Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii • Sheraton
"A benchmark 13-night leisure residency redeemed with 684,600 Bonvoy points across 3 back-to-back reservations, clearing Nightly Upgrade Awards for the entire duration into the 1,100 sq. ft. 25th-floor Ohana Suite—yielding an astonishing 3.5¢ per point return against a $23,690 cash valuation."
The Westin Los Angeles Airport Los Angeles, California • Westin
"Essential LAX positioning along Century Boulevard with dependable Westin Heavenly bedding, modern remodeled rooms, and lobby library hydration, contrasted with weekend lounge policy realities versus the LAX Marriott."
Royal Palm South Beach Miami, a Tribute Portfolio Resort Miami Beach, Florida • Tribute Portfolio
"A great post-renovation return for our 6th stay at Royal Palm South Beach. The new 'South Beach chic' redesign kept the historic terrazzo Compass Rose and lobby bar, our 12th-floor balcony had killer Atlantic oceanfront views, and parking across the street at 16th & Collins saved us $270 over valet."
AC Hotel Bloomington Mall of America Bloomington, Minnesota • AC Hotels
"Sleek European minimalist design directly opposite Mall of America with effortless MSP airport connectivity."
AC Hotel Phoenix North Norterra Phoenix, Arizona • AC Hotels
"A sleek, desert-modern dual-branded property in North Phoenix with Frank Lloyd Wright textile block influences, reliable 64-degree HVAC benchmark, and an inviting date-palm pool courtyard."
Sheraton Universal Hotel Universal City, California • Sheraton
"A standout Hollywood stay in Room 2020: 20th-floor sunset views over the Comcast NBCUniversal tower, standout glazed pork ribs at In the Mix, and a clean 3-night Ambassador points credit."
Los Angeles Airport Marriott Los Angeles, California • Marriott
"5-day prior staff-managed upgrade to the sprawling 17th-floor XLD Vice Presidential Suite (Room 1746). Dedicated sales agent attention, breathtaking airfield approach views, seamless wet bar & conference living layout, and balanced points reconciliation."
Marriott's Grand Chateau, Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada • Marriott Vacation Club
"Gene and Maureen's premier off-Strip retreat: 850 sq. ft. 1-Bedroom Villas booked on points with zero casino smoke, free valet parking, and effortless access to Caesars Palace and Strip entertainment."
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa Palm Desert, California • JW Marriott
"An authentic five-night July 4th holiday audit: 143,200 points redemption value, 5 denied NUAs, a rocky arrival with an unacceptable initial room cleanliness lapse, and proactive managerial service recovery into the Griffin Suite (Room 8126) with freestanding soaking tub, 115°F+ desert HVAC realities, and a multi-tiered elite breakfast benefit."
Beverly Hills Marriott Beverly Hills, California • Marriott Hotels
"Consistently excellent base for extended LA stays with the undisputed #1 bed setup in the domestic Marriott portfolio, powerful 64°F climate control, an active M Club with complimentary evening beer and wine, and unmatched negotiated extended-stay value."
Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ Bethesda, Maryland • Marriott
"Flagship global showcase at Marriott HQ with flawless M Club lounge, proactive engineering, and double upgrade to the Presidential Suite."
Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay Miami, Florida • Marriott
"Prime marina-front position with stunning Biscayne Bay views and top-notch M Club."
W Los Angeles - West Beverly Hills Westwood, Los Angeles, California • W Hotels
"An authentic 9-night operational review concluding a 50-night, 9-hotel marathon: our first stay ever at a W Hotel, an automatic app upgrade to a 727 sq ft Fabulous Suite with fold-down Murphy bed, $50/person breakfast credit analysis, outdoor pool dining realities, Living Room happy hour, and fastest-ever Ambassador Elite renewal."
Cambria Hotel New York - Chelsea Chelsea, New York City • Cambria Hotels
"A stylish Midtown South boutique spot in Chelsea's Flower District featuring an impressive 19th-floor outdoor rooftop terrace with unobstructed views of One World Trade Center and craft cocktails for New Year's Eve."
Hotel Dena, Pasadena, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Pasadena, California • Tribute Portfolio (Marriott Bonvoy)
"A stylish, music-and-cinema-inspired Tribute Portfolio conversion connected to the Pasadena Convention Center. Outstanding dinner and cocktail program at Agents Only, solid Dena Suite layout, and genuine boutique character."
The Notary Hotel, Philadelphia, Autograph Collection Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Autograph Collection
"An exemplary Autograph Collection stay in Center City Philadelphia. Despite sold-out holiday demand, Ambassador Elite status delivered a complimentary 11th-floor upgrade with front-row views of the 105th Thanksgiving Day Parade, warm personal hospitality, and an outstanding stuffed French toast breakfast."
Hotel Hopping In Miami Miami, Florida • Marriott
"Audited firsthand during my Ambassador Elite stay with full room and amenities breakdown."
Winter Haven Hotel, Miami Beach, Autograph Collection Miami Beach, Florida • Autograph Collection
"An exceptional Art Deco boutique experience on Ocean Drive featuring a warm towel and champagne check-in, Room 502 park views, and table-side tiramisu at Il Bolognese."
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Grand Forks Grand Forks, North Dakota • SpringHill Suites
"A remarkably well-maintained 2009-build workhorse property delivering generous suite space, a reliable split-bathroom layout, an above-average complimentary breakfast buffet, and an indoor heated pool ideal for sub-zero winter engineering travel."
Bethesda Marriott Bethesda, Maryland • Marriott
"An older property facing plumbing and HVAC infrastructure challenges, redeemed by textbook front-office empowerment and proactive service recovery."
Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay Miami, Florida • Marriott
"Audited firsthand during my Ambassador Elite stay with full room and amenities breakdown."
The Westin Baltimore Washington Airport - BWI Linthicum Heights, Maryland • Westin
"Audited firsthand during lunch and dinner sessions at Luminous Restaurant & Bar while staying at the adjacent Sheraton BWI campus, featuring standout Asian-inspired culinary craft."
Residence Inn by Marriott New York JFK Airport Queens, New York • Residence Inn
"A brand new, smartly designed airport extended-stay property that delivered an effortless 12:30 AM walk-in rescue after severe flight delays, complete with Ambassador Elite recognition, swift shuttle pickup, and solid runway-view corner accommodations."
Residence Inn Phoenix Glendale Sports & Entertainment District Glendale, Arizona • Residence Inn
"A high-utility 5-night points redemption (120,000 points at 1.6¢/pt) for NASCAR Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway. Upgraded as Ambassador Elite to Room 207 overlooking the courtyard and pool right next to the stairs, with full hot breakfast and easy Westgate walkability."
ADERO Scottsdale Resort, Autograph Collection Scottsdale, Arizona • Autograph Collection
"A mountaintop Sonoran Desert oasis perched 2,500 feet up in the McDowell Mountains above Fountain Hills. Features panoramic valley vistas, dark-sky stargazing with an in-room Celestron telescope, corner wraparound balcony, dual-head glass wet room with deep soaking tub, and al fresco terrace dining at CIELO."
Delta Hotels Daytona Beach Oceanfront Daytona Beach Shores, Florida • Delta Hotels
"A premier NASCAR race-week redemption delivering 1.6 cents per point, top-floor North-side coastal views (Room 809) clearing neighboring cottages, 60°F climate control, and a 9-foot deep pool."
Trumbull Marriott Shelton Trumbull, Connecticut • Marriott
"A practical concert retreat 10 minutes from Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater with an exceptional 2.7¢/pt Cash+Points redemption, though tired 1985/2008 decor and weak through-the-wall A/C reveal its age."
Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel Richmond, British Columbia, Canada • Marriott Hotels
"Top-tier airport hospitality in Richmond, British Columbia. Used as our staging base before and after a two-week technical engineering deployment into the BC interior, the property delivered outstanding top-floor balcony suites (Rooms 1609 and 1619), excellent dining at 75 West Coast Grill, and sweeping views of the snow-capped Coast Mountains."
Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte, Autograph Collection Charlotte, North Carolina • Autograph Collection
"A premier Uptown Charlotte race weekend base for the NASCAR Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway: confirmed 5-night Suite Night Award upgrade to a 12th-floor Executive Corner King Suite (Room 1231), rooftop cocktails at Búho Bar, and 2.2 cents per point Bonvoy redemption value."
The St. Regis San Francisco San Francisco, California • St. Regis
"Three nights in Executive Suite 1817 at The St. Regis San Francisco (255,000 Bonvoy points + 3 confirmed Suite Night Awards for $4,292 in audited cash value), walking Yerba Buena Gardens, SFMOMA, and stopping in to admire the historic Garden Court dome at the Palace Hotel before driving Highway 1 through Big Sur to Pismo Beach."
The Otis Hotel Austin, Autograph Collection Austin, Texas • Autograph Collection
"An authentic Austin boutique experience: celebrating our 27th anniversary with in-room Crosley vinyl turntables, curated Texas artists Janis Joplin and Leon Bridges, and craft cocktails at Acre 41."
Delta Hotels by Marriott Detroit Metro Airport Romulus, Michigan • Delta Hotels
"A practical, well-executed airport property in Romulus, Michigan. Fast access to DTW terminals, reserved Elite parking right at the entrance, spacious King guest rooms with comfortable corner sectionals, and reliable on-site dining at Metropolis Bar & Grille."
Delta Hotels St. John's Conference Centre St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada • Delta Hotels
"A superb full-service downtown property in St. John's, Newfoundland. Exceptional harbor views from high-floor rooms, an expansive Deluxe King with in-room whirlpool Jacuzzi and wet bar, heated underground parking, and direct walkable access to historic Water Street, the working harbor docks, and standout local Irish pubs."
JW Marriott Parq Vancouver Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • JW Marriott
"A modern luxury benchmark in Downtown Vancouver. Shortly after Parq Vancouver opened beside BC Place, I tried out the JW Marriott Executive Lounge breakfast presentation, featuring TWG tea service, made-to-order hot dishes, fresh juices, and exceptional morning service."
Sheraton9.8 / 10
