Best Marriott Beach Hotels
 

Looking to spend some hard earned points (Plat) at a beach resort in September, and hoping to seek FT advice! Hoping to spend 5 days at one hotel/resort in a foreign country (non-US), with a great beach or pool and interesting culture/food nearby. Not opposed to renting a car, but the absence of one would be a plus. So if you could go/return anywhere meeting those criteria, where would you recommend?

I'm currently considering the following after some marriott.com research, wondering if I'm excluding anything!

JW Cannes
Marriott Marbella Beach Resort
Curacao Marriott Beach Resort
Renaissance Phuket

Here are a few threads that might help you out:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...tt-europe.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...-marriott.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...rt-rc-all.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...an-mexico.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...has-offer.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...caribbean.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...ts-cancun.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...hotel-pts.html

How about the answer to the question:

Where is the best US Marriott Beach hotel that doesn't take away my hard-earned elite benefits by labeling itself a "Resort" hotel?

I would add St Kitts to your list.

I imagine no such hotel exists at any beach worth visiting. I've found they do usually give elites a nicer room even at resorts if available and the free internet is a bonus as well. The best beach hotel in the Marriott system is the new autograph collection hotel in Hawaii.

The only true Beachfront hotel in the US that I know of that also has a CL is the Hollywood Beach Marriott between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami.

There are other beachfront hotels that you could get a free breakfast if that is what you are looking for. There is the Pensacola Beach SHS or the Ft. Walton Beach FFI. Unfortunately, you would also have to eat breakfast with everyone else as well. ;) There are probably others as well.

One thing to look for especially at some of the Caribbean properties are rates that will include breakfast for 2 (like the Silverdollar rates). The last time I stayed at the St. Kitts Resort, I was able to get a great rate that included breakfast and pay for 3 nights get 2 free. I think all-in-all I was paying less than $100/night for the trip (paid cash not points given how cheap it was.) And the hotel still upgraded us to a very nice extra-large room.

Hummm... I guess the Del Ray Beach property isn't exactly beachfront since the beach is across the street but it also seems to have a CL. Can anyone verify that?

While I agree with you in principal, I'm on vacation :p... not looking to fret over a few paid breakfasts!

I guess you like paying NYC prices for breakfast on the beach. I guess I'm too frugal.

Marriott Stanton in SOBE. Right on Ocean Drive between 1st and 2nd.

HOWEVER-

It is going through a major renovation (pool closed until October). When everything is done Spring 2016 it is going to be a RESORT and they will be closing the Lounge.

It currently has one of the best Domestic Lounges too. Heard they need 4 Restaurants, Spa and Pool with Service/Pool Bar for them to be reclassified as a resort. Nothing now in Miami Beach that will have a CL. Heard the Stanton is typically 80% Tourist 20% Business.

It's a Courtyeard, But....
 

It is oceanfront.
Carolina Beach, NC
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...ch-oceanfront/

I suppose since there are few, if any, real elite benefits at a Courtyard then technically you're right ... they didn't "take them away."

There seems to be two pools at this property. Are both pools closed?

As of July 10th both will be closed. They are completely re-doing the entire pool area.

Renovation Information – Lobby, terrace and front drive improvements through September 20, 2015. The pool will be closed July 10-October 1, 2015. Noise can be expected 9am-6pm Monday-Saturday.

So a stay a little later in October will have the pools open and a CL lounge.