Half a Million Marriott Points, Where to Go?
Aug 15, 2019, 5:44 pm
#17
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What about some resorts in Arizona in the winter (book before the high/low season point differences becomes effective) that have nice pools with kiddie areas? IIRC there's a Sheraton outside of Phoenix (something pass?) that could work well and be family friendly. Unfortunately most of the stunning pool at the Phoenician is about four (or more) feet deep with no area for small kids.
How about one of the properties at Pine Cliffs in southern Portugal? One building seems to be comprised of suites oriented toward family stays. The pools and beach would be fun for a kid, and I think it's LC (as is a more adult oriented LC hotel in the complex). You'd realistically want to fly into either Lisbon or Faro and rent a car.
How about one of the properties at Pine Cliffs in southern Portugal? One building seems to be comprised of suites oriented toward family stays. The pools and beach would be fun for a kid, and I think it's LC (as is a more adult oriented LC hotel in the complex). You'd realistically want to fly into either Lisbon or Faro and rent a car.
Aug 15, 2019, 5:54 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 152
Want to splurge one last time. Got about half a mil points and want to do a nice trip. One 5-year old and two adults.
Was looking at RC Kyoto but our daughter does not like the loooonnngggg flight so ruling out Asia / Australia/ New Zealand altogether. Flying from YYZ.
West coast somewhere?
Caribbean somewhere?
Europe?
Idea travel time is fall, September - November frame.
Ideas please. Platinum member.
Was looking at RC Kyoto but our daughter does not like the loooonnngggg flight so ruling out Asia / Australia/ New Zealand altogether. Flying from YYZ.
West coast somewhere?
Caribbean somewhere?
Europe?
Idea travel time is fall, September - November frame.
Ideas please. Platinum member.
There are Ritz Carlton options, as well as an SLS in Beverly Hills and West Hollywood EDITION.
Aug 15, 2019, 6:23 pm
#19
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Worthwhile remembering though that Atlantic has a $54 resort fee plus $12 per person per day "mandatory gratuity" (sic) so would be $90 per day more than hotels outside of the US area would be.
Aug 15, 2019, 6:27 pm
#20
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Instead of LA, I'd do San Diego for the zoo, etc., but I don't know what the situation is for top Starriott properties there that would be kid friendly. [The W is not, nor the US Grant, and I don't like the convention places.] In LA, I think there are some top category hotels, but they could be long drives from Disney--I don't think there's much in Anaheim beyond big (convention) Sheratons and similar.
ADDED: For places that aren't resort destinations, London seems to have a lot that might appeal to kids, such as the Tower of London dungeon, Hyde Park corner, Ferris wheel, etc. Paris too to some extent.
ADDED: For places that aren't resort destinations, London seems to have a lot that might appeal to kids, such as the Tower of London dungeon, Hyde Park corner, Ferris wheel, etc. Paris too to some extent.
Last edited by MSPeconomist; Aug 15, 2019 at 10:22 pm
Aug 15, 2019, 6:39 pm
#21
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Quick point: Doing both LA/Anaheim and SD is quite plausible. There's a train station in downtown SD as well as downtown LA, and the one in Anaheim is only a few blocks from Disneyland (with a free shuttle). Amtrak is also doing cross-promotion work with Disneyland (so you can get a discount on passes):
https://www.pacificsurfliner.com/off...on-disneyland/
https://www.pacificsurfliner.com/off...on-disneyland/
Aug 15, 2019, 7:02 pm
#22
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Thanks everyone. We will look into California for Disney and Greece— coming from Canada, we really want a sunny vacation. And no casinos of any sort since neither of us is into gambling nor parties.
Looking at Dome of Elounda right now along with some hotels in London.
Looking at Dome of Elounda right now along with some hotels in London.
Aug 15, 2019, 10:15 pm
#23
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 39
Thanks everyone. We will look into California for Disney and Greece— coming from Canada, we really want a sunny vacation. And no casinos of any sort since neither of us is into gambling nor parties.
Looking at Dome of Elounda right now along with some hotels in London.
Looking at Dome of Elounda right now along with some hotels in London.
Aug 15, 2019, 11:34 pm
#24
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Ontario, Canada
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And did some kid friendly stuff, like checked out the adventure dome amusement park. It's not the greatest since its pretty run down and lot of the rides were broken, but all indoor amusements parks are always fun for me since there's not a whole lot of them.
Though certainly did some non-kid friendly stuff heh. Vegas definitely caters more to the adult crowd but can be fun for families too if you plan it out nice.
Aug 16, 2019, 1:04 am
#25
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You are a year too late - could have gotten some great deals last year when MR temporarily reduced the cost for St. Regis, etc. Now the price in points is through the roof.
Many of the London properties are grossly overpriced with points now - Personally I would go with the Italian properties if you can get them for the same price.
In California you can definitely get more bang for your buck in San Diego - compared to the overpriced JW Santa Monica and the RCs. Personally I detest Disney and won't ever be spending a dime to take my kids there to wait in long lines. Plus you'll want to bring your future child if that's your thing.
Personally I would reconsider Japan - the flights are shorter than Europe and it is very child friendly with lots of parks that children would enjoy. And some great Marriott properties.
Many of the London properties are grossly overpriced with points now - Personally I would go with the Italian properties if you can get them for the same price.
In California you can definitely get more bang for your buck in San Diego - compared to the overpriced JW Santa Monica and the RCs. Personally I detest Disney and won't ever be spending a dime to take my kids there to wait in long lines. Plus you'll want to bring your future child if that's your thing.
Personally I would reconsider Japan - the flights are shorter than Europe and it is very child friendly with lots of parks that children would enjoy. And some great Marriott properties.
Aug 16, 2019, 5:27 am
#26
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Depends on what you want to do. A great many restaurants and even some sights have no child policies. Honestly I find it to be the least child-friendly place I’ve been with my son, but that’s likely largely a function of my interests.
Aug 16, 2019, 5:52 am
#27
Join Date: Apr 2019
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Honestly, Southern California is your best bet. I say best and I mean
- offers the most - activities / disney / beach
- safest - sunny weather
- easiest - offers multiple cities and venues
With three kids, we fly to California all the time.
- offers the most - activities / disney / beach
- safest - sunny weather
- easiest - offers multiple cities and venues
With three kids, we fly to California all the time.
Aug 16, 2019, 6:34 am
#28
Join Date: Oct 2013
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I'm guessing a 5-yr old will appreciate any hotel with a beach and a nice pool. But if the OP wants Europe, how about somewhere with some child-friendly sites like London or Paris? As far as the hurricane warnings, I think later in the OP's time frame is a safer bet. I've often had beautiful weather and good prices in late October or November in Mexico and the Caribbean. If he's willing to go in November, I'd look in that direction. Probably a much shorter flight from YYZ than Europe too (especially beach destinations that time of year).
Aug 16, 2019, 7:00 am
#29
Join Date: Jul 2018
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Instead of LA, I'd do San Diego for the zoo, etc., but I don't know what the situation is for top Starriott properties there that would be kid friendly. [The W is not, nor the US Grant, and I don't like the convention places.] In LA, I think there are some top category hotels, but they could be long drives from Disney--I don't think there's much in Anaheim beyond big (convention) Sheratons and similar.
ADDED: For places that aren't resort destinations, London seems to have a lot that might appeal to kids, such as the Tower of London dungeon, Hyde Park corner, Ferris wheel, etc. Paris too to some extent.
ADDED: For places that aren't resort destinations, London seems to have a lot that might appeal to kids, such as the Tower of London dungeon, Hyde Park corner, Ferris wheel, etc. Paris too to some extent.
Aug 16, 2019, 10:08 am
#30
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Add me to the list that has taken several nice family trips with kids to SoCal. Lots of Marriotts up and down the coast from SD to LA, including good properties in several of the OC beach towns.
We like it because it's a super-easy trip and fun for both a long weekend or a full week stay.
Our ideal location is about the Newport Beach area. Maybe do a San Diego day and an LA day and a couple days fairly local to the hotel. We've also done trips a little farther south where we skipped LA and did 2 days of Balboa Park and the SD Zoo.
We've never done amusement parks out there but they aren't too far inland from the Newport area. Would be pretty easy to do a couple days of parks from there. (I'd definitely want my hotel down by the ocean though.)
We like it because it's a super-easy trip and fun for both a long weekend or a full week stay.
Our ideal location is about the Newport Beach area. Maybe do a San Diego day and an LA day and a couple days fairly local to the hotel. We've also done trips a little farther south where we skipped LA and did 2 days of Balboa Park and the SD Zoo.
We've never done amusement parks out there but they aren't too far inland from the Newport area. Would be pretty easy to do a couple days of parks from there. (I'd definitely want my hotel down by the ocean though.)