Originally Posted by VA1379

I think the $13 for an award stay was the old rate which Marriott compensated a hotel. The new compensation rates are double the old ones, based on accidental charges that I have seen in the past for award stays.

As for how much it costs a hotel to buy a point, they get them at varying rates (depending on the brand). I do not know the exact figure, but they get them for less than a penny a point.