“Last few years” goes from now to peak covid lockdown, so it’s pretty meaningless.

Had awful experiences in: Washington State (all over), Silicon Valley, Tampa Bay, Dallas, and Salt Lake City. Mostly Marriott-owned places FWIW, but I checked and all the surrounding hotels had the same issues. The staff at the hotels were nice and they were doing their best, but they were hilariously understaffed.

I stayed in a few non-Marriott hotels in northern Japan and didn't have any trouble there beyond the normal Japanese hotel badness (they're clean, but insanely cramped, expensive, and uncomfortable)

Sounds like an easy ask for a room upgrade or did they just not care?

What do you mean? I should call them and ask to upgrade my room?

Well, that's a good idea, but... What's the point? They don't have any rooms that are clean or sections of the hotel that are well-staffed

But at least you get a more luxurious dusty room?

Haha, that's a good point. Plus it might trigger someone's KPI dashboard or something. I'll call and complain next time around