I'm a frequent business traveller with elite status across most major business hotel chains. Marriott is my preference, and of all Marriott properties I've ever stayed at (I'm a Gold Elite member at present) this one is the most wonderful. We ended up here because we were appalled by the Marriott Courtyard downtown when we arrived, so we jumped in a cab and headed here. Boy, we couldn't have been happier about that decision. $60 cheaper a night and worth three times more.
First, the renovations of the rooms are now complete, so the previous reviewer's issue with renovations should be history. And as this is a family-owned Marriott (ie not a franchise) the renovation has spared no expense or attention to detail. In short, the rooms are utterly gorgeous. And beds that put the normal (yet wonderful) Marriott Revive bedding package to shame - it was like sleeping on air. Very modern selection for colour scheme and the rooms were completely quiet - I didn't hear a single sound despite the property being at almost full occupancy.
The concierge lounge is not yet renovated (although the plans look spectacular!), so they were offering free buffet breakfast to Gold Elite members in the restaurant instead. The buffet was not amongst the more lavish of the Marriott spreads, but it was still very nice with fresh omelettes made to order and a decent selection of accompaniments - bacon, sausage, potatoes, fruit, baked goods, cereal....and of course the always present JW Marriott oatmeal!
The location is not downtown - it's about a $25-30 cab ride into the city. But it's directly across the street from a very large shopping mall (South Park Mall) with department and specialty stores ranging from high end (Neiman Marcus, Louis Vuitton) through to the normal mall fare (Dillards, Macy's, Gap, Brookstone). There's also a Rite Aid within five minutes' walking distance, so I felt the location catered particularly well for visitors both with and without cars.
The staff and service - without exception (and we dealt with almost all of them during the four days of our stay) were second-to-none, and that's saying something for Marriott, where the standard is generally quite high. My colleague and I both commented that we'd never felt more welcome or "at home" at any hotel, and we travel more than 120 nights a year around the world. We will be coming to Charlotte on a reasonably regular basis and cannot wait to return to this hotel.
One word of caution: The restaurant and concierge lounge are being renovated between now and the end of the year, so if this is an issue for you, defer your stay until January 2009. But personally it wouldn't cause me a moment's hesitation - this place is pure gold. Enjoy!
