Marriott coming to downtown finally

[heights unknown]

^ Yes, very true.  I often think LaVilla would be the arts hub of Jacksonville now had so much of it not been razed.  I have Adrian Pickett's "Harlem of the South" print on my wall by my desk and it reminds me of this every day.  So does every time I see what Deep Ellum in Dallas, Sweet Auburn in Atlanta, etc. have become, and LaVilla has greater historical significance than either of them.

Plus those Atlantic terminals.  What a wonderful public market that could have become! 

80s and early 90s Jacksonville unfortunately treated LaVilla as a scary place worthy of destruction.  Somewhere I have a downtown attractions guide from that era that lists the old Irene Perfume factory tour in LaVilla as an attraction, followed by a lengthy "lock your doors and travel with a buddy!" screed that would deter any visitor.

Yeah, case in point, look what happened to Springfield? I remember in the 80's, and into the 90's, Springfield was the arm pit of the Northside and Jacksonville; there were drugs, prostitution, sleazy hole in the wall red neck taverns (that I would frequent), and it was just horrible. But most of those old homes and businesses have been turned into diamonds now, and almost the whole neighborhood has turned for the better and changed compared to those days. As a younger man, Springfield was my stomping grounds, and I had a lot of friends who lived there, but I knew it was THE butt hole of Jax. More could have been done to and for LaVilla; but someone, or some people viewed that area in a whole different light than Springfield. Can't help but think that there was an air of racism that played into those decisions; and no, I am not racist at all. However, as a black man, I can't help but remember that Springfield, though the arm pit of Jax back then, was predominantly white and red neck; LaVilla on the other hand was predominantly black. So compare those eggs and put them in a basket and see if there's any comparison or equality. Again, not racist, but I've often thought in that vain regarding this type subject; I could be wrong, and hope that I am.

[thelakelander]

There was racism involved in the repeated urban renewal attempts of LaVilla. No doubt about it.

[bl8jaxnative]

Hotels like this change brands all the time.  This thing is 100% #MEH.

I'd normally agree but it's significant that the Marriott name - the #1 brand in hotels, is downtown for the first time in....maybe ever?

Sort of sad to finally hit that milestone but you have to crawl.

This is Marriot's low end brand.  This brand's expansion has been hotels that are 30, 40, 60 years old with nothing to offer.  Marriot's grown like a weed, taken on a debt and they have to push into the low end of the market.  There isn't much room for growth elsewhere.

Curb appeal is huge for branding.  That the Delta brand would accept The Lexington says a lot about it's lack of standards.  The Lexington looks like shit.

It's allowed some dilapidated class F office space to sit on site just to eek out a few more bucks.  When you pull up to the place half of what you see are minivans for some business.  ON the other  side a hodge podge of moving trucks, party buses and 20 year old pink limos.  Any chain with decent standards wouldn't allow that short of amateur hour crap.


And it's not just this one. Delta's MO since Marriot bought them is to hook up with these weezy ol' properties.   It's Marriott's way of squeezing out some  more revenue from what their existing setup ( marketing, loyalty programs, reservation system, etc ) while keeping the riff raff at arms length from their higher end brands.

Marriot's been on a growth spurt the last few years.   They've gotta a lot of debt to pay off.   

[Steve]

Hotels like this change brands all the time.  This thing is 100% #MEH.

I'd normally agree but it's significant that the Marriott name - the #1 brand in hotels, is downtown for the first time in....maybe ever?

Sort of sad to finally hit that milestone but you have to crawl.

This is Marriot's low end brand.  This brand's expansion has been hotels that are 30, 40, 60 years old with nothing to offer.  Marriot's grown like a weed, taken on a debt and they have to push into the low end of the market.  There isn't much room for growth elsewhere.

Curb appeal is huge for branding.  That the Delta brand would accept The Lexington says a lot about it's lack of standards.  The Lexington looks like shit.

It's allowed some dilapidated class F office space to sit on site just to eek out a few more bucks.  When you pull up to the place half of what you see are minivans for some business.  ON the other  side a hodge podge of moving trucks, party buses and 20 year old pink limos.  Any chain with decent standards wouldn't allow that short of amateur hour crap.


And it's not just this one. Delta's MO since Marriot bought them is to hook up with these weezy ol' properties.   It's Marriott's way of squeezing out some  more revenue from what their existing setup ( marketing, loyalty programs, reservation system, etc ) while keeping the riff raff at arms length from their higher end brands.

Marriot's been on a growth spurt the last few years.   They've gotta a lot of debt to pay off.   

Some of what you say I agree with. Some I don't. Not worth debating as they have additional renovations planned to the building. The exterior is pretty ugly and that won't change, but I've stayed at plenty of ugly Marriott's before.

There's also nothing wrong with a lower end property. I mean, take lower end with some context as it's supposed to be a lower end "full service hotel" (meaning full food and beverage onsite for those not used to hotel lingo). Personally, I think it's a market that could have some legs.

The bottom line is this: If someone goes to Marriott.com and searches in downtown Jacksonville, they will no longer be shown, "Sorry, try again"

[thelakelander]

The bottom line is this: If someone goes to Marriott.com and searches in downtown Jacksonville, they will no longer be shown, "Sorry, try again"

Bingo! As a long time Marriott customer that travels for work on a regular basis, this is very important. Also, I'm one that will go for some of the lower end brands, just because I don't value the price difference of what comes with many of the higher ends. I'd only do a Marriott or above if they are affiliated with a conference or if a Springhill Suites, Courtyard, Aloft, Residence Inn, AC Hotels, etc. aren't a viable alternative option. However, I try to avoid Townplace Suites altogether and look at Fairfield Inn's individually, depending on the age and location.

[jaxlongtimer]

The bottom line is this: If someone goes to Marriott.com and searches in downtown Jacksonville, they will no longer be shown, "Sorry, try again"

Bingo! As a long time Marriott customer that travels for work on a regular basis, this is very important. Also, I'm one that will go for some of the lower end brands, just because I don't value the price difference of what comes with many of the higher ends. I'd only do a Marriott or above if they are affiliated with a conference or if a Springhill Suites, Courtyard, Aloft, Residence Inn, AC Hotels, etc. aren't a viable alternative option. However, I try to avoid Townplace Suites altogether and look at Fairfield Inn's individually, depending on the age and location.

Lake, no Marriott's Ritz Carlton, JW Marriott, W, Westin, etc?  LOL.  Those are nice hotels but rarely worth the price unless you can get a "deal" which they sometimes have in off seasons or days.  Stayed at a Springhill Suites once and found out the rooms were not true suites (only a half height wall between the bedroom and seating area).  Never stayed at one again.

For hotels, I favor Hilton's Hampton Inns as a best "value."  On vacations, we have moved to VRBO/Home Away or AirBnB if its for 5 days or more.  Much better accommodations, locations and lower prices than hotels if you take the time to research the offerings (e.g. reviews on Trip Advisor).

[bl8jaxnative]

Some of what you say I agree with. Some I don't. Not worth debating as they have additional renovations planned to the building. The exterior is pretty ugly and that won't change, but I've stayed at plenty of ugly Marriott's before.

I can appreciate that.   Always good to hear what others are thinking.

The bottom line is this: If someone goes to Marriott.com and searches in downtown Jacksonville, they will no longer be shown, "Sorry, try again"

What you're referring to is not a thing.  It doesn't work like that. 

Hotels are in the business of selling rooms.  They're going to show you what they have, even if they don't have anything downtown.  Unless the user takes actions and  narrows the search down, they will see everything in the area. 

But ya, for those sticking to a brand that may help bring them downtown.   Those little things may help out some of the places in the area.   I guess I just don't see that being much of a difference.  IMHO the thing to get excited over would be something new getting built.   Maybe I'm just a wee bit too biased against anyplace that Spirit Airlines would be overnighting their crews in? 

[fieldafm]

But ya, for those sticking to a brand that may help bring them downtown.   Those little things may help out some of the places in the area.   I guess I just don't see that being much of a difference. 

Considering its a full service hotel, which tend to cater towards business travelers, brand is in fact a major factor.  Most major companies tie their business trips to specific hotel brands.  Just because its not a big factor to you, does not mean that it isn't a big factor to a large segment of the travel industry- business travelers and leisure travelers that are tied into loyalty programs.

No one is arguing about what a great hotel it is... its a cheap, bottom-barrel full service hotel. The fact that it is now under a Marriot franchise though, is not a minor detail in terms of the ability to bring more people Downtown.

[Steve]

The bottom line is this: If someone goes to Marriott.com and searches in downtown Jacksonville, they will no longer be shown, "Sorry, try again"

What you're referring to is not a thing.  It doesn't work like that. 

Hotels are in the business of selling rooms.  They're going to show you what they have, even if they don't have anything downtown.  Unless the user takes actions and  narrows the search down, they will see everything in the area. 

But ya, for those sticking to a brand that may help bring them downtown.   Those little things may help out some of the places in the area.   I guess I just don't see that being much of a difference.  IMHO the thing to get excited over would be something new getting built.   Maybe I'm just a wee bit too biased against anyplace that Spirit Airlines would be overnighting their crews in? 

It absolutely works like that for many people, especially frequent travelers (loyalty programs)

Prior to this year's events, I averaged between 40-80 nights a year away from the house. That's more than the average person, but pales in comparison to others. For that level of travel, in order to earn meaningful status I need to stick with one company. Unless I had absolutely no practical choice, I'd always fly Delta, stay with Marriott, and (if I had to rent a car) rent from National (I try to Uber but for some trips it's not practical). To be clear - Hilton is an excellent hotel chain and there are certainly other good airlines. But for reasons that work best for me I picked who I picked Two main reasons:

1. The points. Being away from home sucks when you have a wife and two young kids at home. The make-up for that is being able to use points to travel with my family personally. If I split between hotel brands/airlines/etc., it doesn't give me a meaningful amount of points with any one company (yes, I have some of my earning going to AmEx Points, but there's pros and cons - for another day)
2. The status. It's not just so I can get a bigger room or a First Class upgrade (though I don't turn those things down). It's when the unexpected happens with a trip. Say a flight is cancelled/significantly delayed - elite members get preferential treatment during these times in ways such as agents in the SkyClub that can help an itinerary to get me home as soon as possible, plus elite members are higher on the standby list if I want to take an earlier flight.

Best example of this (soapbox moment): I had quick trip to San Francisco and my JAX-ATL flight was significantly delayed due to weather in JAX causing me to misconnect in ATL. All of the flights for the rest of the day were booked solid, and if I didn't get there that night (even if it was late), it would be a "Trip in Vain" (actual airline term BTW). The agent looked at one of the flights that hadn't left yet and went person by person on the plane to see their situation. She found a person that was guaranteed to miss their flight anyway (system hadn't rebooked them yet). She rebooked that person proactively, and gave me the person's previous seat. I estimate she spent 25-30 minutes straight on my issue trying to get me taken care of.

For infrequent/leisure travelers I agree it matters much less - I'd likely do the same thing and book cheapest fare/least number of connections. But frequent business travelers do have their loyalty. Given that Downtown Jacksonville isn't exactly hopping with tourists and leisure travelers, it's going to primarily cater to business travelers and groups/events.

[Steve]

But ya, for those sticking to a brand that may help bring them downtown.   Those little things may help out some of the places in the area.   I guess I just don't see that being much of a difference. 

Considering its a full service hotel, which tend to cater towards business travelers, brand is in fact a major factor.  Most major companies tie their business trips to specific hotel brands.  Just because its not a big factor to you, does not mean that it isn't a big factor to a large segment of the travel industry- business travelers and leisure travelers that are tied into loyalty programs.

No one is arguing about what a great hotel it is... its a cheap, bottom-barrel full service hotel. The fact that it is now under a Marriot franchise though, is not a minor detail in terms of the ability to bring more people Downtown.

This. I just spent WAY more words saying the same thing.