Joshua makes a good point.

While I am not nearly as upset, it does seem reasonable that if the CL lounge is going to be closed, the benefits can still be provided. Have it unmanned for the requisite time period, with housekeeping checking periodically to ensure cleanliness. Food coupons for breakfast as well as appetizers/dessert could be provided to make up for the CL being closed.

I've been watching that thread...
 

Trust me, I've been keeping up with that thread. I don't know who posted it, but someone said that of all the places to cut back, the CL was the LAST place due to that is obviously the folks that continue to return to Marriott time after time after time. He/she hit the nail on the head. So true...of all places, do you really want to risk the chance of ticking off the loyal customers and perhaps making them go elsewhere for a more consistent offering? There are plenty of places to cut back...but he/she had a great point....not the one place where your repeat customers gather!

Argh.....

Dawn

Holiday CL closings are not new. They have been going on for years. Sure, it's a bit inconvenient but it's hardly a high crime.

I actually prefer breakfast coupons. Also, with holiday treats seemingly available at every turn, I certainly can stand a few trips without hors d'oeuvres and desserts.

Regarding CL beverage provisions, I'm trying to cut down on my plastic water bottle consumption so I bought a Sigg. Free soda is well down on my list of desired hotel amenities. YMMV.

Not a crime....
 

No one is suggesting that it is that bad....at least I don't think. Like I said earlier, I simply had never experienced CLs closing the first week of December (or 2nd for that matter) w/the Hilton brands and was wondering if this is a practice often found with the Marriott brands. Apparently, that seems to be the case. Got my answer.

I also mentioned that for many folks, the breakfast coupons would be a welcomed change....but for myself, and obviously a few others, we are just not the type to sit down and have a breakfast. Fruit and a yogurt and we are out the door. I definitely fit into that category. You can't always go to their restaurant and ask for "fruit to go" so many times you just leave w/out anything.

I don't bother with the hors d'oeuvres and desserts either--regardless of where they are providing them.

But as you can see from this thread, what is important to one traveler, may or may not be be important to another one. I said my deal breaker was no exercise facility but I know more people that are NOT like me and could care less if there was gym or not.

To each his own....but I just wanted to know if this was a sign of the times, typical or atypical.

I found my answer....no crimes have been committed or animals hurt to post this topic.

:)

Some folks bring their own shampoo-does this mean we would let Marriott off the hook for failing to provide shampoo?Of course not.
And we are not talking about just the holidays-this is now happening when the buisness traveler(for whom the lounge is intended as a perk)is in the hotel-Sunday nights.

The hotels usually charge higher rates during the week(including Sunday night) and my busy time of the year is in December.These arbitrary and wrong-headed budget cuts do nothing to make me want to stay with Marriott-which is the reverse of the goal of a loyalty program.

High crimes?Of course not and noone suggested this to be the case.It is however further proof of the decline in respect Marriott shows its best customers-show them the same.

A straw man argument.

A more dispassionate analysis would say that it is further proof of lower occupancies and a weakening economy.

Since you mentioned the "H" word... At least Marriott provides lounge access (or coupons) to all Gold and Platinum guests. Many Hiltons only allow guests who actually have rooms on the lounge level access to their lounges or you give up lounge access for some other amenity ("My Way").

Agreed.

I think its very difficult to make accurate comparisons across the chains as each chain implements its programs differently. As stated, Hilton lounges rarely close, but the access rules are stricter.

Also, I've gotten coupons from Hilton where they actually distinguish between continental and "real" breakfast. I have yet to see a Marriott hotel pay more than lip service to the distinction. They almost always give you a full breakfast regardless of what's on the coupon.

Thankfully, that recently changed....
 

You were correct....there were Diamond folks out there getting denied executive lounge privledges due to too many people in the lounge. Fortunately, that has recently changed and if you are Diamond, you are not guaranteed Executive Lounge access...whew....I was sure glad that was implemented.

The other poster mentioned that Marriott most always gives out a full breakfast coupon. That is probably true, but for me, it would go to waste. I'd much rather have access to an executive lounge, grab a to go container of fresh fruit, cup of coffee and I'm out the door. I know many, if not an overwhelming amount of people would rather have the full on breakfast (bacon, eggs, hash browns, etc.), but I have to make myself eat fruit (I like to save my calories for later on in the day!).

To each his own...still learning the ropes of the Marriott chain so I can make the most informed decision possible this year. I know that I cannot maintain both so I want to learn as much information as I can because this will be the year that I need to decide which to lean.

Thanks for all your input....

Dawn

excellent ideas....but, does marriott actually ever ASK opinions???? (or do they listen???) when i was an associate, i did!!!

I just called the New York Marriott Marquis and asked if the lounge was open during Christmas (we arrive on Tues 23rd for 3 nights). I was informed that it would be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, reopening on the 26th. I enquired if I would receive breakfast coupons instead but was told they are no longer issued when the Concierge lounge is closed. :td:

If you are gold or platinum, you can tell them to have $100 ready upon arrival since your dates coincide with weekdays where they are suppose to offer a continental breakfast for free if the lounge is closed.

I thought that the $100 elite guarantee only applied to room type and Platinum arrival gift. There is also the reservations guarantee, but the payout is much higher.

There is no stated penalty for denied CL access, but the policy states that you will get breakfast on weekdays - CL or restaurant.

You are mistaken. See:

http://www.marriott.com/rewards/memb...s/guarantee.mi

I guess this is open to some interpretation since the hotel in question operates a lounge but then chooses not to open it during normal hours of operation. Still, the spirit of the guarantee is you will get either access to the CL or a breakfast coupon M-F. Weekends are a gift.

I stand corrected. It is doubly embarassing since I went and looked at the T&C page, rather than the one you linked prior to posting.