Mayflower - Lounge Access?

[hangloose]

We are off to the Mayflower in Wash DC soon, using MVCI Points for our reservation.

It's been a little while since our last visit, but I recall last time that we were given Lounge access as a Bonvoy Titanium member for some breakfast and/or drinks. Is the Lounge open? If so, is it still the case that they provide access for Bonvoy Titanium members staying through an MVCI Pts reservation?

Thanks!

 

[Fasttr]

No, they no longer do this for MVC stays.

That said, bang a right out of the hotel and walk a couple blocks to the Tatte Bakery & Cafe for breakfast. You won’t be disappointed.

 

[Vacation1]

Was there in early December - the lounge was closed and no accomodations for free breakfast at Edgar's. That being said, we agreed to do a zoom presentation when we returned home so they gave us $250 in credits that could be used at Edgar's and a couple of other restaurants in the area. The Tatte Bakery & Cafe is excellent....

 

[dioxide45]

No, they no longer do this for MVC stays.

So this property is a split between a Marriott hotel and MVC units? Is the property managed by Marriott International and thus the people checking you in are either employees of the hotel or Marriott International employees and not employees of Marriott Vacation Club? I suspect early on they treated all the guests the same and thus many MVC timeshare guests got lounge access and breakfast ammentity? The problem is I suspect those costs were coming out of the hotel budget and not from the MVC side of the house?

 

[jmhpsu93]

So this property is a split between a Marriott hotel and MVC units? Is the property managed by Marriott International and thus the people checking you in are either employees of the hotel or Marriott International employees and not employees of Marriott Vacation Club? I suspect early on they treated all the guests the same and thus many MVC timeshare guests got lounge access and breakfast ammentity? The problem is I suspect those costs were coming out of the hotel budget and not from the MVC side of the house?

You are correct - you check in at the hotel front desk. There are a couple of floors (or maybe just one?) that are converted to TS units (no kitchens...just studios and two kinds of 1 BR suites). There is a concierge desk off the elevator on the MVC floor but you don't check in there. They also book the TS presentations.

We've stayed there three times and have received lounge access twice and breakfast the other time, but it's been over a year now since the last time we were there.

 

[Superchief]

The last review I read on Flyertalk for this property in December indicated that the lounge was still closed. I hope it opens again prior to our next visit, but friends of ours recommended staying out of DC for a while due to random crime. We typically take the train to Union Station and we've read that most businesses there have closed.

 

[hangloose]

Thanks everyone. I’ll report back after our stay.

 

[Fi2]

Our family stayed at the Mayflower in Aug, Sept and Nov 2022, on both the sole MVC Pulse floor, and in Autograph rooms. The lounge was closed each time, but we were granted ($54?) credit towards breakfast or weekend brunch at Edgar’s, for two, based on our Titanium status, every morning following Autograph stays.

The Mayflower also honored 4pm late checkout times for the Autograph rooms, so while we didn’t prefer to change rooms, we inevitably chose to by the last night of each stay, as we appreciated not having to rush out the last morning — there’s just so much to see and do in DC!

Note, if you track bonvoy room nights: While Autograph room nights were credited automatically, we had to apply for missing night credit for our Pulse night stays after each of our three visits.

 

[winger]

You are correct - you check in at the hotel front desk. There are a couple of floors (or maybe just one?) that are converted to TS units (no kitchens...just studios and two kinds of 1 BR suites). There is a concierge desk off the elevator on the MVC floor but you don't check in there. They also book the TS presentations.

We've stayed there three times and have received lounge access twice and breakfast the other time, but it's been over a year now since the last time we were there.

What's the difference between the TS studio and a standard hotel room there? And what's a TS without a kitchen

 

[jmhpsu93]

What's the difference between the TS studio and a standard hotel room there? And what's a TS without a kitchen

No idea on the studio vs. hotel room as I've never stayed in the hotel portion.

As for the TS w/o kitchen...it's like most hotel rooms that are 1 BR suites...there's a living area with a separate bedroom, but there's not a kitchen or dining area. One of the junior suites we stayed had a little alcove that was like a butler's pantry with a sink and a mini-fridge that could have easily been coverted with a small cooktop and upper cabinets, but I'm guessing that would require ventilation retrofit. The Excecutive Suite didn't have this and was a little smaller, but had 2 bathrooms.

ETA: hoping you weren't asking that question as in "dang, that's stupid to have a timeshare without a kitchen" vs. "I've never been in a TS without a kitchen, how does that work?"

 

[jeff76543]

Note, if you track bonvoy room nights: While Autograph room nights were credited automatically, we had to apply for missing night credit for our Pulse night stays after each of our three visits.

I've had the same problem with Pulse stays not being automatically credited in my Bonvoy account.

 

[ljmiii]

What's the difference between the TS studio and a standard hotel room there?

Basically nothing...if you book the MVC Pulse you will be on the 7th floor. It's a classic Grande Dame hotel so many of the rooms have unique floorplans (on every floor).

Once upon a time there was a beverage station on 7 next to the MVC rep who functioned as a sort of salesman and sort of concierge. But that disappeared with COVID and has to my knowledge not returned. Also, the hotel has complementary coffee and tea in the morning in the lobby.

 

[Fasttr]

Also, the hotel has complementary coffee and tea in the morning in the lobby.

When we were there.... they also had complimentary danish or croissants (in sealed bags...so you know the quality is high) to go with the free coffee/tea. Like I said a few post above, turn right out of the hotel, walk a couple blocks and get a real breakfast pastry at Tatte Bakery.

 

[Vacation1]

The last review I read on Flyertalk for this property in December indicated that the lounge was still closed. I hope it opens again prior to our next visit, but friends of ours recommended staying out of DC for a while due to random crime. We typically take the train to Union Station and we've read that most businesses there have closed.

It was closed in December when we were there. We took the train to Union Station. Didn't hang out there - took a cab to the Mayflower. Walked around the city a lot during the day and on two evenings. One night by the White House and one night up by Dupont Circle. We experienced no crime and never felt unsafe. We were usually back at the Mayflower by 10 PM or so except for the night we caught a show at the Kennedy Center. From there we took an Uber back to the hotel. Highly recommend the Mayflower - we plan on returning.

 

[Fasttr]

It was closed in December when we were there. We took the train to Union Station. Didn't hang out there - took a cab to the Mayflower. Walked around the city a lot during the day and on two evenings. One night by the White House and one night up by Dupont Circle. We experienced no crime and never felt unsafe. We were usually back at the Mayflower by 10 PM or so except for the night we caught a show at the Kennedy Center. From there we took an Uber back to the hotel. Highly recommend the Mayflower - we plan on returning.

We were there last spring for the cherry blossoms and I agree....we walked all over (White House, Capital building, Mall monuments/museums, Arlington Cemetery, National Zoo, National Cathedral, various restaurants, etc) and never felt unsafe.

 

[winger]

No idea on the studio vs. hotel room as I've never stayed in the hotel portion.

As for the TS w/o kitchen...it's like most hotel rooms that are 1 BR suites...there's a living area with a separate bedroom, but there's not a kitchen or dining area. One of the junior suites we stayed had a little alcove that was like a butler's pantry with a sink and a mini-fridge that could have easily been coverted with a small cooktop and upper cabinets, but I'm guessing that would require ventilation retrofit. The Excecutive Suite didn't have this and was a little smaller, but had 2 bathrooms.

ETA: hoping you weren't asking that question as in "dang, that's stupid to have a timeshare without a kitchen" vs. "I've never been in a TS without a kitchen, how does that work?"

Lol both, TS withOUT a kitchen??? And do want to know the difference btwn the TS Studio and hotel guestroom at the Mayflower because it's on our list of potential DC stays for our next visit there

 

[frank808]

In Jan of 2021 it was very safe walking around DC. Almost every intersection there was DC Police, Metro Police, Secret Service or National Guardsman. I would have felt safe sleeping on the sidewalk with my wallet in my hand. Would not have to worry about anyone trying to steal something with all the law enforcement around.

 

[jwalk03]

In Jan of 2021 it was very safe walking around DC. Almost every intersection there was DC Police, Metro Police, Secret Service or National Guardsman. I would have felt safe sleeping on the sidewalk with my wallet in my hand. Would not have to worry about anyone trying to steal something with all the law enforcement around.

Yet they couldn’t prevent an unarmed mob from over taking the Capitol?! Lol

 

[daviator]

Lol both, TS withOUT a kitchen??? And do want to know the difference btwn the TS Studio and hotel guestroom at the Mayflower because it's on our list of potential DC stays for our next visit there

I’m not aware that MVC ever refers to a “studio” at the Mayflower. They call the standard timeshare rooms “hotel room” and also have the suite and executive suite. I presume that the MVC “hotel rooms” are essentially the same as those the hotel floors.

I recently made a booking at the Mayflower Pulse, and I had the same question as you. I tried to compare the room layout diagrams on the timeshare (MVC) site and the hotel (Marriott) site. The layouts are different and so it’s really hard to know if the rooms are the same size or not. As someone else noted, hotels of this era often have a mishmash of rooms with similar features but different layouts and slightly different sizes. So after wasting a couple of hours trying to figure this out, the best conclusion I could come to is that the hotel rooms and the MVC “hotel rooms” are similar. Maybe someone has stayed in both and can comment. When we are there in March, I will try to remember to ask.

When they converted the top floors to MVC Pulse, I don’t believe there was any extensive downtime for construction or renovation, which further suggests that the rooms wouldn’t be significantly different in size or layout from those below.

 

[frank808]

Yet they couldn’t prevent an unarmed mob from over taking the Capitol?! Lol

This was about Jan 14 so about a week after the mob and hence the heavy law enforcement.

We walked to Union Station and mentioned to my wife, If we were tourists from China, it would feel like home and definitely not think this nation was a democratic nation. Right across union station, there was 10 feet high fencing plus humvees and checkpoints with soldiers carrying weapons encircling our US Capitol. Made another comment that this was the worst impression for a tourist to see about the freedom the USA encompasses. Luckily international travel had still not fully recovered at this point in time from Covid.

 

[hangloose]

No Bonvoy benefits for MVCI stays. There is now a sign indicating the same, right in front of the 7th floor elevators. All MVCI rooms are located on the 7th floor. Hotel lounge is also still closed.

First stay in the King Suite, as last time we were in a normal Guest room with double beds. The King Suite was nice, larger, two rooms (bedroom and living area). Small nook area with mini fridge, coffee and sink. No dishes, microwave, etc. We did have a corner room. No real ‘views’ per say, but nice to have more windows. Rooms in general were spacious.

Overall, another great stay at the Mayflower. We will be happy to return again.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[frank808]

Loved having the access to the concierge lounge when staying at Mayflower in years past.

Have been staying at the District since HGVC opened up their timeshare for the past few years. It is about a block over from the Mayflower. Because we own at the District, we get access to owners lounges on all our stays regardless if it is booked with points or exchanges. Since it is an Embassy suites you get access to the breakfast and Happy hour drinks and access to thr owners lounge for snacks. Pre covid there was a continental breakfast and evening wines in the owners lounge. I do not know if by Hilton Club has brought that back recently.

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[DannyMc]

No Bonvoy benefits for MVCI stays. There is now a sign indicating the same, right in front of the 7th floor elevators. All MVCI rooms are located on the 7th floor. Hotel lounge is also still closed.

First stay in the King Suite, as last time we were in a normal Guest room with double beds. The King Suite was nice, larger, two rooms (bedroom and living area). Small nook area with mini fridge, coffee and sink. No dishes, microwave, etc. We did have a corner room. No real ‘views’ per say, but nice to have more windows. Rooms in general were spacious.

Overall, another great stay at the Mayflower. We will be happy to return again.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I prefer the Junior Suite. It has a separate living room with a dining table, small refrigerator, and a sofa with pullout bed. It also has two full bathrooms; the real plus.

 

[hangloose]

I prefer the Junior Suite. It has a separate living room with a dining table, small refrigerator, and a sofa with pullout bed. It also has two full bathrooms; the real plus.

Ours was the Executive Suite - King. It did have a separate living room, with large pull-out sofa bed, two chairs, desk, small drink table, faux fireplace and a nook (small fridge, sink). Only 1 bedroom, at the end of a hallway connecting the main bedroom and living area. I thought it was nice. But, a second bathroom and/or small dining table would have been a nice addition. I’ll try the Junior Executive Suite next time. Appears to be the same amount of points.

 

[Fasttr]

Ours was the Executive Suite - King. It did have a separate living room, with large pull-out sofa bed, two chairs, desk, small drink table, faux fireplace and a nook (small fridge, sink). Only 1 bedroom, at the end of a hallway connecting the main bedroom and living area. I thought it was nice. But, a second bedroom and/or small dining table would have been a nice addition. I’ll try the Junior Executive Suite next time. Appears to be the same amount of points.

We last stayed in the Junior Suite and the second full bathroom is nice when getting ready in the morning and/or for dinner. And the dining room table is full size, larger than in most MVC 2BRs. I would definitely target that setup again.