Marriott Bonvoy held its "Member Day" yesterday at its Bethesda headquarters, where it often shares innovations coming to Marriott properties (or "enhancements," as they may be?). Well, Marriott has also revealed plans to launch a new lounge concept, without sharing too many details. It's not clear to me if this is simply a rebranding of…
Definitely feels like a shrinkflation style downgrade - all the references to “signature” and “light bites” reads like a way to reduce portion sizes and options while sounding fancy and curated.
Especially since it’s starting in Asia where the lounges have traditionally been much more generous.
Alliteration. Niccce.
It is not like there is a host of Marriott properties in Japan that has one lounge for status and one lounge for guests that pay as part of the room rate. To the best of my knowledge, there is one. The Marriott Associa in Nagoya, and it is not new. It has been like that for ages.
The Sheraton Miyako in Tokyo has sometimes added lounge capacity by using one of the ballrooms as extra space. I can't say I have noticed a logic to who got sent down, based on when the actual lounge was full? Though I have not seen this in a good while.
There were a few European hotel that were "infamous" for having a less good lounge for status, on one for club level bookings. Renaissance St Pancras in London and (I believe) a Sheraton in Germany were some of the prime examples. Though I believe The Ren has stopped this again. I am sure there are a good chunk of other examples spread across the world.
This is definitely a big downgrade! Lounges in Asia-Pacific typically provide food that would qualify for dinner. Bites implies (and the picture shows it) just some small hors d'oeuvres. And the attentive service could be they serve you a little plate with a few hors d'oeuvres at your table or place of seating. And eliminate the buffet style service.
If this happens I will be looking more to stay at a Hilton or IHG property. I am not a fan of Hyatt. Hyatt Regency Tokyo already does the small plate served at your table (no refills).
I just wish they'd do something about hours of operation. It's increasingly common for hotel lounges to close right after happy hours end, which is completely absurd at the self service lounges which don't see any staff for hours even during the day, so it's not like there's any hourly cost to keeping them open longer.