Marriott Hotels

Have stayed at this hotel about 5 times now but this was the first time using rewards vouchers. Booking process was easy & vouchers arrived in 3-4 days. The hotel is in a good location, walking distance from the train station, opposite a brand new shopping centre & with good bars/restaurants nearby. Staff were welcoming and friendly and we certainly didn't get treated any differently just because we had paid with vouchers. In fact as it was our wedding anniversary I had pre-ordered chocolate-dipped strawberries and a fruit bowl. These weren't on our final bill at check-out when I reminded the receptionist about them she said we weren't going to be charged as the quality fell below their usual standard. We used the pool, sauna and steam room. Nice, clean facilities, perfect to relax after retail therapy. Other than breakfast we didn't eat at the hotel as Leeds has numerous restaurants to choose from. On this occassion we ate at a place called 'Kendells' - definately one of the best in Leeds. Overall a great weekend.

We have stayed in at least 8 different Marriott's courtesy of Tesco vouchers over the last couple of years and all have been terrific. Some are better than others as you'd expect but all gave us excellent service, with swimming pools, saunas Jacuzzis etc. The rooms are clean and comfortable, the staff friendly and helpful and most of the restaurants are first class. The only downside I can think of is that the bars are quite expensive and if you are staying in one of the golf complexes it's not easy to 'pop to' a nearby bar unless you take a taxi. That aside I'd recommend them to anyone and I'm really looking forward to our next trip in two weeks time.

We have been loyal customers of the Marriott chain for over 15 years now, even before we started using Rewards vouchers! We always stay at the Newcastle Marriott Metro Centre in Gateshead either on the way home from Scotland or for a weekend shopping trip to the Metro Centre. My wife is disabled and it breaks up the journey for her and is a fantastic base for Metro Centre shopping as the hotel is literally across the road. Another positive for this hotel is that they always welcomed our two dogs - one of which is an assistance dog for my wife. However, about 18 months ago, the General Manager changed and decided to make it difficult for customers to use their Rewards vouchers. Dates were very difficult to book as availability was often greatly reduced and lately, you are only able to book an 'Executive Room' which is an additional £35 on top of the standard tariff (which is £25 if you upgrade from standard when you arrive!). The room is no different to a standard room, you just get bathrobes, slippers, upgraded toiletries (none of which they had the last time we were there), a late check out and a bottle of wine on arrival - none of which they tell you when you book, they give the impression that it is a bigger room. A couple of stays ago, we arrived back from shopping on our SECOND day and a Duty Manager 'shouted' at us across the foyer telling us that we weren't allowed to bring dogs into the hotel. So as not to cause a scene, I returned to reception to discuss the matter with him and pointed out that dogs were allowed at the manager's discretion and had not been 'smuggled in' as he had insinuated. After intervention from the Front Desk Manager (Robert K), this was thankfully sorted out without any more fuss and we were assured that we would have no further problems and that our dogs were welcome at the hotel as we were such long standing customers. James and Stephen on the night shift enjoyed giving them a pat when I took them out at night and David, the assistant restaurant manager and his staff often came out into the car park for a cuddle after they had finished the breakfast shift. Houskeeping often used to comment that they didn't even realise the digs were there and were better behaved than many a party reveller! However, the final straw came at 8.30pm on Weds evening. We had booked a weekend break over two weeks ago and were due to travel today (Fri) for a spot of 'retail therapy' ready for our Silver Wedding in July, and to arrange a meal at the hotel for a small gathering of friends when we came up again. The phone call from the hotel was to inform us that the General Manager had decided to add £75 to our bill to cover the cost of 'deep cleaning' our room on departure. At no point when we booked or at any point in the last 15 years had we been advised that there would be a charge imposed like this. I then contacted Customer Services who were hopeless and when they came back to me after speaking to the hotel, told me that the charge should be £250 and that he was doing us a favour as we were regular customers! I was appalled at the treatment we have received from the Marriott so close to our departure date. My wife is devastated that we have had to cancel our stay as we had arranged to meet friends while we were there and now we can't, but I object to being told I have to pay this extra charge at such a late stage and when we have had 15 years of trouble free patronage. This is another example of big, corporate business being able to do whatever they want to whoever they want. This is clearly a charge imposed to prevent people bringing their dogs with them to the hotel and does not reflect the amount of 'extra' cleaning they 'may' have to do. Surely their vacuum cleaners are fitted with HEPA filters as standard so as to remove any allergens for incoming guests! If any of you have dogs and are thinking of staying here, then I advise you not to contemplate any Marriott hotel as they clearly discriminate against dog owners!

We always save up our points and treat ourselves to a weekend away at either the Marriott or McDonald hotels. We have stayed at the Marriott Dalmahoy near Edinburgh near Xmas time when the hotel was festively decorated, the Marriott Forest Arden near Birmingham and the Mcdonald Holyrood in Edinburgh. The hotels have always been great and I think this is a great way to use the points.

We usually use these for a couple of weekends away during the year. We've had the pleasure of 2-3 night stays in a number of Marriott hotels and all have been excellent quality; something that can't be said of a number of chains.