Barring some sort of extreme circumstance, I'd almost certainly do the paid room at $203/nt. for a suite.

As aaupgrade points out, 345k is well into Travel Package territory.

There should be a third option for you here: use 360k points, do a Category 8 Travel Package, and do the paid upgrade to the Executive Suite. But if that suite is actually listing at $203, and you see yourself as continuing to participate in MR on a regular basis, I'd be very tempted to grab that excellent cash rate and use the points later.

You are correct in that you'll likely end up eating quite a few meals there. Even if you intend to go exploring and *not* be captive to hotelfood, it's inevitable that you'll use the 25% off to some extent. Especially with kids...there will be nights where you don't feel like venturing out...

The only final question I'd ask is: if the program changes significantly in 2018, would you be in a position to redeem a Travel Package late this year and complete the stay in 2018? It's *possible* that this award will go away with the merger, although I suspect the fundamental mechanics of MR will stay in place and with it, the Travel Packages.