How does Marriott treat you as an elite?

[get me outta here]

Just booked 6 nights at the Sydney Harbour Marriott for 170,000 points for mid year.
Hopefully the lounge will be open then(?). Only have 1017 points left over.

 

[dairyfloss]

Property: Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park
Status: Platinum
Dates: 27-29 Jan 2022
Booked: Hyde Park Suite (~$1,240 p/n)
Received: Royal Suite (selling at $2,799 p/n on the day)

Unexpected and great upgrade from what was already going to be a large and special suite, as booked, to the 205 SqM, multi room Royal Suite on the top right corner of the property. There with wife and son for a short city ‘luxe’ staycation following a week at simpler digs in the Hunter.

Hotel and staff were good in just about all respects. Lounge operating from the Conservatory Bar Sun-Thu and from the actual lounge on L21 Fri-Sat. Full buffet breakfast in Feast on all days. Lounge F&B the only real low point, with very cheap wines ($10-12 Dan’s options) and party food dressed up as hors d’ oeuvres.

Late checkout to 4PM happily given, with a note the Royal Suite was not going to be occupied for some days to come.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Gigi]

Property: The Tasman, Hobart
Status: Gold
Dates: 13 to 18 January 2022 - 5 nights (to attend the cricket)
Booked: King Deluxe

I booked through the marriott app.
We were not offered an upgrade on checkin.
When we went to the room it was small, only 1 chair and only place to watch TV was in bed. As we were booked for 5 nights we needed a desk and two chairs.
We asked for a larger room and they were reluctant to give us one but eventually did - after discussing with manager. We encountered a few problems, coffee machine in room did not work even though we notified the front desk twice: the coffee shop waitress couldn't find our table number to do our docket, no top up of tea bags, we ordered ice one night and received it the next night. Its situation is great but probably wont stay again.

 

[Gigi]

Property: W Brisbane
Status: Gold
Date: 28 Jan 2022
Booked: Wonderful Guest room, 1 King, Partial river view

Booked through FHR as the price was only $15 more than on the Marriott app
Received an upgrade to Spectacular Guest Room, 31st floor river view.
We were acknowledged at checkin and told of our upgrade and the benefits we would receive booking through FHR.
We received $100 US credit which nearly covered our meals/drinks at the Wet Pool.
Full breakfast at Three Blue Ducks restaurant
Welcome drink and note of welcome
We did not use the valet parking this trip.
The downstairs bar was closed due to staffing shortages and we were told the hotel was only about 50% full.
This is our hotel of choice in Brisbane.

 

[drross]

Property: The Tasman, Hobart
Status: Gold
Dates: 13 to 18 January 2022 - 5 nights (to attend the cricket)
Booked: King Deluxe

I booked through the marriott app.
We were not offered an upgrade on checkin.
When we went to the room it was small, only 1 chair and only place to watch TV was in bed. As we were booked for 5 nights we needed a desk and two chairs.
We asked for a larger room and they were reluctant to give us one but eventually did - after discussing with manager. We encountered a few problems, coffee machine in room did not work even though we notified the front desk twice: the coffee shop waitress couldn't find our table number to do our docket, no top up of tea bags, we ordered ice one night and received it the next night. Its situation is great but probably wont stay again.

Interesting. We stayed at Macq1 last week because we weren’t sure if Tasman was any good yet. I think we made the right choice

 

[Kscf]

Property: Melbourne Marriott Hotel
Status: Titanium
Date: 28-31 Jan 2022
Booked: Premier, 1 Queen upgraded to 1 bedroom Corner Suite using SNA.

Was in Melbourne to watch AO tennis. Had purchased 2 tickets each for men's night semis, women's finals by redeeming 30k marriott points for each event. Tickets also included access to the bonvoy hospitality suite. On both the days we were late getting to the arena, so could not really enjoy the suite. I missed out on winning the auction for men's finals as I did not set a max bid and overslept and missed the end of the auction. I did buy tickets for myself which ended up costing close to $1200 but it was worth it as I am a huge Rafa fan and was nice to see him win the 21st Grand Slam.

I did drop by during the set break on women's finals and was given 2 beers and a goodie bag. Had a chat with the Senior Manager in charge of organizing the experience and thanked him. Asked if he had any plans for F1 tickets in April and he hinted may be, he also said he hopes to continue offering tickets using moments for the next few years.

Some pics included here - the seats were amazing - one small issue was that since it was behind the chair umpire we could not see one player during brief moments of the match.

Moving onto the hotel - the suite was large but very bland. This is my first marriott brand stay in Australia and did not like the hotel at all, it reminded me of the hotels in North America - nothing special.

Breakfast was cold items plus one hot item from the menu. On Sunday we had buffet where we had noodles, bacon, scrambled eggs, sausages.

Did room service lunch on Sunday as we were too tired to go out and the vegetarian pasta was just ok and the quantity was small as well. I ordered a grilled chicken breast which was tasty.

It is a nice location as its right in CBD and it was only a 15 min walk to the arena but I doubt I will stay here again.

 

[Kscf]

Property: The Tasman, Hobart
Status: Gold
Dates: 13 to 18 January 2022 - 5 nights (to attend the cricket)
Booked: King Deluxe

I booked through the marriott app.
We were not offered an upgrade on checkin.
When we went to the room it was small, only 1 chair and only place to watch TV was in bed. As we were booked for 5 nights we needed a desk and two chairs.
We asked for a larger room and they were reluctant to give us one but eventually did - after discussing with manager. We encountered a few problems, coffee machine in room did not work even though we notified the front desk twice: the coffee shop waitress couldn't find our table number to do our docket, no top up of tea bags, we ordered ice one night and received it the next night. Its situation is great but probably wont stay again.

I have a stay during Easter and will report back. I really like the Luxury Collection brand and my past experiences in Peru have been exceptional.

 

[drross]

I have a stay during Easter and will report back. I really like the Luxury Collection brand and my past experiences in Peru have been exceptional.

Look forward to your report. We’re back in Hobart in early May..cheers

 

[sudoer]

Moving onto the hotel - the suite was large but very bland. This is my first marriott brand stay in Australia and did not like the hotel at all, it reminded me of the hotels in North America - nothing special.

Agreed, the Melb Marriott is very tired, if staying at that end of the CBD I prefer the Sheraton or Westin. Is the Marriott Exec Lounge open again?

I've also just noticed there is a new AC Hotel opening in Southbank! Keen to try that and the new W on a future trip.

 

[Kscf]

Agreed, the Melb Marriott is very tired, if staying at that end of the CBD I prefer the Sheraton or Westin. Is the Marriott Exec Lounge open again?

I've also just noticed there is a new AC Hotel opening in Southbank! Keen to try that and the new W on a future trip.

The lounge is open but we could not get a chance to check it out as its open in the evenings for canapes and all 3 evenings we were at the stadium. I have a trip planned in Oct to watch IND-PAK cricket match and I will stay at W.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

No exciting international hotel updates but just wanted to note the Ambassador treatment has been much more noticeable this year.

Westin Brisbane
Booked: base points and 1 prepaid
Received: suite

Biggest plus is the lounge. Found all staff really friendly and glad to be open. The lounge has a great selection of spirits including cognac and really substantial food which is very rare now. On the first night there were salmon steaks with greens and rice and second night a pasta option. The restaurant hadn't opened but found breakfast more than adequate.

Four points Melbourne
Booked: base
Received: suite
Ambassador welcome note that was more than a generic welcome and seemed genuinely interested to hear feedback. Snacks and 2x beers in the room. Was a brief stay so didn't have breakfast as chose points.

My regular Westin has also included notes which hasn't happened since first Ambassador stay which was accompanied by a bottle of St Henri.

 

[vbap]

Heidelberg Marriott in Germany few days last week. I am titanium elite, booked king through work agent. Suite award request didn't come through but upgraded to executive King.

Staff are super friendly and attentive.

Due to COVID in room bars are empty and lobby bar still closed. Fortunately executive lounge just reopened. Relatively new to Marriott so not sure how to go with welcome gift. I think I took points the other option was F&B voucher but with lounge and dining out didn't seem worth it.

 

[Stevo.1702]

Property: Moxy London Heathrow
Status: Titanium
Dates: 01 - 03 April
Booked: Queen Guest
Rate: £84 per night
Received: Queen Guest

My first stay in a Moxy hotel. Essentially I'd call it a budget W. Checked in at 6am on 02 April but had room booked for the night prior. Check-in staff were very friendly. Rooms small with no fridge, cupboard or iron. Bathroom is small but well organised to not feel too cramped. Hotel is very close to main road and LHR runway but very little noise gets into the room. Great view of arrivals with a room on Eastern side.

Breakfast offering was ok but bar meals (no restaurant) were poor. No room service. Welcome gift offering of 500pts or £10 F&B per day. I opted for the pts as I wasn't paying for F&B. No other status benifits.

This hotel was accidentally booked by work instead of the actual Marriot LHR which was requested. I only noticed on day of departure and thought may as well try it out. Won't stay again if I can avoid. Hopefully the new Sydney Moxy will be better

 

[Kscf]

I have a stay during Easter and will report back. I really like the Luxury Collection brand and my past experiences in Peru have been exceptional.

I am back from an excellent stay. The hotel was booked out solid it being Easter weekend and all.

I had booked the base room using points, had applied SNA but was rejected as I had only selected suites and water view room as options and they were sold out.

Got an upgrade nevertheless to the Heritage room in the Heritage building and the room is very nice with a fireplace, marble floored bathroom, high ceiling.


Got in pretty late thanks to delay in MEL (thanks Qantas) and got downgraded from J to Y as they swapped the plane to all Y one, had booked using BA avios so nothing can be done I guess.

Had dinner at Peppina on the first night, food was very good and filling but would not call it fine dining more of a casual dine. Highly recommend though, they catered to my wife's vegan needs. Cost is $90 pp with wine extra, they dont do wine pairing, but the sommelier will recommend for each course and charge u by the glass, I only had 2 glasses as I was full from the food.

Had breakfast at Peppina daily and it was included as arrival gift and it was the standard fare with cold meats, salads, smoothies, sausages, burger bites, bacon, ready to order omelettes.

Had lunch at deco lounge and it was pretty good and filling.

One minor thing is that on second day, we asked for Housekeeping before we left for Mt Wellington and botanical gardens but it was not done when we came back about 5 hours later.

Had to request again, minor issue.

It was a great stay, good location as the MONA ferry and Salamanca place is walkable distance.

 

[sudoer]

Got in pretty late thanks to delay in MEL (thanks Qantas) and got downgraded from J to Y as they swapped the plane to all Y one, had booked using BA avios so nothing can be done I guess.

Why not contact BA and ask for a refund of the difference in Avios? Send them your Y boarding pass as proof of the downgrade.

 

[Kscf]

Why not contact BA and ask for a refund of the difference in Avios? Send them your Y boarding pass as proof of the downgrade.

The first flight BNE- MEL was in J, so I doubt I would get a refund

 

[dajop]

The first flight BNE- MEL was in J, so I doubt I would get a refund

Worth trying. IIRC, unlike QFF, Avios bookings are done on a sector by sector basis, such that BNE-MEL-HBA = BNE-MEL + MEL-HBA points, so you should be due a refund on the MEL-HBA sector.

 

[Stevo.1702]

Property: Courtyard London Gatwick Airport
Status: Titanium
Dates: 03 - 10 April
Booked: Premium King Guest Room
Rate: average £140per night
Received: Premium King Guest Room


We asked a few days before if an early check-in would be available but no guarantee was provided. We delayed until 12pm and both our rooms were ready on arrival. Check-in was smooth and efficient. No welcome amenity is offered and no mention of
Bonvoy status.

The room was comfortable and spacious, I have stayed in a junior suite at this hotel before and they only have a little bit more space and a couch. I did return to the front desk to ask about welcome amenities. I didn't request the compensation and instead asked for the $10USD F&B per night (total value more than the compensation would be).

Had a comfortable stay. The hotel primarily serves one night guests and flight crew for Gatwick so it was surprising to see there was no longer a 24hr menu for room service (which was available when I stayed here during the England lockdown last year). The restaurant was up and running until 9 pm but was extremely slow and slightly overpriced (again more suited for one-night stays).

After check-out Bonvoy points were not posted correctly. Only 60% was received. An email to Bonvoy quickly corrected this (no points earn on parking).


Would I stay again? Probably because the location is convenient for work and the long stays I do here a few times a year are the biggest earners for my Bonvoy status. The Hilton is starting to look appealing and Ihave colleagues staying there soon so I'm keen to see how it compares.

 

[Daver6]

Would I stay again? Probably because the location is convenient for work and the long stays I do here a few times a year are the biggest earners for my Bonvoy status. The Hilton is starting to look appealing and Ihave colleagues staying there soon so I'm keen to see how it compares.

I have some picture from a suite (I think that was the upgrade) at the Hilton Gatwick if you're interested?

 

[GlennIE]

April 2022

Property: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Oakhurst Yosemite
Status: Gold Elite
Dates: 15 April - 19 April
Booked: Guest room, 1 king
Rate: 25k/night for first 3 nights and 20k for last night.
Received: Guest Room, 1 king

Free breakfast for all guests.
Parking is $10/day.