[chester5]

Just a couple of Marriott questions that we thought of.

1. We are considering bringing down some travelers checks. Can we exchange these for US dollars at the Marritt? Or, will they only exchange for Guatemalan currency?

2. What kind of fee does the Marriott charge to exchange? (Not, what is the exchange rate, but what fee do they charge to exchange money?)

3. Laundry - do they only have laundry service where they do the laundry for a fee, or is there a washer/dryer there?

4. Iron and ironing boards - are there any at the front desk to be used? I've read that they are not in the rooms.

Thanks!

[mattecook]

Okay it has been a year since I have been there but I would hesitate against using travelers checks. It is much easier to use your credit card or just plain cash. There is an ATM machine in the lobby that you can get either quetzels or dollars from. If you choose to use your credit cards make sure you call your credit card company and tell them you are going to Guatemala and if you don't have a pin number get one so you can use your credit card as a ATM card.

Both times we have been there we have used ironing boards that were in the room. And for laundry service I think they collect it and do it. IF I remember correctly there are no machines where you can do your own laundry

Ami

[beverlyanderic]

be careful about using a credit card as an ATM card. be sure you're not taking cash advances- talk about bad rate!

also, check with your bank to be sure your ATM card will work overseas- some don't.

[ez4me2remember]

I heard travelers checks are a bad idea. Even banks sometimes wont accept them. I don't think the Marriott does either. The atm worked fine for our ATM cards. I also brought a lot of cash which I didn't like to do....but just incase the ATM didn't work we were okay. I hid money all over my body. My bra was padded with $$$$.

[jules17]

we travel a lot and haven't used traveler's checks for at least 5 years...they are too much trouble anymore! we charged most things to our room and brought cash for other things. we "stash" it in small amounts on us...in our shoe, in our money belt, etc. so if we got mugged, they wouldn't get much. just make sure you keep singles handy for tipping for bags, etc.

we used their laundry service...it was reasonably priced. i don't think they have a washer/dryer??

[gibbs7263]

KRIS, I am hijacking your thread........ Does anyone know what rooms at the Marriott have couchs/or a sitting area in the room?

[Wonk]

I support what everyone else said. Don't bring travelers checks. Bring your cash card and just hit the cash machines for whatever you need.

[nattyloo]

I did not scroll down to read the responses so far so I hope I am not jus repeating what everyone else has said.

I have no answers for one and two because we never exchanged money. American dollars were taken by everyone.

They do have a for fee laundry service. We did not use it but the bags and form were in our closet. There was also an iron and ironing board in our closet. We had a concierge room so I am not sure if that is why...

HTH!

[dgens]

We just made our pick-up trip and this time did not exchange for their currency - just used American dollars and we never had a problem...stores, restaurants, taxis.
We charged everything to our CC that we could - took about $50 in $1 for tips, etc. and really didn't need much extra cash - had it in case, but even at the Embassy they took our credit card.
Our room had an iron/ironing board in it at the Marriott.
HAVE FUN!

[PackGirl]

If you need to do laundry while you are there, you can have a massive amout of laundry done at a laundromat for around US $10.

It is a quick 5 min cab ride from the Marriott and they wash,dry, and fold your clothes for you usually with a few hour turn around time.

Since there has usually been 4 or 5 of us (2 or 3 babies) we have used the laundromat quite a bit.

pm me if you would like the info....or just ask at the front desk.

hth

[PorkChop]

We had ordered some Guatemalan currency from AAA before we left, and we took about an equal amount in US dollars. Then in case of an emergency, we also got a AAA visa/debit card that had several hundred dollars on it. Well, it seems I did such a good job of hiding money in various bags and clothing items, that I couldn't find an envelope with 700Q in it. So I tried to use the AAA visa/debit card in the ATM and it wouldn't work!! I was just about to panic and told the guy at the front desk that my ATM card wouldn't work and could I use it for cash there. He couldn't get it to work, either, but he did give me $500 cash, charged it to my room, and then I paid the room bill with a credit card before we left. I was not charged for a cash advance on my credit card since it was part of the hotel bill. And then while packing up to go home, I found the money I had lost, and did some last minute shopping at the airport!

[mommytoEli]

i used the laundry service to wash eli's clothes and 1 pair of my pants...the pants were a couple bucks, and baby laundry was a dollar per item

as far as money...our atm did NOT work there, anywhere in GUat.....come to find out, our particular bank was experiencing overseas fraud issues...esp in Guat and so they blocked them! yikes! thank God we had some money with us...the next 2 times we didn't even take our atm card, just cash...hidden all over and a credit card!