I'm beginning to look very favorably at the Ritz. While it is probably a character flaw, I like the idea of having the the bragging rights that come with the brand. And I just can't see paying for a comparable brand when I can do RC with points.

Recommendations: JW Seoul and Ginza Tobu
 

Wow, that looks like a great trip! What a honeymoon!

JW Seoul:
I strongly recommend the JW Seoul over the Renaissance. The secret is the JW Seoul's amazing health club, quite possibly the best in Asia. There are three separate pools within the locker rooms (full-sized cold plunge, one regular hot with wooden reclined seats at the far end, and one super-hot pool. About 30 people can fit in each.) Outside of the locker rooms, there is a shared Olympic sized pool and standard jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room. In addition there are two locker room saunas (different temps) with TVs, one steam room, and one Korean Body Scrub suite where for $~20 USD you get loofah'd smooth for a half hour. It's relaxing like a full-body back-scratch. If you miss the health club (and especially the locker rooms) you'll kick yourself when you get back. Similarly, you'll kick yourself if don't tic the Korean rice wine choice on your platinum arrival gift card... :-:

Also, the JW Seoul is attached to a Shinsegae department store and a very-high-end shopping mall.. but also the goes-on-for-miles Gangnam underground archade. (The latter being quite low-end, so you get the best of both Seoul worlds.)

The JW Seoul is also attached to the Express Bus Terminal where you can check-in (and check your luggage!) if you're flying on Korean or Asiana. As you would expect, being connected to the Express Bus Terminal station, the JW Seoul is also connected to Seoul's subway station of the same name.

Ginza Tobu:
Nobody in Tokyo seems to have ever heard it called "Renaissance". It's "Ginza Tobu, a Renaissance Hotel". (And also a Ramada hotel? Hey, those two tag lines are smack up there behind the counter... go figure.) Great location in Ginza (not far from Tokyo Station, which you get to for $~30 USD by taking the Narita Express train directly below NRT.) No concierge floor or pool. Excellent bar "Korin" and traditional Japanese restaurant in the lower level. Ginza itself is boring if you're not shopping and rather sedate at night.

Well then, I guess it is fortunate that the future Mrs C is to shoppers what an FTer is to travelers. Thanks for the pointers. Great info!

Marriott Honeymoon Help!!!
 

First, my apologies if my cross posting offends anyone! I posted this question over in the "Travel&Dining: Destination" but I figured I would get a better wealth of responses over here in the Marriott forum. As many of you have stayed at the Asia Marriott locations

Well, we're planning our honeymoon for next year (the trip will be from May 20 - June 4, 2007) and we could use some advice (Thanks BangkokTraveler for ALL your help thus far!) on where to stay and visit:

Here's the background:

I have cashed in 470,000 marriott points and will secure flights and hotels using the 2 travel packages that I "purchased" with points. BUT, there is a few caveats (which we can DEFINITELY live with as we will be flying first/business class from NY and 14 nights at any Marriott hotel for no $$ out of pocket ^ ):

1. We MUST stay at a Marriott hotel

2. We must stay 7 nights at one hotel and then 7 nights at a second hotel.

Originally we we're planning on one week in Phuket and the second week in Koh Samui (it doesn't matter where we go to first). But, some of you have suggested that we could better "maximize" our vacation and visit some other areas (many have stated that there is nothing "Thai" about these locations and hotels). Perhaps Phuket and Koh Samui are very similar?

So, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE offer any advice and tips that you can to help us get the most out of our once in a lifetime trip (but aslo keep in mind the stipulations stated above).

Here's the hotel choices that I have considered so far (initially I was only looking at the JW Marriott in Phuket and the Renaissance in Koh Samui) in the Thailand area. Actually these are pretty much the only hotels we can choose from:

JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/HKTJW

Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/PYXMC

Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/USMBR

JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/BKKDT

Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/BKKTH

Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/HHQMC

Here's some information about ourselves:

1. We'll be 30 & 31 years old on our honeymoon

2. The wife to be absolutely loves the beach and would prefer the feel and seclusion of a resort with PLENTY of beach time (I'm sure you all deal with this from time to time :D )

3. We would absolutely be greatful for any restaurant recommendations (preferably romantic restaurants) and places to enjoy the nightlife a few nights out.

4. If there are local places that we must see (even the touristy ones), I'd love to hear about it.

5. We would certainly consider other asia (Japan/Okinawa, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc.) locations but again, we prefer to stay out of major cities (we will certainly visit them, but wish to stay out of the major traffic areas), prefer the "resort/romantic" atmosphere and HAVE TO STAY at a Marriott (hey, what can you expect from a "free" trip :eek: ).

Thank you so much (in advance) for all of the help!!!

I have only stayed in the JW BKK and Phuket. I love both, although I wouldn't consider the JW BKK for a honeymoon.

There is plently of info here just for the search, but as for the JW Phuket: it's very remote, very limited choices to eat outside of the hotel. That being said, the resturants and food there are great, but expensive by Thai standards, but not by western standards. The surf on the beach at the JW Marriott is so strong that every time I have been there there are flags posted asking you not to go in the water. Although there is some sand, the beach depth is small and rarely are you allowed to go in the water. The pools, however, are excellent and hanging around them is great. It's very hot and humid there year round, but very rainy in the rainy season.

I'll have to let others talk about the other hotels.

Now you also didn't mention how you were getting there or which airline. Do you already have your flights? IF not, you should work on those soon. Depending on which airline you fly, you might be able to work a stopover in somewhere.

For example, using a United *A award, you could fly from NYC to BKK, stopover, travel on your own to one of the hotels, then fly frm BKK to Phuket (HKT) and then back all on one award. But the same award would allow you to have a stopover in Hong Kong or Tokyo as well. If any of those destinations are of interest to you, think about that before you make your air reservations.

Thai air still has a non-stop flight from JFK to BKK, at least on some days of the week. I've taken that flight and it's nice (in C).

I guess all I'm saying is that flight availability interacts with where/when you might want to go.

Billy

http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/NANMB

Something worth considering.

Here's a thread that discusses the JW Marriott Bangkok and the Marriott Resort Bangkok. I've stayed at both. I wouldn't consider the JW BKK as part of a honeymoon, but I would the Marriott Resort.

• You have easy access to the major sightseeing spots in Bangkok - yet you are on the river, with beautifully landscaped grounds. You can sightsee or stay by the pool, as you like.
• There is a very pleasant dinner cruise that the hotel offers, that goes up the Chao Praya River.
• You can ask the hotel to rent a long tail boat for you, and go into the klongs. It's the easiest way to get to the Royal Barge Museum which I find fascinating - and sitting in the boat seeing life along the river is lovely.
• There are abundant good restaurants in Bangkok. Although you are on the far side of the river, it is very easy to take a taxi wherever you'd like to go at night.
• The hotel has a lovely executive lounge, with a good range of food offerings and beverages. If you are platinum, you will get access. If you aren't, check and see if you can use points to gain access. It is worth it.

I have spoken with the GM at this location numerous times. Unfortunately it will not be ready for the date we have scheduled for our honeymoon.

Has anyone stayed at the Marriott in Pattaya or Hua Hin?

This Marriott site might help if you expand your search outside of Thailand...

http://marriott.com/meeting/wedding/...s/honeymoon.mi

My GF and I are your age and went to SE Asia in January. Stayed on points at the JW Phuket and the Marriott on the Chao Phraya River in BKK. (We also paid for a night at the JW BKK on our first night upon arrival in Thailand.)

No, you won't get the most authentic cultural experience at the JW Phuket, but it's a great place to lounge for a week, and perfect for a honeymoon. If you're gold or plat, the ridiculously huge breakfast buffet is comped. Absolutely spectacular grounds, pools, etc., including 17 km of beaches that are practically empty. Nice spa too. Echo other posts, the restaurants are way overpriced and you're far from everywhere else, so that is a drawback. Do the Andaman Sea Kayaks, and if your wife likes beaches, arrange a boat to Phi Phi, Maya Bay, etc. Gorgeous.

We went to Phuket after a visit to Angkor Wat, and we finished with five days in BKK. If you do pick one of the BKK hotels, definitely stay at the Marriott on the river. The boat ride into the city is quick and fun, and when you float back at the end of a hectic day, you feel like you're escaping the bustling city. Pool was so packed we didn't want to hang out there, but other than that the resort grounds were nice. (But nothing special after going to Phuket first!)

Everywhere we went, staff was generous, kind and accommodating. Just make sure you are specific with your requests and they'll get done.

Suggestions for Honeymoon
 

We are planning a second-marriage honeymoon for mid-Nov---a big deal for us since we will be traveling without our four kids! We are only going for 4 nights from the east coast, so easy to get to is important. We go to Florida all the time, so would prefer an island or Mexico.

We are looking for nice rooms, good food, and excellent service--esp poolside and beach...I would love a pool boy and cabana. We would like some version of nightlife.

Among other non-rewards choices, we are considering the CLub 91 level at teh JW Marriot in Cancun. Does anyone know how this facility compares to other island choices (St Thomas, Cayman Islands)? We could aslo use points at a Ritz Carlton, but I wasnt thrilled with the reviews I read for the non-florida properties.

Our other thought is to pay for an all-exclusive resort somewhere, but I am overwhelmed by the choices.

I would appreciate any suggestions!!!!

Maui - that's where my wife and I are going for our 2nd anniversary this October. Everyone tells me that it's impossible to have a bad time in Maui.

Check out this thread for some comparisons:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ight=honeymoon

You might want to consider using your points for the Ritz in the Cayman Islands - friends of mine just got back from their honeymoon there and said it was the best Ritz they have stayed at, with really great service, particularly poolside.

I have enjoyed my stays at the St Thomas Marriott and the Aruba Ren, but I don't think they have the level of service that you're desiring for this special event.

Well, my first reaction was "Maui!!" - that's where we began our honeymoon, at the Renaissance Wailea, and absolutely loved the island and that property. Ren Wailea is the perfect honeymoon hotel - too small to support major convention business and not enough "family" amenities to make it attractive to larger family groups. It's a quiet, well-appointed place for couples to get away from it all.

But I'd say it would depend on specifically where you are coming from and what airlines you are considering. East Coast to Maui for four nights might be more exhausting than anything if it involves 2 or 3 connections both ways. But OTOH, if you are coming out of JFK and can do a UA/AA flight to LAX and then nonstop to OGG from there, it won't be too bad...

Another option that would be pretty easy from the East Coast is Europe. I've done many 3-4 nighters from IAD to Europe over the years. I love going to Paris in off-peak seasons: I get to pick & choose from better restaurants and the "touristy stuff" won't have any crowds. Of course, if you did that I'd tell you to skip the big American chain hotels (as un-FT-like as that sounds :o) and do something with a little more local flavor... :)