Marriott Rewards is a loyalty scheme which fails to ignite much passion amongst its members. It is partly due to the crazy number of nights required to obtain Platinum status (75 per year, in return for benefits which can only be described as ‘acceptable’) and partly because Marriott properties generally fail to inspire.
The company lacks a large number of ‘trophy’ properties – places where you would be eager to spend your points and which would encourage you to put more business their way. The situation is looking up in Europe, though, with the March 2015 opening of the JW Marriott in Venice.
Set on Isola delle Rose (Rose Island), the hotel is actually a five-legged resort. As well as the main hotel block, there are four other buildings across the island which have also been converted into rooms. You can effectively choose the level of privacy and peace and quiet you want.
It is a 15-minute boat trip to St Marks Square.
In terms of Marriott Rewards points, it looks pretty good value. It is a Category 8 property which would require 40,000 points per night. Remember that Marriott has a ‘fifth night free’ policy so a 5-night stay is only 160,000 points.
Unfortunately there is no easy way to accumulate Marriott Rewards points unless you stay with them. The scheme is not an American Express Membership Rewards partner. The Marriott credit card only offers a very modest 10,000 points sign-up bonus and 1 point per £1 spent so that won’t help you much. If you are a regular Marriott guest, though, this could be just the redemption idea you have been seeking.
Cash rates for weekends in March start at €252 per night (exclusive rate for Marriott Rewards members) although I would expect that to move around a bit over the first few months as the hotel tries to find its feet in a competitive market.
A Loft Suite in one of the satellite buildings, as pictured above, comes in at €1,100 per night – not cheap but, given the size and style of the room, not unattractive for a special occasion. Marriott may be onto a winner here. You can find out more on the Marriott site here.
(Want to earn more hotel points? To see our complete list of promotions from the major chains, click here to visit our ‘Hotel Promos’ page or use the link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)
About Head for Points
This is good news for future redemptions (I’m Marriott Lifetime Platinum).
However, I really hope they will have a good Executive lounge ( an excellent Marriott service for Gold & Platinum customers providing breakfast, snacks, ‘almost’ dinner & drinks – depending on which continent you are in & which hotel you choose- there is not world-wide consistency, unfortunately).
All of the other Marriott level properties in Italy have rubbish Executive lounge facilities…….
Zark
PS – noticed that nobody made any comment on this post, so felt compelled!
Thanks Zark. Marriott stuff never gets a big response which only shows (since the chain is huge) how apathetic people are to the scheme!
I’ve stayed in several Marriotts in the US and collected points and I was about as underwhelmed by the whole experience as it’s possible to be.
But, to be fair, when 3 of us shared a room in San Diego and split the bill, they made sure we all got our share of the points (although, if I hadn’t reminded them that my friend had paid a $100 deposit, they would have over charged us).
There is not a great deal of difference between Gold and Platinum in terms of benefits on the scheme (just more bonus miles and a free ‘gift’ on arrival) You could make Gold with 40 nights (if you took out the Marriott Credit Card which gives you 10 nights credit) The Mega Bonus schemes can be good but I agree there are better schemes out there!
JD,
Agree entirely.
But in my humble opinion, when Marriott get it right, they have the best Executive, or ‘Club’ lounges of any group.
But I am, for my sins, limited to experiences with Hilton, Sheraton, Accor, Hyatt & Intercontinental.
It’s not the years, it’s the mileage.
(Quote from Indiana Jones- Raiders of The Lost Arc!)
I also agree – I think you give Marriott’s get a bit of (unjustified in my opinion) hard time here…
For myself I stay away on business typically anything up to 100-150 nights a year, every year, mostly in the UK but sometimes Europe/America and from a quality / coverage perspective IHG and Marriott are the only two chains which cut it. Sure there are better points schemes but can you find a hotel in the chain near to where you are working?
For me I used to stay entirely at Holiday Inn’s & Crowne Plaza’s and it used to be easy to build up a large points balance. IHG have slowly cut back on the bonuses and I got fed up with the inconsistent treatment (upgrades, service, lounges etc.) between properties. Whilst you do have to stay the nights at Marriott’s (which is as a loyalty scheme should be!) at least they do upgrade you and usually honour benefits. And let’s not forget at least the points don’t expire!
Just my POV – great site and love reading your updates else 🙂