Jason M.
Google
Subject: Feedback from an Ambassador Elite Guest – Missed Basics and Lack of Elite Recognition
I am a Marriott Ambassador Elite member and spend most of my life on the road for work. I also hold top-tier status with other travel brands (e.g., United 1K), and I choose where both I and my employees stay. I’m loyal to Marriott because I expect a certain level of recognition, consistency, and comfort. Unfortunately, this stay fell short on several basic fronts.
Arrival & Valet Experience
I arrived at the hotel around 10:30 p.m. after a full day of travel. I pulled into the valet area and waited about 10–15 minutes with no one in sight. Another guest in front of me had simply left his car and walked off. Eventually, I had to go inside to the front desk and ask where the valet was; only then did someone come running out.
I chose valet specifically for convenience because I had an early morning and my company is paying for the stay. Instead, it became an unnecessary delay at the end of a long travel day—exactly the opposite of what valet is supposed to provide.
Check-In & Ambassador Recognition
At check-in, I had booked a standard king room. As an Ambassador Elite member, I’m accustomed to being proactively considered for an upgrade when available. Your team members have daily arrival lists, and Ambassador-level guests are clearly flagged in those systems. The fact that I had to ask, “As an Ambassador, am I eligible for an upgrade?” tells me that either the process was not followed or it was simply ignored.
That interaction completely changes the guest experience: instead of feeling recognized and appreciated for loyalty, I’m put in the position of feeling like I’m begging for something extra or creating work for the associate. That is not how elite recognition should feel.
I was ultimately placed in a suite with more space, which I appreciate, but the execution still missed the mark.
Room Condition & Cleanliness
When I opened the curtains, the view was directly onto a concrete parking lot, and small lizards (salamanders/geckos) came out from behind the curtains. I understand this is Florida and some of that may be hard to avoid, but it added to the impression that attention to detail in the room was lacking.
More concerning, after a long day of flying, my wife used the shower and found short, curly hair on the floor. That’s a basic housekeeping failure and raises questions about how thoroughly the room was cleaned before our arrival.
In-Room Amenities
The in-room convenience fridge was completely empty. After a full travel day, it would have been helpful if at least basic items were available without needing to go back downstairs or off-property.
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Overall Impression
What’s most disappointing is that these aren’t “high-maintenance” complaints—they’re fundamentals:
• Timely valet service
• Proper elite recognition (especially for Ambassador-level guests clearly highlighted in your system)
• A clean, properly inspected room
• A functional, stocked convenience setup
I choose Marriott and steer my team’s business to Marriott properties because I expect those basics to be handled and my loyalty to be acknowledged without me having to ask. This stay felt like a series of avoidable misses, driven either by lack of attention to process or simple laziness.
I hope you’ll review your arrival and check-in procedures—especially how Ambassador and other elite guests are identified and proactively taken care of—and tighten up housekeeping and front-of-house execution. I would like to continue recommending Marriott to my employees and colleagues, but experiences like this make that decision more difficult.