Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Asheville, NC
Programs: Virtuoso, FSPP, STARS, MO FAN Club, PEN Club, Bellini Club, Dorchester Diamond Club, Travel Leaders
Posts: 1,854
Marriott Luxury Brands is unfortunately an unwieldy collection of too many hotel brands, but here's my take:
From the old Marriott side of things
Ritz-Carlton is the top luxury brand, and you can get amenities through STARS, Virtuoso, and/or FHR.
Bulgari is considered a partner hotel, although you're not likely to find them mentioned on the Marriott website. I would rate Bulgari above Ritz-Carlton.
Edition is near the top of this heap, and you can get amenities through the same consortia.
JW Marriott is probably the best 4*, and you can get amenities through Travel Leaders Select for many of these hotels.
From the old Starwood side of things
St. Regis is the top luxury brand — Virtuoso, FHR, and/or Luxury Privileges amenities
Luxury Collection is a close second — same amenity programs
W Hotels would be third — same amenity programs
A few Westin properties are also in this top tier, for instance Paris and Madrid. Both get Luxury Privileges amenities.
A few LC properties were deemed worthy of St. Regis branding but were branded as Luxury Collection due to naming protocols. For instance, St. Regis Venice was rejected in favor of Gritti Palace.