I’m pretty sure gold is there because of Starwood.
Pre merger Marriott had a 15 night level (Silver), 50 night level (Gold), and 75 night level (Platinum).
Pre merger Starwood had a 25 night level (Gold), 50 night level (Platinum), and additional bonuses at 75 and 100 nights. (Made more complicated because you could qualify on stays too)
In both programs, most desirable benefits like breakfast and upgrades didn’t happen until 50 nights. The new combined program that we have now basically took the Starwood tier names and added Marriott silver to the bottom rung.
Exactly, and Starwood SPG had a worldwide deal with Mastercard where Gold was awarded after just 1 night if paying by World Mastercard. I knew a few people who didn't stay often at SPG, make a new SPG account to get Gold year after year because of the free breakfast.
As for OP's question, if you're really traveling for an entire month out of the year it would definitely make sense to look into another program. Assuming almost all your stays are 1 - nighters , then Marriot's 25
nights for Gold is pretty close to Hilton's 30
stays for Diamond (it's 60 if based on nights)
If you don't really travel that much, then the most sense would be to just book the room you want rather than go on mileage runs just to hit your desired tiers.