjacent to the restaurant with a door connecting them and with Gold status, we were offered the brunch buffet, which was very good. We didn't need coupons or anything, we just entered through the lounge - it was very convenient.