I booked a one night stay through Marriott.com (not Expedia or Travelocity), and a week in advance of our arrival tried to cancel the reservation. I have learned that Marriott will not cancel online reservations any later than one day after the reservation is made. I spoke with reservation persons at both the Bethesda property and the national chain, and was told repeatedly that nothing could be done.

This is the weirdest cancellation policy I've ever encountered in all my years of business travel (here and abroad). I will not be choosing Marriott in the future for my travel needs.