What's the most luxurious Marriott property regardless of location?
Oct 13, 2011, 10:39 am
#31
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Philly, PA
Programs: Avis First, Hertz Gold, Marriott Platinum, US Airways Platinum, AA Platinum, UA Silver, Hilton Diamo
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Oct 13, 2011, 12:29 pm
#32
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: aa advantage, marriott rewards
Posts: 63
Just returned from a European trip. My vote goes to the AC Santa Mauro in Madrid. It was built as a palace, converted to an Embassy and now it's a hotel. Hands down the most luxurious hotel I've ever stayed in. Free breakfast every day for Plat's, fantastic gardens to sit and have a cocktail, about four fantastic sitting rooms with the most opulent decor I've ever seen in a hotel.
Did I mention the cocktails? I ordered a Gin & tonic when we first arrived. The waiter comes out to the garden where we were sitting with a tray full of items. The usual cocktail nuts and a bowl of absolutely delicious olives. Then I noticed he brought out a small stemmed vase. I was wondering what he was going to do with that because he didn't have any flowers and there already were flowers on the table. He fills up the vase with ice and proceeds to fill the vase halfway up with Gin. I had to ask for another bottle of tonic to mellow it out a little.
Did I mention the cocktails? I ordered a Gin & tonic when we first arrived. The waiter comes out to the garden where we were sitting with a tray full of items. The usual cocktail nuts and a bowl of absolutely delicious olives. Then I noticed he brought out a small stemmed vase. I was wondering what he was going to do with that because he didn't have any flowers and there already were flowers on the table. He fills up the vase with ice and proceeds to fill the vase halfway up with Gin. I had to ask for another bottle of tonic to mellow it out a little.
Oct 15, 2011, 8:34 am
#35
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Philly, PA
Programs: Avis First, Hertz Gold, Marriott Platinum, US Airways Platinum, AA Platinum, UA Silver, Hilton Diamo
Posts: 206
Some photos from my stay at the JW BKK and JW Phuket ....
JW BKK
BKK Lobby Entrance
BKK (I believe I was in a deluxe room):
View from the concierge outdoor balcony
Pool/hot tub at JW BKK on the 9th floor
JW Phuket
Room at the JW Phuket - not sure what type it was but it was next to the adult pool with the bar in the pool
Pool - it actually turns and goes to the left and is quite large (don't have good photos of this). Below you'll see the concrete jut out and this is actually an area which bubbles and somewhat serves as an in pool massage lounge.
Pool Bar
Somewhat of a kids pool
This was always a quiet area and somewhat tucked away by some of the shops
The beach
View from the lobby looking towards the ocean - popular spot to watch the sunset
Hope this helps! By far the most beautiful Marriott (and resort in general) I've ever been to.
JW BKK
BKK Lobby Entrance
BKK (I believe I was in a deluxe room):
View from the concierge outdoor balcony
Pool/hot tub at JW BKK on the 9th floor
JW Phuket
Room at the JW Phuket - not sure what type it was but it was next to the adult pool with the bar in the pool
Pool - it actually turns and goes to the left and is quite large (don't have good photos of this). Below you'll see the concrete jut out and this is actually an area which bubbles and somewhat serves as an in pool massage lounge.
Pool Bar
Somewhat of a kids pool
This was always a quiet area and somewhat tucked away by some of the shops
The beach
View from the lobby looking towards the ocean - popular spot to watch the sunset
Hope this helps! By far the most beautiful Marriott (and resort in general) I've ever been to.
Last edited by xtremeski2001; Oct 15, 2011 at 8:40 am
Oct 18, 2011, 1:09 am
#36
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA Plt 3MM; UA 1K 2 MM; MR Lifetime Plat; HH Lifetime Diamond; HH Diamond; IGH Spire Ambas; SPG Gold
Posts: 2,149
Oct 18, 2011, 12:25 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
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For a domestic U.S. option, how about the Beaux Arts in Miami, with its Bang & Olufson electronics, loaner I-Pad and Molton Brown products (not to mention the NBA-regulation-sized private basketball court)?
Oct 18, 2011, 9:32 pm
#39
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA Plt 3MM; UA 1K 2 MM; MR Lifetime Plat; HH Lifetime Diamond; HH Diamond; IGH Spire Ambas; SPG Gold
Posts: 2,149
No wonder the owners did not want to include the word "Marriott" in the hotel name.....
Oct 19, 2011, 8:55 pm
#40
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 120
I've had my eye on Scrub Island BVI. Please post if you decide to stay.
For domestic options, you might try the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island.
For domestic options, you might try the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island.
Last edited by Hawkeye2; Oct 19, 2011 at 9:17 pm
Oct 22, 2011, 2:12 pm
#41
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 534
I went and took a look at the JW Phuket info and it does look fantastic!
One thing to note though is that the rooms themselves are quite affordable (based on a quick scan of spring 2012 rates & today's exchange rate, I was seeing prices as low as $135 a night). So if you're looking for "best bang for your points" you might want to focus on someplace else.
One thing to note though is that the rooms themselves are quite affordable (based on a quick scan of spring 2012 rates & today's exchange rate, I was seeing prices as low as $135 a night). So if you're looking for "best bang for your points" you might want to focus on someplace else.
Dec 14, 2011, 1:42 am
#42
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA Plt 3MM; UA 1K 2 MM; MR Lifetime Plat; HH Lifetime Diamond; HH Diamond; IGH Spire Ambas; SPG Gold
Posts: 2,149
Is that all there is?
If so, I have to conclude that luxury and Marriott are almost always mutually exclusive.....
If so, I have to conclude that luxury and Marriott are almost always mutually exclusive.....
Dec 14, 2011, 6:44 am
#43
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
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If you want Luxury, then as already mentioned, you will find that Marriott's Ritz Carlton brand will have a lot of options for you (given it is Marriott's luxury brand). Unfortuntely, they will also tend to cost more points (though I would suggest checking to see which ones might have Point Saver awards for the dates you would be looking for.)
Another option is checking out Marriott's Autograph Collection hotels. I would guess these hotels are Marriott's version of the Starwood "Luxury Collection" brand of hotels. So you will again find some very nice upper-end hotels. I'm not sure how many Marriott has so far, but I would think it is somewhere around 20-30 hotels so far.
Another option is checking out Marriott's Autograph Collection hotels. I would guess these hotels are Marriott's version of the Starwood "Luxury Collection" brand of hotels. So you will again find some very nice upper-end hotels. I'm not sure how many Marriott has so far, but I would think it is somewhere around 20-30 hotels so far.
Dec 27, 2011, 1:16 pm
#44
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 33
JW in Phuket was a wonderful hotel. We originally planned to stay a week and ended up extending by a few days. When we were there (2008), they had two elephants on property, which I have heard are no longer there. They were the absolute highlight of our entire SE Asia trip that year and while I loved the hotel, I'm not sure I'd want to go back there, knowing I wouldn't see them again.
Dec 27, 2011, 1:31 pm
#45
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Formerly of SacTown, Cali
Posts: 1,243
That sounds awesome. I will check that next time I am down there.