Squeezing Out That Last Nickle
From the first voice of this Marriot I should have realized they were going to squeeze any nickle from me. The first call was to understand where to park, viewing their vast parking structure and the meager visitor/register parking spots. We had never been here before, so we parked. The voice had said on the phone "park anywhere out there in front, and they'll take care of you at the check in. You'll understand it all there". I felt the voice had clearly avoided my questions of how we use their parking structure when it was revealed we were to prepay for valet or self parking at the checkin! Even the Marriot in downtown San Jose has free parking for guests. I thought little of the charge, until I witnessed other such nickle and dime tactics over the 3 day stay. Who charges $5.20 for a beer? 5 even or 5 and a quarter or fifty cents...but their pricing strategies seemed to hide, then get the nickles as they can. 3.25 for the first 15 minutes of their computer room, and 25 cents every minute thereafter who does this?? It wasn't their fault it was 108 degrees by the wonderful pool, or that my date was hungry, but I elected to allow their "two gourmet chefs" in "Olio's Ristorante" prepare a chips and salsa lunch snack for by the pool consumption, seemed a great joy to share, and wonderful solution to our hunger. The salsa was a bit old (yes, my date was the one who brought it up and left the rest for me), but for me, it was the foam carryout 3 sectioned tray (like in Panda House) and what I got inside I objected to. The 3 sectioned foam tray held a sparse assortment of colored chips scattered across all 3 sections, about 5 - 6 oz of multi colored corn chips, about 3 tablespoons of salsa in a small plastic lidded cup for $8. I should have walked for better and more, at CJ Pharmacy, a half block north. At least I could have had some cheese too and had plenty for later in the room. Heck, maybe the "cheese also" idea could qualify me as a chef, and make I'd make it 3! It's not the money, charge me more per day, but don't cheapen my stay w/such unexpected cheap tactics, so that I am disappointed as my date sees my meager answer to her desires for a snack. (I know I set myself up on that one, but don't let your imaginations get the best of you because I can do double entendres.) There's a problem here, and in marketing, we call it "panic management".
I can't speak first hand of the unsolvable a/c horror problems in the intense heatwave. We did hear of them first hand from guests at the pool and spoke superiorly that ours was working fine and was very wonderful. Our room was colorfully comfortable, wonderful, and the pillowed bed very appealing. The service staff were quick and gracious, and the rented adult tv movies were superb...but I left the place feeling like a low keyed grifter had taken over a hotel, in a chain I love to frequent. Even their "Courtyard by Marriot" serves a continental breakfast.
