I just have to vent about the concierge lounges at the Marriotts I have stayed at. They all seem way to small and instead of putting in more tables they put in a bunch of couches and coffee tables. Now my experience has been that most people use the conierge lounge to eat. Of course, this does not apply to all but from my experience people use it to eat breakfast and the light dinners they serve. Very little "lounging" around. IMO they shoudl put in more tables and take out the space consuming sofas. People, including myself, seem to be tire of hunching over a coffee table trying to eat breakfast in the morning while others wait to find somewhere to sit. Maybe there are too many elites, but but even so, Marriott should accomodate the bread and butter of their business by making changes to their lounges to accomodate the rising number of elites. I usually stay 100+ nights a year in hotels and having recently switched to Marriott in Aug and Gold status, surely Plat in 08 it is just frustrating and I felt I needed to vent. The worst lounge for size that I have seen is the Fremont, CA Marriott.

I agree about the couches - have never sat in one and would guess that 90% of the time I go into a CL it is empty.
They should add more type of soft drinks though!

Most of the lounges I have been to have a good mix of couches and tables. Some of the newer lounges also have an area with stools where people can sit to eat and drink. It really depends on the hotel, but I have not been to a lounge where most of the seating area is couches.

I agree that CL's appear to be mainly use for meals (especially breakfast). Perhaps as a compromise, there could be just a few couches near the TV area for those who truly want to lounge. The other easy chairs, etc. could be replaced with tables and chairs. For peak periods, I think there will almost always be a crowding issue no matter how many tables are in the lounge. This is the same issue with breakfast areas in limited service hotels and hotel restaurants. It is hard to justify allocating the requisite the amount of space to handle the peak usage level which is limited to a very small portion of the day. So tuning the space allocation to be sufficient for all but the very peak times is reasonable to me. For the most part, I think CL's generally already meet this requirement.

--Jon

Fremont is a smaller one, but I like it because of that. I travel there regularly and know most of the staff, (Liz, Cindy, Queenie, Mike)... good folks.

They have 5 tables, and a grouping with a love seat and a couple of sitting chairs around a coffee table. I am always able to avoid the coffee table seating unless I hit it at rush hour in the morning. Fremont is an interestign FS Marriott because it typically is either pretty slow... or sold out due to lots of conventions held there.

My only real complaint is that I wish all the tables were larger... some of them are the small "personal" size.

I for one have no problem with the way the lounges are typically set up.

I believe the concept is intended to provide a place where qualifying guests can go for a quick breakfast, snack, drink, or place to relax and read the newspaper, etc. Those looking for a more "substantive" meal, drink, meeting area or whatever can find that elsewhere in the hotel.

To me the CL is a handy (and basically free) alternative to the restaurant, bar, or lobby.... but not a replacement for any of those.

Now, that said, a (hopefully isolated) instance where I do have a problem with the CL is what I ran into at MSP Airport one Sunday night. The CL was being used as "dumping area" for stale hors doerves, deserts, etc. left over from weddings which took place the night before.

DH and I have limited knowledge of CL's (we usually stay on club level when he's on business), but I like the blend of couches/arm chairs and regular tables. When DH has a business trip, I often wind up in the CL during part of the afternoon to read the newspaper or have a cup of tea. I much prefer the sofa/arm chair comfort to a table and hard backed chair at that time. And, I'd rather be in the CL than our room or in the hotel lobby so for me the sofa/arm chair is an important part of CL access. Granted, for breakfast the table is far preferable, but not everyone uses the lounge only at breakfast. It seems that maybe the size of the lounges needs attention.

I agree.^ It's using 60% of the space with:
- 1 sofa (that only 2 people can sit on without invading each other's personal space),
- 2 big chairs,
- 1 large very, very low coffee table (it's uncomfortable to eat on it and you only use a small portion of the 20-25 sq ft it occupies)

Realistic maximum occupancy: 4 people. It's just impractical. It looked cool the first time I walked into one of those lounges, but every time I walk in now I think "uugh... ... another one of those". Breakfast SUCKS in there, and it's about the same if you arive at peak times in the evening.

The CL at the Ren in Zurich, for example, is small besides one small sofa [IIRC]it only has tables (no coffee table, no arm chairs) and it does its job VERY well.

I think they should just reconsider this format. Maybe they shouldn't necessarily only have tables, but perhaps follow the model of airline lounges for those customers who actually lounge there. Instead of using 60% of the space to make it look confy and for accommodating 4 people, set a space with just decently comfortable chairs (NOT huge arm chairs) and some small tables among those chairs (enough to hold a couple of glasses and a 1-2 small plates). That way you don't have a HUGE coffee table take up half of the room and the enormous armchairs, but it would still give it a lounge look&feel, and whoever wants to sit around, watch TV and whatnot can still do that.

I usually take my food back to my room. I never figured it was wrong to do, but is this something you guys do?

I've also always taken my food back to the room...

I was going to say the same thing.

Yes, if the lounge is crowded, I simply fill my plate, cover it with a napkin and take it back to the room. Housekeeping usually knows what to do with the dishes.

As for the "loungey" aspect of the CLs, some will have a movie night or other such organized events where the sofas and overstuffed chairs are appropriate.

If my wife is with me we eat there but I've never eaten in the lounge while by myself (85% of the time). Also don't cover it with a napkin...figure it can make it all the way down the hall to my room

Usually in the AM, I like to take some food OUT as in to work. I just don't have the appetite first thing in the morning (but make up for it later for sure).

I first started getting the CL treat at the Overland Park Marriott where the great AM staff always had a full complement of take out trays and cutlery in open view. I thought this was normal until I started expanding my travels and was met with blank stares when asking about take out for fruit. Luckily, the Styrofoam coffee cups are large and have lids.

Any way, in the PM, if I'm lucky to be back in time, I will take a plate to the room. However, I've seen at least 2 lounges with signs requesting that food be consumed on site - Del Rey Beach, FL and can't remember...

Most of the CL's in the US are simply not worth it.

First of all the "breakfast" hour is so early that I never make it and second the evening cocktail hours (where you pay for the cocktails) is over before I get back to the hotel.

I liked the hotel, too. Stayed there pretty much every week for almost a year. It's good to know these staff members are still around. Usually morning hours were busier as I recall.