[ww520]

I notice it every time when the benefit of booking 3rd party is questioned.

[lotsofpulp]

Having to walk a guest when the hotel cannot meet the terms of the reservation is part of the contract between the big hotel brands and franchisors. If the hotel operators do not fulfill the walk policy, then you should contact the 800 number for Marriott/Hilton/IHG/Choice/Wyndham/etc and they will mail you a check for your expenses and bill the hotel owner.

[afavour]

This thread started about “boutique hotels” and now we’re talking about franchisees of major national chains. They’re not the same. Plenty of tiny unfranchised operations can you leave you hanging with little to no recourse.

[PaulHoule]

I've heard "boutique hotel" applied to places like Aloft that are owned by big chains.

[nibbleshifter]

This threads discussing small hotels ("boutique"), not the large chains.

Most of the larger chains even have benefits if you go direct though.