We have reservations for April for 5 (3 kids)at the Marriott Marquis - but I am getting nervous after reading posts that beds requests aren't always honored. Do you think it's unreasonable to expect 2 double beds (as requested, but not guarenteed) if we check in around 3:00p.m. on a Saturday?

There's not much you can do, besides calling 24 hours in advance to politely reinforce your request. At most hotels, these reservation requests are considered "preferences," not firm commitments.

I've always found that when I book online with a marriott, the confirmation comes back saying : 2 double beds guaranteed", and the non-smoking request is not guaranteed.I have 2 reservations with Marriott now, and that is what the confirmation says, so I wouldn't worry about getting 1 bed.Especially if checking in early.

I'll agree with jd. They may honor requests like smoking/non smoking based upon availability, but your reservation should show the number of people, and if you have a reservation for 5 people and it says two double beds (or two queeens) they will certainly honor that. This is different from booking through someone like Priceline where there is no such guarantee.

I have stayed at the Marriott Marquis several times. If you can't get two beds ask for a room that ends in 24. This is a corner room with a king size bed and a pull out full size sleeper sofa. I always ask for room 2024. (I don't know if you would be able get a roll away for this room.) The people at the reception desk are very professional and helpful. Call the hotel directly the day before, put in your request, and get the name of the person to whom you speak. Good luck.

Thank you all so much for the help! I will take your excellent advice and call the day before and respectfully request as suggested. Now I can rest easier!

When you reserved the room, did you tell them it was for five people? That would certainly be a key to what accommodations you would get!

Yes Howard, we reserved the room for 5, and our confirmation states that, but when we called to confirm directly with the hotel, they said it was noted for 2 full beds, but it wasn't ever "guarenteed". I hope it works out!

I've stayed at the Marriott Marquis many times. In my experience, it's harder to get a room with a king bed than 2 doubles. They are very professional & helpful there, so if you call a day ahead and reiterate your needs I really don't think you'll have any problem.

Since you made the reservation for five, then I can't how they can accommodate you unless there are two double beds in the room! That's why I asked.
Common sense tells me that if there was going to be any problem, they would have told you at the outset when you made the reservation.

We stayed here with our daughter and had a suite, which was perfect as we had privacy and lots of room. We had the bedroom (I think it was a queen size bed, not sure) and in the other room the couch went into a double bed at night. I don't think it was that much extra (costwise). Would be worth calling them and checking it out.

By the way--it's a great place to stay with kids--the elevators are lots of fun (for me too) and you're right on Times Square. I would however also request a Hudson River view, as while the Times Square view is fun, the noise never stops.

Thank you all for the help - and thanks for the "view" suggestion!