Marriott Bonvoy hotels in the Caribbean
May 16, 2019, 3:56 am
#1
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Marriott Bonvoy hotels in the Caribbean
We are planning a milestone trip next winter and were looking at the Four Seasons in Nevis, but it doesn't seem to discount and $925/night doesn't make sense while we are sitting on just under a million Bonvoy points.
Nevis is a draw for us, due to the history and the volcano and the very quiet nature of the island. Any thoughts on the most similar Bonvoy property we could try? Using the "buy 4 get 1" deal plus two other nights, I see Category 8 is 85K points/night, so we'd only have to use 510K points for a week, which sounds really good to us.
I've got the (?) next to Caribbean because that is my default when I think "beach, warm, quiet, under 6 hours to get to there", but that's not a requirement. Any place there's a beach, warm water and air, and quiet would work for us, and preferably some history or hiking or things to do during the day in addition to the beach, and as long as we can get to there from Boston in under 6 hours travel time or so*. We've been to Mexico a few times, but we are looking for something totally new. I know there is a St. Regis in Puerto Rico and I might be able to be convinced to go there. Good restaurants in walking or reasonable cab distance away is a big plus
We come from the SPG program, so know those options fairly well, but not necessarily all the upper end options. I don't know anything about the Ritz-Carlton or other former Marriott properties. I know there is a Ritz in Grand Cayman and one in St. Thomas, but we have been to those islands and they are too busy places for our plans.
All Inclusive is not needed
Fully expect that this isn't possible, but hoping to be surprised by my friends on the board.
* Basically I think we are looking to repeat but significantly upgrade a similar trip we took to Providenciales, so many years ago, when we stayed at Grace Bay in a midrange property. Great beach and pool, pretty quiet, short ride to restaurants with a couple of places on property.
Nevis is a draw for us, due to the history and the volcano and the very quiet nature of the island. Any thoughts on the most similar Bonvoy property we could try? Using the "buy 4 get 1" deal plus two other nights, I see Category 8 is 85K points/night, so we'd only have to use 510K points for a week, which sounds really good to us.
I've got the (?) next to Caribbean because that is my default when I think "beach, warm, quiet, under 6 hours to get to there", but that's not a requirement. Any place there's a beach, warm water and air, and quiet would work for us, and preferably some history or hiking or things to do during the day in addition to the beach, and as long as we can get to there from Boston in under 6 hours travel time or so*. We've been to Mexico a few times, but we are looking for something totally new. I know there is a St. Regis in Puerto Rico and I might be able to be convinced to go there. Good restaurants in walking or reasonable cab distance away is a big plus
We come from the SPG program, so know those options fairly well, but not necessarily all the upper end options. I don't know anything about the Ritz-Carlton or other former Marriott properties. I know there is a Ritz in Grand Cayman and one in St. Thomas, but we have been to those islands and they are too busy places for our plans.
All Inclusive is not needed
Fully expect that this isn't possible, but hoping to be surprised by my friends on the board.
* Basically I think we are looking to repeat but significantly upgrade a similar trip we took to Providenciales, so many years ago, when we stayed at Grace Bay in a midrange property. Great beach and pool, pretty quiet, short ride to restaurants with a couple of places on property.
May 16, 2019, 6:21 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Grace Bay is excellent! Now if the elusive JW would appear...
St. Kitts might not be a significant upgrade from that but it's a nice experience. The Marriott there is a nice property on a quiet beach with a good pool. While the island is fairly quiet oh, there are still a lot of things to do including boat trips to Nevis
St. Kitts might not be a significant upgrade from that but it's a nice experience. The Marriott there is a nice property on a quiet beach with a good pool. While the island is fairly quiet oh, there are still a lot of things to do including boat trips to Nevis
May 16, 2019, 7:59 am
#5
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Oh, my! That looks like a real possibility .
Curacao doesn't seem to be taking reservations yet or have a category assigned, but that might be good, too.
Curacao doesn't seem to be taking reservations yet or have a category assigned, but that might be good, too.
May 16, 2019, 8:56 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 10
The St. Regis in Puerto Rico is beautiful - it definitely might be worth a shot. It is very close to a really nice rainforest reserve and a relatively short ride from San Juan, which has amazingly beautiful forts and colonial architecture.
I prefer the large grounds and tranquility that come with being a ways outside the city, which is why I like the St. Regis so much. But if you want to be closer to the action, the La Concha in San Juan is also a good option. I'd recommend that hotel over the Ritz Carlton in San Juan, but that also might be an option.
The Ritz Carlton Reserve in Dorado is also truly spectacular (arguably my favorite hotel in the world), but doesn't accept Bonvoy bookings as far as I know.
I also went to the Marriott in Curaçao. It was also very nice, but not as grand as the St. Regis (but this was before the renovation, so things might have changed). Curaçao also has a really neat history and interesting architecture.
I prefer the large grounds and tranquility that come with being a ways outside the city, which is why I like the St. Regis so much. But if you want to be closer to the action, the La Concha in San Juan is also a good option. I'd recommend that hotel over the Ritz Carlton in San Juan, but that also might be an option.
The Ritz Carlton Reserve in Dorado is also truly spectacular (arguably my favorite hotel in the world), but doesn't accept Bonvoy bookings as far as I know.
I also went to the Marriott in Curaçao. It was also very nice, but not as grand as the St. Regis (but this was before the renovation, so things might have changed). Curaçao also has a really neat history and interesting architecture.
Last edited by ColonelHughPickering; May 16, 2019 at 9:12 am
May 16, 2019, 1:48 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 31
I would really do your homework. I stayed at Scrub recently and it was a terrible experience. I could provide a long list of complaints. I'd go elsewhere -- the Marriott on St. John is beautiful and private.
May 16, 2019, 1:49 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 31
I would do your research. I stayed there about 2 months ago and it was a terrible experience. Management is awful and wasn't willing to rectify my complaints even while onsite. Plenty of other great options in BVI and USVI.
Save yourself.
Save yourself.
May 16, 2019, 6:37 pm
#11
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The RC Reserve Dorado is the nicest option perhaps in the Caribbean, along with some non Marriott properties--but as noted, it doesn't participate in Bonvoy.
The StR Bahia Beach in Puerto Rico is overwhelmingly the nicest Caribbean property in the entire Bonvoy portfolio. It just reopened after 2 years closure and renovation after Hurricane Maria, and the new hard product is sensational. The service wasn't quite up to StR standard in February 2019 during our stay, but given another 6 months and I'd expect the hotel to be running back at StR levels. I stayed pre-Maria in Feb 2017, as well; it was phenomenal. It's a 30-40 min drive to downtown San Juan and is on a spectacular beach and only 20 min from the El Yunque Forest and areas of amazing natural beauty on PR.
After that, it's a choice between large and not as fresh Ritz-Carlton properties like Aruba, San Juan (not sure when reopens since Maria), Grand Cayman, and St Thomas, and the Scrub Island Autograph property. I realize Scrub's Cat 8 award status makes some think it will be nicer, but be careful--award category often has more to do with rates (supply and DEMAND) and less to do with quality, especially in the overpriced markets of the Caribbean (and Mexico). Technically, the Ritz-Carlton in Cancun might also qualify, though it's super dated.
The Westin St John and Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach resorts and La Concha Renaissance in San Juan might also be good options. There's also a Design Hotel Laluna on Grenada...but don't expect a lot of elite benefits.
The StR Bahia Beach in Puerto Rico is overwhelmingly the nicest Caribbean property in the entire Bonvoy portfolio. It just reopened after 2 years closure and renovation after Hurricane Maria, and the new hard product is sensational. The service wasn't quite up to StR standard in February 2019 during our stay, but given another 6 months and I'd expect the hotel to be running back at StR levels. I stayed pre-Maria in Feb 2017, as well; it was phenomenal. It's a 30-40 min drive to downtown San Juan and is on a spectacular beach and only 20 min from the El Yunque Forest and areas of amazing natural beauty on PR.
After that, it's a choice between large and not as fresh Ritz-Carlton properties like Aruba, San Juan (not sure when reopens since Maria), Grand Cayman, and St Thomas, and the Scrub Island Autograph property. I realize Scrub's Cat 8 award status makes some think it will be nicer, but be careful--award category often has more to do with rates (supply and DEMAND) and less to do with quality, especially in the overpriced markets of the Caribbean (and Mexico). Technically, the Ritz-Carlton in Cancun might also qualify, though it's super dated.
The Westin St John and Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach resorts and La Concha Renaissance in San Juan might also be good options. There's also a Design Hotel Laluna on Grenada...but don't expect a lot of elite benefits.
May 17, 2019, 4:25 am
#13
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Damo: You have repeated your distaste a few times. Could you share some helpful details?
Looking at all the suggestions, above. Many thanks for all the constructive input!
Looking at all the suggestions, above. Many thanks for all the constructive input!
May 17, 2019, 9:38 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2003
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May 17, 2019, 10:26 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 702
The Westin on St. John has recently reopened and reports on the STJ boards are all good. A few things to know:
1. the resort has transitioned to an all "vacation club" model so look into the frequency of housekeeping services.
2, the "villas" are across the road and up on the hill. This results in lovely views but a long (and steep on the return) walk to some of them. Golf carts do run regularly to ferry guests.
3. The beach isn't great. It looks good in pictures but is man made. Further, there are many live aboard boats moored in that bay. STJ does not have pump out facilities.
4. Cruz Bay has many good restaurants and is a short cab ride from the Westin.
5. Westin does offer easy transport (at a cost) from baggage claim at STT direct to the resort via private ferry.
STJ is a lovely island and one of our favorites in the Caribbean. We have been visiting for nearly 25 years.
The RC Reserve Dorado is the nicest option perhaps in the Caribbean, along with some non Marriott properties--but as noted, it doesn't participate in Bonvoy.
The StR Bahia Beach in Puerto Rico is overwhelmingly the nicest Caribbean property in the entire Bonvoy portfolio. It just reopened after 2 years closure and renovation after Hurricane Maria, and the new hard product is sensational. The service wasn't quite up to StR standard in February 2019 during our stay, but given another 6 months and I'd expect the hotel to be running back at StR levels. I stayed pre-Maria in Feb 2017, as well; it was phenomenal. It's a 30-40 min drive to downtown San Juan and is on a spectacular beach and only 20 min from the El Yunque Forest and areas of amazing natural beauty on PR.
After that, it's a choice between large and not as fresh Ritz-Carlton properties like Aruba, San Juan (not sure when reopens since Maria), Grand Cayman, and St Thomas, and the Scrub Island Autograph property. I realize Scrub's Cat 8 award status makes some think it will be nicer, but be careful--award category often has more to do with rates (supply and DEMAND) and less to do with quality, especially in the overpriced markets of the Caribbean (and Mexico). Technically, the Ritz-Carlton in Cancun might also qualify, though it's super dated.
The Westin St John and Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach resorts and La Concha Renaissance in San Juan might also be good options. There's also a Design Hotel Laluna on Grenada...but don't expect a lot of elite benefits.
The StR Bahia Beach in Puerto Rico is overwhelmingly the nicest Caribbean property in the entire Bonvoy portfolio. It just reopened after 2 years closure and renovation after Hurricane Maria, and the new hard product is sensational. The service wasn't quite up to StR standard in February 2019 during our stay, but given another 6 months and I'd expect the hotel to be running back at StR levels. I stayed pre-Maria in Feb 2017, as well; it was phenomenal. It's a 30-40 min drive to downtown San Juan and is on a spectacular beach and only 20 min from the El Yunque Forest and areas of amazing natural beauty on PR.
After that, it's a choice between large and not as fresh Ritz-Carlton properties like Aruba, San Juan (not sure when reopens since Maria), Grand Cayman, and St Thomas, and the Scrub Island Autograph property. I realize Scrub's Cat 8 award status makes some think it will be nicer, but be careful--award category often has more to do with rates (supply and DEMAND) and less to do with quality, especially in the overpriced markets of the Caribbean (and Mexico). Technically, the Ritz-Carlton in Cancun might also qualify, though it's super dated.
The Westin St John and Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach resorts and La Concha Renaissance in San Juan might also be good options. There's also a Design Hotel Laluna on Grenada...but don't expect a lot of elite benefits.