Recommendations for using Marriott points
 

My wife and I are looking to take a vacation this summer. We have 250k Marriott points. We have enough airline miles to get anywhere. We're looking to stay 8 nights.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to favorite places?

we're looking for warm weather, with a Marriott property right next to the beach.

We've looked at Malorca, Spain, Netherlands Antilles, and Phuket, Thailand so far but are having trouble deciding.

Thank you.

I would probably prefer the far east (Phuket or Thailand) personally, but I'm European so Europe is close by and not that exotic for me!

But - all I would say is - try to decide and book in the next day or two, if you book after the 14th January, due to the change in the award structure, the same hotel will cost you more points (although if it is booked up then you should be able to book on the 15th due to the more available inventory)

My order of preference for those I've visited:

Maui
Kauai
Aruba Marriott
St Kitts
JW Oahu
Hawaii Big Island
Grand Cayman
Cancun
St Thomas

If you're up for traveling around and visiting the country, I've had great experiences in Costa Rica and Capri, but not at the Marriott properties. Capri may not/probably does not hae a beach though.

Playa del Rey (?) in Portugal; its about 60 KM directly west of Lisbon right on the Atlantic Ocean.

I would agree with you whole heartedly if the OP wasn't looking for something for this summer. Phuket will be HOT not warm. I was just there last month and it was nice and warm. I asked the hotel staff what it was like in the summer and they said it was hot, even at night - 100 F.

The Caribbean destinations are great because it is actually cooler (that's a relative term) than some places in the US thanks to the cool breeze from the water. Also many places in the Caribbean run specials during the summer.

Ritz Carlton in Grand Cayman is suppose to be very nice; I would not recommend the Marriott there.

Curacao I like, and is especially nice if you dive.

If you like the large resorts and touristy spots then the Cancun and Aruba properties woudl be good choices.

Hawaii is nice, but definitely not low season; although their tourist economy has been hurting so perhaps there are some deals to be had. The nicest islands are Kauai and Maui, and the nicest hotel is the JW Marriott Ihilani on Oahu.

The Ritz in Grand Cayman is a wonderful property on a beautiful beach!

Big Changes coming Jan 15th
 

Is the OP aware of the big changes coming in Marriott Award Packages coming in just a few Days on January 15th?

See Thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...s-guide-3.html

How about Riviera Marriott Hotel La Porte de Monaco? Not exactly on the beach, but close to many. You have 8 days, won't want to spend them all on the beach. Plenty to do and see along the Riviera coast. Weather will be warm.