cook

guest service agent

préposé à l'entretien ménager

front desk agent

room attendant

Marriott International

This job used to be fantastic.
Great benefits, good pay, bonuses and draws+prizes, free or cheap hotel stays, a balanced day.

So many people couldn't handle the work, and have left in the last three+ years I have been with the company. Almost everyone has, at some point, had to take a leave of absense, and it often relates to the stress of the job. Not many people have great attendance, because it honestly is so hard to get up and go to this job. That was all before the last 6 months... its gotten worse.
It is seriously not worth anyone's while to work here, anymore. Reasons:
A) We used to be paid a few dollars over minimum wage, but our wages basically didn't move when minimum wage increased so now alot of people make minimum or just a few cents over.
B) Bonuses might as well be non-existant. They say you have the potential to make like $5 extra an hour, but I am a strong employee with good stats, and I haven't had a single penny of a bonus in 6 months since Marriott systems replaced the Starwood systems. I used to make $200-$600 extra. Now, nothing.
C) Incentives via random draws just don't really happen much now. Marriott took that all away... Starwood sort of sucked to work for, too, but we no longer get points, giveaways are rare and the free food days have decreased. The hotel room employee cost have also spiked since the Marriott system came into play.
D) The call volume has increased: we used to have busy moments. Now, from the time you get there until the time you leave, you are getting overwhelmed with back-to-back calls- there is literally not even 1 second given between calls so that you can destress, catch a break, have a drink of water and reset yourself. Just f'd from the moment yo go until the moment you leave.
E) To make matters worse, the merge has been an absolute mess and so many of my calls are with angry guests. If you like getting cussed out and called names, advance to Elite Services... or even Loyalty Care
F) Were almost into the third month of the year and we still haven't had vacation hours loaded...
G) Advanvement Opportunities all but do not exist. I came to the company thinking I would lile to go toward management, the way that many friends quickly did. But, Marriott took over and no one really advances anymore.
H) They do annual surveys to 'try and make it a better workplace' but they literally took away our ability to leave comments and actually have a say. Just vague multiple choice options. They really don't care about you, because you are replaceable.

The only good things: Benefits (though its like $45 a month now), The staff (most people on the floor with you complain, cause we all get frustrated... but some 
Of the supervisors are really decent people and the HR is very understanding of sick time, etc, and I do think that they try), the schedules are set and you are guaranteed your hours + holidays are optional, and if you work them you do get paid double+stat.

^^These things ARE the reason I have stuck around... it's hard to compete. But honestly, it is the most draining and soul-sucking position I have ever held.

The work was routine and somewhat varied, with lots of guest contact.  We had to stock up on all supplies for our carts in the laundry room on breaks, or before or after work ( if done before or after work, not paid for it, but the expectation was that it was to be done then so as not to lose time on cleaning rooms). We were expected  to only take 30 minutes to clean checkouts, not taking into account that some guests trashed many of them.   We were expected to be available 7 days a week once we got a new head housekeeper, which was not what her predecessor and I had mutually agreed upon. Management would have "employee appreciation" lunches (excellent food from our hotel restaurant), at which our redneck manager would tell us at the beginning if we didn't like working working there, we could get up an leave right now - horribly inappropriate.  We were also control-freaked about using the guest elevator over the service elevator even before or after work. Curiously, this rule was never enforced with any staff that wasn't labor, another "you're the slaves, we're the masters" class-conciousness.  Most of us just ignored management in the interest of saving time. We had to have extremely good reasons for not being at the 5 times per week "training sessions" that we were paid to attend, which were  a half an hour long discussions of something out of our employee rule book.  Most of us felt that they interfered with us getting our rooms done in a timely fashion when we were really busy or understaffed, and after a year you pretty much have the rules down pat. I didn't mind these meetings when we had slower or more manageable days, the assistant manager who gave them was a real people person, and did these meetings really well. There was also a handful of employees that once we got card keys would go to floors that had checkouts before the person who had been assigned those rooms got to them so the tips could be stolen.  My last few months working there, the manager told us that we needed to work more  as a team.  He didn't know just how much we were working as a team - to help each other find other jobs every day!  I did get along well with most of my collegues and the majority of the office staff, despite the rest of the nonsense that went on.  I will say something about their benefit package: once you work their for 3 or more you get very good prescription drug coverage, and from the get go the eyeglass coverage is fantastic.

A typical day at work is very challenging as we are to compete at a very high level with the most sophisticated and highest standards of Starwood properties- a few 100 Starwood of them all over the region where we belong to. It is called EAME and it covers Europe Africa and the M.E.

I have learned a lot from our headquarter of the region that is in Dubai and have been sent on various workshops and training held by Starwood, which has an amazing and very professional program for all of its associates at every level. 

The management is wonderful, both professionally and humanely, they are constantly motivate us and inspire us to make the most of ourselves and not just know the brand but be the brand.

The co-workers are amazing people, a melting pot, a variety of several cultures and regions from all over the world. It is very exciting to be working with associates where each and every one of them has something to add and make the group strong and complete.

The hardest part of the job is to change the mind of the local people of Kurdistan and educate them to learn about western culture and a more open minded life style, so that Sheraton as a brand can fit more into the life style of people in this part of the world.

The most enjoyable part of the job is to give back to society and see the local people smile and teach them. We have participated in various volunteer programs that includes collection for refugees, volunteer cleaning, blood donation, saving animals, charity events and more. We brought a new culture to Kurdistan that made great impact on the lives of many.

Company is a great way to learn basic receptionist skills and enhancement of customer service skills. However I believe further assessment on employee engagement should be focus since employee turnover are a bit high in it. The company has both part-time and full-time workers running the front desk but job delegation can use some organizing.  
For example: front desk associates should be able to perform receptionist jobs only. Anything that's beyond a front desk job should be delegated to another work position unless increase in pay is willing to be given.

Another ethical change that should be made is the pay structure. The pay ranges should match the amount of task delegated to this position. Before the Manitoba minimum wage increased the front desk position was making at least 0.50c above minimum but as soon as the minimum wage went up, they did not bother matching the rates up. It may look like we're getting paid more but in reality we went back down to minimum wage.  but  Majority of the front desk were concern of this act but are unable to verbally say it due to their fear of getting let go. We understand that the management needs time to adjust to the wage change but we are all on the same boat in this society thriving to survive.  We hope that the management can take actions concerning the value they give their employees as employee satisfaction is as important as guest satisfaction. Matching the wage rate and proper job delegation will indeed improve employee satisfaction as well as potentially decrease in employee turnover. This in turn will improve overall company growth as more employees are motivated to work. 





I worked as a Night Auditor for two years at a busy city center hotel with over 200 rooms. Most nights, I was the only staff member on-site—occasionally joined by a housekeeper, but often completely alone. As a woman working overnight shifts, this created serious safety and security concerns that were never properly addressed by management.

As an event-focused hotel, we frequently hosted large gatherings, which meant I was often left to manage intoxicated guests roaming the property after hours—with no dedicated security support. In addition to handling guest safety and front desk operations, I was responsible for nightly financial reporting. Despite the workload, I was paid $18.60/hour. When I transitioned to daytime shifts, I was promised my rate would stay the same—but it was reduced without explanation.

Work-life balance was virtually nonexistent. If something went wrong or I needed time off, it was extremely difficult to find coverage for my shifts. I was told I’d be promoted to a supervisor role, but that opportunity never materialized. Management never actively searched for a replacement, and the promise was quietly dropped. Constant turnover in leadership meant prior commitments were often ignored.

The benefits and occasional workplace culture efforts were appreciated, but they felt like a temporary fix for deeper issues that quick management changes couldn’t solve.

This role taught me a lot, but the experience left me disappointed with the company’s follow-through, support, and long-term accountability.


What is the best part of working at the company?
The managers were always friendly and helpful…we got treated with a nice supper at least once a year…if you get sick, they graciously let you keep working at your own rate…the discounts for hotel rates used to be great for us workers…and are still not too bad…all their hotels are kept up in quality as well as is possible…the Marriott has fantastic hotels everywhere…am grateful  and honored for being able to work for them and then had Covid and had to retire…a wonderful Company…

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Having to try and find an answer to the myriad questions from regular and elite members who called in for help…it would have been nice to have AI backing for the regular level workers to help answer the queries more quickly…the Marriott system of telephone platforms is amazing but needs more AI…telephone customer service is well developed but not the easiest job…physical health does suffer  from the sitting as in every other tel job …the catch 22 here being the need for a very healthy brain diet but much less calories to prevent weight gain…needing a lot of exercise and  movement on off hours…this was the most stressful aspect of my experience…

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work environment was always pleasant, the workers like everywhere else, quite nice and friendly, the culture very nice…the diversity not too bad,  really…

This company was very disheartening to work for. I am a person who only knows how to go above and beyond everyday. This will go unrecognized and unrewarded by upper management. 

My immediate managers on duty were excellent however they were not treated well either. I watched 2 managers I consider friends develop anxiety attacks and mental health issues while I was there. 

The HR director as mentioned in a review below, is in fact very difficult to work with. A HR department is supposed to take issues in the work place and work together with the parties to find a solution. This HR department caused more problems than I saw it solve. I ended up bypassing the department all together and speaking directly yo the hotel manager. It wasn't worth the consequences causes by their departments incompetence.

I worked 6 months over the summer and I worked 6-8 days straight when they were understaffed. They then over hired for the winter and cut my shifts to 4 days a week. They deduct ski pass payments and an increased winter rent from that too. I walked away with 300-400 a fortnight after tax. Not to mention they had myself and my fellow senior agents train these new staff members who'd take our hours. They did not ask if I was comfortable training or offer any pay rise for my extra responsibilities.

If they had treated me better I'd have stayed and applied for permanent residency but the idea of being locked into them for even a season longer...Not even permanent residency is worth that

Overload of work that will be highly scrutinized.  More often than not, you will be reprimanded for the pettiest of mistakes the more so if your ethnicity is of a certain type in which case you can expect continuous disciplinary actions and write ups.
Surprisingly; managerial culture leans to taskmaster style.  Management teams are not people with professional training (in hotel management or business) neither multilingual individuals.  It can be very difficult to explain to them decisions made based on Accounting principles, or market segmentation.  They're not just there neither they are open to listen or learn.  Contributions on how to increase financial performance will be lousily shut down by mgmt, only to have them implemented a few month later as mgmt's own process re-engineering.
The company expects employees to apologize and be subservient to rude and abusive customers; especially those that booked wrong dates, room type, number of guests, etc. 
Zero accountability for lazy people who will not contribute to the daily operation, pointing this out will automatically label you as a problematic individual and a non-team player.
The hardest thing to learn and witness: ethnicity plays a big role in your performance review and advancement.
The most enjoyable part: you meet nice colleagues and there is good camaraderie.

I have worked in this role for over 4 years and although I am a TOP performer I notice that career development is slow and not happening at all; managers here PRETEND to CARE about employee’s development  sucking up to Senior Leaders; making sure that ONLY business goals are met. (Not personal).
The core family values such as 'Putting people First' made me join Marriott.  Being here I have observed that the Management in this office do not encourage development and want you to perform as a 100% smooth oiled-machine with ‘0’ support to grow. High staff turnover has also been the norm here and I have seen at least 100 people come and go.
Moreover, the Management here neglects raising concerns about the the work conditions environment and wellbeing of the employees which may get you in trouble for saying something is wrong and be accused of complaining. This makes you feel as if this is prison – day dreaming for a prison-break.
If you love yourself and I say this with Positivity, find time to develop your career at a company who cherish its people and pushes them to grow and develop.

Typical day at work: 24/7 Non-stop machines wanted with very little maintenance needed. (Robots-low cost)

Hardest part: sacrificing your work-life balance and even when you do you will never be at a place where your job is completely done, leaving you exhausted.

Most enjoyable: travel and meeting new people.

If you are ready to work in hospitality, Marriott has a lot of locations to start somewhere. They are competitive depending on your experience. There are some entry-level positions to work at. Be prepared to have zero work-life balance. 

Otherwise, my time with them was terrifying. Management was almost non-existent since you have to fix every single issues from damages of the places and guests and when you address something is wrong, they’re not gonna help you, at least in my department. I was thrown under the bus by both management and senior employees. My work was never acknowledged and I never felt supported. They lied to me on my interview about the job because once I started, I did different tasks that were not mentioned in the job description as if I applied to another job position. The culture sucks and toxic. I have never worked in a workplace where I felt burntout a lot and had panic attacks. Booking vacation days was almost a problem and same goes to calling in sick even if you cannot move at all.  I can’t speak for other locations and I am specifically talking to the one I worked at. I would go home and cry and feel unmotivated to do my personal tasks and management will contact me and expect me to answer outside my work hours. Also, don’t trust HR. I have addressed so many things that went wrong with management and they didn’t listen. Most upper management are inexperienced and lazy. 

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Cook 8 salaries reported	$23.47 per hour
Guest service agent 5 salaries reported	$21.42 per hour
Préposé à l'entretien ménager 8 salaries reported	$20.60 per hour
Front desk agent 9 salaries reported	$24.15 per hour
Room attendant 6 salaries reported	$23.03 per hour

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