Cliff's Notes summary: that's not a compliment ...
I like Marriott, and usually have good luck with them. But the Marriott Atlanta Perimeter doesn't have WiFi in the room? I mean, sheesh, we're a whole decade into the Twenty First Century, dudes. McDonalds has free WiFi. Marketing FAIL.
Blogging will resume when I can, like, get to teh Intarwebz. Like on the frickin' flight home.
Sheesh.
And isn't it corporate policy that they do not allow firearms anywhere in their hotels?
ReplyDeletePerhaps the only reason to still have a backup dial-up account.
ReplyDeleteWhat's even worse (IMHO) is that some chains like the Hilton charge $10.00 or more per day for access. I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express in MD last week. For $83.00 per day, including tax, I got the room with WiFi included.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the Hooters in Baltimore has free WiFi along with cute waitresses with really big, uh, smiles!
...some chains like the Hilton charge $10.00 or more per day for access.
ReplyDeleteA leftover from a decade ago, when:
a) there weren't so many places that offered free access;
b) it actually cost hotels a significant amount to offer Net access, because it meant wiring every room; and
b) the only people who needed or really really wanted Internet access were traveling businessfolk, who traveled on the company dime and an extra sawbuck a day meant nothing.
Myself, I realized that "Internet access" as a hotel perk had gone mainstream when I was on vacation in 2002 and saw a classic "trucker's flop" type motor lodge trumpeting "Free Internet access in some rooms" on its big illuminated signboard.
Fenway Paaaahk has free wifi.
ReplyDelete'Nuff said.
Andy: Marriott's corporate policy re. guns is to follow local law.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of cruft on the intarwebz about the recent NRA convention and a computer-printed "no guns" sign. That sign was apparently put up by the hotel's manager, NOT by Marriott corporate.
I've stayed at Marriott properties in several states where I have the right to carry a weapon (I'm licensed in NH, CT, MA) and states with reciprocal licensing agreements (TN, AL, PA, NC, etc). So far, NONE of them have objected to my having a gun in my room as long as I am properly licensed.
That's a very reasonable policy.
Just FYI.
I can live with wired LAN, and I'd take that over unsecure wifi any day.
ReplyDeleteJim
Burt, did you actually let them know that you had a firearm? I ask because Tom Gresham was talking about this a couple of weeks ago and his last status on the issue was that it was indeed corporate policy.
ReplyDeleteOK.. truth be told, I LOVE Marriott. I am a Marriott Platinum member and they always take very good care of me. A few caveats, however:
ReplyDelete1) I prefer Marriott Courtyards over just about anywhere else. Full Service Marriotts are awesome, but they will nickel and dime you to DEATH. Why? Because they can. At the courtyard I get free local calls, free bottled water in my room, and free internet. At full service all that stuff typically costs extra (except the internet, which I still get free due to a corporate arrangement).
2) I stay in a LOT of hotels (full service, extended stay, business class, whatever). Wi-Fi is *not* the everywhere standard you might think. It has a lot to due with the configuration/construction of the building, the location, the environment, the ability of the staff or chain to support it in that location, etc. If they don't have Wi-Fi, marriott properties always have wired in-room internet which is typically servicable and wi-fi in the lobby area which I typically do not use.
3) I have never gotten feedback on my firearms from the local hotel staff. I observe local laws and expect them to also. In NC (where I live) unless they specifically post otherwise, it is legal for me to pack in the business. Once in my room, it is treated as my domicile, and those laws apply. When the bruhaha in Charlotte broke out, I contacted Platinum support and they indicated they followed local law and did not, as a company, reject people's right to carry. They declined to comment (to me) on the specifics of the issue in Charlotte.
JMHO/YMMV