We usually ask for a general location: i.e. "Something far away from the food/bus/main area" and give a reason for that request. Then we give some examples of areas that we might like. For example, for a recent Poly stay, we asked for a 3rd floor room away from the main area and said that Tokelau, Rapa Nui, or Aotearoa looked like good choices to us. We told them that the reasoning behind this was for the greater quiet. We ended up in Tokelau, 3rd floor. Perfect.
I think that the more specific you get, the less likely you are to get what you want. Being too specific puts you in "competition" with others who may have the exact same request. There's only one specific room, only one person can have it, and it may get assigned to someone else. If it does and you haven't told them what can make you happy and why, they will probably just assign you wherever and it may not even be close to what you wanted. However, if you give them options and reasons behind why you want what you want, they are better able (I've found) to put you someplace that can meet your requirements.
It can't hurt to ask for the specific room number you really want, but be sure to give them other options that will make you happy as well. That way you have a greater chance of ending up happy.
JW
I know we want to stay in Samoa at the Poly and here on the boards someone put up a great room in that building ...so what do you think???
