Marriott Terminates Upgrading
Aug 10, 2004 | 10:10 am
#46
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: New York USA
Posts: 2,933
I stayed at the Rihga Royal in NYC a few weeks ago, having reserved two rooms for one night at a discounted rate of $251 (regular rate was $349).
As a Platinum, they upgraded both rooms prior to arrival. One upgrade was to a 2 br suite, the other to the Vice Presidential Suite. I called the hotel to find out about the bed accomodations (the larger suites might have then made it unnecessary for me to have 2 rooms for 4 people) and the res agent laughingly suggested that I shouldn't cancel the VP Suite as "that room goes for $3000 a night!"
Frankly, I preferred the 2 br suite over the VP Suite (and didn't think it looked like $3000 worth of room) but it was a very, very nice gesture on Marriott's part nonetheless.
As a Platinum, they upgraded both rooms prior to arrival. One upgrade was to a 2 br suite, the other to the Vice Presidential Suite. I called the hotel to find out about the bed accomodations (the larger suites might have then made it unnecessary for me to have 2 rooms for 4 people) and the res agent laughingly suggested that I shouldn't cancel the VP Suite as "that room goes for $3000 a night!"
Frankly, I preferred the 2 br suite over the VP Suite (and didn't think it looked like $3000 worth of room) but it was a very, very nice gesture on Marriott's part nonetheless.
Aug 26, 2004 | 5:08 pm
#47
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Cleveland, OH US
Programs: CO Plat, *Gold, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 106
My First Time...
I checked into the Marriott Pyramid in Albuquerque and I got a suite on the 9th floor. Platinum for 2 years and this is the first upgrade I've received. 
Now the next question... I put in a maintenance request to fix the closet door so that it won't come off the track when opened/closed. How long can I expect it to take to have it fixed?
L.
Now the next question... I put in a maintenance request to fix the closet door so that it won't come off the track when opened/closed. How long can I expect it to take to have it fixed?
L.
Aug 27, 2004 | 8:27 am
#48
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 4 MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,611
The one thing that I am sure of. . .
Marriott's corporate structure is starting to look more like a Best Western or a Motel 8. Virtually all franchisees, doing pretty much what they want (especially in handling elites and marriott rewards) with little guidance or direction from HQ.
But really can you blame them? The marriott empire is in some respects starting to disassociate itself after numerous, bitter, acromonious lawsuits with its franchisees and operators. Heck, you can go into a marriott with the building owned by one company, food catered by another and operated by another. In addition, schisms within the Marriott family have split it in two.
There are VERY FEW corporately-owned Marriotts out there. Plus Marriott is still trying to absorb Ritz Carlton which still has its collective nose held up to what it sees as "Walmart" Marriott corporate.
The simple fact is there is not "one" Marriott. The training, personalities and culture of each hotel differs. Its no surprise that upgrades are either hit or miss. The fact that corporate marriott has raised the bar by prohibiting suite upgrades is not going to help as this spirit of dis-service trickles through the irregular ranks of "marriott" employees.
But really can you blame them? The marriott empire is in some respects starting to disassociate itself after numerous, bitter, acromonious lawsuits with its franchisees and operators. Heck, you can go into a marriott with the building owned by one company, food catered by another and operated by another. In addition, schisms within the Marriott family have split it in two.
There are VERY FEW corporately-owned Marriotts out there. Plus Marriott is still trying to absorb Ritz Carlton which still has its collective nose held up to what it sees as "Walmart" Marriott corporate.
The simple fact is there is not "one" Marriott. The training, personalities and culture of each hotel differs. Its no surprise that upgrades are either hit or miss. The fact that corporate marriott has raised the bar by prohibiting suite upgrades is not going to help as this spirit of dis-service trickles through the irregular ranks of "marriott" employees.