Marriott quality decline?
May 15, 2008 | 11:41 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: Marriott Rewards (PL), Flying Blue (PL), Intercontinental Ambassador
Posts: 4
Marriott quality decline?
Hey..
I am an ex Marriott Rewards platinum member - gold for the last 3 years. I just wanted to poll some of my fellow travelers about marriott quality. My personal impression over the past couple of years is that it is declining - significantly in some cases. Is this impression shared or was I spoiled to expect too much? It is serious enough that I recently started staying at Intercontinentals..
I am an ex Marriott Rewards platinum member - gold for the last 3 years. I just wanted to poll some of my fellow travelers about marriott quality. My personal impression over the past couple of years is that it is declining - significantly in some cases. Is this impression shared or was I spoiled to expect too much? It is serious enough that I recently started staying at Intercontinentals..
May 16, 2008 | 3:08 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: Marriott Platinum Delta Platinum AA Platinum
Posts: 578
I have not noticed that at all...in fact I have found the reverse as so many that I stay at have been recently renovated and rooms are very nice and so is service. Now I stay exclusively at Mattiott FS, JW and Renaissance in more of the large cities so not sure if that is the difference. I was just commenting to my brother that when I used to frequent Hiltons (many years ago)...I found such inconsistency in their product. For the most part, none of those issues with Marriott.
May 16, 2008 | 3:35 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K-UA/AA, LT PLAT-MARRIOTT(1984), HILTON-GOLD, HYATT-GOLD
Posts: 951
Isn't our Standard of Living declining in the U.S. in general?'
Marriott FS and Renaissance properties seem to be doing very well at this time. As for the Concierge Lounge food certainly appears to have been cut back, and should not be considered a replacement for dinner.
Marriott FS and Renaissance properties seem to be doing very well at this time. As for the Concierge Lounge food certainly appears to have been cut back, and should not be considered a replacement for dinner.
May 16, 2008 | 6:23 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles, MR, HH, ICH/PC, Avis Pref., Hertz Gold
Posts: 2,897
Some properties will put out a nicer spread than others, and occasionally you could sometimes make a light meal (especially if you are on a high-fat, high-carb diet
) from the offerings, but those were rare.To the OP's point:
In the 20+ years I have been an Honored Guest/Marriott Rewards member (just made Lifetime Platinum ^), I have seen a tremendous improvement in the FS properties. The "bedding wars" of about 3 years ago was probably the most recent bump. Individual Marriott properties may decline, but if it gets too bad, you are probably looking at that city's soon-to-be next Sheraton or Wyndham
.
May 16, 2008 | 7:20 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,386
I think Marriott continues to be just fine. I've had excellent stays recently at a variety of properties - from TPS to CY to FS. Hilton, on the other hand, is bad and seems to be getting worse. Guess it's all relative.
May 16, 2008 | 8:20 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: Marriott Rewards (PL), Flying Blue (PL), Intercontinental Ambassador
Posts: 4
This is actually very helpful. It's just that for so long I got used to absolute perfection - but given your responses, I think I will stick around with MArriott for a little longer - who knows. 
- It actually pained me in a strange way to move to another chain anyway!
Thanks guys.
- It actually pained me in a strange way to move to another chain anyway!Thanks guys.
May 16, 2008 | 9:02 am
#7
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NC
Programs: Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,881
I agree with one part of the OP - I have "been spoiled".
When I think of my stays, the negative ones jump out with clarity because they are the exception. Overall, I find FS properties (incl JW and Ren) to be excellent. I am also finding the quality of service at places like TPS, RI, SHS, and FI to be improving.
This week I had a rather unattractive front desk incident at a RI - and when I thought it through, I realized it caught me so off guard because it is a rare occurrence.
And although I too , would certainly make another choice if I had to, I find that I would prefer not too.........
When I think of my stays, the negative ones jump out with clarity because they are the exception. Overall, I find FS properties (incl JW and Ren) to be excellent. I am also finding the quality of service at places like TPS, RI, SHS, and FI to be improving.
This week I had a rather unattractive front desk incident at a RI - and when I thought it through, I realized it caught me so off guard because it is a rare occurrence.
And although I too , would certainly make another choice if I had to, I find that I would prefer not too.........
May 16, 2008 | 9:12 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: DFW - North Texas
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum PRO, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 960
Gold one year, Plat this year...
Quality has been good and steady. Some improvments at some of the properties I visit.
Quality has been good and steady. Some improvments at some of the properties I visit.
May 18, 2008 | 8:37 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Marriott Platinum Premier, AAdvantage Platinum (1MM Lifetime Gold), Avis First
Posts: 524
I think Marriott has improved over the past few years adding some good FS hotels, Ren EWR, Ren Syracuse to name a few plus they have upgrade the Ren Columbus and Marriott Buffalo. I like the trend.
May 18, 2008 | 9:47 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto (YYZ)
Posts: 6,285
All in all, I'm satisfied with Marriott. Although there are some noticeable inconsistencies for instance:
I seem to get better service and upgrades at Renaissance vs. JW or Marriott hotels.
Some give breakfast vouchers some don't...the weekend breakfast vouchers is something that should be mandated at all FS properties, even if its just for Platinums. (Sorry Golds)
I would like to see some new Platinum benefits added to the program, as it is right now the only real difference vs. Gold is 5% extra bonus points and the 48hr. guarantee. Considering Marriott has the highest nights required to achieve Platinum status and 25 extra nights needed beyond Gold the two "extras" doesn't justify the spread.
I seem to get better service and upgrades at Renaissance vs. JW or Marriott hotels.
Some give breakfast vouchers some don't...the weekend breakfast vouchers is something that should be mandated at all FS properties, even if its just for Platinums. (Sorry Golds)
I would like to see some new Platinum benefits added to the program, as it is right now the only real difference vs. Gold is 5% extra bonus points and the 48hr. guarantee. Considering Marriott has the highest nights required to achieve Platinum status and 25 extra nights needed beyond Gold the two "extras" doesn't justify the spread.
May 18, 2008 | 11:54 am
#11
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: Marriott Plat, AA EXP, SPG Plat
Posts: 88
I have a pretty steady mix of stays in FS, CY's, and FI's. I think FS properties have done just enough to maintain over the past few years, with the exception of adding flat screen tv's and HDTV at some properties.. FI"s are on the rise, and CY's continue to fall sharply in quality.
May 18, 2008 | 1:49 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 3
Residence Inn's have free beer. Nothing says quality like free beer. Free beer.
Randy
I like free beer
Randy
I like free beer
May 21, 2008 | 11:33 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Plum Nelly
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Delta Sky Miles, and S&H Green Stamps
Posts: 642
I would not say standard of living but I would say courtesy and respect are in a sharp decline. It's a trend that needs to stop. I'm so sick of seeing ballcaps and/or flip flops at dinner and shoeless even shirtless men in hotel lobbys.
May 21, 2008 | 1:18 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K-UA/AA, LT PLAT-MARRIOTT(1984), HILTON-GOLD, HYATT-GOLD
Posts: 951
They are go together
Could it be, that some were raised in homes without full service parents, and there fore didn't learn the basis of relating with respect?
Just look at how dancing has gone from facing each other belly to belly in sync in step and rhytm to helter skelter to the point you don't know who is dancing with whom. Not unusal to see a full drink or lite cigarette in hand, as well.
Not much relating or respect. And that is not saying anything about the decline in music, except for the increased volume till it moves you!
Just look at how dancing has gone from facing each other belly to belly in sync in step and rhytm to helter skelter to the point you don't know who is dancing with whom. Not unusal to see a full drink or lite cigarette in hand, as well.
Not much relating or respect. And that is not saying anything about the decline in music, except for the increased volume till it moves you!
May 21, 2008 | 6:14 pm
#15
Moderator: Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,631
Based on the history of Marriott TV, I'd say standards continue to improve:
TV
TV w/ Spectravison box with knob
TV w/ Spectravison box with buttons w/ HBO, ESPN and Headline News
TV w/ Spectravison box with remote control
TV w/ Spectravison box with remote control w/ Basic Cable stations
TV w/ OnCommand
TV w/ OnCommand w/ 27-inch CRT TV
TV w/ OnCommand w/ Expanded Basic/Sat. stations
TV w/ OnCommand w/ 32-inch LCD TV
TV w/ OnCommand w/ 32-inch LCD TV w/ HD programming
TV w/ Spectravison box with knob
TV w/ Spectravison box with buttons w/ HBO, ESPN and Headline News
TV w/ Spectravison box with remote control
TV w/ Spectravison box with remote control w/ Basic Cable stations
TV w/ OnCommand
TV w/ OnCommand w/ 27-inch CRT TV
TV w/ OnCommand w/ Expanded Basic/Sat. stations
TV w/ OnCommand w/ 32-inch LCD TV
TV w/ OnCommand w/ 32-inch LCD TV w/ HD programming