italdesign
Level 2 Member
Of all mainstream hotel programs, Marriott has most consistently raised categories of sweet spots every year. That means sweet spots are evaporating at a faster rate than other programs. Yet, because they had so many sweet spots in the lower categories, there remain great deals today after years of brutal devaluation. As with my list for SPG, I would like to share 10 Marriott hotels that are high value, low redemption, and with interesting location (to me). All but tw0 are cat1-2. As a low-end deal-seeker, this is probably my favorite hotel program overall.
1. Protea Kruger Gate
Learned this from Nick @ Frequent Miler from his epic South Africa trip. Can't believe this is a cat1 - incredible deal. Still, I plan to stay mostly in the park when I visit, because of the early morning and night drive opportunities that are only available when staying inside the park boundary.
2. JW Marriott Baku
Might be the best value in the system. This is a very expensive five star hotel and it's only a cat2. Baku looks mildly interesting, with more interesting stuff farther out (e.g. Yanar Dag).
3. Mulu Marriott Resort
Surrounded by Borneo rainforest inside Mulu National Park, home of the largest cave chamber in the world. Area seems quite touristy but offers incredible adventure caving and hiking opportunities. Bonus: this resort offers free breakfast to Gold.
4. Courtyard Hangzhou Wulin
Might not seem particularly interesting - except it had what I consider to be the BEST service I ever received in a hotel. EVERYONE went above and beyond for me, a mere Silver at the time. I stayed in the much better located Hyatt Regency before this, and the service here ABSOLUTELY blows away the five star HR. I'd stay here in a heartbeat whenever I'm in town (despite the mediocre location for sightseeing), and Hangzhou is a very nice town.
5. SpringHill Suites Kalispell
Brand new, suites-only hotel near Glacier National Park, which everyone raves about. A bit far from the heart of the park, but closer to other sights like Flathead Lake and Whitefish. The area just seems incredible.
6. Towneplace Suites Detroit Commerce
I stay here whenever I'm in the Detroit/Ann Arbor area. It used to be a cat1, now cat2 (only 2.5k more per night, no biggie). It's brand new and VERY comfortable all around. Rooms facing highway has a view of Long Park, a nice place to see migratory birds. Love the Iranian food in nearby Farmington [Hills].
7. Courtyard Bremen
Nice looking cat2 in historic, little-visited German town.
8. TownePlace Suites Las Cruces
I love Las Cruces. Between Organ Mountains, White Sands National Monument, and the lack crowd, it's one of my favorite parts of the country. People are slowly taking notice, and hotels are adjusting (moved from cat1 to cat2).
9. Courtyard Sha Tin
HK is expensive, and this is a cat3 in HK. Nuff said. Between the large-scale breakfast (free for Gold. I love Asia) and admiring marvelous man-made architecture amid splendid mountain ranges, I really enjoyed my 1 night stay in the New Territories. It went up to cat4, then back down to cat3.
10. JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay
And now, we come to perhaps my #1 want-to-visit hotel, for relaxation anyway. It's higher @ cat5, but it seems so unique and luxurious that even a cheapskate like me is willing to shell out a little more for the experience. Plus, you can cover it with either a CC anniversary free night or travel package nights. HT again to Nick @ Frequent Miler, where I first heard about it. Bonus: this resort gives free breakfast to Gold.
Do you have another cat1-2 gem you'd like to share?
1. Protea Kruger Gate
Learned this from Nick @ Frequent Miler from his epic South Africa trip. Can't believe this is a cat1 - incredible deal. Still, I plan to stay mostly in the park when I visit, because of the early morning and night drive opportunities that are only available when staying inside the park boundary.
2. JW Marriott Baku
Might be the best value in the system. This is a very expensive five star hotel and it's only a cat2. Baku looks mildly interesting, with more interesting stuff farther out (e.g. Yanar Dag).
3. Mulu Marriott Resort
Surrounded by Borneo rainforest inside Mulu National Park, home of the largest cave chamber in the world. Area seems quite touristy but offers incredible adventure caving and hiking opportunities. Bonus: this resort offers free breakfast to Gold.
4. Courtyard Hangzhou Wulin
Might not seem particularly interesting - except it had what I consider to be the BEST service I ever received in a hotel. EVERYONE went above and beyond for me, a mere Silver at the time. I stayed in the much better located Hyatt Regency before this, and the service here ABSOLUTELY blows away the five star HR. I'd stay here in a heartbeat whenever I'm in town (despite the mediocre location for sightseeing), and Hangzhou is a very nice town.
5. SpringHill Suites Kalispell
Brand new, suites-only hotel near Glacier National Park, which everyone raves about. A bit far from the heart of the park, but closer to other sights like Flathead Lake and Whitefish. The area just seems incredible.
6. Towneplace Suites Detroit Commerce
I stay here whenever I'm in the Detroit/Ann Arbor area. It used to be a cat1, now cat2 (only 2.5k more per night, no biggie). It's brand new and VERY comfortable all around. Rooms facing highway has a view of Long Park, a nice place to see migratory birds. Love the Iranian food in nearby Farmington [Hills].
7. Courtyard Bremen
Nice looking cat2 in historic, little-visited German town.
8. TownePlace Suites Las Cruces
I love Las Cruces. Between Organ Mountains, White Sands National Monument, and the lack crowd, it's one of my favorite parts of the country. People are slowly taking notice, and hotels are adjusting (moved from cat1 to cat2).
9. Courtyard Sha Tin
HK is expensive, and this is a cat3 in HK. Nuff said. Between the large-scale breakfast (free for Gold. I love Asia) and admiring marvelous man-made architecture amid splendid mountain ranges, I really enjoyed my 1 night stay in the New Territories. It went up to cat4, then back down to cat3.
10. JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay
And now, we come to perhaps my #1 want-to-visit hotel, for relaxation anyway. It's higher @ cat5, but it seems so unique and luxurious that even a cheapskate like me is willing to shell out a little more for the experience. Plus, you can cover it with either a CC anniversary free night or travel package nights. HT again to Nick @ Frequent Miler, where I first heard about it. Bonus: this resort gives free breakfast to Gold.
Do you have another cat1-2 gem you'd like to share?
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