We are sitting on Marriott Rewards category 1-5 certificates that we earned through completing our MegaBonus promotion and ever since the certificates were posted, I have been looking for the Marriott hotels we can redeem them at. Here are some of our aspirational Marriott Redemptions.
Then about a month ago, Marriott Rewards announced hotel category changes for 2018. Effective March 6, 2018, about 1330 Marriott hotels will be changing categories. This represents one-fourth of all Marriott hotels worldwide. 1,082 hotels will be moving up in categories in comparison to 247 moving down. Therefore, 80% of hotels changing categories will become more expensive in 3 days.
I figured I would put out a list of some hotels which are possible choices to apply the Marriott Rewards certificates. On an average, these hotels cost USD 250/ INR 16,000 a night, and some of them go all the way up to USD 500/ INR 32,000 for a night’s stay.
JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa, Vietnam
This luxurious beachfront resort is located on the largest island in Vietnam, Phu Quoc just off the coast of Cambodia. A perfect island escapes if you are planning a Vietnam and Cambodia vacation. The JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa is an elegant retro-themed hotel which almost feels like a fairy tale. The hotel’s architecture has a French colonial style that was inspired by French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck.
A room night here in peak season is priced at USD 435/ INR 28,400. At INR 1.14 per point value, this is a fantastic property to use the free night certificate.
The Moscow Marriott Grand Hotel has a great location in the heart of Russia’s capital city. The hotel has a magnificent grand lobby and is beautiful with its glass dome and fountain. A room night here goes up to USD 450/ INR 30,000 in the summers. Again giving a redemption value of over INR 1 this is another excellent choice of hotel to use the reward night.
Lisbon Marriott Hotel, Portugal
Lisbon Marriott Hotel has quick and easy access to both the city centre and the airport via nearby transportation. The rooms have private balconies and offer gorgeous views of Lisbon city.
You can expect to pay ~USD 500/ ~INR 33,000 for a night’s stay in the summers here. And if you choose to redeem points, there’s a fantastic value of INR 1.32 per point.
Renaissance Paris La Defense Hotel
The newly renovated Renaissance Paris La Defense Hotel is located in Paris business district. At USD 275/ INR 18000, this is another beautiful hotel to redeem your free night certificate.
JW Marriott Hotel Zhejiang Anji, China
JW Marriott Hotel Zhejiang Anji (Moving from Category 5 to 6)
This magnificent resort is set amidst towering bamboo forests and green mountains and offers views of the golf course. A night at this resort in Bamboo Town of China costs USD 240/ INR 15,500 and makes a reasonable choice for redemption.
Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel
The Renaissance in Bangkok is right in the heart of the city’s famous Siam Square. The hotel is strategically located and is walking distance to the BTS Sky Train station and the legendary Grand Palace. A room night here in peak season is priced at USD 150/ INR 9800.
The Algonquin Resort St. Andrews by-the-Sea, Autograph Collection
For over a century, The Algonquin Resort St. Andrews by-the-Sea, Autograph Collection has offered travellers an exquisite stay in New Brunswick, Canada. The year-round resort invites you to get pampered at the spa, perfect your swing on our renowned golf course or cool off in our beautiful indoor and outdoor pools.
Bottomline
In general, I value Marriott Rewards points at 0.7 cents/ 0.50 paise. So a hotel priced at USD 270+ or INR 18,000 should give you a fair redemption value for your points. Of course nothing better if you manage to get something better. Remember, you can book Marriott hotels 50 weeks in advance, so time to take a look at the category chart and reserve a hotel that is getting expensive March 6 onwards.
Pictures Courtesy: Marriott Hotels
courtyard sunnyvale – in an area with overpriced hotels and a dearth of cat 5 marriotts, this was great value for visitors to the bay area … very sad to see it move to a cat 6