Marriott Hotels-a three part series on choosing the right Marriott stay for your next travel destination
I’m starting a little three-part series about Marriott hotels — from the luxury properties where the hotel can be part of the experience, to the more practical choices that make perfect sense for certain trips. Like my recent trip to Sherman Oaks, CA.
I’ll share my personal take, a few of my recent hotel experiences, and how I decide which Marriott is the right fit for a particular trip. You might even discover a Marriott you didn’t know was part of the family!
Which Marriott Is Right for You? — Part 1
Part 1 — Luxury: When the Hotel Is Part of the Vacation
Not every hotel stay is created equal — and honestly, that’s the fun part.
On my recent busimess trip to LA, I stayed at a Courtyard because I needed a clean, comfortable and convenient place to sleep. I wasn’t going to spend much time at the hotel, so I didn’t need a fancy pool, spa or a long list of amenities.
But a few months ago I spent time at The Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey, and that was a completely different story. The beauty, setting, restaurants and amenities, including rounds of pickleball were part of the experience.
And then there’s The St. Regis New York — where the old-world charm and history are almost as much a part of the stay as the room itself.
All three are Marriott hotels, but they couldn't be more different.That’s one of the things I love about Marriott. There are more than 30 brands, ranging from practical and affordable to seriously luxurious and meant to fit all budgets and travel needs.
Let’s start at the top.
🥂 Luxury Brands include:
• The Ritz-Carlton
• St. Regis
• JW Marriott
• The Luxury Collection
• W Hotels
• EDITION
• Ritz-Carlton Reserve
These are the hotels where the hotel itself can be part of your vacation. And sometimes that's exactly what you want, park your car and not leave- just pure relaxation.
🌎 And Then There Are the Collections
Marriott also has hotel collections that don't necessarily fit into the traditional “cookie-cutter hotel brand” model. Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio and The Luxury Collection, for example, are made up of individual properties with their own personality and character.
Because sometimes you don't want a hotel that looks exactly like every other hotel in the world. Sometimes you want the little boutique hotel with the great location, the historic building, the quirky lobby or the story behind it.
Next up: the Marriott brands that give you a little luxury without going all the way to the top.
