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.

Most likely will use the points for summer travel.

Not interested in California (been twice). However, we are very interested in other parts of the West (not ideal for summer travel though). A week in February also possible, for the right place.

My DH would like Hawaii, but I'm not so intersted.

So what-do-ya-think?

Thanks!

What are your western locations? Pacific Northwest locations would be good for summer, and the Southwest for Feb. Any near Palm Springs?

How about Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gultch in Colorado? Good in February for snow fun or summer for sw delight:

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/bachelor_gulch/

Or to warmup
RC Phoenix for February

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/phoenix/

or St. Thomas

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/st_thomas/

Oh, one more thing...can you take me along?

Hope this helps...
Debi

Those are good ones Debi. I vote for CO. :-)

What's St. Thomas like in the winter time? And do you know how long the flight it is from the NYC area?

I'm hesitant about Colorado because I don't know anything about the altitude. I'd have to research it a bit more, but thanks for the idea!

We'd really like to go to Sedona, but I'm not thrilled about any of the offerings in that area.

You can get a non stop from JFk to STT and it should be about 3.75 hours. American flies there.

Weather should be perfect mid 80's during day and mid 70's at night. Low chance of rain.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Opps..forgot to ask what you concerns are related to altitude in Beaver Creek? Perhaps I can address them.

Debi

The Ritz Carlton Cancun?

But I thought you were also interested in Paris!

Yes, Dukey, we have a lot of options and I'm exploring all of them. :)

We've already been to Cancun.

Debi, let me think on those questions and I'll get back to you. Thanks.

I'd divide them between the Marriott Champs Elysees in Paris and the Marriott Marbella Beach Resort in Spain.

Are you aware that you can also use points at Renaissance Hotels?

Have you thought about the Marriott Aruba Resort and Stellaris Casino? Aruba is such a beautiful island and the hotel is gorgeous!

If you would like to stay in the United States, The Seattle Waterfront Marriott is very nice!

Yes, Kerry. When I think of Aruba, I think of gambling. Is that true? Are the hotels smoke-free environments?

Seattle is a new idea. Thanks!

<<My DH would like Hawaii, but I'm not so intersted.>>

STW, darling, are you feeling alright?
((C))
:S-

My sister had this decision a couple of years ago and we ended up going to Costa Rica and staying at the Marriott Los Suenoes resort on the Pacific coast.

It was a wonderful trip and cost less outside $$ that were not covered by points than HI did.

Hi See the World!
I am not sure if the casino in the Marriott is smoke-free. We went in 2005 and they were smoking but that was before Marriott became smoke-free. I wonder if they consider Aruba North America; if so, then it would be smoke free- a definite bonus!
There is plenty to do in Aruba without gambling. We only spent part of one evening gambling and were never bored. THere are also many wonderful restaurants on the island. We spent time snorkelling and driving around the island. It was one of our best vacations!
Good luck!

Well, if you decide not to go to Europe, then I would pick the Renaissance Harbourside in Vancouver, BC. Esp. if you could use points for a guaranteed view room. Gorgeous, glorious place to be in summer.
There is a Residence Inn in Whistler, but from the TA reviews are mixed, bordering on negative.

Marriott has a European Hopper program, 7 nights in a combination 2,2,3 in any of their properties in Europe for 150,000. I booked 2 nights in Amsterdam and 5 nights in Paris for July next years. Marriott also have a program that combines two business class airline tickets with hotels, can't remember number of points needed for that, their travel agent department handles that.

Pat

Pat

For a weekend getaway that's not a bad drive from NY this summer....WENTWORTH BY THE SEA!

www.wentworth.com

ArtLover,

How do you like the Paris Marriott Hotel Champs-Elysees? We have 5 nights there in July. Our other two nights are in Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel, anyone stayed there before?

Pat

Since you're allowing me to fantasize, here's where I would go:

www.phuket.com/marriott/

How could you not be interested in Hawaii? There's so much fantastic & beautiful to see & do there. I highly recommend RC Kapalua on Maui.

Paris & Spain sound tempting, I'd be all over Seattle & Vancouver options too.

Just have to let your heart lead the way STW! ;) ((L)) Trish

Thanks for your fabulous ideas and for feedback on specific properties!

lvk, that property is breathtaking!

We've been to Wentworth by the Sea (last year Christmastime on some points) and I highly recommend it!

Pat_Rick, I'll have to check out that program!

Hawaii? Well, the main reason I have nixed the idea is because of the distance - but I might change my mind.

Fodorites, both here and on the Europe board, are wonderful! Thank you. :D

Nothing wrong with R-C Kapulua on Maui. But if you're thinking Spain, what about the R-C in Barcelona? It's called the Hotel Arts, but it's a R-C property - and it's beautiful. As is Barcelona - and lots of day trips. You could also combine it with the Marriott in Marbella. Have fun!

Pat,
We LOVED it! It was a great location, lovely room, and helpful staff. The only problem we had was that they kept wanting to give us new robes every day and, as a person who cares about the environment, this bothered me. We asked them not to change the robes (we were there for a week), even tried hiding them one day, but they insisted on changing them. Of course, if that's the worse problem we had there (and it was), that says a lot, huh? :D

Thanks Artlover, Marriott Hotel Champs-Elysees sounds just perfect. The only worry I have is a rollaway bed in the room. We are taking our 13 year old granddaughter with us on the trip. The Marriott agent here said no problem, she requested a roll away bed for us. Are the rooms in Hotel Champs-Elysees big enough to fit a roll away bed?

Pat

Wow lucky you to have all those points! My vote would be to do an Alaska Cruise!

We are saving our points to do just that. If you decide you want to stay on ground, the Marriott Grand Chateau in Las Vegas is beautiful.

Diana

seetheworld,
While the room isn't as large as some Marriotts, it's large enough, and believe me, your granddaughter will be so entranced by Paris, she won't mind a hide-a-bed in the least! We took our daughter to Paris for the first time when she was 13 and I can still see the look on her face when she first saw the Seine! What a lucky granddaughter to have grandparents like you!!!

We enjoyed our recent stays using points at the Renaissance Place Vendome in Paris, and the Marriott Grand Flora Hotel in Rome.

Woody

If anyone is still out there... I am also piling up Marriott points and have considered many of these. Concerning many of the European destinations I have another theory. Through many experiences, I feel while in these fantastic cities I much prefer a local, neighborhood hotel. They are inexpensive, much more charming, and truly teach you so much more about where you're visiting than a corporate American hotel. Regarding the Ritz versus Marriott issue a. you can take 3 Marriott vacations for 1 Ritz and b. you are going to spend so much more on everything. Ever had a $50 breakfast? Try a Ritz.
Lastly, I keep coming back to the Costa Rica idea. Beach, beauty, nature and another culture. I also find the island of Kauai spectacular. Make sure to use tripadvisor for traveler reviews.. an incredible resource. Good luck.