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! 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.

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?

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.