Marriott Rewards (including Ritz-Carlton) - Your Favorite Marriott International Resort

We are looking at Marriott Resorts across the world for a 2011 Trip and would like to ask some of the FT members which property they consider the best overall. I am not interested in Golf but would not mind a spa and/or Beach property any where in the world. We are open to ideas.

The points category really doesnt matter as I have seen some that look great in category 5.

So which Marriott International property do you consider best for a vacation? All we are asking for is a great hotel room at a hotel who has great service.

For me, its an easy answer and a category 5.

JW Marriott Phuket. Location, property, people, service Unbeaten any other Marriott I have been to.


https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hktjw-jw-marriott-phuket-resort-and-spa/

http://www.jwmarriottphuket.com/

For me, its an easy answer and a category 5.

JW Marriott Phuket. Location, property, people, service Unbeaten any other Marriott I have been to.


https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hktjw-jw-marriott-phuket-resort-and-spa/

http://www.jwmarriottphuket.com/

I've read a lot of posts here on FT about this resort, but do wonder how one adjusts to the time change if traveling from the U.S. Ideas on this? Seems pretty tough for a 7-10 day vacation.

I've read a lot of posts here on FT about this resort, but do wonder how one adjusts to the time change if traveling from the U.S. Ideas on this? Seems pretty tough for a 7-10 day vacation.

We have been there 3 times and we do make it part of a longer vacation. Usually two weeks off work. Three days in Bangkok 7 nights Phuket (We actually own a week at the time share there, but love the hotel.) Plus travel time.

I think it needs to be a 7 night stay plus travel time. Its a 12 hour time difference from the east coast. It is a challenge for me. I adjust poorly. I wake up in the middle of the night. I am falling asleep in the afternoon. Takes a good 3 days for me. I think others are better than me for sure :D

Since Thai Air stopped their JFK non stop flight, it takes a minimum of 25-30 hours to get there PLUS time change.

Our next trip there is in May 2011! For this trip, we found some great fares JFK-HKT (via Hong Kong) on Cathay Pacific

Phuket, without a doubt. (Full disclosure, I own there.) Either the hotel or timeshare. Drop dead beautiful, amazing buffet breakfast. Great, great place!!

If distance is a problem, then:

from the left coast: the JW Ihilani or Ko Olina timeshare
from the right coast: the Aruba marriott (or the timeshares there)

I know these are all apples and oranges, but that's my 2 cents.

Billy

Been to Phuket and agree it's great.

For something similar closer to home, try the JW Marriott Guanacaste Costa Rica - been 3 times and find property outstanding. Been able to secure very good upgrades as a Platinum using points given fairly low occupancy rates.

Been to Phuket and agree it's great.

For something similar closer to home, try the JW Marriott Guanacaste Costa Rica - been 3 times and find property outstanding. Been able to secure very good upgrades as a Platinum using points given fairly low occupancy rates.

The Marriott Los Suenos resort in Costa Rica is also gorgeous!!

The Marriott Los Suenos resort in Costa Rica is also gorgeous!!

I have heard the Costa Rica resorts are an awesome alternate to Phuket and EASY to get too!!!! We need to try them!

I am continually amazed at the positive reviews for Phuket. We found the beds in the timeshare to be unbearable - easily the most uncomfortable beds we've ever slept on at a Marriott property. You know it's bad when both kids (6 and 9) complained about the bed unprompted. We also found the staff to be rude and the service to be sorely lacking.

On the flip side, we absolutely loved the Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa. Awesome staff/service, great pool, nice rooms, etc.

Good points about the time change and making it part of a longer vacation.

I noticed that Marriott has several properties and was wondering which one people seem to like best. One was mentioned but I wasn't clear if everyone else agreed that the Phuket marriott or if people liked the Reinnassance, JW Marriott at Khao Lak Resort and spa or the Marriott Phuket Beach Club.

What makes Phuket such a wonderful choice for a vacation?

Good points about the time change and making it part of a longer vacation.

I noticed that Marriott has several properties and was wondering which one people seem to like best. One was mentioned but I wasn't clear if everyone else agreed that the Phuket marriott or if people liked the Reinnassance, JW Marriott at Khao Lak Resort and spa or the Marriott Phuket Beach Club.

What makes Phuket such a wonderful choice for a vacation?

Well, it's inexpensive (or can be), great food and good service (lots of staff). High quality construction, beautiful grounds, etc. Any of the places you mentioned are nice, including the JW bangkok and the Marriott Resort and Spa Bangkok. Beautiful grounds, very nice pools. The Ren Phuket is very nice, especially if you get a villa. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

AS for the beds at JW Phuket, yes, they are FIRM. I put the duvet on the bottom and put a sheet and blanket on top and manage to sleep well, but it's not a soft bed nor a pillow top.

Billy

The Marriott Los Suenos resort in Costa Rica is also gorgeous!!

I disagree. The Los Suenos and St. Thomas (I know, not mentioned in this thread yet) hotels are rather lousy in my opinion - just satisfying an easy flight for east coast people but rather shabby hotels. The JW in Guanacaste is another story though - great hotel.

Maybe I'm just spoilt.

I am continually amazed at the positive reviews for Phuket. We found the beds in the timeshare to be unbearable - easily the most uncomfortable beds we've ever slept on at a Marriott property. You know it's bad when both kids (6 and 9) complained about the bed unprompted. We also found the staff to be rude and the service to be sorely lacking.

On the flip side, we absolutely loved the Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa. Awesome staff/service, great pool, nice rooms, etc.

The beds are firm (maybe an understatement), but I slept fine. Maybe jetlag :D

The pools, grounds, restaurants and people cannot be touched IMHO.

The beds are firm (maybe an understatement), but I slept fine. Maybe jetlag :D

The pools, grounds, restaurants and people cannot be touched IMHO.

We have been going to the Marriott Phuket Beach Club for the past 6 years and this will be the first winter that we are not going there. I have never noticed a bed issue (we always stay in the newer wing close to the Thai restaurant and cooking school). Also, never experienced staff rudenss. I think almost after every visit, I have dropped a note to a manager about the service we received.
I agree that it is one of the top Marriott resorts^

We have been going to the Marriott Phuket Beach Club for the past 6 years and this will be the first winter that we are not going there. I have never noticed a bed issue (we always stay in the newer wing close to the Thai restaurant and cooking school). Also, never experienced staff rudenss. I think almost after every visit, I have dropped a note to a manager about the service we received.
I agree that it is one of the top Marriott resorts^

One above and beyond thing that happened at this property involved a digital camera I left in a cab. We had been sight seeing and upon returning to the resort, I left it in the cab. I didnt realize it for about 45 mins. I returned to the concierge. He immediately got on the phone and tracked down the cab and driver and my camera! It was returned the next day.

The pools are just to die for IMHO.