Resort Fees: What Are They and Why Are You Being Charged Them?

Resort fees are definitely one of the most controversial fees the travelers frequently face.

Because these are usually charged on a nightly basis they can add up quickly and result in a hotel stay that is not nearly as affordable as one initially thought.

In this article, we will explain exactly what resort fees are and give you details on what type of things can be included in your resort fee.

We will also break down how much you can expect for the average resort fee based on real-world hotel data. And finally, we will provide you with some proven methods for avoiding resort fees.

What are resort fees?

A resort fee is an additional fee hotels charge (usually at the property) that is reportedly meant to cover the cost of additional features beyond the basic features of your booked room. For example, the resort fee could be designed to cover things like pool chairs, umbrellas, Wi-Fi, and bicycle rentals.

Resort fees are controversial because many people view them as a way for hotels to deceive potential customers. That’s because customers will often focus on the published nightly rate without noticing the additional resort fee.

To many, resort fees are simply a way for hotels to charge customers for things that should be included in the room rate. For example, access to a gym has become such an essential part of a normal hotel stay that travelers don’t feel like they should have to pay extra for it.

In other situations, resort fees sting because it means that guests are paying for features that they are not using.

If you don’t plan on spending time sitting around the pool, why should you be paying a fee that covers a poolside chair?

What does the government have to say about resort fees?

Resort fees sound like they could be falling in deceptive trade practice territory so you might be wondering what the government has to say about them.

Several lawsuits have been brought based on consumer protection laws in different states and it appears that some of these have helped to move the needle with better resort fee disclosure such as in the case with Marriott.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) studied this issue in 2017 and concluded “that consumers are likely being harmed by the hotel industry practice of disclosing mandatory resort fees separate from posted room rates, without first disclosing the total price.”

But the FTC later seemed to go silent, as Congress introduced bills on the issue.

More recently, the Biden administration called resort fees and other “junk fees” into question and Congress has introduced more bills so it appears that the FTC might be reconsidering actions to take on resort fees.

Overall, it seems like not including resort fees in nightly rates is currently legal so long as the resort fees are properly disclosed. It is the disclosure aspect of these fees that is often the biggest issue.

Why do hotels charge resort fees?

Hotels claim that they offer guests better value by bundling services together in the form of a resort fee.

For example, by lumping parking, Wi-Fi, gym access, and pool access in one $30 fee they offer savings to guests who would otherwise have to pay more if they purchased these things individually.

Travelers can avoid getting “nickeled and dimed,” the argument goes.

Hotels also like resort fees because they can lower the commissions paid to online travel agencies OTA’s such as Expedia.

Typically the commission paid is based on the room rate so if the resort fee is separate they can avoid paying additional commission on that.

There is also the potential tax advantage. Resort fees can be taxed at a lower rate than room rates which allows some hotels to further maximize their profits.

Ultimately, if we’re just calling it like it is, hotels utilize resort fees to attract customers who would otherwise be turned off by a higher published nightly rate, especially when sorting through search results.

This is particularly egregious whenever the resort fee makes up a large chunk of the stated price per night.

For example, I found the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino going for $49/night but the resort fee was $45 (nearly 92% of the price). This allowed the Flamingo to show up ahead of many cheaper hotels whenever I sorted by price, as shown by the screenshot below.

Las Vegas resort fees

The “total” shown above (featured less prominently) does factor in the resort fee but that’s not where people focus their eyes when quickly doing comparison shopping.

So at the very least, leaving out the resort fees in the published price (which the sorting features use) causes unnecessary friction in the search process.

But it could also easily cause someone to wrongly jump on a booking thinking that they had a better deal compared to other properties and that could cost them some serious change.

The problem is that nobody — whether hotels or online travel agencies — is willing to add the resort fee to the nightly rate because that would make their prices appear to be higher than others and they would lose a competitive edge.

So until all of the hotels and OTA’s can agree on presenting these in a uniform way, we will probably be stuck with the status quo.

How can you find a hotel’s resort fee?

As mentioned, resort fees are typically not included in the published per night price which means that you’ll have to hunt them down somewhere on the hotel’s website.

When looking for these, it’s important to first not get confused about the terminology.

Terminology

It makes things a little bit confusing but many properties don’t use the word “resort fee” and instead use some type of code name.

Common alternative names that you might see include:

  • Amenity fee
  • Property fee
  • Facility fee
  • Destination fee
  • Urban facility fee

You can usually tell if they are referring to a resort fee by the type of amenities included in the fee.

For example, the Intercontinental San Diego charges an amenity fee of $40 per night .

This fee covers things like: WIFI, use of business lounge, local phone calls, access to pool and Health & Wellness center, 2 daily bottles of water per room, and discounts from local vendors.

As you will see below, those things definitely fit the description of a resort fee.

One more thing, don’t think that a hotel has to have the word “resort” in the name for it to charge a resort fee or something similar.

Anytime you book a hotel and a tourist hotspot like Hawaii, Cancun, or islands in the Caribbean, you should always be able to look out for resort fees.

And even in non-touristy areas you can get hit with a small amenity fee.

When traveling to places overseas, such as Europe, resort fees are much less common to find because a lot of times they are illegal. For the most part, you’ll only find them in North America.

Do most hotels charge resort fees?

A spokesperson for the American Hotel and Lodging Association told USA TODAY the organization’s “most recent data shows that 93% of hotels do not charge resort fees.

Of course, that makes sense because most hotels are not resorts or on the same level as resorts. I’d be more interested in hearing what percent of hotels that classify themselves as resorts don’t charge resort fees.

Where to look on the website

The American Hotel and Lodging Association also told USA TODAY that “when resort fees are applied, they are clearly and prominently displayed by hotel websites prior to the end of the booking process, in accordance with guidance issued by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.”

Some hotel chains and brands make it easy to see that a resort fee applies.

For example, here’s a look at a Marriott resort that makes it clear from the first step of booking that there is a $30 resort fee. Of course, they still don’t list the fee included in the nightly rate.

Here’s another example from the Intercontinental San Diego.

I wouldn’t necessarily say that the resort fee is “prominently” displayed since it is in smaller and less bolded font below the price and below the award pricing. They do list it in several places though so that is helpful and makes it much harder to miss.

The threat of lawsuits has probably scared a lot of hotels into making these fees much easier to view, which is a good thing for consumers.

Online travel agencies seem to have gotten better about listing these fees as well.

If you’re booking through something like Expedia you can also find the resort fee when you click on the details for the hotel but it’s not always very apparent.

When I looked up the The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas I had to scroll over 75% of the way down to see the resort fee and it was not listed in a very prominent way.

The resort fee also appeared in the price details so to be fair if you were looking at the price details, you should be able to spot the resort fees without too much effort.

So based on all of the data points we looked at, which was several hundred, I would say that the resort fees were mostly displayed in a way that was intuitive to find but not exactly featured prominently.

For optimal clarity, hotels should just include the resort fee in the published nightly rate (which is always the largest and boldest text on the price screen) because that will leave no questions about how much that rate costs.

It will also make comparison shopping much easier.

What’s more, I think properties should itemize what the resort fee is intended to cover.

Hyatt resort

What is included in resort fees?

Hotels don’t always publish what is included in the resort fee so you won’t always know unless you contact a specific property and ask them.

And even then, you won’t always get a straight answer….

But here are some common things you will find that are covered and resort fees.

  • Internet such as high-speed Wi-Fi
  • Gym access or classes (yoga,
  • Tennis court access
  • Bicycle rentals
  • Beach chair rentals and towels
  • Admission to private beach areas
  • Pool access, use of pool toys and floats, lazy river access
  • In-room bottles of water
  • Transportation such as a shuttle to and from the airport or attractions like Disney
  • Self parking and/or valet parking
  • Resort credit such as $10
  • Discounts on spa services, gift shop, dining, and tours (usually around 10% to 20%)
  • Free meals for kids sometimes required with purchase
  • Local telephone calls
  • Golf bag storage, drive range access, putting green access, and maybe even a golf cart at golf resorts
  • Daily activities such as things like foam parties, s’more’s, miniature golf, lawn games, etc.
  • Gratuity for hotel staff
  • Ski valet storage and bootroom access
  • DVD movies or streaming
  • Continental breakfast
  • Souvenir water bottles/swag
  • Newspapers (including digital format)

I’ve seen some resort fees that apparently cover “complimentary” services which doesn’t make sense to me because if you’re paying for something then how exactly is it complimentary?

It’s kind of the same idea with “free” things in your hotel room but it’s even worse because you’re actually paying for the individual item.

The most valuable amenities included in resort fees are usually parking, transportation, Wi-Fi, and occasionally discounts or other niche freebies. Those could actually justify the fee.

Beyond that, I often find very questionable value in the amenities listed or just believe that those things are so essential that they should be included in the room rate.

examples of what your resort fee can get you.

How much is the average resort fee?

We analyzed over 300 hotels with resort fees or amenity fees for the major US hotel chains Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG and found that the average resort fee was $36.85 per night.

Sometimes at luxury resorts the resort fee can get crazy high like at the Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, where it is $150 per night!

On the other side of the spectrum some amenity fees for hotels can also be minimal like five dollars per night such as the case at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites: Savannah – Midtown.

How can you avoid resort fees?

The first way to avoid resort fees is to find properties that don’t charge them.

The best way to confirm this is to contact the property and ask about if they charge resort fees or not, since it is possible that you could just be missing the fee on the website.

Another way to avoid resort fees is to make an award booking. Some programs like Hilton and Hyatt allow you to avoid the resort fee if you book an award stay or if you have some type of elite status.

Another way to avoid the resort fee is to ask to get it waived.

Typically, in order for this to work you need one of two things to happen.

If you have not used anything listed in the resort fee amenity list then you could make a case that you should not have to pay it.

You definitely want to be honest about this because a hotel could easily track if you used something like the internet or possibly even the gym or pool.

Nothing worse than getting caught in a lie like that.

But some people do have success with getting the resort fee removed when they have not used any of the amenities included in it.

The other way to get it removed is if you have had some type of bad experience at the hotel. Essentially you are asking for compensation in the form of a waived resort fee.

Resort fee price examples

If you want to get a sense of how much resort fees are across the different major hotel chains in the US, check out some of the data points we found below.

Marriott

The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village$30
Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa$25
Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa$40
The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale$48
The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa$18
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center$26
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee$57
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay$50
The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa$29
Marriott Hilton Head Resort & Spa$25
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells$36
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua$40
Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection$49
Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel$42
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center$38
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort$37
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection$35
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve$40
JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa$39
Lexington Griffin Gate Marriott Golf Resort & Spa$15
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain$60
Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes$25
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center$25
VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa$45
Hotel Park City, Autograph Collection$30
The St. Regis Deer Valley$50
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa$45
La Posada de Santa Fe, a Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa$35
The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa$30
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa$40
Viewline Resort Snowmass, Autograph Collection$50
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe$55

IHG

Kimpton Shorebreak Resort$39.97
Kimpton Alma – San Diego$28.17
InterContinental San Diego$40.00
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown$34.86
Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown$23.14
Holiday Inn Express Waikiki$29.49
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Savannah – Midtown$5.00
Kimpton Hotel Born$25.03
Hotel Indigo Denver Downtown-Union Station$20.00
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver$23.00
Kimpton EPIC Hotel$33.90
InterContinental Miami$33.90
Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach$39.90
Kimpton Angler’s Hotel South Beach$32.00
Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel$44.46
Holiday Inn Miami Beach-Oceanfront$33.06
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Galveston Beach Resort$10.00
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Galveston Seaside Resort$10.00
Holiday Inn Houston Downtown$16.24
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Piney Shores Resort LK Conroe$10.00
Holiday Inn Club Vacations New Orleans Resort$10.00
Kimpton Shorebreak Resort$39.97
Kimpton Taconic Hotel$33.00
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Mount Ascutney Resort$10.00
Holiday Inn Club Vacations South Beach Resort$20.00
Holiday Inn Oceanfront @ Surfside Beach$16.80
Hotel Indigo Mount Pleasant$15.00
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix$27.95
Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts Phoenix – Chandler Golf Resort$27.50
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Scottsdale Resort$20.00
InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco$33.77
Holiday Inn Express & Suites San Francisco Fishermans Wharf$21.37
Kimpton Alton Hotel$34.94
Kimpton Hotel Vintage Seattle$25.45
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle$25.45
Kimpton Palladian Hotel$27.45
Holiday Inn Club Vacations At Desert Club Resort$29.00
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile$15.03
Hotel Indigo Naperville Riverwalk$20.00
Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland$28.83
Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel$30.16
Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel$28.75
InterContinental Boston$30.00
Kimpton Marlowe Hotel$22.89
InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta$30.00

Hyatt

Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa$55.49
Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa$49.50
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort$56.36
Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows$44.13
Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas$53.90
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa$47.18
Grand Hyatt Vail$55.15
Carmel Valley Ranch$60.78
Royal Palms Resort and Spa$39.40
The Confidante Miami Beach$51.30
Wild Dunes Resort – Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn$30.83
Hana-Maui Resort$52.83
Resort at Squaw Creek$56.10
Suncadia Resort$37.78
The Seabird Resort$47.33
Wild Dunes Resort – Residences at Sweetgrass$49.07
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort$45.00
Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina$39.38
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa$45.50
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa$46.10
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa$39.90
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa$40.86
Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa$34.00
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa$32.77
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa$41.26
Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina$26.50
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa$49.55
Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico$89.82
The Lodge at Kukui’ula$47.18
Stonebridge Inn$13.09
Wild Dunes Resort Vacation Rentals$37.86
Christiania Lodge$18.98
Vail Residences at Cascade Village$24.71
Austria Haus$55.15
The Lodge at Spruce Peak$47.70
Capitol Peak Lodge, A Destination by Hyatt Residence$27.40
Shadowbrook, A Destination by Hyatt Residence$26.63
Makena Surf, a Destination by Hyatt Residence$75.75
Montaneros in Vail, A Destination by Hyatt Residence$43.95
Top of the Village, A Destination by Hyatt Residence$18.31
Wailea Beach Villas, a Destination by Hyatt Residence$76.25
The Landmark, A Destination by Hyatt Residence$22.65
Lichenhearth, A Destination by Hyatt Residence$13.47
Terracehouse, A Destination by Hyatt Residence$24.98
Christiania Condominiums, A Destination by Hyatt Residence$35.11
Villas at Snowmass Club, A Destination by Hyatt Residence$37.05
Enzian, A Destination by Hyatt Residence$40.40
Tamarack Townhomes, A Destination by Hyatt Residence$22.27
Wailea Ekahi Village, a Destination by Hyatt Residence$44.81
Woodrun Place, a Destination by Hyatt Residence$28.13
Countryside at Snowmass, A Destination by Hyatt Residence$169.03
Aspenwood, A Destination by Hyatt Residence$27.01
Vantage Point, A Destination by Hyatt Residence$34.72
Wailea Elua Village, a Destination by Hyatt Residence$58.78

Hilton

Highline Vail – a DoubleTree by Hilton$45.00
Hilton Anatole$27.26
Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center$14.95
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Park City – The Yarrow$20.00
Waldorf Astoria Park City$40.00
The Woodlands Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton$35.00
Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock$35.00
Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale, Curio Collection by Hilton$35.00
The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch$30.00
Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas$30.00
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Paradise Valley – Scottsdale$30.00
Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort$25.00
El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort$29.00
Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort$39.00
Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort$45.00
Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak$35.00
Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa$29.00
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Paradise Las Vegas$25.00
Hilton Grand Vacations Club on the Las Vegas Strip$25.00
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Curio Collection by Hilton$45.00
Conrad Las Vegas at Resorts World$45.00
Crockfords Las Vegas, LXR Hotels & Resorts$45.00
Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World$45.00
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Elara Center Strip Las Vegas$25.00
Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas$45.00
Tropicana Las Vegas – a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel$37.00
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa$40.00
La Quinta Resort & Club, Curio Collection by Hilton$35.00
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Golf Resort Palm Springs$30.00
Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, a Hilton Resort and Spa$25.00
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines$32.00
Beach Village at The Del, Curio Collection by Hilton$50.00
Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton$50.00
Shore House at The Del, Curio Collection by Hilton$50.00
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach$55.00
The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel$33.00
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean Oak Resort Hilton Head$20.00
Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton$30.00
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront$25.00
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean Enclave Myrtle Beach$15.00
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean 22 Myrtle Beach$15.00
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Anderson Ocean Myrtle Beach$15.00
Kingston Plantation Condos$30.00
Embassy Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort$30.00
Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort$30.00
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort$30.00
Embassy Suites by Hilton St Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort$22.00
Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa$25.00
Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort$25.00
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Las Palmeras Orlando$25.00
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Parc Soleil Orlando$25.00
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace Disney Springs Area$35.00
Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek$45.00
Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort$24.95
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista – Disney Springs Area$35.00
Waldorf Astoria Orlando$45.00
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando – Disney Springs™ Area$23.00
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld$15.00
Hilton Grand Vacations Club SeaWorld® Orlando$25.00
Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton$45.00
Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton$45.00
Hilton Bentley Miami/South Beach$38.00
The Gabriel Miami South Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton$38.00

Final word

Hotel resort fees are seen as a deceptive practice by a lot of travelers because when searching for hotels they make the prices look lower than they actually are.

Many hotels have gotten better at disclosing these fees and making them easier to find on their websites so they should act as less of a surprise than they did in the past.

But still, many people don’t like paying for things that should already be included in the room rate and also don’t believe in paying for things that they never use.

For that reason, even with the best disclosure practices in place, resort fees will probably always remain a problem until they are handled differently.

What is a Resort? (Breakdown of Different Types)

What exactly is a resort?

It’s a great question because the term is used by many different types of hotels and it can actually be a bit confusing as to what qualifies as an actual resort.

In this article, I’ll break down exactly what a resort is and also give you some comparisons to hotels and other establishments.

What is a resort?

A resort is an establishment that offers a variety of amenities designed to to attract vacationers of many different walks of life.

Often one or more hotels are the centerpiece of a resort and additional on-site facilities are present for things like dining, entertainment, shopping, health, and sports.

Amenities at resorts that go beyond lodging include things like bars, restaurants, spas, casinos, swimming pools, golf courses, and ski lifts.

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All-inclusive resort

One of the most common types of resorts is an all-inclusive resort.

These resorts offer visitors a packaged deal so that things like food and drinks are built into the room rates.

This usually means unlimited alcohol (including both beer and liquor) which is often a huge attraction for those who frequent all-inclusive resorts.

Sometimes additional forms of activities and entertainment are also lumped in to the room package. But typically in my experience the hotel will try to up-sell you on activities and tours.

All-inclusive resorts are commonly found in beach areas and they often go hand-in-hand with spending long, sunny days lounging on the beach or hanging out in a cabana by the pool.

You’ll find a lot of these the Caribbean (especially Punta Cana) and Mexico. One of my favorite brands of all-inclusive hotels is the Hyatt Ziva.

Typically, there will be at least a handful of restaurants and other dining establishments like snack bars and cafés on the premises of an all-inclusive resort.

A lot of times people encounter a diverse mix of restaurant types that focus on specific types of cuisine such as Italian, Chinese, French, etc.

Often there will be one or two restaurants that are more high end and may offer premium dishes such as lobster or premium wines and champagne.

You may have to pay a little bit of a surcharge to partake in these premium offerings but you also might be given a voucher upon arriving that you can apply to a premium offering of your choice.

(This is especially true if you have elite status.)

Food quality can range dramatically. In my experience, the food quality at a standard all-inclusive resort is not exceptional but can still be enjoyable.

The biggest challenge with an all-inclusive resort is that you may not want to venture out to nearby towns and cities to explore and experience local cuisine because all of your meals are already paid for.

So for people who really like to explore the local areas and try out the local cuisine, all-inclusive resorts are not the best option.

Related: Review: Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall Montego Bay, Jamaica

Couples vs families

Some resorts are designed to cater to families while others may be more geared towards adults/couples. You will often see that a hotel is “adults only” which is an indication that it is more of a couples experience.

Resorts geared towards families will often include more kid oriented attractions like small water park features, game rooms, and perhaps even theme parks.

A great example of a hotel that serves both of these segments is the Hyatt Ziva and Zilara. The Hyatt Ziva is the more family friendly resort while the Zilara caters to adults only.

When staying at these adults only resorts, look for experiences that can increase the romantic element of your stay. Consider looking into things like a dinner on the beach or a special couple’s massage.

And if you were visiting on a honeymoon or anniversary be sure to let the hotel know because they might hook you up with some free perks like champagne and chocolates.

Related: Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos Review (Food, Beaches, & Pools)

Destination resort

Destination resorts are a type of resort where all of the attractions are contained within the resort area and there is little to no need to venture outside of the premises (although there is nothing wrong with venturing to nearby towns and attractions).

There are a few different types of destination resorts. Some include huge establishments like Walt Disney World Resort which most people know is home to several theme parks and hotels that cover a huge area.

Another example of a destination resort is a ski resort. At some ski resorts you may find everything you need including the ability to enjoy skiing from a ski lift situated next to the hotel. You may also be able to take care of some shopping and other needs.

And finally another type of destination resort would be something like the Conrad Maldives. Resorts like that are situated on their own private island and offer you an immersive tropical experience with opportunities for activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, etc.

Other destination resorts might offer you a full package of world-class dining, great spa facilities, and a variety of activities, which could include things like golfing, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, etc.

Some destinations resorts may have interesting attractions like the Primland which houses a Celestron CGE Pro 1400 series telescope.

Be on the lookout for interesting local attractions that the destination resort offers like the C Lazy U Ranch that offers cattle pushing experiences.

If you’re looking for a true retreat on your getaway a destination resort will often be a fantastic choice. Also, if you’re looking to get married at a resort, destination resorts are often good choices.

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Spa resorts

Spa resorts house quality spa facilities and offer a variety of relaxation and health related services. Guests usually head to these resorts to reset, re-center, and sometimes kickoff a healthier lifestyle.

It’s not uncommon to find things like yoga and meditation classes at these resorts. Some even go further and offer consultations with experts in different areas like cardiology and physiotherapy.

Many spa resorts also cater to those interested in getting active with activities like hiking, paddle boarding, etc.

At resorts like Canyon Ranch, you might even find yourself getting challenged on the high ropes course and finishing up your day with a zip line.

If you’re visiting a location like Sedona, Arizona you’ll likely have a chance to engage in some type of spiritual ritual if you’re into that type of thing.

Some spa resorts are a little bit more hard-core with the health regimes and put you through programs that call for strict detoxification. At these resorts, like We Care Detox Spa, you’ll be guzzling down juice smoothies, sweating it out in saunas, and putting yourself through other detox regimes.

In some areas, you’ll find these resorts located near natural hot springs but they also can be found just about anywhere, including locations where you have great water views like Lake Austin Spa Resort.

Spa resorts may be quite large with dozens of massage rooms and they will have extensive menus for different types of spa treatments. Many spa resorts offer unique treatments that you may not find at other spas around the country so I would be on the lookout for special treatments like “raindrop therapy.”

You may also find other type of relaxation features on the premises like healing gardens, honeybee hives, orchards, etc.

If you’re into things like drinking, just be aware that a spa resort may not be the place for you as some restrict booze.

Also, bigger isn’t always better with spa resorts. You want to inquire about the guest to staff ratio and keep in mind sometimes smaller resorts can offer a more intimate and better serviced spa experience.

Casino resorts

Another type of common resort that you will encounter is a casino resort.

Typically, a casino resort will house a casino open to the public (non-hotel guests) in addition to other solid amenities like world-class dining establishments.

Casino resorts are extremely common in places like Las Vegas, Nevada and Macau. But you can also find them in other locations like the Caribbean, Singapore, and Ibiza.

(Be prepared to deal with resort fees in locations like Las Vegas.)

Some of these casino resorts can be quite large and because there is so much money flowing through these venues they can be found in some of the most extravagant buildings.

For example, in 2005, the Wynn Las Vegas was the most expensive hotel-casino ever built, costing $2.7 billion, a record that was later broken by the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore at $5.5 billion.

Because so much money gets invested into these hotels, you’ll find flashy features like water shows, light shows, and everything in between.

Hotels like The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Vegas even offer an authentic Venetian gondola.

Some of these large casino resorts will also be home or connected to huge shopping malls with a lot of retail luxury stores such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, etc and/or a full lineup of restaurants.

One thing that allows casino resorts to stand out is that they offer guests comped rooms and other offers if they spend enough gambling (coin in) when they visit.

This can land you some pretty amazing suites and depending on your status preferential treatment with butlers, chauffeurs, etc.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Autograph Collection

Hotel vs resort

The big difference between a hotel and resort is that a hotel is primarily about lodging. In other words, a hotel is meant to just give you a place to sleep at the bare minimum.

A resort is geared more towards vacationers and designed to offer much more than just lodging with additional amenities that take many forms (as shown above) depending on the type of resort.

FAQ

What is a resort credit?

Resort credits are special credits usually used to cover expenses like spa treatments, dining, and other expenses.

You can get resort credits by holding certain hotel credit cards or by booking your hotel stay through certain hotel booking sites.

What are resort fees?

Resort fees are additional charges that are meant to cover the cost of providing certain amenities such as fitness centers.

They are also a way for hotels to make their rates appear cheaper by not including the resort fee in the room rate.

What is a resort town?

A resort town is a town where tourism makes up the primary driver of visitors and results in a substantial presence of resorts and hotels. These are cities like Aspen, Colorado, Key West, FL, and Palm Springs, CA.

Final word

As you can tell, resorts come in a lot of different varieties. Finding the right resort for you depends on your travel goals and preferences. My advice would be to do as much research as possible when thinking about staying at a resort because you’ll likely be spending a lot more time on the premises and you want to make sure that you’re getting value for your stay.

Best Marriott Beach Hotels and Resorts [2020]

In every corner of the world, you will find a Marriott beach hotel and resort. However, there are some Marriott beach properties that really stand out. Some might be remote and on a private island while others will have a unique design or theme that makes the property special. Wherever you might be, there is a Marriott beach hotel and resort waiting for you.

In this article, I will go over my favorite, aka best, Marriott beach hotels and resorts from all over the world.

Marriott Bonvoy points categories

On March 5th, 2019 Marriott Bonvoy officially changed to their new award chart ranging from category 1 to category 8. Category 5 is a sweet spot in Bonvoy’s award chart as it can range from business hotels to luxury hotels across the globe. You can easily find an EDITION, Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, W, and JW Marriott property in category 5. If you want to learn about the best category 5 hotels, check out my article here.

In regards to beach properties, you can easily find any type of category hotel all around the world on the beach. Some will be worth using your points at, while others won’t be worth a second thought.

Here is the Bonvoy award chart for your reference:

Hotel CategoryOff Peak (as of September 14)StandardPeak (as of September 14)
15,0007,50010,000
210,00012,50015,000
315,00017,50020,000
420,00025,00030,000
530,00035,00040,000
640,00050,00060,000
750,00060,00070,000
870,00085,000100,000

As you can see from the table above, off peak and peak seasons are starting September 14, 2019. However you look at it, this could be a good or bad change as it creates inconsistency. So, it’s up to you if you can take advantage of this change.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Marriott Bonvoy credit cards

There are a total of 4 Marriott Bonvoy cards. Each card comes with different benefits and different annual fees. There are 2 midrange cards, 1 premium card, and one entry-level card. These cards aren’t the best for earning points like other cards, but in most cases, the benefits like the annual free night makes up for the annual fee. Here are my favorite Marriott Bonvoy cards.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

  • 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at any Marriott Bonvoy property.
  • 2 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
  • Annual free night certificate valued up to 35,000 points.
  • Automatic silver elite status.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $95 annual fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express® Card

  • 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at any Marriott Bonvoy property.
  • 4 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers & on U.S. purchases for shipping.
  • 2 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
  • Annual free night certificate valued up to 35,000 points.
    • Spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year for an additional annual free night.
  • Automatic silver elite status.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $125 annual fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

  • 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at any Marriott Bonvoy property.
  • 3 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines.
  • 2 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
  • Annual free night certificate valued up to 50,000 points.
  • $300 Marriott Bonvoy statement credit.
  • Automatic gold elite status.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $450 annual fee.

Other cards you might want to consider are the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the American Express Platinum Charge Card. Currently, the Chase Sapphire Preferred has an elevated welcome offer for 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards after spending $4,000 dollars in the first 3 months. You can also transfer any points earned with Chase Ultimate Rewards directly to Marriott at a 1:1 ratio.

Best Marriott Beach Hotels and Resorts

Any list you read on the internet like this will be a little subjective as I or any other author will hold different values to certain amenities, locations, brands, etc. So, please be aware that my list might differ from your own personal preferences. So, I outlined below what I value.

I went through every country on every continent to find the best of the best Marriott beach property. There are many beach properties around the world, but there are a select few that are outstanding for different reasons.

What criteria and values did I use while making this list? 

  • Beach quality – how swimmable a beach is and the sand feel. Private, remote, or secluded beaches are a plus.
  • Location – unless you want to party, I think a property that is more secluded and away from the strip or other resorts that hold many nature activities are better.
  • Quality of the rooms and upkeep
  • Fewer rooms – in my experience, properties that have less than 200 rooms offer far superior service as guests aren’t treated like a number.

To my surprise, my initial list was almost 52 properties out of hundreds. Some properties I have stayed at while some I discovered.

For most beaches, I used previous knowledge, but as I haven’t been to some of these properties or countries I scoured the internet for reviews from verified guests and on forums for both the properties and beaches.

After my few initial lists I am confident on the properties that are in this list.

So, without further ado, here is UponArriving’s Best Marriott Beach Hotels and Resorts.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

Location: Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives
Average price: $1472 USD
Category: 8
Opening: 2016
Number of rooms: 77
Hotel website

Vommuli Island areal view

Arguably the most aspirational and best Marriott property is The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. This property has 6 restaurants and 2 bar/lounges that are offering a variety of bites and drinks, albeit at a steep price tag. However, the steep price tag shouldn’t stop you as this is the ultimate vacation getaway being so intimate, romantic, and secluded.

Overwater Villa at the St. Regis Maldives

A total of 77 villas on the beach or overwater villas that allow you to stay in St. Regis luxury with butlers around the clock. If you stay with status, expect minimal upgrades, but complimentary breakfast for Platinum Elites and higher doesn’t disappoint with free-flowing champagne or other alcoholic drinks in the morning.

Oh, did I mention that the sand, turquoise water, and reef are breathtaking? Well, now I mentioned it if you needed any more motivation.

Beach Villa at the St. Regis Maldives

W Maldives

Location: Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives
Average price: $759 USD
Category: 8
Opening: 2006 (Renovated: 2018)
Number of rooms: 77
Hotel website

W Maldives aerial view

If St. Regis isn’t your style and W branding, you are in luck as W Maldives is still spreading the W look and feel. One obvious comparison to the St. Regis is the pricing, W Maldives is all-around cheaper in price, but comes with only 3 restaurants and 3 bars/lounges compared to the 6 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges at St. Regis Vommuli.

Some prefer W Maldives for the house reef and diving compared to the St. Regis Vommuli. The W Maldives also offers a private island that you can rent for a couple of hours, a whole day, or overnight. Pretty private and unique experience if you ask me.

W Maldives private island

If you stay with status, expect minimal upgrades, but complimentary breakfast for Platinum Elites and higher doesn’t disappoint with free-flowing champagne or other alcoholic drinks in the morning.

W Maldives beach villas

The St. Regis Mauritius Resort

Location: Le Morne Peninsula, Mauritius
Average price: $531 USD
Category: 7
Opening: 2012
Number of rooms: 172
Hotel website

St. Regis Mauritius aerial view

Mauritius Island is an island that is both not known by many or ignored as it’s somewhat hard for most people to get to. However, Mauritius is beautiful, so beautiful that you could argue that if you’re an island beach lover Mauritius has to be on your list and no place to start then The St. Regis Mauritius is a good place to start.

The St. Regis Mauritius is a lovely category 7 hotel on Mauritius that offers almost everything you can think of when it comes to a beach resort with their beach, property, nature activities, and still easy to get to and from.

St. Regis Mauritius beach villa

While it won’t be as secluded as any Maldives property, St. Regis Mauritius still is secluded enough while not being trapped on an island with expensive transfers.

Platinum Elites and higher will enjoy upgrades along with a nice breakfast spread that you wouldn’t get tired of. Plus, the butlers are always at your service.

St. Regis Mauritius beach

The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

Location: Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Average price: $1160 USD
Category: 8
Opening: 2006
Number of rooms: 90
Hotel website

St. Regis Bora Bora aerial view

Bora Bora is not only an island that holds breathtaking views, but it is also South Pacific’s Maldives that some prefer over the Maldives.

The St. Regis Bora Bora gives you front row seats to Bora Bora views of the massive volcano and lagoon that is made of turquoise water all from your beach or overwater bungalow. While there is no house reef like Maldives resorts, it’s a different experience altogether.

St. Regis Bora Bora Overwater Premier Villa

The resort sports a couple of overpriced restaurants that aren’t as good as restaurants at St. Regis Maldives Vommuli. The resort is also plagued by interesting management that is slowly, but surely, renovating the property and villas. I would strongly suggest securing a recently renovated villa for the best experience, but is the St. Regis Bora Bora that bad? No, and it’s still worth a stay as it really is one of the best Marriott beach resort in the world.

Platinum Elites and higher will enjoy upgrades along with a nice breakfast spread that you wouldn’t get tired of. Plus, the butlers are always at your service.

St. Regis Bora Bora beach villa with pool

Le Méridien Bora Bora

Location: Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Average price: $789 USD
Category: 7
Opening: 1998 (Renovated: 2011)
Number of rooms: 98
Hotel website

Le Méridien Aerial view

Comparing Le Méridien and St. Regis Bora Bora, the clear luxury winner is St. Regis, but in terms of value the Le Méridien is much lower in price, same beautiful views, and still has overwater bungalows (even if they are smaller). Plus, you can sometimes find nightly rates during the off-season for around $340, that is a crazy good deal.

Le Méridien premium overwater villa

The property is of course located in Bora Bora so views and beaches along with activities are abundant, just like the St. Regis. If you had to pick one, I would try to change your mind and try both for fun and see the difference in views and grounds.

Platinum Elites and higher can enjoy complimentary breakfast that will fill you up while also getting slightly better recognition for upgrades and other amenities than the St. Regis Bora Bora.

Le Méridien beach villa

Le Méridien Ile des Pins

Location: Isle of Pines, New Caledonia
Average price: $380 USD
Category: 7
Opening: unknown
Number of rooms: 48
Hotel website

Le Méridien Ile des Pins aerial view

Surrounded by a crystal clear turquoise lagoon and a forest, the Le Méridien Ile des Pins is secluded on a tiny island called Ile des Pins. Known for super white sandy beaches and unique for tropical foliage, this property is one anyone shouldn’t pass up.

It’s price reasonably low for its unique location with the addition to the sweet smell of coconut groves.

Le Méridien Ile des Pins bungalow terrace

The property offers rooms or villas, some of which are right on the lagoon with direct access. Rooms are premium, but not luxury. As anything Le Méridien, it is still a unique style that is influenced by the location. You can certainly find elements of luxury in the villas.

Platinum Elites and higher can enjoy a full breakfast buffet with possible upgrades to a villa.

Le Méridien Ile des Pins bungalow beach view

Laluna, Grenada, a Member of Design Hotels

Location: St. George’s, Grenada
Average price: $550 USD
Category: 7
Opening: unknown
Number of rooms: 16
Hotel website

Laluna, Grenada, a Member of Design Hotels exterior

If you want an intimate hotel on the beach in the Caribbean that offers cottages and villas inspired by Balinese and Caribbean design, well Laluna is your place. It is truly special for a rewards program to have this property as it is more like a boutique hotel than a chain hotel.

It’s described as a hidden secret and with only 16 cottages and villas. 16 rooms make this truly an amazing place to visit as the beach will feel like your own beach.

Laluna, Grenada, a Member of Design Hotels beach

As it’s a Design Hotel, elite benefits are non-existent here. No matter what status you have with Marriott, you won’t get anything special except bonus points or the ability to redeem your points at this property.

Laluna, Grenada, a Member of Design Hotels cottage suite

The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico

Location: Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Average price: $509 USD
Category: 8
Opening: 2010
Number of rooms: 139
Hotel website

The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico aerial view

The views of the Atlantic Ocean won’t disappoint you at the St. Regis Bahia two miles long private beach resort. This property is yet another secluded resort, but it’s worth it. Upkeep, even after major hurricanes year after year, really is that good. Modern rooms amongst a huge yet somewhat intimate property.

The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico deluxe suite oceanfront

If you want to connect to nature or do action sports, this is your place offering the ocean to the El Yunque National Forest both at your fingertips. The boathouse is being my favorite amenities at the property for all ages.

St. Regis butlers are around 24/7 and will help make your time special in Puerto Rico and elites can expect upgrades and a decent breakfast.

The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico boathouse

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Hotel Escondido, Puerto Escondido, a Member of Design Hotels

Location: Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Average price: $394 USD
Category: 7
Opening: 2013
Number of rooms: 16
Hotel website

Hotel Escondido, Puerto Escondido, a Member of Design Hotels pool bar

Yet another Design Hotel that only has 16 rooms. I am not complaining as this property is yet again truly unique, but this time it’s an adult-only property located on the Pacific Ocean near the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains.

Known for fishing and surfing, the town of Puerto Escondido is super laid-back. Each bungalow features plunge pools overlooking the desert, cacti, and beach all being a few steps away.

Hotel Escondido, Puerto Escondido, a Member of Design Hotels deluxe room

As it’s a Design Hotel, elite benefits are non-existent here. No matter what status you have with Marriott, you won’t get anything special except bonus points or the ability to redeem your points at this property. At least every bungalow is the same.

Hotel Escondido, Puerto Escondido, a Member of Design Hotels deluxe room

The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort

Location: Punta de Mita, Mexico
Average price: $538 USD
Category: 8
Opening: 2010
Number of rooms: 120
Hotel website

The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort aerial view

22 acres of beach, the St. Regis Punta Mita Resort is one of the most highly rated St. Regis properties in the world for being great in both service and quality of the resort. It’s massive in size featuring amazing activities that cater to families.

The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort villa

With 120 rooms, the property is breathtaking and offers everything one might want, even a Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Mexican art and handcrafted furnishings are the inspiration of rooms with the 24/7 butler service ready for your requests.

The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort beach

Kenoa Exclusive Beach Spa & Resort, Barra de Sao Miguel, a Member of Design Hotels

Location: Barra de Sao Miguel, Brazil
Average price: $520 USD
Category: 8
Opening: 2009
Number of rooms: 23
Hotel website

Kenoa Exclusive Beach Spa & Resort, Barra de Sao Miguel, a Member of Design Hotels aerial

Design Hotels aren’t the best if you hold elite status, but some offer better service and rooms at destinations that are truly unique. The Kenoa Exclusive Beach Spa & Resort seeks to be a private sanctuary. Guests describe the property as attentive to every little detail and the grounds being simple yet perfect.

The sands are golden and a reef ready to be explored. The Kenoa is truly breathtaking, even though it’s so small.

Kenoa Exclusive Beach Spa & Resort, Barra de Sao Miguel, a Member of Design Hotels Marajo villa

This property requires you to book a minimum of 2 nights, plus as an elite, you receive no benefits besides points or the ability to redeem points for your stay.

Kenoa Exclusive Beach Spa & Resort, Barra de Sao Miguel, a Member of Design Hotels pool

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua

Location: Maui, Hawaii
Average price: $548 USD
Category: 7
Opening: 1992
Number of rooms: 463
Hotel website

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua aerial

Of course, a Hawaiian property is on this list. While The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua is not my first choice for a beach hotel, it’s certainly the best Marriott beach resort in Hawaii.

As anyone would have guessed, Hawaii is breathtaking and the island culture coupled with nature is the reason why people fall in love with Hawaii. The Ritz Kapalua tries to replicate that, but the downside of this property is the immense size. For me, it’s too big, but I would still stay as it’s still a quality resort with wonderful service and it’s Hawaii.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua oceanfront suite

Elites cannot receive many elite benefits here as Ritz-Carlton’s don’t allow elites to have breakfast or club lounge access. However, Titanium Elites and higher do receive suite upgrades when occupancy is low at this property.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua aerial

W Koh Samui

Location: Koh Samui, Thailand
Average price: $396 USD
Category: 8
Opening: 2010
Number of rooms: 74
Hotel website

W Koh Samui aerial

“Tranquil by day. Electric by night.” Those are the words that W Koh Samui goes by and I would have to agree. W Koh Samui is one of the best W branded property. It does everything right, from service to quality of rooms. Plus, it’s not too pushy about the W wannabe vibe.

The views from Koh Samui are some of the best and you can ask anyone about how they will never get tired of the views. The beach is huge offering one to get away from people or be near them. The blue water is just icing on top.

W Koh Samui wow ocean haven

If you stay with status, expect decent upgrades when occupancy is low with complimentary breakfast for Platinum Elites and higher. Restaurants and bars/lounges are wonderful at the W Koh Samui, so go and enjoy them, especially if you’re an elite for Marriott’s food and beverage discount.

W Koh Samui W Lounge

The Library, Koh Samui, a Member of Design Hotels

Location: Koh Samui, Thailand
Average price: $380 USD
Category: 7
Opening: 2007
Number of rooms: 46
Hotel website

The Library, Koh Samui, a Member of Design Hotels red pool

The Library is not only called The Library for fun but also because it has 1,400 books read for a new reader. This intimate Koh Samui property is themed red throughout, the pool even glows red, and is inspired by both nature and modern life.

The Library, Koh Samui, a Member of Design Hotels library

The combination of the sandy beach with the clean design lines of the property make the resort feel like no other. The views aren’t as nice as the W Koh Samui, but if you prefer a more perfect attentive feeling, The Library should be one of your choices.

As it’s a Design Hotel, elite benefits are non-existent here. No matter what status you have with Marriott, you won’t get anything special except bonus points or the ability to redeem your points at this property.

The Library, Koh Samui, a Member of Design Hotels suite double

JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa

Location: Kien Giang, Vietnam
Average price: $276 USD
Category: 5
Opening: 2017
Number of rooms: 234
Hotel website

Turquois Suite bathroom at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa

You may be familiar with the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa from my best Marriott Bonvoy category 5 properties article, well it deserves another spot for actually being a spectacular beach resort.

Once a university, this newly opened hotel is one of the most beautiful properties. Sitting on Phu Quoc beach in Vietnam, it has both beautiful beaches and renovated rooms along with buildings that date back to the opening of the 19th-century university.

The beach at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa

Elite recognition is consistent with Platinum Elites and higher getting upgrades to suites like the Turquois Suite shown above. Villas are also available here, and some elites do get upgrades to villas when occupancy is low.

Deluxe Emerald Bay View room at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa

Honorable mentions

These properties didn’t make the list because of not being part of the Marriott Bonvoy program for earning points and elite credit and/or not open yet.

JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa

Not opened yet, the JW Marriott Maldives is catering to the JW fans with its JW design and experience. While we don’t know much about the particular island it’s on, the atoll it’s part of is still worth a visit as it’s far different from other Marriott properties in the Maldives.

JW Marriott Maldives rendered aerial

Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Ritz-Carlton Reserve is Ritz-Carlton’s solution to compete in the ultra-luxury hotels and resort segment that Aman is in. It’s basically ultra-luxury because of no elite benefits or points allowing them to be in a separate segment.

Being located in Cabo, the Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is a brand new Reserve property that is pulling out all the stops for an ultra-luxury property. Opening in the coming months, it will be Cabo’s newest ultra-luxury resort.

Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Bvlgari Resort Bali

Being the only property out of the 3 honorable mentions that is open, Bvlgari Resort Bali is the top of the line when it comes to Bali beach hotel and resorts.

Being situated in Uluwatu on a cliff you might think there is no beach. Well at Bvlgari, they have a cable car going directly down to their own private beach.

Bvlgari Resort Bali

Final word

After creating this list, it made me want to visit the beach and try some of these properties I haven’t visited yet. I do hope you also got some inspiration and a better idea of what amazing and unique beach properties Marriott has to offer.

If you have stayed at one of these properties or any other properties not on the list, please feel free to comment below and tell us why you loved about your stay!

This article was originally published by Steve Smith.