Take Out//Dine In
 

I almost always take my breakfast and dessert back to my room. However, I sometimes eat breakfast and dessert at the Minneapolis city center in the lounge. This was a recently redesigned lounge, and it has mostly tables and bar type area. There are just a few couches in front of the big screen TV.

ZakkW

I agree that they can add more tables to most of the CLs since they have also eliminated weekend access when people would actually use the CL to lounge!

I guess I am the exception compared to the other posters on this thread. I like to eat my breakfast in the CL and then take back additional coffee to my room. Breakfast itself is a quick affair for me, may be 15 minutes. Having the CL makes it possible to do that.

On business trips, I usually have lots of preparation work for the upcoming day or action items from the previous day I want to address before my customer meetings start. So a quick breakfast is really essential for me. When I am at a CY, the convenience factor is the only reason I eat breakfast at the hotel. From a price and food quality perspective, I can almost always do better elsewhere. Back to CL’s the convenience factor is king for me. The fact that the typical CL has a better breakfast than the limited service properties is a nice bonus.

For the evening, I am more likely to take dessert back to my room than eat it in the lounge. I also tend to take water or soft drinks back to my room through out the evening while I am working in my room. YMMV...

--Jon

In most Marriott's I've been to, I asked to have breakfast delivered to the room instead of going to the lounge. In some cases they served it completely for free, and in some cases they charged a tray charge only. This typically works if you come more frequently.

I think most lounges are set up OK - usually a mix of tables and the couch/chairs. I agree that I rarely see people using the lounge to "lounge" in the evening. It's usually mostly empty except at breakfast. Even places that have a very nice evening appetizer spread don't draw much of a crowd.

To me, it seems that Marriott is gradually but steadily moving away from the lounge concept in general. They are closed more often than they were years ago, and I seem to encounter more and more Marriott branded properties that don't have them at all. The places that have lounges are adequate and appreciated - but not outstanding. From the food/bev selections, it's clear that Marriott isn't seriously investing a huge amount of effort/cost into the lounges. To me, it seems like they are headed to a point where they'll just convert the lounge space into additional hotel rooms - or perhaps a very desirable meeting room in some hotels.

Perhaps Marriott sees them as a slightly "downmarket" feature - just a half-step above the breakfast free-for-all at Residence Inn or Fairfield. I called the JW Tucson a couple of weeks ago and asked if they had a lounge (it wasn't clear from this board), and the lady responded "This is a JW - we don't have lounges like regular Marriotts do." Of course that's not entirely accurate - there are JW's in the world that have excellent lounges. I didn't argue that point though: clearly the tone was "We're above that. You want a lounge, stay at a lesser hotel."

It sounds like you've been given some bad information....all non-resort, non-all suite RHR, MHR including the JW brand extension must have concierge/club lounges; the manditory hours have always been Su evening through Fr morning - the standards have not changed.....but IMO there appears as though there are fewer hotels these days offering 7 day a week lounges and they have gone back to the standard (FYI the JW in Tuscon is actually the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa)

Typically, I don't dine in the CL (breakfast or evening). As far as the layout; some are better than others. Personnally, I enjoy the comfy feel of the couch/chairs. On the rare occasion I eat in the CL (evening snack or dessert); I plop myself down on the couch and munch.

Overall, I use the CL's for cold soft drinks/water; since most Marriotts don't provide an in-room refrig.

soc's information is exactly in line with my observation.

My only gripe with the "closed on weekends" policy are those occasions and locations where the weekend rate happens to be the same or higher than during the week. If they're going to charge full boat....or more....the least they could do is keep the benefit.

No Fridge?
 

In my profile I have listed 1) extra feather pillows, 2) extra towels, 3) refrigerator.

Most of the time they are all in the room at check-in. The exception is if my flight has an early arrival and I am at the hotel before noon, and then these things always seem to follow shortly after check-in.

Sorry to hijack the thread.

Yes - I agree, I knew it was bad info when she said it: I just thought it was kind of funny.

As much as I like the lounges, I somehow doubt they'll be around in 10 or 15 years except in rare cases. Seems like the individual hotels would rather get rid of them completely...

I disagree, I dont see the industry heading that direction

I agree with Socrates's view on CL remaining. If anything FS hotels will use club floors to distinguish themselves more from their competitors. The WSJ ran an article on club floors several months ago, and that article noted that hotel managers saw club floors as a way to get regular guests to pay more for extra amenities, in addition to reward frequent guests with free upgrades.

I too have the refrigerator in my profile and its hit or miss whether I get it or not. BUT, I've screwed myself several times lately as many FS have replaced minibars with little refrigerators and I've never opened the door to notice until it was too late (like when leaving). I'm just used to ignoring the minibar completely.

I always make it a habit to look for a refrigerator in a room. Usually, I will get one if requested unless my reservation is last minute or a lot of other guests have taken the refrigerators for medical needs.

I am not particular about CL layout. If it is crowded, I stay out of it.

About refrigerator - I do like to have it in room. Store juices and water.That is included in my profile. Not always have it though.