How does Marriott treat you as an elite?

[Kscf]

Property: Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park
Status: Titanium
Dates: 23-27 April
Booked: Basic room
Rate: average $350per night
Received: Grand Executive room and Grand Executive 1 bedroom suite.

My wife had a work meeting on 25 and 26 and since it was a long weekend prior we booked 4 nights with 2 seperate stays 23-25 & 25-27 as her company was paying for 25-27.

Had applied SNA and chose only suites on both stays, second stay was upgraded to suite but first wasnt and SNA were returned but they gave upgraded room anyways at checkin.

The 1 bedroom suite is huge and loved every bit of it. My wife had an afternoon meeting and since this suite has a seperate living section it allowed both of us to work without disturbing each other as we both had multiple calls throughout the day.

Really liked the lounge - one of the best non ritz carlton lounges I have experienced in the network as most my prior stays have been in North America and they all suck.

Talked to the club manager about lack of vegan options during dinner time (my wife is vegan) and he said he will talk to the chef, unfortunately I only talked to him the night prior to leaving.

On 25th prior to switching the rooms we had packed up our bags , left for Bondi and by the time we came back the suite was ready.

On the day of checkout they wanted the suite back by 4 PM but I needed extra time as my wife's meeting was only over at 5 or so and she needed some space to freshen up before heading to the airport.

They offered me club lounge access till whatever time I needed and she was given gym access which was much appreciated.

Loved the hotel, will definitely return.

 

[dairyfloss]

Property: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast
Status: Platinum
Dates: 21-27 Apr 2022
Booked: King Ocean View 1 BR Suite
Rate: Member Flexible Rate (avg. ~$1,230 p/n)
Received: King Ocean View 1 BR Suite

We arrived to a very busy GC resort at the tail end of school holidays, going into the Anzac Day long weekend. I knew that there'd be no chance of upgrades given the place was so full, but the hotel did manage to allocate our preferred suite in this category from a previous stay, which was nice. Parking under the property was included as a Platinum member.

A very nice welcome amenity and full sized bottle of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut was waiting when we came in the room (see below), and was enjoyed soon afterwards!



It was also going to be my 6YO son's birthday on our original dates (moved due to me getting covid), which I had noted that to the property at some point, and the loyalty manager was great in organising balloons, chocolates and a gift for him, while we were out one day. He was pretty chuffed with that - look how happy he is!



Standards and service throughout was pretty good, though we did have a few issues with in-room dining, which we used most nights in the suite for dinners. Late, cold & messy orders with missing items or condiments etc. Staff were no doubt under pressure, but these are not complicated dishes or instructions that we're talking about here. There was also some room features that were not working well (phones, & TV Chromecast set-up), and needed to be worked on at points during the stay, mostly resolved in the end. The full self-service breakfast buffet was in effect, and was much better than the half and half version we dealt with last time we were there in early 2021.

Late checkout was not possible as a conference was getting started the day we left, and all the big wigs were arriving through the day and going into the suites. Instead, we were offered and accepted a hospitality room down the corridor from our suite, and that was fine for a place to relax and freshen up ahead of a mid-afternoon departure.

All things considered it was another good stay, and it remains on our preferred list for 'the goldie'.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[dairyfloss]

Property: W Melbourne
Status: Platinum
Dates: 5-7 May 2022
Booked: Mega (50sqm) King
Rate: 80,000 Points + $220 for 2 nights
Received: Fantastic (65sqm) Suite, and then paid $100 extra p/n to upgrade to Marvelous (72sqm) Corner Suite.

Visited Melbourne for my b'day and a couple of boys nights out. Hotel had upgraded me to the Fantastic Suite, 2 days out from the stay, and I used the app's chat feature to ask about moving to a preferred corner suite for the rate difference p/n of $100 between the two suite types on the day. They were good with this and locked it in. There was some confusion about my arrangement at check-in, but seems it was more to do with the fact it was points + cash, and the reservation was only showing to the front desk the hotel revenue value overall, so they couldn't figure out what was actually owed by me, vs covered with the already deducted points. Didn't take too long to sort out, and I was off to the suite.

I was given the Marvelous Suite on the 5th floor, which I was initially a tad annoyed about as I knew there were 15 floors in the W... but even the 5th felt relatively high up, as Market St is on the hill heading down toward Flinders St & the Yarra, and so it was actually fine. Didn't quite have the river in my view, but could see parts of Southbank, and looked into the old Port Authority. Watching the trams come around from Market onto Flinders Lane there was nice too. Room was spacious without feeling oversized, and with lots of W design and features. Full sized (100ml) Momo & Skin Regimen toiletries are provided & restocked in the large suite bathroom.

The hotel had noted my birthday from the booking notes, and left me some treats for the occasion - a cake and a cheese plate with accompaniments. While a nice touch, neither were appealing for this birthday boy, and they remained under glass until I checked out. I wonder if there's a way in your profile to say 'if you want to gift me something, gift me beer or champagne!'? I know some other programs have that.



Breakfast was in Lollo restaurant, and was very nice. It's a la carte, and as a Platinum or higher, you are credited $36 per guest, per day for b'fast. The 'Lollo breakfast' was $36, with extra sides and coffees on top. The credit was pretty close to covering it, and again - a very nice breakfast, and I'd say worth a small premium above the credit if you need to.

Hotel was well located for what we needed, which was to be close enough to all the brewpubs and taprooms that 5-10 mins in an Uber would cover it... and to be able to walk back from Southbank or the Crown precinct, which is inevitably where we find ourselves at the end of the night, in Melbourne.

Late checkout to 2PM was requested, and early indications were that this wasn't possible... but they'd managed to sort something out by the time I got back from my 2nd night out, and confirmed 2PM was fine.

Very nice stay - a new Melbourne favourite, for me.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[drross]

Property: W Melbourne
Status: Platinum
Dates: 5-7 May 2022
Booked: Mega (50sqm) King
Rate: 80,000 Points + $220 for 2 nights
Received: Fantastic (65sqm) Suite, and then paid $100 extra p/n to upgrade to Marvelous (72sqm) Corner Suite.

Visited Melbourne for my b'day and a couple of boys nights out. Hotel had upgraded me to the Fantastic Suite, 2 days out from the stay, and I used the app's chat feature to ask about moving to a preferred corner suite for the rate difference p/n of $100 between the two suite types on the day. They were good with this and locked it in. There was some confusion about my arrangement at check-in, but seems it was more to do with the fact it was points + cash, and the reservation was only showing to the front desk the hotel revenue value overall, so they couldn't figure out what was actually owed by me, vs covered with the already deducted points. Didn't take too long to sort out, and I was off to the suite.

I was given the Marvelous Suite on the 5th floor, which I was initially a tad annoyed about as I knew there were 15 floors in the W... but even the 5th felt relatively high up, as Market St is on the hill heading down toward Flinders St & the Yarra, and so it was actually fine. Didn't quite have the river in my view, but could see parts of Southbank, and looked into the old Port Authority. Watching the trams come around from Market onto Flinders Lane there was nice too. Room was spacious without feeling oversized, and with lots of W design and features. Full sized (100ml) Momo & Skin Regimen toiletries are provided & restocked in the large suite bathroom.

The hotel had noted my birthday from the booking notes, and left me some treats for the occasion - a cake and a cheese plate with accompaniments. While a nice touch, neither were appealing for this birthday boy, and they remained under glass until I checked out. I wonder if there's a way in your profile to say 'if you want to gift me something, gift me beer or champagne!'? I know some other programs have that.

View attachment 276571

Breakfast was in Lollo restaurant, and was very nice. It's a la carte, and as a Platinum or higher, you are credited $36 per guest, per day for b'fast. The 'Lollo breakfast' was $36, with extra sides and coffees on top. The credit was pretty close to covering it, and again - a very nice breakfast, and I'd say worth a small premium above the credit if you need to.

Hotel was well located for what we needed, which was to be close enough to all the brewpubs and taprooms that 5-10 mins in an Uber would cover it... and to be able to walk back from Southbank or the Crown precinct, which is inevitably where we find ourselves at the end of the night, in Melbourne.

Late checkout to 2PM was requested, and early indications were that this wasn't possible... but they'd managed to sort something out by the time I got back from my 2nd night out, and confirmed 2PM was fine.

Very nice stay - a new Melbourne favourite, for me.

Cheers,
Matt.

Sounds like fun times Matt. Happy bday. Cheers

 

[dairyfloss]

Sounds like fun times Matt. Happy bday. Cheers

I'm told it was, indeed

 

[drross]

The Tasman 5/5/22 to 8/5/22
Member - basic level
booked 2 interconnecting rooms for 3 nights - babysitting 12 month old grand daughter while her parents finished their honeymoon.
offered upgrades but not interconnecting so declined them
2 rooms second floor Art Deco section of the hotel

absolutely wonderful stay. absolutely great staff - best we've experienced for years. Buffet breakfast - also the best we've had for years. Chef freshly cooks your eggs and bacon etc...great. rooms are on the same side especially when compared to Macq1 and the bathrooms are small with tiny vanities. rooms are wonderfully quiet even when Mary Mary and Peccina are rocking. Very happy to go back - and hopefully take advantage of the upgrade option. 2 bottles of water per room per day. and mother's day for the 2 mothers in Deco Lounge - excellent - Justin from Hanoi is a great ad for the place

 

[jpp42]

Property: Four Points by Sheraton Perth
Status: Titanium
Dates: 25 April - 1 May 2022
Booked: King
Rate: approx $200/night
Received: King

There was no mention of status or upgrades upon check in until the end when they asked if I would like a welcome gift or free breakfast. Opted for the breakfast which was quite good, hot breakfast for two for every day of the stay is certainly a no-brainer. Room was on a mid floor and had a view of the empty lot next door, but possibly this was considered an upgrade over a view over the street/arena ?

This was my first Marriott trip post-pandemic and to be honest I totally forgot about suite night awards and similar, I should have tried to use them on this trip as my partner came with me and we could have used the extra space. It looks like this property does have some suites available. Oh well!

 

[drross]

Next time!

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Have been chopping and changing between usual Westin and W Melbourne lately.

W Melbourne now offer a Vermouth tray and cheese and charcuterie platter for elites in Culprit. I enjoyed this and have 100% hit rate with suites just like W Brisbane even on 4 night stays.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Fairly new to the Bonvoy program - I have Platinum Elite for three months through work, and then should revert to Gold through my AMEX. Anyway, I have booked a couple of king guest rooms for next week at Pier One - can anyone help me understand what I can expect by way of upgrades, breakfast, anything else I should know about. Thank you!

 

[dairyfloss]

Fairly new to the Bonvoy program - I have Platinum Elite for three months through work, and then should revert to Gold through my AMEX. Anyway, I have booked a couple of king guest rooms for next week at Pier One - can anyone help me understand what I can expect by way of upgrades, breakfast, anything else I should know about. Thank you!

Platinum should secure you and your registered guests with breakfast and an upgrade of some kind, if you’re lucky. There’s no lounge at Pier One but you might get some drink vouchers in place. The second room is not guaranteed any benefits, but YMMV. If you are after early check in or late check out, your chances are generally pretty decent as Platinum or higher, as well. Contact the hotel ahead though the chat feature on the app with any questions and to sus out what they can do. That’s often led to better outcomes for me than would otherwise have happened.

Keep in mind that room occupancy is actually pretty high at the moment with Vivid on in Sydney, and rooms with a view are even harder to secure without paying for them.

As an aside; if or when you drop to Gold… don’t hold your breath for more than a late checkout here and there. There’s generally too much competition from the higher elites…

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Platinum should secure you and your registered guests with breakfast and an upgrade of some kind, if you’re lucky. There’s no lounge at Pier One but you might get some drink vouchers in place. The second room is not guaranteed any benefits, but YMMV. If you are after early check in or late check out, your chances are generally pretty decent as Platinum or higher, as well. Contact the hotel ahead though the chat feature on the app with any questions and to sus out what they can do. That’s often led to better outcomes for me than would otherwise have happened.

Keep in mind that room occupancy is actually pretty high at the moment with Vivid on in Sydney, and rooms with a view are even harder to secure without paying for them.

As an aside; if or when you drop to Gold… don’t hold your breath for more than a late checkout here and there. There’s generally too much competition from the higher elites…

Cheers,
Matt.

Very informative post, thank you Matt. I just checked the app (today is the day before check-in), and both rooms have been upgraded to a partial water view guest room, so that's great news. I'll report back afterwards on breakfast, drinks vouchers etc.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Very informative post, thank you Matt. I just checked the app (today is the day before check-in), and both rooms have been upgraded to a partial water view guest room, so that's great news. I'll report back afterwards on breakfast, drinks vouchers etc.

Property: Pier One, Sydney Harbout
Status: Platinum
Dates: 17 June 2022 - 18 June 2022 (Vivid staycation)
Booked: King Guest Room x 2
Rate: Corporate - $290/night, per room. $100 AMEX offer and 3 Stay NSW vouchers bought this down to $330 for two rooms. Not bad.
Received: King Guest Room, Partial Water View x 2

Pier One is in such a lovely part of the city, with easy access to Barangaroo, The Rocks and Circular Quay for Vivid. As mentioned above, both rooms were upgraded to a partial water view room the day before check-in. Arrived slightly before 3PM check-in - unfortunately the room wasn't ready just yet, but no problem, as we spent some time in the lounge/bar area overlooking the harbour. Three drink vouchers provided, one for each guest.

I selected the breakfast+points option as the welcome gift, with breakfast being extended to all 3 guests. The breakfast buffet was lovely, with a big selection of toast, cereal, hash browns, eggs, bacon, mushrooms, tomotos etc. Barista coffee offered, with no charge making its way onto the bill.

Requested and received a late check-out, 3PM.

Slightly off-topic, but does anyone know how you can check when your Bonvoy status expires?

 

[drross]

Property: Pier One, Sydney Harbout
Status: Platinum
Dates: 17 June 2022 - 18 June 2022 (Vivid staycation)
Booked: King Guest Room x 2
Rate: Corporate - $290/night, per room. $100 AMEX offer and 3 Stay NSW vouchers bought this down to $330 for two rooms. Not bad.
Received: King Guest Room, Partial Water View x 2

Pier One is in such a lovely part of the city, with easy access to Barangaroo, The Rocks and Circular Quay for Vivid. As mentioned above, both rooms were upgraded to a partial water view room the day before check-in. Arrived slightly before 3PM check-in - unfortunately the room wasn't ready just yet, but no problem, as we spent some time in the lounge/bar area overlooking the harbour. Three drink vouchers provided, one for each guest.

I selected the breakfast+points option as the welcome gift, with breakfast being extended to all 3 guests. The breakfast buffet was lovely, with a big selection of toast, cereal, hash browns, eggs, bacon, mushrooms, tomotos etc. Barista coffee offered, with no charge making its way onto the bill.

Requested and received a late check-out, 3PM.

Slightly off-topic, but does anyone know how you can check when your Bonvoy status expires?

can't help with the expiration date but nice review CC

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Status is calendar year based. Must say I'm not across the extensions this year though.

If you didn't qualify this year for anything, absent any extensions, would drop 1 March I believe.
That's my interpretation from few articles googled.

 

[dairyfloss]

Property: Sydney Harbour Marriott at Circular Quay
Status: Platinum
Dates: 10-11 June 2022
Booked: Opera House View Suite
Rate: Member Flexible Rate at $778 (Fri night)
Received: as booked

Forgot to add this one from last month; A staycation in town for Vivid Sydney.

Arrived around 4PM, getting the car into the Wilson carpark behind the property, with about 45 mins to spare before the streets were closed for the night. Parking was validated at the hotel for a quite good discount ($30 for 24 hrs). Easy enough from there to roll your case over the hotel lobby, where a big mess awaited!

There must have been 20-30 groups standing around trying to get checked in on that Friday, with little organisation, and a lot of frustration. I had already checked in online, and just needed to enable my digital key or get a key card, and mercifully someone in the queue overheard me mention that to my wife, and invited us (and our young child... whose whining may have inspired the offer) to pop in front of them to do that. A A mention of thanks for being a loyal member, and a couple of minutes later we were on our way to the room.

Per above, it was very busy for Vivid. The suite I had booked for views of the Opera House was the best available for the night, excluding the 2 very large 2-bedroom suites, and so we got what booked, and this was fine and expected. No amenity was in the room or received. It was a relatively small suite, with awkward furniture (e.g. no lounge, just some modern chairs and desk chairs), and a bathroom with fixtures in need of an update. The bedroom is separated from the living space with sliding doors, which didn't quite close (maintenance needed, but didn't bother calling), though it was enough to allow our son to get to sleep ahead of us. Nice views from a single window at the north-eastern corner of Opera House, and the light-show that is projected onto the landmark throughout the evening.

The Executive lounge was open for evening canapes from 5:00-7:30PM, and we visited for a period of time during that before heading out to see the lights. Quality of food was pretty decent, including some very tasty tandoori chicken filo parcels, and drinks service was efficient, though needed to approach the bar rather than receive table service. Perhaps that is offered when they are not so busy.

Breakfast on the Saturday morning saw long waits seated in the lounge area to the side for tables in Silvester's. Frustratingly, for us and others after us, it seemed that a large business group was in-house and taking up a lot of the restaurant tables, and most were just chatting away with colleagues or peers after finishing breakfast. Given the high occupancy and delays, it might have been better if the hotel had perhaps accommodated the group in another area, or at least moved them on after they finished eating. A lot of hangry kids were in that lounge area!

Late checkout was requested, but given Saturday was going to be even busier again than Friday, they could only give me until 12:30PM, and then hold bags for as long as needed. This was fine, as we just wanted to stick around in town and so some other stuff before heading home across the bridge. Check out was far more efficient than check-in, with little wait for service and much more relaxed staff.

I'd probably give the hotel another chance, but definitely not during a peak event like Vivid, as the location and limitations of the space they have I think means they are simply too prone to delays and service issues.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Hey Marriott elites / regulars - across the board what is general checkin time for majority of Marriotts pls? (If such a general consensus is possible)

 

[sudoer]

Hey Marriott elites / regulars - across the board what is general checkin time for majority of Marriotts pls? (If such a general consensus is possible)

Nearly always 3pm from my experience. Or are you asking how early they'll let an elite check-in?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Nearly always 3pm from my experience. Or are you asking how early they'll let an elite check-in?

Nope your reply was perfect - the reason I asked was because I had a somewhat unfortunate experience at Marriott Frankfurt last week - they claim 4pm checkin which just staggers me

 

[sudoer]

they claim 4pm checkin which just staggers me

That's unusual although it does match the hotel information section on the Marriott website. At least the 12pm checkout is later than usual to match. (usually 10 or 11am)

Possibly a German quirk?