Marriott Review: Why Marriott Hotels Became My Brand of Choice

January 6, 2015

Cover: The Barefoot Writer, August 2013

Cover: The Barefoot Writer, August 2013 — Patti Morrow at the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa in Costa Rica

As 2014 ended, I found myself thinking about accommodations that I’ve favored over the years.  It didn’t take very long for me to come to the realization that Marriott has been my brand of choice more than any other hotel – JW and Casa Magna luxury resorts, full-service Marriott hotels, Courtyards, Fairfield Inns, Residence Inns, Springhill Suites, Protea Hotels – I’ve stayed at each of those brands, lots of times.

And by lots, I mean 48 different hotels, many of them multiple times, within the United States as well as internationally (find a list at the bottom of this article).  From right in the middle of the downtown bustle and action, to high-end resorts that are secluded on their own private oasis property, the Marriott brand has never disappointed.

I got to thinking, “Why have I stayed at so many Marriotts?” I sat down to come up with a list and some of the reasons that quickly came to mind. Here’s my Marriott review:

  1. Staff – I’ve never had a bad experience with any Marriott staffer. Without exception, from check-in to concierge and even housekeeping, their friendly attitudes and willingness to help with whatever my need might be, always made my stay, whether business or vacation, pleasant.
  2. Consistency – the welcoming décor of the lobby and nicely appointed rooms is consistent within the U.S. as well as internationally.
  3. Location – The proximity to attractions, downtown, businesses, or seclusion is well-thought-out in accordance with the type of hotel and what travelers for that brand would be looking for.
  4. Competitive – the room fees are well-priced for their market, most often lower than accommodations of similar quality.

Trying to pick my favorite Marriott is kind of like trying to decide which of my children I love the best!  However, here are a couple that stand out:

Vacation:  Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino

Marriott-Curacao_Patti-Morrow_Luggage-and-Lipstick

This is the spectacular tropical view that greets you as you enter the lobby of this luxury resort in Curacao. Situated right on the brilliant turquoise waters of the Caribbean, this hotel offers stunning ocean views and lush tropical gardens. Endless palm-lined beaches, newly renovated pool facilities, multiple restaurants, a casino, and diving facilities make this hotel a favorite of visitors from the U.S., Europe, and other countries.  There is also a convenient shuttle for hotel guests to downtown Willemstad.  I’ve stayed in a lot of gorgeous hotels in tropical locations, and what sets this particular hotel apart from the others is the exquisite level of hospitality and service from the manager and staff – beyond anything I’ve experienced to date.

Business:  JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

Marriott-Phoenix_Patti-Morrow_luggage-and-lipstick

Spring is a great time for conferences in Phoenix, especially at this hotel which is set on 316 acres in the Sonoran Desert. This is the view from my private balcony at this Marriott. Other rooms have dramatic desert vistas or mountain views. There are 40 meeting rooms to choose from for every group size, as well as the Grand Canyon Ballroom special conference events of up to 4,000 people. For free time, there is a spa or many activities including the Wildfire Golf Club, home to the LPGA Founders Cup.

Listed below are all the Marriott hotels I’ve stayed at…. so far.  There are many more on my bucket list.

Marriott Hotels in the Caribbean

Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort

St. Thomas Frenchman’s Reef & Morningstar

Renaissance Curacao Beach Resort & Casino

Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino

San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

Marriott Conquistador Puerto Rico (sold)

Mariott Hotels in Latin America          

JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa

Mariott Hotels in Mexico

CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa

Mariott Hotels in Africa

Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino

Protea Hotel Sea Point Cape Town

Mariott Hotels in Asia

JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa

Bangkok Marriott Resort and Spa (sold)

Mariott Hotels in Canada          

SpringHill Suites Old Montreal

Mariott Hotels in Europe

London Heathrow Marriott Hotel

London Marriott Hotel Marble Arch

Mariott Hotels in the Middle East

Renaissance Tel Aviv Hotel

Mariott Hotels in United States

Marriott Stanton South Beach

Courtyard Miami Beach South Beach

Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel

Courtyard Boston Logan Airport

Courtyard Providence Warwick

Providence Marriott Downtown

San Francisco Marriott Marquis

Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa

Residence Inn Sacramento Downtown at Capitol Park

Courtyard San Luis Obispo

Courtyard Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile

Residence Inn Las Vegas Henderson/Green Valley

Fairfield Inn & Suites Hershey Chocolate Avenue

Courtyard Greenville Downtown

Courtyard Greenville Haywood Mall

Columbia Marriott

Charleston Marriott

Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa

Courtyard Charlotte City Center

Courtyard Austin Airport

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club

Courtyard Minneapolis Bloomington

Courtyard Concord

New York Marriott Marquis

Courtyard Manhattan Fifth Avenue

Courtyard New York/Upper East Side

Fairfield Inn & Suites Rapid City

Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek

Courtyard Winchester Medical Center

Courtyard Columbus Phenix City

TownPlace Suites Birmingham Homewood

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