Best Marriott beach location that's not a resort/we can get breakfast?
Jan 28, 2018, 10:22 am
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: PHX, ICN
Programs: OZ Diamond Plus, Marriott Gold
Posts: 502
Hotel elite benefits aren't usually a driver for me picking a destination. If there's a city in this world I want to visit, I'll make plans to go there even if there are no Marriotts, Hiltons, etc. In some parts of the world, I actually love the local guesthouses, B&B's, whatever... But if I've settled on an area and am looking at different award options, we have this (stupid, IMHO) distinction within Marriott that it can't be a "resort" if you want elite benefits. Thus this thread: where are good non-resort options near resort-y places?
Plus there's something psychological: it feels like Marriott is ripping me off at resorts. I have a resort-ish stay coming up, using a Travel Package, but it's at an MVCI. (I found an elusive 7-night award at MVCI!!!
) That doesn't bother me at all, because I always had zero expectation of elite benefits at MVCI. Hilton and Starwood don't provide benefits at their timeshare brands either. I don't feel like it's being taken away from me arbitrarily. And I have a kitchen, so I don't need the hotel to provide me breakfast.
Plus there's something psychological: it feels like Marriott is ripping me off at resorts. I have a resort-ish stay coming up, using a Travel Package, but it's at an MVCI. (I found an elusive 7-night award at MVCI!!!
) That doesn't bother me at all, because I always had zero expectation of elite benefits at MVCI. Hilton and Starwood don't provide benefits at their timeshare brands either. I don't feel like it's being taken away from me arbitrarily. And I have a kitchen, so I don't need the hotel to provide me breakfast.
Jan 28, 2018, 4:52 pm
#47
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Jan 28, 2018, 5:08 pm
#48
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,703
10 years ago I did and thought it was very decent, the lounge was very nice and across the street from the ocean beach. Walk to the small town for shops & restaurants but will certainly need a car for other funtivities. Butterfly World was cool. There is also now a RI in town too.
Jan 29, 2018, 9:08 am
#49
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,583
Feb 3, 2018, 3:30 pm
#50
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: PHX, ICN
Programs: OZ Diamond Plus, Marriott Gold
Posts: 502
It's the Residence that is up the street. I do that wayyyy too often for someone who stays at Marriotts a lot.
Feb 6, 2018, 1:17 pm
#51
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: YWG
Programs: Aeroplan, MileagePlus, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 2,160
I just came back from a week-long stay at the Residence Inn in Pompano Beach, FL, and I think it fits the main criteria that the OP is looking for. Being a RI, breakfast is included for everyone and it's a nice spread. Certainly there was enough variety to keep us happy for the week.
The hotel itself is situated right on the beach, and has a nice and spacious pool area on top of that. It isn't a resort so no resort fees, although there is no on-site parking and you have to use valets at $25 a day.
To Old Hickory's question about free breakfast, I will say that as a parent of 2 young children, having a hotel breakfast is a huge perk. That's mainly because it saves time... I don't have to herd the kids into the car and stop anywhere. We just roll down to the breakfast area, have a bite to eat, no worries about washing dishes, etc., go back to the room, get our stuff and we're good to go.
I wouldn't pick a place on account of a free breakfast, but it is definitely a major convenience that gets factored into the decision as to where we'll stay.
The hotel itself is situated right on the beach, and has a nice and spacious pool area on top of that. It isn't a resort so no resort fees, although there is no on-site parking and you have to use valets at $25 a day.
To Old Hickory's question about free breakfast, I will say that as a parent of 2 young children, having a hotel breakfast is a huge perk. That's mainly because it saves time... I don't have to herd the kids into the car and stop anywhere. We just roll down to the breakfast area, have a bite to eat, no worries about washing dishes, etc., go back to the room, get our stuff and we're good to go.
I wouldn't pick a place on account of a free breakfast, but it is definitely a major convenience that gets factored into the decision as to where we'll stay.