We have many threads that explain concerns/issues people have with Marriott - How about one about What makes you stay at Marriotts.

Since I assume many people do as I do and check other FT programs to see if it is worth changing, might be worthy of a mention of why people stay with Marriott.

My top two -
1. Staying Free in Downtown Indy during F1 weekend (Coming up this Fathers Day)
2. They are everywhere - so I can get points in small towns.

For me, it's the people...

By and large, the facilities aren't head and shoulders above the comparably priced competition, but IME I've always gotten consistent, courteous and professional treatment.

I'm not as well-traveled as most FT'ers, but, as a pre-requisite to buying into MVCI, I stayed at a wide variety of quality levels (from Cat 1 to Cat 6) of Marriott properties and the experience is what sealed the deal. The top-drawer facilities at their timeshare properties are just icing on the cake.

Just as I've found by trying different cruise lines, one usually finds a vendor which "fits" well with one's needs and desires. In hotels, that "one" for us, at this time, is Marriott.

Pat

Although Gold with Hilton, I find the equivalent Marriott properties to be superior in most cases. I even have a list of cities where I will only stay at Marriott over Hilton, including London and Seattle. It is only the inability to earn higher status (and free breakfast ) with Marriott that keeps me going to Hiltons. With the right incentive (Lifetime Platinum would do nicely ) I would give Marriott all my business.

I agree that the Marriott people are usually the best. I'm Diamond with Hilton and Platinum with Marriott with a total of around 170 nights a year. I always get my 60 nights with Hilton and try and give the rest to Marriott. Sure, I have issues with Marriott but overall I think they offer the best and most professional service.

I have 8 free award nights coming up in Paris and Nice. I'll let post what kind of luck I have with rooms and whether or not suites were involved.

As a TA, I like Marriott because they treat us like other guests. Staying at an agent rate still qualifies for MR points and towards elite qualification, the biggest reason I've been able to keep my silver status for the past 5 years as a solely leisure traveller. The same can't be said about the other hotels programs.

Now, if MR could just do something about most of my stays not posting automatically...

I stay with Marriott because the full service Marriott brand offers a consistently good product. Even a "bad" Marriott is at least good. The full service Hiltons can vary from wonderful to awful. The same goes for the Starwood brands.

Where the Marriott family suffers is in the second-tier brands. Every Hilton Garden I've stayed in is a couple of steps above a Courtyard. Marriott does not offer a product like Embassy Suites.

Consistently high quality service and predictably clean and comfortable accommodations at all properties on the three continents of the world where I have travelled.

Excellent value for the money at the other Marriott branded properties, each of which is equally predictable in their own way.

Many, many locations so its easy to find a Marriott close to where I want to stay.

Lately (maybe just luck), consistent upgrades to suites and/or executive floor 3 out of last 3 stays.

Concierge lounge guaranteed to Golds like me.

Hard to obtain Gold status compared to other competitors, so we are comparatively treated better.

Earlier this year, beyond excellent assistance from a lowly night desk clerk at a Fairfield Inn when we had a true family emergency (I wrote to Bill Marriott and received a lovely response back).

I would stay at a Fairfield Inn in a heartbeat before I would even consider staying at the competitor's lowest rung property.

Bonus buck deals, Elite packages, etc.

Marriott Vacation Clubs (which can always be rented pretty cheap by comparison) which make travelling with the family SO much easier. Plus they always include daily maid service which is a huge plus for my wife.

and that's just the beginning.

I'm not going to stay anywhere else...and I have read all the negative posts...and comparison posts...its Marriott brand loyalty all the way for me.

Do TownePlace Suites by Marriott and/or SpringHill Suites by Marriott come close?

Location and bonus points.

I've been top tier at HH, MR, HY, and now SPG, and have nearly 1000 nights over the last decade. It always depends on what hotels are near my project site. I guess the whole concept of "loyalty" is not quite as effective on me.

I often hear "best people in the business" but my honest assessment is that every brand has ups and downs, all are generally very competent, and it greatly depends on where you are. For example, I'm in PIT and think the US folks are the best, as do those in CLT. If you live in PHL, you probably think US is the worst in the business.

Marriott simply has more nice hotels in more places that I've been, so I rack up lots of points. Once you are earning bonuses, it's hard to start over elsewhere, as you lose 30-50% points with every stay.

And I'll be in Indy in a few weeks also - Stand H, best seats in the house...

Not really but Marriott Suites do

1. Consistent product. You know what to expect.
2. Multiple locations - that are generally everywhere.
3. Free highspeed at Courtyards and RI's - and many others.
4. Ability to upgrade to a 2 BR suite at Residence Inn (for a lot of folks, this is an irrelevant benefit because you can't sleep in 2 beds. However, when I'm away for an extended period, my family usually comes and spends a couple weeks with me. Having a standard room at a full service Marriott doesn't really cut it with a 14 month old baby that needs someplace to take a nap during the day. The 2 bedrooms work fantastic because baby gets her own room.)

I stay at Marriott properties 95% of the time and, over the course of a year, stay at the whole range from Fairfield Inn's to JW Marriott's/Ritz-Carltons. About the only one I avoid are TownePlace Suites which are a little too rustic for my needs. And we own several MVCI units so spend our vacation time at Marriotts as well.
I've been loyal to Marriott for over two decades because:

1. They are everywhere I travel, both international and domestic.
2. They are clean, everything works and are professionally staffed.
3. On-premise foodservice operations are generally acceptable and occasionally superb.
4. I've never had a problem claiming an award when and where requested.
5. Bonus earning opportunities keep the Marriott Rewards program interesting and lucrative.
6. 75% of my business associates are also Marriott aficionados so I'm not the odd man out staying at Marriott when everybody else is at Hilton or Starwood.
7. I travel 40+ weeks per year and don't like surprises associated with my travel experience. I'm rarely surprised at anything associated with Marriott and, as boring as that may sound, it's just the way I want it.

To echo the comments of others:

• Consistent product.
• Friendly & attentive staff
• Numerous locations
• The Marriott Rewards Program

We were always familiar with Marriott hotels and stayed in them on occassion. But our involvement with Marriott timeshare has enabled us to really expand our travel horizons. Marriott is now our destination travel company for both timeshare and hotel travel and we travel more than we ever imagined.

We feel that we receive a fair deal for our committment to both the timeshare and the hotel products. And Marriott's high level of committment keeps the competition on their toes and this in turn makes things better for all folks who travel.

Barry

I echo everything you said--great post!

I second that. There always seems to be a Marriott property wherever I go, (except for Monterrey, MX airport CY not withstanding) AND the bonus points ROCK! I rack up the points with Marriott, and put them to good use!