Well the 240K is what shows when I look at how much the properties cost on the HH website with 150K for the Marriott on the exact same beach - and for comparison I was simply bringing up places there's been a buzz about recently - Hawaii for all the honeymooners and Ireland for those who want to get married in a castle

I'm guessing the higher your status with HH the cheaper the points?!? Wouldn't know since I only maintain silver for late checkout. But on Marriott the property costs the same no matter what. So a lower hotel (doubletree) over the Marriott Resort STILL costs more even with your higher tier "discount" and 175K vs 150K - I'll still take Marriott! I'll get a better property and 25K to blow elsewhere ^^

Also (no offense to Kansas) but stating there's a "cheap" Hampton Inn in KS isn't really winning your argument there either.

It is what it is - and that's my opinion. I look at how many points it takes to stay in various "tourist" places and MR always is "cheaper" so my points go farther when I'm the one having to pay for the hotel nights on vacation. And as others have said, it's a pretty consistent package no matter where in the world I am.

I had forgotten about the rewards packages, but those are pretty spiffy - 7 night split in FL properties for the cost of 5 nights (I think!) and same for Europe in a 3-2-2 configuration. I've unfortunately never used them so I can't remember all the details, but I do see them from time to time when I log in!