Pros

Marriott is a truly great place to start out. They have large properties that look great on resumes. Especially for engineering department personnel, the large facilities show future employers that you can do it all. They have the latest building automation and they also have extensive climate control to make guests comfortable. The automated Mintek system for preventive maintenance is used to give you an idea when work is needed on equipment. If you want a large property that has you doing it all from HVAC/plumbing/electrical/masonry/doors/windows/locksmithing/painting/furniture repair then this is the place. You really have to know it all to survive here.

Cons

If you work for the engineering department though, you will be going somewhere else. It's great to get a large property on your resume to show to future employers but not to stay long term. They fail to recognize that engineering staff are not unique to hospitality and compensate you like other hotel-specific departments. Their own corporate philosophy says that when recruiting senior management, that they accept people from all backgrounds and thus must pay competitive with other corporations management pay scales. Why is this not extended to engineering? Engineers work in every type of building, they surely want you to have every certification and then they want to pay you like a front desk clerk? Best bet: Get your certifications and then run like hell!!

Advice to Senior Management

The way engineering is compensated like front desk people may be the reason so many departments have chosen to unionize. Engineering represents the skilled trades, it takes a lifetime to master these skills. Compensate accordingly.