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BEST CLASS HOTELS WITH MARRIOTT

March 1, 2022
6 min read

There are over 8,000 Marriott properties all over the world spanning over 31 different brands including Le Meridien, Westin, W Hotels, St. Regis, AC Hotels, Moxy, and Aloft.

With over 200 designated as Marriott’s best class hotels around the world, there are only so many that are actually good deals. I’ve gone through all of them and I’ve curated a list of the ones that are truly hidden gems according to:

Uniqueness
Location
Amenities
The cash price of the room – all prices updated in 2021

If you’re looking for a tool by Marriott themselves, make sure to head over to the redemption hotel search tool. It’s easy to use – just make sure you select a region first and then enter in a min and max of 5,000 points to ensure you only see top-class hotels.

North America

Properties in the United States and Canada certainly aren’t as flashy as some of the international properties but it’s worth going through a few that would make perfect road trip destinations or weekend trips if you’re local.

TownePlace Suites Baton Rouge South

This is an extended-stay type of property under the Towneplace Suites banner which means suites and studios have a fully equipped kitchen with stovetop, dishwasher, microwave, pots, pans, dishes, and glasses.

While it isn’t located in the heart of the city, this is only an 11 minute drive to the Baton Rouge downtown since you’ll most likely have a car for your trip here..

Four Points by Sheraton Bakersfield

Located in the Bakersfield business district, this property is notable in a couple of ways.

First of all, it’s a Four Points which for best class hotels is arguably one the best brand you can get.

For those that are thinking about doing road trips along the west coast, Bakersfield is a perfect pit stop.

Lastly, this is a well-reviewed property that’s been modernized, comes with a large pool, is in the core of the city, is close to an In-N-Out Burger, and is near the Kern River.

Aloft Little Rock West

I love this boutique hotel located on the west end of Little Rock. If you’ve never stayed at an Aloft, this is an ultra-modern property that gives the W Hotel vibes without the cost.

While primarily used as a business hotel, you should consider this if you plan on driving through Arkansas or coming to Little Rock to explore.

Aloft Tulsa

This is the second of the Aloft best class hotels by Marriott in the United States.

Near the city of Broken Arrow, you’re close to tons of shopping, Expo Square, and Union Multipurpose Activity Center. With a car, you’re also close to the Tulsa Zoo, Gathering Place, Gilcrease Museum, and Philbrook Museum of Art.

While this property is normally subbed $100 during off-peak, if you have the points, this is still a worthwhile property to consider especially if you’re traveling through the state or planning on visiting Tulsa specifically.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Winnipeg

Winnipeg is also lucky enough to have a best class hotel with Marriott under the Fairfield Inn & Suites brand.

Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport is located close to the city itself so this property has the convenience of having a free airport shuttle to the airport and also being 12 minutes drive to the downtown.

Europe

When you look at the breakdown of best class Marriott hotels is that they’re mostly centralized in Spain with a few one-offs here and there.

AC Hotel La Linea

This is an incredible hidden gem that has so much going for it.

Right across the street from the beach Playa de Poniente
Easy access to Gibraltar without paying the premium of staying in the town itself
Rooms with a balcony have a panoramic view of Gibraltar
Can use this as your connection to Morocco

To get to Gibraltar from La Linea de la Concepcion in Spain is an easy walk across the border. Don’t Stop Living has a great breakdown of his backpacking experience. Once you get to Gibraltar, you can walk in or take a local bus. It’s quite easy.

When you get to Gibraltar as a day trip, you should look into booking one of these many popular tours:

Dolphin watching cruise – Watch pods of dolphins splashing in the Strait of Gibraltar with views of North Africa and the Rock of Gibraltar.
E-bike to the Rock of Gibraltar – Unique active and guided 3-hour tour to the Rock.
Guided tour of the Rock – For those that are tight on time and want to see the Rock of Gibraltar in 2 hours, this is it.
Full-Day Gibraltar tour – A full-day tour that’ll take you up to the Rock, the underground passages in Cuevas de San Miguel, and shopping at the Cale Real.
Walking tour of the Upper Rock of Gibraltar – If you’re looking to see more off-the-beaten-path locations, this is a great 3-hour tour.

AC Hotel Palacio de Santa Ana

Have you ever wanted to stay in a converted monastery by the river? The cloister is covered in glass and you’ll have walking access to the gardens and overlooks the mighty Duero. They also have a Turkish bath here!

Located in the city of Valladolid of northwest Spain, there’s plenty to see here including the Royal Place which was home to Spanish kings in the early 1600s. Christopher Columbus also died here so you can delve into the Christopher Columbus Museum (heads up – in Spanish only). The National Museum of Sculpture is also worth seeing.

AC Hotel Murcia

Murcia may not be as well known as neighboring Valencia but this is a beautiful city to explore and is also a great waypoint towards Cartagena in Spain.

This best-class property is a 4-star hotel that has all the modern features you expect with an AC Hotel. Rooms are comfortable and you’ll also find a fitness room and Turkish bath here.

The hotel is 5 minutes drive from the city’s main attraction and the core is also accessible by tram. There is also plenty of street parking nearby.

Protea Hotel Cape Town Durbanville

When you’re in Cape Town, you have to allocate some time to see the lush vineyards of the region. At this Protea, you’ll have the opportunity to follow the Durbanville Wine Route.

While in Africa, you’ll learn that the Protea properties are high-quality properties with updated furnishings and great service.