I read one of blogger's article that mentioned Marriott rewards lacks properties in renowned resort destination, such as Bora Bora, Maldive…etc.

I found what he described is true , let’s not talk about the past, at least currently, there is no Marriott in those premium destination, but you can find St Regis, IC, Conrad, even the less expensive brand Le Méridien in Bora Bora.

Except for Ritz Carlton, most Marriott brands seems to lack presence in expensive resort destination. The most upscale brand in Marriott Rewards, if we skip Edition,is Jw Marriott, and when you check its website, you will feel that Marriott tries to promote this brand as both “ luxury city hotel and Leisure resort”, the first image they carry is one of the resort in Los Cabos.

But in fact almost 90 percents of JW resort and Renaissance is catering to less expensive and mass market that usually carries over 200 rooms ( in asia!) and high rise building fitting many guest rooms , however its competitor Conrad and IC both has some very exclusive and truly luxurious property that is all villa or all suite designed and designed as less than 100 unites. For ex: W Ko Samui, Conrad Maldives, Bora Bora, IC Danang, Bora Bora...

While I do feel that Ren is an upscale brand and JW certainly can match and equivalent to both IC and Conrad, the fact indeed is JW does not have really special high end resort in world class destination. Maybe you can count Venice, but that's the only one.

The Newly opened JW Phu Quoc which I believe is fantastic, comparing to IC Danang, the JW is designed as more approachable and less expensive " guest room" building type resort.

My question is why? If they really want to promote JW brand as more of a luxury resort type, why they promote this kind of image but at the same time ,what Marriott group built for JW is mass market multiple rooms resort and most properties however , are city luxury business hotels.

If we checked Amex FHR list , you can find some Conrad , IC in the list , even the Hyatt (not the Park one) making to the list and some of the Grand Hyatt in the list are not even that good. Anyway, there is no Jw Marriott in FHR, not even one! Until this year , only one JW and one Ren making to the list. Why? Is the overall product quality of JW not as good as other's from the prestigious and professional AMEX FHR editor's eye? I am really curious.

Although JW is my favorite brand in Marriott Family, I really want to know why both Hilton and IHG, plus SPG' W, have built ultra high end resort for those brand which matches to JW, but only Marriott which is capable but don't build those kind of exclusive and expensive type of hotel for its so called luxury brand in gateway destinations?

Also, Marriott doesn't have much inputs at those premium vacation location that he mentioned, and Starwood is so successful in leisure and vacation markets, even the" not so good" IC has some top class resorts . I really would like to know why? Anyone know the core value and strategy of Marriott? Is this because Marriott only focus on the business market and it's not very good at building luxury brand at leisure market comparing to SPG ? Since Ritz is purchased. And I've heard many others feel that SPG have more luxurious and expensive and diversified brand comparing to Marriott.