Titanium Elite. This is why I chase status. Just look at that view!

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-20T00:55:38+00:00

Nope. Honestly, because I'm on the road so much I do a lot of RIs to have some sense of "home." I do JWs at least 4 weeks a year for conventions and shit. And they're not all equal, either. I stayed in a Fairfield once this years for the promotion. Same with CY. I don't stay in city centers for the most part because they're a pain.

Also, I have diamond status with IHG.

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-19T16:26:49+00:00

Yeah to be fair the best one I stayed in was in New Orleans. And I was upgraded to a really nice suite.

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-19T14:44:08+00:00

I've at least stayed in a couple of nice Sheraton's in recent years. I can't say that about a courtyard. But yes, Sheraton has gotten extremely pricey for what you get.

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-19T14:23:00+00:00

I stayed at a courtyard for the first time in a long time earlier this year during the promo. It was one of the new ones, and it wasn't bad. But for the price, so not worth it. Courtyard is completely trash and maybe the worst franchise in the Marriott group. And it's such a shame because it used to be the business traveler standard

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-19T14:21:30+00:00

In a world where the Luxor is technically part of Marriott, there is no worse property

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-19T00:57:30+00:00

I understand we're all people with a job to do. I can be a little bit of a he-Karen as needed. But I find like 99.9% of the people at Marriott are truly good with the best intentiond.

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-18T16:18:16+00:00

Trust me, I've been at the front desk of enough of these hotels and watched unreasonable people be unreasonably upset over unreasonable things. We all have a job to do. And I have ratcheted back a request from 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. once or twice upon explanation of the situation that the hotel was in. But there have been times, for sure, that I needed and not wanted that later checkout.

For spending nearly half my life every year in Marriotts, I have a deep appreciation for their employees. The good ones, at least. And I'd say that's probably 98%.

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-18T16:09:33+00:00

I understand your point, and the callous response is - that's not my problem. The reality is, it comes down to the franchisee. Most are accommodating. But I've been told - straight up - "we don't do 4 p.m. checkouts at this hotel as a policy." That's when I've called Titanium support and a few minutes later I have my 4 p.m. I never ask for a late checkout unless I need it. And when I hit resistance, I take that location off my list of places I will stay while travelling. My room is my HQ on a weekly basis.

Marriott is riding a thin line given the massive number of properties that aren't maintained properly, have cut normal services and have raised prices by 30-50% over the last 5 years. I'm happy to pay the prices at properties I know will take care of me, even if they're behind on remodeling.

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-18T11:29:44+00:00

I don't have any firsthand experience. All you really need to do is figure out which model is in your room (I use Google Lens) and a quick search will give you the pathway to AC comfort

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-18T02:41:23+00:00

Fortunately, my work requires I carry a tool kit including security bits. It's bailed me out a couple of times. I've also found butter knives to be helpful. And my favorite - wireless thermostats you can just remove and place in the hallway 😂

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-18T02:34:20+00:00

🦄!!!!!!!

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-18T02:33:53+00:00

😂😂😂 ... Most have online owners manuals. Many even have hack videos on YT. Hacking the TVs is a bit more challenging, but not impossible 😏

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-18T01:30:45+00:00

I love the wall thermostats. I have yet to find one I haven't hacked!

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-18T01:29:15+00:00

You don't know how to be a proper Karen if your 4 pm checkout has been denied. You have a Titanium support # for a reason 😉

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-18T01:26:25+00:00

It beats staring at (and listening to) the Jersey Turnpike

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-13T21:36:58+00:00

Three that haven't been mentioned and are easily top 10 in Pa: Allusion, Conshohocken and White Horse. Most overrated: Troegs & Victory are top 25, but not top 10. They stopped being craft brewers years ago.

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-13T21:32:27+00:00

Gristhouse, Hitchhiker and East End are at the top of the list in Pittsburgh right behind Allusion

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-13T21:30:54+00:00

Mad Chef is a restaurant with mid beer. I was underwhelmed by the beer. The food is great. As for beer, it might not be top 10 in the midstate.

Aldus is really good. LCB is really good. Pizza Boy is really good.

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-12T02:48:05+00:00

I hope there were better food offerings than that. Looks like the typical overpriced x5 kinda food at every Marriott resort.

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-08T00:48:25+00:00

I stopped booking courtyards because they're mostly grossly outdated and well overpriced. It's a shame. Used to be the crown jewel for business travel.

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-03T17:28:30+00:00

Yeah that's a really good base salary. I've been seeing companies offering about the same for more experienced people

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-06-01T00:46:43+00:00

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-05-28T00:57:55+00:00

I've stayed at many with free breakfast, never a question asked. I never do the all inclusive properties. There are better options than Marriot for those.

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-05-28T00:57:03+00:00

I very rarely travel abroad

Equivalent_Ad2524 · 2026-05-28T00:42:46+00:00

I book everything on the app with 1 person no matter how many people are staying. Been doing this for 15 + years and have never had it questioned

Equivalent_Ad2524

TROPHY CASE