Actually things like this are was I was asking for.

The Per-diem is based on Eagan and I will make a lot of trips to the airport. So that is why I am looking at this area. If I could find a long term property close to ST Paul in the same price range then I would go with that.

Actually they do have a Homewood and price is in line so now I have another choice. You are making this hard!:D

This is my first post here and I am simply replying to your question "Should I stay with Marriott?" I toggle between gold/platinum and believe you would be silly to stay with Marriott. I get my status because I stay at RI, TP, and FI. Then I try to use my points and upgrades and, usually, it's declined. Sometimes, it is great -- usually, it is a waste of money considering the rates I would have had at another chain. If you really do the math and your employer is not paying for your travel, then it is foolish to stay at a Marriott property. Just my two cents.

I'll be in that exact Homewood (the one near MSP) on Monday night. I'll post back here my thoughts early next week... We're doing a one-nighter passing through on the way back from Duluth - the main reason we're picking it over the RI is for the King-sized beds. The RI puts queen beds with very soft mattresses in the 2-bedroom suites.

Personally, I've always had *fairly* good luck using points. I've been Gold forever - never quite a Plat, and frankly the benefits of Plat over Gold are so minimal that I've never felt the need to chase it. Plats get 18 pts/$. I get 17.5. They get an availability override, but I've never been in a situation where I'd need it. They get the amenity - that's the one sort of cool thing I kind of wish I had. A half-bottle of wine, a couple beers, whatever. But it's not a big enough deal that I'd spend my own money chasing it.

Regarding value when I'm spending my own money... I do like RI because of the 2-bedroom suites. I think that's better value than booking, say, two regular hotel rooms. I find a lot of Homewoods don't have the 2-bedrooms comfirmable at booking time. Maybe they just don't have as many of them and they sell out fast - I don't know. I have only stayed in one TPS in my life - the one in downtown Minneapolis, which I would consider for a 6-month stay because it's in an up-and-coming neighborhood with cool restaurants and bars nearby. It's not a big "hotel zone" which is very cool. In fact, my guess is that it would fit the OP's Eagan per diem rate - it just leaves him 20-30 minutes away from the airport and (presumably) the client site. Worth it? Perhaps...

I'm not a fan of Fairfield Inn. When I'm roadtripping, I look for Hampton Inn. Better product, even at a $10-20 higher price point. If I'm roadtripping in the total boonies and there are no Hamptons, I'm more apt to book one of the $29.99/nt. no-tell motel properties than a $60 Fairfield and save $30. Fairfields are gross. It seems to me that Marriott really doesn't take care of this brand. Hilton at least boots out the skanky Hamptons.

I beg to differ, but, as we say, YYMV. Maybe my standards are lower, I don't know.

I haven't stayed at a Fairfield yet that didn't meet or exceed my minimum standards. But I'm not gonna live there 7 days a week, and I don't use it for much more than sleeping/watching TV, so maybe our requirements are different.

OTOH, I have stayed at a few $29.95 specials that I shared the room with ... other creatures and so on. And I believe Marriott does police all their properties for minimum standards. If you aren't selling that, what are you selling then?

pinniped,

Thanks for the info on the TPS. Price is in line with the others. Distance is about the same so if I get sick of the other area I just might move. Its good to have back up choices.

My requirements are pretty spartan - whenever I'm considering any property at this category level, I look for a clean building, quiet surroundings (well, as quiet as can be considering they are usually next to the Interstate), well-lit, etc. Yeah, I admit I tend to judge them from the outside - then I call 1-800-MARRIOTT and ask about availability. (I like that better than walking inside to find out they have no rooms - although I know some folks might say I'd get a better rate that way - I don't know.) Once inside, if it's quiet and clean I'm happy. I'm usually only in the room from around 11PM to 6AM - I tend to drive late and then hit the road early.

So it's probably not fair for me to critique the entire FF brand, but it appears to me that we're simply moving through a period in time where the brand is now a few years older than most Hamptons, so by comparison the properties look shabbier. And I have to admit I don't *always* bail to the $30/nt. no-tell motel in the absence of a Hampton - I actually wound up in a couple of decent, newer Sleep Inns on a trip last year (east-west, I-70).