Anyone else experience a closed Exec Lounge due to low capacity?
 

I'm going to do a specific review on the new (took over Holiday Inn Select) FS Marriott in Bakersfield, in a recent thread started a month or two ago.

But I wanted to see if anyone else has experienced the Exec Lounge being shut down, Mon-Friday, due to capacity?

I stayed @ the Bakersfield FS Marriott on Dec 1 -5, and was informed that mgmt had made the decision to close the Exec Lounge for the week of Dec 1-5 due to low capacity. Of course they gave us breakfast coupons (which I didn't use because I just like to grab coffee and fruit and go) and coupons for free appetizers. Again, used only one of these because I simply cannot eat that way and continue to fit in a seat! Plus I prefer the intimacy of an Exec Lounge with all business travelers. I have nothing against bars, per se, but I am just someone that prefers an Exec Lounge.

Basically, I was told that recently all Marriott's received some sort of letter informing them of various ways they could consider cutting down costs so the decision is based on the managment of the particular Marriott. Other Marriott's may, or may not, use this option as a means of saving $$.

I think the only reason the Bakersfield Marriott could get away with doing something like this is because no one really knows it is a Marriott yet and is not expecting a lounge!

I had a very good stay there otherwise, I will write about my trip, albeit business, on the thread that has already been started about this hotel.

I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced the Exec Lounge being closed down mid week for cost-savings purposes.

Dawn

I know that the Las Vegas Renaissance is closed for the entire month of December:rolleyes: this is the slowest time of the year for them.
I have been assured I will get two $15 credits per day to make up for the inconvenience-which does not even equal the cost of the breakfast buffet let alone the evening snacks and deserts(which are pretty good)soft drinks,coffee and waters I grab from the lounge.

They claim they are "remodeling"the lounge-which it did not need.I think it is a ruse-this property is infamous for lying(it's the Marriott Way)to guests.

Many properties in the DC area will close their lounges around Christmas, usually starting the week before Christmas and running to around January 3 or so. When I was gold, I had a park and fly stay at the Crystal City Marriott. They gave me a free breakfast (full buffet) and one appetizer coupon because the lounge was closed.

All the time, all over the country in my experience. Usually begins the Monday of Thanksgiving week and continues in various forms until the first full week in January.

Really annoys me since I often travel these weeks. Breakfast coupons just don't cut it as you miss out on evening service, a place to kill some time, enjoy more reasonably priced drinks and of course water.

Really should be a better way... Self service, anyone?

I find it very annoying also, especially since I have never received notice in advance that the lounge will be closed. The ones I've dealt with generally only gave breakfast certs as if the evening snacks don't count for anything. If this happens again I'm asking for a discount on the room rate for something promised and not delivered. Even with breakfast and some other credit for evening snack, it no way compensates for the inability to drop-in and pick something up or read a paper and have a snack, etc.

I will pack up and leave if this is the case!
 

The holidays are the most important time of the year for me to have the CL open. This is the only time I travel with my family. The Cl provides a great place for my family to have a place to get breakfast and a bedtime snack without breaking the bank.

In any event I think this is a great thread and any closings should be reported and recorded so a nice paper trail for future Fters to use to know what to expect!

Great catch everyone!:)

The Irvine California Marriott CL is closed permanently on Sunday nights. They started this nonsense months ago, and I have taken my business elsewhere as a result.

I can understand closing the week before X-Mas and thru about January 4 - however, to be closed every Sunday night year-round is a bit much.

I was really surprised Marriott allowed this at a FS Category 4.

Sadly, I think this is going to be most of them, from recent memory. Springfield, MA and Overland Park, KS immediately come to mind were this has been pulled in the past.

I think the only defense is to call ahead and speak to someone in Management as I doubt the FD is going to know or give an honest answer regarding future dates.

Marriott Chicago Mag Mile routinely has been closed around the Christmas Holidays. Never mind that the place tends to be fairly full the week between Christmas and New Years.

As for the Irvine Marriott, "Nonsense" is an understatement. I thought this was one of their better....if unspectacular....properties". Unfortunately, I think we're going to be seeing more and more locations decide they can get away with Sunday night CL closings.

I will be staying at the Long Beach REN over the hollidays.
I stayed there 2 years ago.

Free breakfest and app certs were given then.

Im going to check and see if this is still the practice.

I was at the Chicago Ohare Ren on Thursday November 27 (Thanksgiving evening), checking out Friday November 28. As a Plat I was assigned to the Club level, but there was no breakfast Friday morning on the club level. Neither was offered a breakfast. Bummed because I was flying coach which had food for purchase. The flight offered the day after thanksgiving, you guessed it, I could buy a turkey sandwich.

You should have demanded $100. If the lounge is closed on a weekday, they must provide a free continental breakfast to gold/platinum members. It is irrelevant if that weekday is a holiday.

Over the years, I have stayed at FS properties during the late December holiday period. Closing the CL during that time has been a common practice. If it is a weekday, you will get breakfast vouchers. No big deal to get upset about.

Stayed at the OP Marriott a few weeks ago and lounge was closed with a sign to get breakfast in the restaurant....but they also offered a free appetizer in the evenings in the lounge so at least they covered both timeframes.

I asked my favorite property (the Washington Dulles Marriott Suites) about the recent changes. They told me that Marriott HQ has sent a notice to all FS Marriott properties to standardize breakfast/CL benefits to the listed benefits (free breakfast only on weekdays and CL open only from Sunday evening to Friday morning). Strict enforcement of these new rules will start after January 1. They were surprised to hear that some properties have started closing CL before the usual time (a week before Christmas).

I will be incredibly annoyed if this new policy is applied to Renaissance properties that have lounges open every day. I will also be surprised if this policy is applied to Marriott outside the United States where Hiltons and Hyatts have lounges open every day. In general, any Marriott in the United States that costs $300+ on the weekend will probably not get my future business if there is a Hyatt nearby that has good service and costs less.

One of the managers at the Washington Dulles Marriott was not so amused when I told her that I got a diamond match from Hyatt.