Thanks everyone. I appreciate the shared experiences and reasoning. I'll give MR and make sure their names are under the res. Cheers! ^^^
-coORD

Honeymoon using Marriott Points
 

Looking to book my honeymoon using the Marriott 7 day travel package, do anyone have recommendations on what's the best Marriott hotel for honeymoon?

I am based in Melbourne, Australia so preferably somewhere that I can get to with less than 12 hours of flying, other than that I am all ears!

So far I had a look at RC Kyoto, but from what I gather while it is very nice (and expensive), it isn't exactly a great Honeymoon location.

Welcome to FT & congrats on your upcoming wedding!

Perhaps some of the resorts in Thailand, Bali, or Hawaii?

Cheers.

Thank you SkiAdcock, we did consider Thailand and Bali but haven't been to southeast Asia before and worried having to haggle and be cautious all the time, wanted something that's relaxing and not much to worry about for the honeymoon. Is our fears overblown?

Taking a look into Hawaii now, been to USA before so there's some comfort with familiarity as well, which would be a good Marriott/RC hotel/resort that's new and modern and suitable for honeymoon?

I asked my "boss" and she would prefer Maldives, given there's no Marriott property there and cash price is really expensive, therefore I am looking for something that gets as close to being Maldives without actually being there (if you get what I mean).

When's the honeymoon? Marriott is opening a resort in Fiji in April.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...sort-momi-bay/

Check post #5 of the link above. The "boss" might like that, but we won't know the category/you might not be able to book it until it gets close to opening time.

FWIW - I think your fears re: Thailand/Bali are overblown. The Thailand properties in particular seem to be very service-oriented.

Re: Hawaii. There are some new properties opening up or have opened up recently.

BTW - which category level did you redeem for your travel package? If it's a high end you should be good. If it's a lower category, you can 'buy up' by anteing up extra points.

Cheers.

It will be in the second half of the year, will check with her and see whether I can convince her to consider Thailand and Bali, would certainly be much easier to get to than flying all the way to Hawaii!

I haven't redeemed the travel package yet, currently have 270k Marriott points which is enough for the cat 5 package, but can transfer more points via credit card to get a higher category if needed.

Given it is for honeymoon it will certainly be no expenses points spared! Willing to go as high category/tier as need be.

Whether it be Thailand, Bali, Fiji or Hawaii you're probably going to have to redeem for a higher cat than Cat 5.

Thailand has 2 resorts that are Cat 4, but the rest are Cat 6. 7 or Cat 8s.
The Stones, Autograph Collection in Bali is a Cat 6.
We don't have a category yet for the Fiji resort (it opens in April)
The Hawaii resorts are usually Cat 8 or Cat 9s.

Cheers.

I've redeemed at Wailea (Maui) and Kauai - both islands are wonderful. I'm sure they're top category or close to it.

I know for me personally, I'd get bored on such a long stay in a single resort location. I'd be looking Hong Kong or something like that. (I suppose you could throw in a beach day there if you want to...)

To me there is a lot to do on Kauai. The are a number of secluded beaches that you have to leave your car and hike for a mile or 2 to get at (and you could very possibly be the only persons at some of those beaches.) Kauai has the only navigable river on the Hawaiian islands. You can kayak up and down the river to see some very nice sights. Due to all the rain it gets, there are probably more waterfalls to see on Kauai than all the other islands combined. There is also the US's second largest canyon, Waimea Canyon. It virtually cuts the whole island in half but is a beautiful sight. Arguably the best island helicopter ride is on Kauai to see the Canyon and the waterfalls from the air. Truly captivating.

There isn't as much "night life" on Kauai as there is on Oahu or even Maui and the crowds will tend to be smaller there than on the other islands as well. But I had no problem filling 7 days worth of excitement in Kauai. I'd recommend getting "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook" and reading through it. It is worth the price of the book. ^

Congrats....

My own 2 cents on Hawaii....

look at Maui and Kauai--these islands are more "romantic" than the other 2 islands.

the category and points have gotten inflated over the past few years. The Courtyard exists on both islands. Its just a hotel. it is not a resort like the title may claim.

With the Big Island there is not a central location to really try and stay at to explore the island. You will need to do a split stay.

the time of this honeymoon is important.

July/August---high mainland USA tourist season
September/October--best time for weather and you don't have as many tourist families.
November/December-- You can get rainy weather on the north and eastern sides of the islands. these sides also can have rough waters which will cancel any sort of boating trips.

The OP is doing a 7-day travel package. A split stay isn't an option.

Cheers.

>implying putting your wife into Japanese bondage & associated fetishes isn't hot

In all seriousness, Kyoto is great unless you're looking for a beach and resort-type trip.

don't forget these:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...-nai-yang.html


and check out the starwood forum on recommendations from that side

I've stayed at the Courtyard on Maui (for one night, when we arrived, because it was convenient) and on Kauai for 3 nights. I agree with you about the Maui Courtyard - you could really be staying in any airport Courtyard in any city. But the Kauai Courtyard is lovely. Very resort-like with a nice pool area and amenities included such as free Mai Tais and beach-chairs & coolers for you to check out for day trips around the island.

That said, I don't think it's honeymoon-worthy. But I just wanted to point out that the Courtyards on Maui and Kauai are completely different. I wouldn't hesitate to stay at the Kauai Courtyard again. For a non-honeymoon trip. :D

The OP is using a 7-day Marriott travel package.

Cheers.