Feb 9, 2018, 7:18 pm
Last edit by: hhoope01
This thread refers to the various Marriott brands within a specific geographic area. Marriott Bonvoy hotels in XX usually have posts asking which property is better, etc. Trip reports are usually better suited in the property specific threads.
Marriott Bonvoy hotels in South Florida [Merged threads]
Sep 1, 2017, 1:17 am
#556
formerly fdemoulin
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, BA Silver, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 916
Maybe I'm misunderstanding which Marriott you are referring to, but the Hollywood Beach Marriott has been a Marriott hotel for years and years. And I do believe it is the only Marriott right on the beach in Hollywood. I think my first stay there was 15-20 years ago. It has been a Marriott hotel for well over a decade. So I'm not sure if you are talking about the same hotel I think 1120 was referencing.
Sep 2, 2017, 7:39 am
#557
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Naples, Florida
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Hyatt Platinum,Marriott Silver,Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 593
For all the discussion about the Hollywood Beach Marriott, the fact is that it is a born-again and rebuilt from its original days as a HOJO (Howard Johnson's). For what that is worth.
Sep 26, 2017, 10:13 am
#559
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,074
Yes it is very centrally located. It is not on the beach and was built just about 1-2 years ago. It is right next to Lincoln Road. There is a Rooftop bar and it is a good budget choice for SOBE. Good for families. Sadly Epicure next door just closed down. It was an institution for 70+ years. There is a little construction going on around, but you don't hear the noise.
Sep 26, 2017, 11:24 am
#560
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,016
Yes it is very centrally located. It is not on the beach and was built just about 1-2 years ago. It is right next to Lincoln Road. There is a Rooftop bar and it is a good budget choice for SOBE. Good for families. Sadly Epicure next door just closed down. It was an institution for 70+ years. There is a little construction going on around, but you don't hear the noise.
Oct 3, 2017, 1:42 pm
#561
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 615
Hi there:
Looking to take the family down to Miami for 3-4 nights before Christmas. Am considering the W South Beach - looking to redeem a suite via the Chase Portal.
1) Any DPs support applying Gold membership benefits to a chase booking at this hotel?
2) Any other worthwhile Marriott properties in miami beach? Edition?
Looking to take the family down to Miami for 3-4 nights before Christmas. Am considering the W South Beach - looking to redeem a suite via the Chase Portal.
1) Any DPs support applying Gold membership benefits to a chase booking at this hotel?
2) Any other worthwhile Marriott properties in miami beach? Edition?
Oct 3, 2017, 2:23 pm
#562
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: BOS
Posts: 2,315
I just returned from a very nice stay at the W South beach and highly recommend the hotel. We were in an Oasis suite which is over 1,100!sq ft with separate bedroom and a separate media room with queen sleep sofa. Also has very large living room, dining area and fully equipped kitchen. 1.5 baths. Great views.
The hotel itself has has top notch service but is not stuffy. They pool is gigantic but I would imagine very crowded at the holidays. They do have (pricey) cabanas around the pool. If you go to the beach the chairs are plentiful and high end - but be aware that they seem to limit you to two chairs per room and if you want an umbrella on the beach it’s an extra $25.
Hotel has a complimentary house car (big suv), free bikes available to borrow, great spa and health club and very good food options.
In the past we have stayed at the Setai and the Ritz and the service at the W was as good or better and the hotel seemed like more fun.
The hotel itself has has top notch service but is not stuffy. They pool is gigantic but I would imagine very crowded at the holidays. They do have (pricey) cabanas around the pool. If you go to the beach the chairs are plentiful and high end - but be aware that they seem to limit you to two chairs per room and if you want an umbrella on the beach it’s an extra $25.
Hotel has a complimentary house car (big suv), free bikes available to borrow, great spa and health club and very good food options.
In the past we have stayed at the Setai and the Ritz and the service at the W was as good or better and the hotel seemed like more fun.
Feb 1, 2018, 11:02 pm
#563
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, CC Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 433
Looking for suggestions for quick family getaway for 3 nights April 16-19. My kids are 10 years old and we are flying into/out of FLL. Looking for somewhere in area with nice pool, beach access for relaxing time. I am Marriott gold so club lounge for breakfast, evening snacks would be nice. I was looking at Hollywood Marriott, Harbour beach or converting points to SPG for Westin FLL. I also saw Turnberry Isle has lazy river but no direct beach access. Any other suggestions. We have car and can go further north or south. I thought about Miami but since we are with kids, don't think I need to spend extra points to stay down there.
To give you an idea, we did Clearwater Beach last year and loved it. Quick stay with pool, beach and good eats within walking distance. Thanks
To give you an idea, we did Clearwater Beach last year and loved it. Quick stay with pool, beach and good eats within walking distance. Thanks
Last edited by cdoobiest; Feb 1, 2018 at 11:19 pm
Feb 2, 2018, 4:22 am
#564
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Naples, Florida
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Hyatt Platinum,Marriott Silver,Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 593
Looking for suggestions for quick family getaway for 3 nights April 16-19. My kids are 10 years old and we are flying into/out of FLL. Looking for somewhere in area with nice pool, beach access for relaxing time. I am Marriott gold so club lounge for breakfast, evening snacks would be nice. I was looking at Hollywood Marriott, Harbour beach or converting points to SPG for Westin FLL. I also saw Turnberry Isle has lazy river but no direct beach access. Any other suggestions. We have car and can go further north or south. I thought about Miami but since we are with kids, don't think I need to spend extra points to stay down there.
To give you an idea, we did Clearwater Beach last year and loved it. Quick stay with pool, beach and good eats within walking distance. Thanks
To give you an idea, we did Clearwater Beach last year and loved it. Quick stay with pool, beach and good eats within walking distance. Thanks
1. Marriott Hollywood Beach (was a former HOJO from the 1950's and is still not much different)
2. Marriott Harbour Beach - Used to be great (was the very favorite of Bill Marriott) and had a major makeover a year ago but has gone down considerably in recent years if for no reason because it has become the primary overnight transit point of pre-cruise and post cruise passengers. Somehow despite its great location the character of the hotel has changed with the almost totally "cruise crowd."
3. Westin FLL Beach - Very mediocre, very ordinary pool
4. Turnberry Isle - This is what I would and my grandchildren (ages 8 and 10) would choose in a flash. Despite not being a beach location, it does have access to a beach club with transportation offered back and forth. That said, we probably have been to TB Isle
10 tens and have not been to the beach club once because we never wanted to leave the pool once. With the flume etc it is without a doubt the best hotel pool in South Florida (excepting the new pool at the Hyatt Coconut Point in Bonita Springs). Then with the Aventura Mall across the street where there are theatres and all kinds of eateries it is a no brainer. Their food and beverage operation is also of high quality. While there is construction going on there right now of an additional tower, it does not make a lot of noise and has never presented an issue for us. This property is a very sold 4.5 star for sure.
Just my 2 cents!
Feb 2, 2018, 6:57 am
#565
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
I used to travel to this location all the time and loved it. It is very sad to hear about the state of the Harbor Beach Marriott. I haven't been there in a few years (more than 5 now). But it used to be one of my favorite Marriott resorts anywhere. 
I will add a point about the Hollywood Beach Marriott. It is one of the very, very few beachfront properties with a CL. So as a Marriott Gold you will get access during your stay. But as worldspan states, it isn't really a "resort" property. The pool is about as small as possible. And there really isn't much in the way of "resort" amenities. But if you want to be right on the beach with great views of the ocean AND have free breakfast/snacks then this is one of the few Marriott's that will fit that bill. Back in the day when I used to travel to the area, I would regularly be upgraded to an oceanfront room which was very nice, though I was a Plat during those stays. But if they aren't too crowded, I would think you would have a decent chance at an oceanfront upgrade as well.
I will add a point about the Hollywood Beach Marriott. It is one of the very, very few beachfront properties with a CL. So as a Marriott Gold you will get access during your stay. But as worldspan states, it isn't really a "resort" property. The pool is about as small as possible. And there really isn't much in the way of "resort" amenities. But if you want to be right on the beach with great views of the ocean AND have free breakfast/snacks then this is one of the few Marriott's that will fit that bill. Back in the day when I used to travel to the area, I would regularly be upgraded to an oceanfront room which was very nice, though I was a Plat during those stays. But if they aren't too crowded, I would think you would have a decent chance at an oceanfront upgrade as well.
Feb 2, 2018, 7:26 am
#566
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
Feb 2, 2018, 12:15 pm
#567
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: BOS
Posts: 2,315
During Christmas week I stayed at a condominium adjacent to the Marriott Harbour Beach, which came with a club membership to the Marriott. The hotel had been one of my favorites, but I had not been there in almost 10 years. While I can't comment on the full guest experience since we were not staying in the hotel, we did spend most days there and interacted with the door, spa, pool, beach and food and beverage staff fairly regularly. I think it would be a very nice choice for the family. The pool set up is large with lots of action. The beach is beautiful, and even during the busy holiday week there was no problem getting lounge chairs (no need to get up at 5am to put a towel out...). Wide selection of water sports and free beach games. The food (and beverage) choices were great and the spa was lovely. While the service was certainly not at the level of a 5 star resort, we generally found the staff to be friendly and attentive. There is an extensive kids program, and a large numbers of cabanas if you want to be off in quieter area.
Turnberry is a higher end hotel (although I think it has dropped a few notches under the Marriott flag), but the fact that you need to shuttle to the beach and around the property makes it undesirable for a family trip in my view.
Turnberry is a higher end hotel (although I think it has dropped a few notches under the Marriott flag), but the fact that you need to shuttle to the beach and around the property makes it undesirable for a family trip in my view.
Feb 2, 2018, 8:00 pm
#569
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, CC Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 433
None of the hotels you mention are perfect but I would go with Turnberry Isle in a flash over the others you mention. I live in Naples year round and take my grandchildren to resorts on the other coast (meaning East Coast) from Palm Beach in the North to Marathon in the Keys in the South regularly. Here's my take on those you mentioned:
1. Marriott Hollywood Beach (was a former HOJO from the 1950's and is still not much different)
2. Marriott Harbour Beach - Used to be great (was the very favorite of Bill Marriott) and had a major makeover a year ago but has gone down considerably in recent years if for no reason because it has become the primary overnight transit point of pre-cruise and post cruise passengers. Somehow despite its great location the character of the hotel has changed with the almost totally "cruise crowd."
3. Westin FLL Beach - Very mediocre, very ordinary pool
4. Turnberry Isle - This is what I would and my grandchildren (ages 8 and 10) would choose in a flash. Despite not being a beach location, it does have access to a beach club with transportation offered back and forth. That said, we probably have been to TB Isle
10 tens and have not been to the beach club once because we never wanted to leave the pool once. With the flume etc it is without a doubt the best hotel pool in South Florida (excepting the new pool at the Hyatt Coconut Point in Bonita Springs). Then with the Aventura Mall across the street where there are theatres and all kinds of eateries it is a no brainer. Their food and beverage operation is also of high quality. While there is construction going on there right now of an additional tower, it does not make a lot of noise and has never presented an issue for us. This property is a very sold 4.5 star for sure.
Just my 2 cents!
1. Marriott Hollywood Beach (was a former HOJO from the 1950's and is still not much different)
2. Marriott Harbour Beach - Used to be great (was the very favorite of Bill Marriott) and had a major makeover a year ago but has gone down considerably in recent years if for no reason because it has become the primary overnight transit point of pre-cruise and post cruise passengers. Somehow despite its great location the character of the hotel has changed with the almost totally "cruise crowd."
3. Westin FLL Beach - Very mediocre, very ordinary pool
4. Turnberry Isle - This is what I would and my grandchildren (ages 8 and 10) would choose in a flash. Despite not being a beach location, it does have access to a beach club with transportation offered back and forth. That said, we probably have been to TB Isle
10 tens and have not been to the beach club once because we never wanted to leave the pool once. With the flume etc it is without a doubt the best hotel pool in South Florida (excepting the new pool at the Hyatt Coconut Point in Bonita Springs). Then with the Aventura Mall across the street where there are theatres and all kinds of eateries it is a no brainer. Their food and beverage operation is also of high quality. While there is construction going on there right now of an additional tower, it does not make a lot of noise and has never presented an issue for us. This property is a very sold 4.5 star for sure.
Just my 2 cents!
Last edited by cdoobiest; Feb 2, 2018 at 8:14 pm
Feb 2, 2018, 8:03 pm
#570
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, CC Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 433
My mistake. We did Wyndham Clearwater Grand which is upscale Wyndham and across from Clearwater Beach. There is also Hyatt next door that are all suites. We did pass Clearwater Beach Marriott and it looked nice also but you need to take golf cart to beach since beach is over busy highway. Pool looked nice. Other option which I mentioned in another thread if you want place with pool for kids is Hyatt Bonita Springs. Hope this helps.