Marriott Rewards - Caribbean Marriott

Can someone give me a recommendation on the best Marriotts to vacation at in February in the Caymans, Aruba, St Thomas or Curacao. Golf is not an important criteria, but a nice beach, pool, surrounding restaurants and sight seeing opportunities would be. This would be a anniversary gift for my wife.

Well as a true fan of the Caribbean...here are my thoughts...you left off St. Kitts which gets rave reviews as it is new and very nice...I have never been but read a lot about it. Cayman is not on a great part of the beach...Aruba (Marriott) has a lovely beach but is dated but I think is undergoing renovations. Now I use my Marriott points for Ritz Carltons and if you have the points and like those properties then I highly recommend the Ritz in Grand Cayman...I will be spending Christmas there and I am counting down.

The Renaissance in Aruba is nice with its private island. Dining choices are quite varied in the area.
--
13F

Thanks for comments. St Kitts was actually my first choice, plus they had availabilty for the time I wanted to go, but I need to use two free NWA tickets I won at one of their customers appreciation functions and they expire Feb 16th. I have over 600,000 Mar points but was unaware I could use them at Ritz Carlton, I'll check on that property in the AM.

Sorry I should have added the NWA reservation rep advised that they do not fly to St Kitts.

Does NWA partner with Delta because Delta starts flights to St. Kitts next year and 600k points will go a long way at the Ritz...

1) St Kitts my favorite, this is a very large resort with a great beach and 3 very large pools. Several choices for dinning and a cigar bar and casino on site. It’s a very small quiet Island so if you are looking for a lot of night life this is not the place. We love the quiet, relaxing nature of the island.

2) Aruba my #2 but I like the Marriott better than the Renaissance, I guess I like to be able to walk to the beach not take a van. These both have casino and Aruba has a great night life along with the best beaches I have seen at a Marriott.

3) I did not like the Cayman Island Marriott; it reminds me a FS Marriott in the USA sitting on a great beach. It was very small and you had to leave the resort for almost everything.

4) I also visit the Ritz Jamaica for my honeymoon a good resort with great service but still average to me…. thanks

I am going to St Thomas next week so I will give you an update

You don't list Cancun as an option (there is another thread on this), but I really like the JW Cancun property - and a lot to do.
I've been to Aruba, stayed at the Ren and really liked the in the city thing with the private island.
I've also been to St. Kitts; it was good for a resort - but less things to do.
If you are set on St. Kitts, check flight options into San Juan or Charlotte on NW miles - and then get a cheap(er) connection from there.
You may want to do some searches, since a lot of these properties have reviews on this board.

Actually the JW in Cancun was my first choice, but I couldn't use my points during Feb because of availability. The only way was double points and I wasn't willing to do that. Also thanks for the suggestion to fly to San Juan and then on to St Kitts I'll check on that in the morning.

I have heard about Cancun going there in Feb .... I can't wait

We have been to St. Kitts, Aruba, Cayman, and Curacao and in order:

Curacao Wonderful
St. Kitts Wonderful
Aruba Wonderful
Cayman Worst Marriott experience ever. (Bad beach, horrible service, bad food, just all around bad) :td:

It really depends on what you like to do. We are divers.

I would definitely steer clear of Frenchman's Reef in St Thomas - stayed there in July and it was the most run down Marriott I have stayed in.

I opted for the Ritz in St. Thomas.

St Kitts is great. Not much night life, but very relaxing.

I have stayed at Marriotts in St. Kitts, Curacao, St. Thomas and Cancun (if you agree it is part of the Caribbean). Have visited the Marriotts in Aruba and Grand Cayman (both times we were staying at the Hyatt). Not one of these Marriotts is spectacular like the JW Marriott resorts in Capri and Phuket. Only exception may be JW Marriott in Cancun, which I visited while at the adjacent Marriott. If you are using points, think about the Ritz properties in St. Thomas (stunning) and Jamaica (pristine).

As an aside, I don't think any of the major chains have outstanding resorts in the Caribbean. I say this having enjoyed Hyatts in Aruba and Puerto Rico, and the Hilton in Barbados.

Am interested in checking out the new Westin in St. Martin, and look forward to the opening of a Westin in Dominican Republic.

Bottom line--if anyone can tell me about an over-the-top Caribbean chain hotel resort property where I could potentially use points, I would love to hear about it!

Travelexpert I totally agree with you and let me add from a Ritz perspective in the Caribbean and I have been to all of them, Cayman is head and shoulders above the rest...it is the best property in the Caribbean that you can use points and the fact that I was able to secure points the week of Christmas into New Years when the rates are $1000 a night makes it even better.

Travelexpert I totally agree with you and let me add from a Ritz perspective in the Caribbean and I have been to all of them, Cayman is head and shoulders above the rest...it is the best property in the Caribbean that you can use points and the fact that I was able to secure points the week of Christmas into New Years when the rates are $1000 a night makes it even better.

I agree 100%, awesome hotel, awesome General Manager (she use to be the Regional SVP for Ritz-Carlton until this position became available)

The Renaissance in Aruba is nice with its private island. Dining choices are quite varied in the area.
--
13F

I have stayed at this property, it is a courtyard at best. The standard room is HORRIBLE. They try to rob you for upgrades. Only wanted cash, not points. I was GREATLY disappointed.

I am booked at the Aruba Surf Club in June 2008 using points (6 nights for 115k points). The site noted some sort of construction, however, I am unsure if the construction is scheduled to start December (phase 3 that is) or end in December. As I am staying in June, not sure if this will affect me either way - but curious anyway.

I am booked at the Aruba Surf Club in June 2008 using points (6 nights for 115k points). The site noted some sort of construction, however, I am unsure if the construction is scheduled to start December (phase 3 that is) or end in December. As I am staying in June, not sure if this will affect me either way - but curious anyway.

Exterior construction is complete. However, the beach direct in front will be dredged and cleaned. There was a marina there. A lot of mud and sediment needs to be removed. We usually use the beach in front of Ocean Club when using our Surf Club week. The accomdations are wonderful though.

I think using points at Marriott timeshare is a GREAT value. One cannot use travel package certs at a time share. It has to be normal points.

The nice thing about the Ren in Aruba is that you can return from the beach, shower and change and then easily walk to about 15 decent restaurants.

I agree 100%, awesome hotel, awesome General Manager (she use to be the Regional SVP for Ritz-Carlton until this position became available)

Socrates, please help me with how to book MR award nights at Ritz properties. How is this done? I won't bore you with my bona fides other than to state that I have been in the program since the early '80's and the first three digits of my account are "000".

I never knew that points could be redeemed at Ritz properties.

Thanks!!

Socrates, please help me with how to book MR award nights at Ritz properties. How is this done? I won't bore you with my bona fides other than to state that I have been in the program since the early '80's and the first three digits of my account are "000".

I never knew that points could be redeemed at Ritz properties.

Thanks!!

You have to call Mem Rewards to use points at a Ritz.

Yes you can either call Marriott Rewards or Ritz reservations directly to make the booking then Marriott Rewards to order the certificates...sometimes I have called Marriott and there are no rooms available and then called the Ritz and they show them available...so be aware of that...either can make the reservation for you. Then a week prior, I have them send the certificates directly to the Ritz...I always call before to ensure the Ritz has received them to ensure a smooth check in process. Please note that the points are much higher to stay at a Ritz. For example I am using 250k points for 7 night at the Ritz in Cayman but that is a higher tier hotel compared to the Ritz in Jamaica where it would be 175k.

The nice thing about the Ren in Aruba is that you can return from the beach, shower and change and then easily walk to about 15 decent restaurants.

VERY TRUE.

We had a 10 year anniversary dinner at a quaint little french place a few blocks behind the place.