Starting on June 22nd, Marriott Hotels will begin to offer a free continental breakfast to their Gold and Platinum Marriott Rewards members. From the Marriott press release:
It’s been said breakfast is the most important meal of the day and now it’s on us. Beginning June 22nd, Marriott Rewards Gold and Platinum Elite members and a guest will receive complimentary continental breakfast* seven days a week at participating JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® , Renaissance® and Marriott® Hotels in the U.S. and Canada. Any time the lounge is closed, Gold and Platinum Elite members will have a choice of continental breakfast for two in the hotels’ restaurant or 750 points**. As always, outside the U.S. and Canada, they’ll receive free continental breakfast daily at participating hotels.
“Taking care of our best guests is our most important mission. While we have been offering complimentary breakfast on the weekdays in our concierge lounges for three decades, we think our members will find great value in receiving complimentary breakfast every day of the week,” said Ed French, senior vice president, Marriott Rewards.
In order to become a Gold Rewards Member, you typically have to stay at a Marriott Hotel over 50 nights. Platinum benefits start at 75 nights.
Source: Marriott Press Release
In the newest results (First Quarter 2009, released May 19, 2009), The American Customer Satisfaction Index is reporting that Hilton Hotels has passed Marriott Hotels in customer satisfaction. The ACSI ranks different types of businesses each quarter in customer satisfaction. This quarter they ranked hotels, airlines, cable television, fast food, and utility companies. The hotel scores come out once per year. You can read the full report on their website.