Looking into JW Marriott Capri all the way out to the most it will let me - 4/4/2010 - I do not see any availability. Now that the blackout dates etc are gone any tips on securing a room at this property using points?

i looked today for september 2009 and there was availability

Interesting. I have trying several dates for this year and when I did not see any availability just tried the furthest the system would let me. My actual need is for Dec 10 so will try later this year. Based on my search I thought this property does not have many rooms available for reward users.

i dont really know how it works (others are more expert here) but i looked in october and there was availability

it might be better to call and ask. It may be that the system says "no" when not all the nights that you request are available

I believe Capri is not subject to the "no blackout" dates. Its also not open year round.

i booked 2 nights for early may a few weeks ago. unfortunately, there was no availability at the Rome Flora location.

This is the fun of 'standard rooms'. My guess is the flora and capri don't classify many rooms as 'standard' so they don't have to offer many reward rooms.

Both the Rome Flora and Capri Tiberio are owned by the same group (as is the Naples Marriott). The two properties are among 6 or so that are not subject to the new rules (or old for that matter). They are also notoriously hard to get.

However, two days ago I was able to get two nights at the Rome Flora (Sat/Sun) in June, and two nights at the Capri (Mon/Wed).

One quirk I have noticed about Marriott's search engine, is that if you ask for say two or three nights, and the hotel only has one or two for the dates you are looking for, you will not get anything returned (even showing one night).

For example at the Capri, I wanted Tue and Wed, but only Wed was available. So when I first searched I got nothing. However, when I put in only one night, I got Mon and Wed.

Good tip. Will keep that in mind. Does calling the hotel directly work better?

Is there a way to book non-standard room with more points or points+$?

I was told by reservations that this property is closed from November through April.

no wonder reward nights are limited during the season.......

About two years ago I attempted to get into the JW on Capri with points. By traveling early, we actually got in on saver points. When I arrived (the first in my party), they were still cleaning the deck and the place was a mess, but the front desk assured me all would be well shortly, and indeed it was. I was the first guest of the season! I dropped off my bags and returned in a couple of hours and got the most beautiful room imaginable.

That year anyway, the saver rate was only available for the first two weeks after the Spring opening. Who knows, it may happen again.

White Restaurant there is very good but horribly expensive.

You also need to know that getting your bags up to the hotel can be a problem, especially if you're trying to do it on the cheap. The last couple of hundred feet to the front door of the hotel is via a 4-foot-wide alley with people always coming and going. And it's straight up a hill. Getting help from the hotel is an option, but of course you'll have to contact the hotel somehow to make it happen.

Similarly, we almost missed the boat to Naples because they (the boat) changed the sailing time on us, but didn't bother to inform us.

Tricky stuff, all, but in spite of that it was one of the best Marriott experiences we've ever had!

I booked a 7 night award for 150K points in Jan for a stay in mid-June 09. I'm thinking we got lucky! Good info about the baggage. Guess we'll try to keep it manageable.

I just looked this morning and there is a lot of availability for aug/sept 09. I am booked under old system for 5 nights, but I would like to change and come a day early. However, I do think I am allowed. I am using the European Samples.

Anwyay it's good to see that there are rooms, not that the hotel it's cat 8. I did not see anything for months.

IuLiA