Best Marriott Resort Value for a Package Award?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Mid-Atlantic
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Posts: 4,210
Best Marriott Resort Value for a Package Award?
Ok,
I have enough MR Points to basically get any kind of award I want now. I've spent some time looking over various posts about great Marriotts for a 7-day package award, trying to decide what to go for (now getting more than slightly paranoid about further program devaluation possibly coming soon). Couldn't exactly focus on what combination of characteristics I most wanted in the property, and I've come to realize we're flexible, but we do want to find something that is a great value for the points expended (a place we would be reluctant to spend the cash for if we didn't have the points). So, as best as I can come up with now this is what we want:
1. A resort that is a great value - when reserved in a week hotel + miles package.
and one or more of the following:
2. A place that is spectacularly beautiful with lots of on-site recreational opportunities. A nice beach resort is certainly an option high on the list of possibilities, but we are not limited to that - see option 3 below.
3. Great cultural and historical diversions abound at your doorstep. Friendly locals a big plus.
4. Great standard rooms.
and a place where it's going to be realistic to get award tickets to (preferred months of travel are November, December, January, middle of March, or possibly next June.)
I have enough MR Points to basically get any kind of award I want now. I've spent some time looking over various posts about great Marriotts for a 7-day package award, trying to decide what to go for (now getting more than slightly paranoid about further program devaluation possibly coming soon). Couldn't exactly focus on what combination of characteristics I most wanted in the property, and I've come to realize we're flexible, but we do want to find something that is a great value for the points expended (a place we would be reluctant to spend the cash for if we didn't have the points). So, as best as I can come up with now this is what we want:
1. A resort that is a great value - when reserved in a week hotel + miles package.
and one or more of the following:
2. A place that is spectacularly beautiful with lots of on-site recreational opportunities. A nice beach resort is certainly an option high on the list of possibilities, but we are not limited to that - see option 3 below.
3. Great cultural and historical diversions abound at your doorstep. Friendly locals a big plus.
4. Great standard rooms.
and a place where it's going to be realistic to get award tickets to (preferred months of travel are November, December, January, middle of March, or possibly next June.)
#2
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Hilton Gold, Marriott Plat, Starwood, Hyatt Diamond, PC Amb Plat, AA, Delta Gold
Posts: 356
Go West
I am trying to accumulate enough points to do the same thing. Unfortunately a reward stay in Paris may set me back about 18 months on reaching my goal.
I think the following destinations have wonderful possibilies:
San Diego
Seattle (June)
Whistler
I think the following destinations have wonderful possibilies:
San Diego
Seattle (June)
Whistler
#3
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IND
Programs: Marriott Platinum, SWA CP
Posts: 577
I would recommend looking into the Marco Island Marriott Resort. It has:
1. a very nice beach
2. close enough for a day trip to the Everglades National Park
3. some historical elements in Ft. Myers (Edison and Ford homes)
4. easy airport access via RSW
We visited in late December/early January this year and the weather was great. It should be warm at the times you are planning to travel.
1. a very nice beach
2. close enough for a day trip to the Everglades National Park
3. some historical elements in Ft. Myers (Edison and Ford homes)
4. easy airport access via RSW
We visited in late December/early January this year and the weather was great. It should be warm at the times you are planning to travel.
#4
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Join Date: Jul 2002
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I've done two Travel Packages to Hawaii - Marriott Kauai and Renaissance Wailea. Both of those trips were wonderful. Marriott Kauai had plenty of activities organized itself, and Renaissance Wailea is walking distance from the old Outrigger (now branded a Marriott), which is where a ton of activities (snorkel cruises, etc.) depart from.
Ren Wailea has been rumored to be renovated and rebranding as a Starwood, but it might still be on the board for Marriott rewards this fall. I don't know... Personally, I did not consider that Outrigger up to par for what I expect out of a Marriott, but I think some folks here have written good reviews of it recently. My experience is simply walking its grounds before it converted to Marriott - no actual stay there.
Award tix from the U.S. could be tough in December through March.
Another good option could be Europe - I love going to Europe in the offseason. March in Paris, London in December - I've done both of those a couple of times. The trade-off for crappy weather is easy access to any activity, show, restaurant, etc. you might be interested in. Plus premium cabin award tix are quite doable. Plus London gets dressed up for Christmas, which is cool, and sometimes March weather in Paris isn't as bad as you'd expect.
In any case, the difference between a Cat 1-5 award and a Cat 7 award is less than 20%, so I'd definitely go for the whole enchilada and stay in a property you ordinarily wouldn't book with you own money.
Ren Wailea has been rumored to be renovated and rebranding as a Starwood, but it might still be on the board for Marriott rewards this fall. I don't know... Personally, I did not consider that Outrigger up to par for what I expect out of a Marriott, but I think some folks here have written good reviews of it recently. My experience is simply walking its grounds before it converted to Marriott - no actual stay there.
Award tix from the U.S. could be tough in December through March.
Another good option could be Europe - I love going to Europe in the offseason. March in Paris, London in December - I've done both of those a couple of times. The trade-off for crappy weather is easy access to any activity, show, restaurant, etc. you might be interested in. Plus premium cabin award tix are quite doable. Plus London gets dressed up for Christmas, which is cool, and sometimes March weather in Paris isn't as bad as you'd expect.
In any case, the difference between a Cat 1-5 award and a Cat 7 award is less than 20%, so I'd definitely go for the whole enchilada and stay in a property you ordinarily wouldn't book with you own money.
#5
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
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One of my favorite Marriott's anywhere is the Harbor Beach Marriott in Ft. Lauderdale. Extremely nice hotel, pool, Spa, and it even has its own fairly private beach so you don't have to battle the normal beach crowds in Ft. Lauderdale. ^
As Pinniped mentioned, London can be good location. The wife and I went there last New Years (on an award package) and stayed at the Ren. Chancery Court. Given the normal prices to stay at one of the downtown London Marriotts can be around $600 USD or more, using awards here is definitely a good option. And since winter is more of an off season, upgrades are fairly easy to come by.
As Pinniped mentioned, London can be good location. The wife and I went there last New Years (on an award package) and stayed at the Ren. Chancery Court. Given the normal prices to stay at one of the downtown London Marriotts can be around $600 USD or more, using awards here is definitely a good option. And since winter is more of an off season, upgrades are fairly easy to come by.
#6
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Join Date: Apr 2005
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Posts: 4,210
Great! Keep the suggestions coming, these are helpful.
I thought about many of these places already, but it's helpful to get the impressions of others who have been there.
Anyone been to the Whistler property? Impressions?
What's the most impressive and/or extravagant (and hopefully a building with history and character) property in London?
Any other great European properties? Prague? Portugal? or...?
We're looking everywhere, but more inclined towards North & Central America (including Hawaii) or Carribbean or europe, just so we don't need an extra day to recover from the long ride over that would be called for to more far flung Destinations.
I thought about many of these places already, but it's helpful to get the impressions of others who have been there.
Anyone been to the Whistler property? Impressions?
What's the most impressive and/or extravagant (and hopefully a building with history and character) property in London?
Any other great European properties? Prague? Portugal? or...?
We're looking everywhere, but more inclined towards North & Central America (including Hawaii) or Carribbean or europe, just so we don't need an extra day to recover from the long ride over that would be called for to more far flung Destinations.
#7
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
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Posts: 11,727
Another thought, if June is an option, might be to try the Victoria, BC Marriott. I haven't stayed there yet, but have been to Victoria a number of times, all before the Marriott opened up. It is truly a beautiful place to visit. There are a number of things to do and see, both historical and nature related. (OK, it may not have the best beaches, but it does have a lot of history and nature. ) I can't say if the cost to stay there is worth using points or not, but I've heard some nice things about the hotel and know that the area is worth visiting.
For London, I would guess that once the Grosvenor House finishes its upgrade, it should be awesome. There are definitely a number of threads in this forum describing/comparing the various London hotels. A search should provide you a wealth of info on them.
For London, I would guess that once the Grosvenor House finishes its upgrade, it should be awesome. There are definitely a number of threads in this forum describing/comparing the various London hotels. A search should provide you a wealth of info on them.
#8
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GrizShel, if you're thinking London, hands down is the Grosvenor House. Lot of history, good location, FABULOUS service, and now that it's (mostly) renovated, fab property. The pool won't open until next year, the restaurant due to open in Sept, and I think the 2nd wing that's being renovated will either be done by end of year or early next year. The first wing re-opened in March, so 1/2 the hotel rooms are newly renovated. The other 1/2 are closed so you wouldn't get an un-renovated room at this point. I absolutely adore Grosvenor House, and just booked my annual Presidents/Birthday weekend for '08 yest - at regular award level!
Another city that's great to visit (but it's not a resort nor any beaches nearby) is Vienna, Austria. The Marriott is in the first district across from the Stadtpark. Vienna's a beautiful city, lots of history, museums, etc. I went to school there & go back every few years. It's been a while since I stayed at the Marriott, as my last 2 trips Marriott was booked so I went w/ VIE Hilton instead.
For beach stuff, Hawaii would get my vote over a mainland property.
Cheers.
Another city that's great to visit (but it's not a resort nor any beaches nearby) is Vienna, Austria. The Marriott is in the first district across from the Stadtpark. Vienna's a beautiful city, lots of history, museums, etc. I went to school there & go back every few years. It's been a while since I stayed at the Marriott, as my last 2 trips Marriott was booked so I went w/ VIE Hilton instead.
For beach stuff, Hawaii would get my vote over a mainland property.
Cheers.
#9
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Join Date: Apr 2005
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More great ideas. Thanks for the tips Sharon, and I have started reading through your informative Grosvenor House trip report. Reminds me of Agatha Christie's description of a traditional London hotel in the opening parts of her novel Bertram's Hotel. I'll do a little exploration of the Vienna option too - never been there.
On the beach front, although I have read some of the threads on the HI properties, I would still be interested in hearing any more comparative impressions of the HI properties. Probably excluding the Waikiki Beach property, however.
The only Hawaii property I have stayed at is the Waikoloa on the Big Island, but didn't get a good direct impression of the beaches at or adjacent to the property at that time. The threads I read here are somewhat contradictory, but it appears to me that the story is that the beach on the property isn't particularly impressive, but that there are good snorkeling and swimming beaches a short walk down - is that right?
On the beach front, although I have read some of the threads on the HI properties, I would still be interested in hearing any more comparative impressions of the HI properties. Probably excluding the Waikiki Beach property, however.
The only Hawaii property I have stayed at is the Waikoloa on the Big Island, but didn't get a good direct impression of the beaches at or adjacent to the property at that time. The threads I read here are somewhat contradictory, but it appears to me that the story is that the beach on the property isn't particularly impressive, but that there are good snorkeling and swimming beaches a short walk down - is that right?
#10
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: DL, UAL, USAir
Posts: 21
I've done two Travel Packages to Hawaii - Marriott Kauai and Renaissance Wailea. Both of those trips were wonderful. Marriott Kauai had plenty of activities organized itself, and Renaissance Wailea is walking distance from the old Outrigger (now branded a Marriott), which is where a ton of activities (snorkel cruises, etc.) depart from.
Ren Wailea has been rumored to be renovated and rebranding as a Starwood, but it might still be on the board for Marriott rewards this fall.
Ren Wailea has been rumored to be renovated and rebranding as a Starwood, but it might still be on the board for Marriott rewards this fall.
On the other hand, when I was there last year, it was mediocre as a hotel--that was when it was a Category 6. They had made no upgrades or improvements in months, because they keep waiting for it to close. You can understand why they wouldn't put the money into it, but not why they would raise the rating.
HOWEVER. The rooms are okay--although I thought the Mokapu cottages were overrated--but the beach is the best of all the resorts in Wailea. The breakfast buffet is expensive but amazing. The luau is pretty good. And the walkway to the Shops at Wailea is fun in the morning or evening (or both). If you plan on using it as a place to stay and enjoy the beach and other Maui activities, I'd recommend it. If you spend a lot of time in the room, then I wouldn't.
#11
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I'm a bit partial to the Ren Wailea - it was one of our honeymoon hotels. I can understand how they aren't putting any more money into it - and I imagine some of the best staff there are already looking for their next gig. The rumors seem to indicate that the Starwood development will be partly (all?) timeshares, so that would indicate that fewer traditional hotel staff are needed.
We were given a Mokapu room at check-in. It was on the first floor of the Mokapu wing, and we hated it. We asked for a room reassignment - told them we'd rather have ocean view in the main building if 2nd floor Mokapu wasn't available. Fortunately, they moved us to the 2nd floor which was pretty nice, but I somewhat agree with you in that I'd probably never pay a big premium for the Mokapu wing. At the time, the upgrade charge was about what the breakfasts were worth (which were included with a Mokapu room, but paid-for in other rooms).
I love the Wailea end of Maui. It's great for someone who wants to escape the busiest northwest end of the island, but who doesn't want to completely unplug and go to the Hana side. (I think I'd dig a few days on the Hana side personally. But for us Hawaii usually means we're redeeming hotel points at a major chain.)
The Renaissance sort of reminds me of what a nice Hawaiian resort was like before the megadevelopments came along. I'll miss it when it's gone.
We were given a Mokapu room at check-in. It was on the first floor of the Mokapu wing, and we hated it. We asked for a room reassignment - told them we'd rather have ocean view in the main building if 2nd floor Mokapu wasn't available. Fortunately, they moved us to the 2nd floor which was pretty nice, but I somewhat agree with you in that I'd probably never pay a big premium for the Mokapu wing. At the time, the upgrade charge was about what the breakfasts were worth (which were included with a Mokapu room, but paid-for in other rooms).
I love the Wailea end of Maui. It's great for someone who wants to escape the busiest northwest end of the island, but who doesn't want to completely unplug and go to the Hana side. (I think I'd dig a few days on the Hana side personally. But for us Hawaii usually means we're redeeming hotel points at a major chain.)
The Renaissance sort of reminds me of what a nice Hawaiian resort was like before the megadevelopments came along. I'll miss it when it's gone.
#12
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Wife and I did the london county hall! It is the ex-gov't offices turned marriott. You wake to the soubd and sight of big ben!
We fell in love w/London, and partly because the county hall was the BEST marriott we have ever been in!
We fell in love w/London, and partly because the county hall was the BEST marriott we have ever been in!