We have 275,000+ Marriott reward points to spend - Where would you go?
Nov 19th, 2006, 02:34 PM
#1
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We have 275,000+ Marriott reward points to spend - Where would you go?
Just the two of us (from NY), looking for something with pizzazz!
I need some ideas and first-hand recommendaitons on where to stay - we can do either a Marriott resort or the Ritz Carlton.
We will use the points for summer travel.
We are not considering the United Kingdom or Portugal for this trip.
We have never been to Paris or Italy (I would have to do some arm-twisting to get my husband to go to Italy, but I'm pretty strong, lol
).
Germany has been tossed around (as a possible family trip) - any decent Marriotts in Hamburg and the Weinsberg region?
Thanks for your ideas!
I need some ideas and first-hand recommendaitons on where to stay - we can do either a Marriott resort or the Ritz Carlton.
We will use the points for summer travel.
We are not considering the United Kingdom or Portugal for this trip.
We have never been to Paris or Italy (I would have to do some arm-twisting to get my husband to go to Italy, but I'm pretty strong, lol
).Germany has been tossed around (as a possible family trip) - any decent Marriotts in Hamburg and the Weinsberg region?
Thanks for your ideas!
Nov 19th, 2006, 02:38 PM
#2
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You may want to take a look at what's available for points on the Marriott site. I've been trying to use Marriott points in Hawaii and haven't been successful in finding anything available (using points) for anytime Feb through September of 2007. Hopefully Europe is more flexible!
Good luck,
Margy
Good luck,
Margy
Nov 19th, 2006, 02:51 PM
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I have not stayed there, but fyi, for the purpose of tossing out ideas, there is a relatively new Marriott on the Isle of Capri. (I believe the building itself has been there for a while, but was taken over and reopened by Marriott only recently.)
Note that there is a bit of an uphill hike to the hotel on foot. I mention this as an issue bearing further exploration only if either of you happens to have a mobility problem. If not, then it is not anything to think twice about, as there are porters who can haul the luggage.
Note that there is a bit of an uphill hike to the hotel on foot. I mention this as an issue bearing further exploration only if either of you happens to have a mobility problem. If not, then it is not anything to think twice about, as there are porters who can haul the luggage.
Nov 19th, 2006, 03:19 PM
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margyb, yes, I know what you mean - that's why I've been *instructed* by my DH to start thinking. 
I see that Marriott is sometimes increasing their reward requirements by an additional 50 percent (which makes the points not go quite as far as they used to).
Any feedback on the Paris Marriotts as far as room quality and locations?
I see that Marriott is sometimes increasing their reward requirements by an additional 50 percent (which makes the points not go quite as far as they used to). Any feedback on the Paris Marriotts as far as room quality and locations?
Nov 19th, 2006, 05:08 PM
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Paris is the place. The Renaissance hotel at la Defense is very popular with reward point redeemers but the other Renaissance la Vendome is a better location.
The breakfast buffet is very good at La Defense. They have an exercise facility and pool-early checkin available. On our last day, we checked out to go into central Paris shopping and return for the luggage. They stored the luggage and when we returned asked if ws wanted to use the pool facilities to shower and change clothes before we departecd.
The breakfast buffet is very good at La Defense. They have an exercise facility and pool-early checkin available. On our last day, we checked out to go into central Paris shopping and return for the luggage. They stored the luggage and when we returned asked if ws wanted to use the pool facilities to shower and change clothes before we departecd.
Nov 19th, 2006, 05:20 PM
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Very disappointed with Renaissance in La Defense. Hotel does not function very well mechanically and mgt. does not respond to problems (overheating for one). Location is great if you are doing business in La Defense but La Defense it is dead at night and there is absolutely no one there on weekends. The walk to the metro is not bad but it is not that close. Remember you are at the LAST stop on the line. Our experience was that of being isolated in a poorly run hotel. At least the price was right since we used Marriott points.
Nov 19th, 2006, 07:29 PM
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We stayed at the Paris Marriott Champs Elysees--it was fabulous. Couldn't ask for a better location or nicer units.
If it were me, I'd fly in to Paris, stay there a few days, and then go to the Mariott Marbella Beach Club which is absolutely gorgeous and a great location for daytrips in Costa del Sol.
If it were me, I'd fly in to Paris, stay there a few days, and then go to the Mariott Marbella Beach Club which is absolutely gorgeous and a great location for daytrips in Costa del Sol.
Nov 19th, 2006, 08:44 PM
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Haven't stayed there myself but the Marriott Budapest gets raves has what has to have the best views in the city. Great location right on the Danube looking across to Castle Hill, near the Chain Bridge. But I'm biased a bit, as I really like Budapest.
Nov 20th, 2006, 03:08 AM
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If you've never been to Paris, then that would probably be my first recommendation, esp. if you can get room at the Champs Elysees hotel.
If Paris is a no go, then perhaps Vienna and Budapest. The Budapest Marriott gets raves and the Vienna Marriott, while not up there with that city's palace hotels like the Bristol, Sacher, Grand, etc., is still a very good hotel with full amenities and in an attractive central location.
One other note about the Vienna Marriott: if you opt for Budapest/Vienna and your points won't cover your entire stay, keep in mind that you can usually find good deals at the Marriott on web sites like www.hotels.de For example, I've usually found deluxe doubles available for about 150€ per night, sometimes less.
Vienna is beautiful in the summer, not over-crowded with tourists, and while it can be warm and muggy (although not as hot and soupy as NYC can be in August), the Marriott does have good AC.
If Paris is a no go, then perhaps Vienna and Budapest. The Budapest Marriott gets raves and the Vienna Marriott, while not up there with that city's palace hotels like the Bristol, Sacher, Grand, etc., is still a very good hotel with full amenities and in an attractive central location.
One other note about the Vienna Marriott: if you opt for Budapest/Vienna and your points won't cover your entire stay, keep in mind that you can usually find good deals at the Marriott on web sites like www.hotels.de For example, I've usually found deluxe doubles available for about 150€ per night, sometimes less.
Vienna is beautiful in the summer, not over-crowded with tourists, and while it can be warm and muggy (although not as hot and soupy as NYC can be in August), the Marriott does have good AC.
Nov 20th, 2006, 03:52 AM
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Thanks! I'll be sure to check all of these out!
The Marbella Beach Club looks beautiful!
Haven't thought about Vienna - how far is it from Germany (flight time), does anyone know?
Thank you!
The Marbella Beach Club looks beautiful!
Haven't thought about Vienna - how far is it from Germany (flight time), does anyone know?
Thank you!
Nov 20th, 2006, 06:23 PM
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Can you use points to pay for a vacation club? The Marbella property is one of Marriott's vacation clubs....
I am using my points towards Marriott properties in Prague and Berlin, but I am restricted to properties which will accept 3 or 4 in a room.
Passed by the Paris Champs Elysee last summer, but did not go in. The location is good. The other Marriott locations in Paris are not so great.
I am using my points towards Marriott properties in Prague and Berlin, but I am restricted to properties which will accept 3 or 4 in a room.
Passed by the Paris Champs Elysee last summer, but did not go in. The location is good. The other Marriott locations in Paris are not so great.
Nov 20th, 2006, 06:31 PM
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Hi seetheworld,
At one point we had nearly a million Marriott points!! We have used them extensively...several times at the Paris Marriott Champs Elysses, one of the London Marriotts, Budapest, Vienna (not recently on that one though), Prague, Hawaii, and last May we swapped our time share to the Marbella Beach Marriott...but you can use points for that porperty for sure. Then we flew on to Paris. I would agree with another poster regarding Spain, and try to go for a stopover airline flight, ie into wherever your airline of choice or its' partner flies into in southern Spain...Malaga, Sevilla, etc. Then you could spend some days(with a car) sightseeing in Andalucia, then fly on to Paris and spend five days there (currently 130,000 points, I think for the Champs Elysees). Then you could fly home from Paris and not backtrack. That's just an idea...where you can USE the points may have some bearing on where you finally choose to stay. We did that same trip last May... Southern Spain, then on to Paris and it was spectacular.
We have always been very pleased with our Marriott stays. When combined with frequent flyer miles it makes for a very affordable vacation!!
One comment about the Budapest Marriott. Although it is very unattractive (Soviet era almost) from the outside, it is quite attractive inside, our room was lovely, and ALL the rooms do have that spectacular view of the Danube and the castle area across the river. It was well located. We really enjoyed Budapest, too.
Polly
At one point we had nearly a million Marriott points!! We have used them extensively...several times at the Paris Marriott Champs Elysses, one of the London Marriotts, Budapest, Vienna (not recently on that one though), Prague, Hawaii, and last May we swapped our time share to the Marbella Beach Marriott...but you can use points for that porperty for sure. Then we flew on to Paris. I would agree with another poster regarding Spain, and try to go for a stopover airline flight, ie into wherever your airline of choice or its' partner flies into in southern Spain...Malaga, Sevilla, etc. Then you could spend some days(with a car) sightseeing in Andalucia, then fly on to Paris and spend five days there (currently 130,000 points, I think for the Champs Elysees). Then you could fly home from Paris and not backtrack. That's just an idea...where you can USE the points may have some bearing on where you finally choose to stay. We did that same trip last May... Southern Spain, then on to Paris and it was spectacular.
We have always been very pleased with our Marriott stays. When combined with frequent flyer miles it makes for a very affordable vacation!!
One comment about the Budapest Marriott. Although it is very unattractive (Soviet era almost) from the outside, it is quite attractive inside, our room was lovely, and ALL the rooms do have that spectacular view of the Danube and the castle area across the river. It was well located. We really enjoyed Budapest, too.
Polly
Nov 20th, 2006, 10:04 PM
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Marriott is not my main hotel chain, but I do stay at a few Marriotts from time to time as they tend to be great bargain values.
I've stayed at both the Hamburg Marriott & Renaissance and would categorize them as average ho hum hotels though their locations are very good. The Renaissance is slightly better in room quality. I just stayed at the Leipzig Marriott last month which has a better room quality than the previous two.
Of all the Marriotts in Germany, I think the Berlin Marriott is the best one, though I haven't stayed at the Berlin Ritz (just across the street) which would probably be better (some rock stars stay there). Both are recently built hotels with a great location. I would choose Berlin if you can't get Paris Champs Elysees.
Anoter alternative:
Monaco has a newish waterfront Marriott Riviera (ask for harbor/water facing rooms), it's actually in France(Cap d'Ail)but right on the border of Monaco. It's the only Marriott in Cote d'Azur which is a great destination.
As BTilke said, the Vienna Marriott is not bad either, especially the executive level rooms which are a lot better than the plain standard rooms. The only downside is the terribly boring & charmless lobby, but then again Marriott is not known to have great lobbies. The hotel suffered a bit from the past terrorist scare since the US embassy is in the same building with a different entry from the side of the hotel.
I've stayed at both the Hamburg Marriott & Renaissance and would categorize them as average ho hum hotels though their locations are very good. The Renaissance is slightly better in room quality. I just stayed at the Leipzig Marriott last month which has a better room quality than the previous two.
Of all the Marriotts in Germany, I think the Berlin Marriott is the best one, though I haven't stayed at the Berlin Ritz (just across the street) which would probably be better (some rock stars stay there). Both are recently built hotels with a great location. I would choose Berlin if you can't get Paris Champs Elysees.
Anoter alternative:
Monaco has a newish waterfront Marriott Riviera (ask for harbor/water facing rooms), it's actually in France(Cap d'Ail)but right on the border of Monaco. It's the only Marriott in Cote d'Azur which is a great destination.
As BTilke said, the Vienna Marriott is not bad either, especially the executive level rooms which are a lot better than the plain standard rooms. The only downside is the terribly boring & charmless lobby, but then again Marriott is not known to have great lobbies. The hotel suffered a bit from the past terrorist scare since the US embassy is in the same building with a different entry from the side of the hotel.
