One very heated debate has been bubbling in the U.S. for more than 130 years. No, it’s not the question of over or under for the toilet paper roll , but it is equally contentious and can divide families, especially at the dinner table: Which is the superior beverage, Coke or Pepsi? I experience this argument in my own home between my husband and son, who think everything is “better with Pepsi,” and me and my daughter, who prefer a “Coke and a smile.”
The dispute periodically spills over into the corporate world too, most recently with retail giant Costco making the switch from Pepsi to Coke in its food court. And now, there’s big news from a major hotel chain as soda loyalties continue their constant shift. Marriott is the latest big name to switch sides.
Read on to find out which soft drinks you can enjoy on your next stay at a Marriott property, along with the beverages of choice at other major hotels.
Get Reader’s Digest ’s Read Up newsletter for more travel, cleaning, humor, tech and fun facts all week long.
What’s the big change at Marriott?
After nearly 35 years of serving Pepsi, Marriott will begin offering Coke products at its properties starting this summer. This is a super-sized deal , affecting Marriott’s 1.78 million hotel rooms across 10,000 properties in 145 countries around the globe.
How long did Marriott serve Pepsi products?
Marriott has been serving Pepsi products since 1991. At the time, it had been offering guests Coke products for about 20 years, but when the hospitality company fell on tough times, it looked to its suppliers to help shore up funding. When Coke balked at lending Marriott money at below-market rates, Pepsi saw its opportunity and stepped in to help the beleaguered company with a reported $40 million to $50 million loan, according to the Washington Post.
Why is Marriott making the switch now?
It’s no secret that Coke is the preferred soda of choice for Americans. Coca‑Cola brands (Coke, Diet Coke and Coke Zero Sugar) accounted for 69% of U.S. cola sales in 2023, according to TheStreet. Meanwhile, Pepsi cola brands (Pepsi, Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Zero Sugar) garnered only 27% of U.S. sales in the same year.
And it’s not just the general population that prefers Coke to Pepsi. In a letter to hotel owners announcing the swap, which was posted on Reddit, Marriott’s group president stated that 70% of Marriott’s guests said they were #TeamCoke.
It that same Reddit thread, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenters saying it was about time, and one going as far as to say “I chose to stay in a different chain many times just because of the no Coke thing.”
What other changes come along with this Pepsi-to-Coke switch?
This doesn’t just affect the main sodas and their corresponding diet and zero-sugar versions. It also includes the full portfolio of soft drinks, along with sports drinks and water.
Here’s everything being changed:
Cola
-
Out:Pepsi, Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Zero Sugar
-
In:Coke, Diet Coke and Coke Zero Sugar
Lemon-lime soda
-
Out:Starry
-
In:Sprite
Iced tea
-
Out:Brisk and Pure Leaf
-
In:Gold Peak Tea
Sports drinks
-
Out:Gatorade
-
In:Powerade
Water
-
Out: Aquafina
-
In:Dasani
Which Marriott hotel brands does this change affect?
All of them! That means if you’re staying at a Marriott proper, a W, Sheraton, Weston, Ritz Carlton, Spring Hill Suites or one of the 30-plus Marriott hotel brands, you can look forward to an ice-cold Coke on arrival .
Which other hotel groups have Coke?
Marriott is joining a large group of hotel brands serving Coke products. These include:
IHG
-
Number of properties owned:6,900
-
Hotels include:Intercontinental, Kimpton and Holiday Inn
Hilton
-
Number of properties owned:9,100
-
Hotels include:Hilton, Conrad Hotels & Resorts Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites and Embassy Suites
Disney Resorts
-
Number of properties owned:More than 55
-
Hotels include:Disney All-Star Resorts, Aulani, Pixar Place Hotel and Grand Floridian
Which hotel groups have Pepsi?
With Marriott switching to Coke, the hotel options for Pepsi devotees are dwindling. There’s only one major hotel chain that exclusively serves Pepsi:
Hyatt
-
Number of properties owned:More than 1,450
-
Hotels include:Hyatt, Andaz, Hyatt House and Hyatt Place
Which hotel groups serve both?
There are a few brands that leave it up to the individual properties to decide which soda to serve. These include:
Wyndham
-
Number of properties owned:8,300
-
Hotels include:Wyndham, Ramada, Days Inn, La Quinta, Howard Johnson and Super 8
Accor
-
Number of properties owned:5,800
-
Hotels include:Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Ibis and Banyan Tree
RELATED:
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team , our contributors and our editorial policies .
Sources:
-
Washington Post : “Marriott Said to Drop Coca-Cola Over Loan”
-
TheStreet : “Sorry Coca-Cola fans, these huge brands only serve Pepsi”
-
Reddit : “Marriott Switching to Coca Cola Products After 35 Years with PepsiCo”
Here's How Pepsi Really Got Its Name
Why You Shouldn't Buy Soda at Costco
