Dubai Marriott Harbour – a family Bonvoy points hotel redemption where a room sleeps 5

Marriott Bonvoy is one of the better hotel programmes if you have a family, or simply don’t like small hotel rooms.

As well as offering standard rooms for the standard redemption price, a lot of Marriott Bonvoy properties let you book larger rooms or suites for an added fee.  The best bit is that these rooms show up during the standard booking process online – you don’t need to negotiate a private deal with the hotel by email.

I did this a few years ago at the JW Marriott in Venice, reviewed in-depth here, where we were able to get a Junior Suite which took all four of us for an extra €200 per night.

A reader email this week reminded me about a Marriott Bonvoy property which offers substantial rooms WITHOUT needing an extra fee – the Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites.

This is not on the beach but it is close and does overlook Dubai Marina.

The Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites consists of one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom suites.

How are Marriott Bonvoy redemptions at Dubai Marriott Harbour?

The normal redemption room is a two bedroom suite.

It sleeps five people, which is a great result for family.

And what a suite it is:

160 square metres (twice as big as the average 3-bed UK house)

a bedroom with a king bed

a 2nd bedroom with two single beds

separate dining room with six person dining table

separate living room

kitchen with oven

2.5 bathrooms

two TVs, largest is 42 inches

As a Category 6 hotel, it costs between 40,000 and 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.  Remember that you get your fifth night free, which takes it down to an average of 32,000 to 48,000 points for a five night stay.

For clarity, I have never stayed at this hotel and, as it is over 10 years old, it is probably not as swish as many Dubai properties.  It is also more of an apartment complex than a hotel, despite the name.

It isn’t hugely expensive for cash so this is not a redemption for someone looking to squeeze every last penny from their Bonvoy points.

Five nights over October half-term will cost Dhs 5,627 (£1,100) which means you are getting my expected 0.5p per Marriott Bonvoy point.

Book on a non-peak date and you would do better, although you would need pre-school age children to benefit.  Much of September, early October and February are priced at 50,000 points per night.

The Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites website is here if you want to find out more.

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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (June 2025)

There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 15th July 2025, the sign-up bonus on the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is TRIPLED to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. This would convert into 25,000 Avios or into 40 other airline schemes. It would also get you at least £300 of Marriott hotel stays based on our 0.5p per point low-end valuation. Other T&C apply and remain unchanged. Click here for our full card review and click here to apply.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card

60,000 points (to 15th July) and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed The Platinum Card from American Express in detail here and you can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

50,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

• American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• The American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• The American Express Business Gold Card (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• The American Express Business Platinum Card (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy points is 2:3.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Marriott Bonvoy points.