Originally Posted by VickiSoCal (Post 11812387)

Cyrstal Gateway Marriott Memorial Day weekend... ate in the hotel before heading to the airport.

Originally Posted by rln (Post 11812296)

I have been getting great rates on the weekends: $95 at Stanford Court; $103 at SeaTac; $119 at Mayflower and so on and so forth.

Maybe we'd all like "free grabs" on the weekend. I would think, however, at these rates we'd all be able to afford a "grab" at the hotel Starbucks or even a nice breakfast at the restaurant.

So how would we have it? Many of us enjoy the weekday perks when on business travel - presumably, in many cases, someone else is picking up the tab.

On weekends, how would you like paying something between the current weekend rates and the regular weekday rates? Worth a "free grab"? I think not.

The argument about comparability between chains, as pointed out before, is not absolute. Many Starwoods, for instance, have no lounges. Some Marriotts over perks throughout the weekends - i.e. a few have lounge access, free internet, discounts in the restaurant, free movies, etc.

For MY money (and I stay almost exclusively on weekends), Marriotts are a great value on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Maybe some of the perks are gone, but the rates are down as well. When business can support higher rates, perhaps the perks will return.

For me - and I suspect for others as well - there is nothing wrong with the current situation. Everyone is entitled to "shop around," of course, and I'm certain there are great deals to be had elsewhere from time to time.

For myself, and others, I will continue to have great stays at the properties listed above and others and will continue to earn points. I recently turned in 70,000 points for a value reward worth four nights at the Royal Aurora in Moscow - $900 per night rack rate. It featured a fantastic lounge but, whoops, no oatmeal or hot dishes at breakfast. (Remember - it was only introduced and always promised to be no more than a continental breakfast.)

This "debate" will never be resolved; there will never be a meeting of the minds. We will each do what works for us best. I simply feel obliged to give my view from time to time to counter the naysayers who seem to dominate the postings.

Originally Posted by rln (Post 11812296)

I have been getting great rates on the weekends: $95 at Stanford Court; $103 at SeaTac; $119 at Mayflower and so on and so forth.

Maybe we'd all like "free grabs" on the weekend. I would think, however, at these rates we'd all be able to afford a "grab" at the hotel Starbucks or even a nice breakfast at the restaurant.

So how would we have it? Many of us enjoy the weekday perks when on business travel - presumably, in many cases, someone else is picking up the tab.

On weekends, how would you like paying something between the current weekend rates and the regular weekday rates? Worth a "free grab"? I think not.

The argument about comparability between chains, as pointed out before, is not absolute. Many Starwoods, for instance, have no lounges. Some Marriotts over perks throughout the weekends - i.e. a few have lounge access, free internet, discounts in the restaurant, free movies, etc.

For MY money (and I stay almost exclusively on weekends), Marriotts are a great value on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Maybe some of the perks are gone, but the rates are down as well. When business can support higher rates, perhaps the perks will return.

For me - and I suspect for others as well - there is nothing wrong with the current situation. Everyone is entitled to "shop around," of course, and I'm certain there are great deals to be had elsewhere from time to time.

For myself, and others, I will continue to have great stays at the properties listed above and others and will continue to earn points. I recently turned in 70,000 points for a value reward worth four nights at the Royal Aurora in Moscow - $900 per night rack rate. It featured a fantastic lounge but, whoops, no oatmeal or hot dishes at breakfast. (Remember - it was only introduced and always promised to be no more than a continental breakfast.)

This "debate" will never be resolved; there will never be a meeting of the minds. We will each do what works for us best. I simply feel obliged to give my view from time to time to counter the naysayers who seem to dominate the postings.

Originally Posted by hartleypig (Post 11824056)

Stayed here 16-19 May. The CL was closed (locked) Saturday and all day Sunday. Re-opened for drinks Sunday evening and closed again on Thursday night. I was really annoyed with them locking it, all the other UK Marriott's who have stopped weekend service have merely stopped doing fresh stuff, but you can still get fruit, soft drinks and coffee, nuts snacks. That is fair.

I wa stold by reception when I said it was not good that all Marriotts are going to lock the lounges on weekends. Personally, as a Plat through leisure stays only I am furious. OK, we have three weeks holiday a year and get use if we stay at a hotel with a CL, but what about all the weekend stays we have???? I pointed out that providing access for business travellers meant that the people who benefited (in the main, don't shoot me down I am sure lots of you are self-employed) were on expense stays anyway so probably could claim for a certain amount of refreshment, whereas we are on a tight budget, so having the convenience and availability of odd food and drink items is great and why we maintain Plat.

I hope Bristol re-consider (I am writing a strong letter about this and other things that spoilt the stay) as it is a great CL.