What are the ten best Marriott Bonvoy hotels in the United States of America, USA? The Marriott brand includes Luxury Collection, EDITION, St Regis, W Hotels, and JW Marriott, as well as mid-range and boutique brands like Autograph Collection, Renaissance, Sheraton, Le Meridien, Design Hotels, and Westin.
We focus on the best Marriott hotels in North America in this article. Our selection includes some of the best Marriott hotels in Hawaii, the best Marriott hotels in Florida the best Marriott hotels in the Caribbean. If you collect Marriott Bonvoy points, then it’s worth knowing where you can best earn and spend them for the perfect beach vacation.
1. The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, Maui
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, is a beautiful and secluded resort in the high-end resort of Kapalua on the North West coast of Maui. It offers excellent golf and is the perfect place to unwind in acres and acres of grounds. We compared this Ritz-Carlton to the Marriott and Sheraton in Maui a few years ago.
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, offers numerous pools, including a 3-tiered pool with a stunning view of the Pacific, a vast spa, a beach, and many restaurants. It does feel like a large hotel, but the recent refurbishment has done wonders for the setting, and this is definitely one of the best luxury hotels on Maui.
Kapalua, being at the northernmost point on Maui, makes it wetter and windier than the rest of the island, particularly in winter. If you keep driving North beyond the hotel, there are some incredible snorkeling beaches and some volcanic tide pools that the waves crash around. The Honolua store (ABC store) is right next door to the resort, which is ideal for snacks, and a complimentary shuttle up to the Plantation Course to grab an alfresco bite with great views. The valets and bell staff at this hotel are particularly nice and upbeat, providing flower leis and juice greetings.
In 2022 the hotel completed a multiyear $100 million renovation. Nearly every element of the property was renewed, including the guest rooms and restaurants, the pool areas, and even the elevators. The newly refurbished open-air lobby and lanai frame postcard views of the bay in the distance. It’s incredible.
Although a small and beautiful beach is located on the Ritz-Carlton property, it is a ten-minute walk from the main resort. Kapalua, and particularly the Ritz-Carlton site, can be extremely windy most afternoons, so the sea is often too rough for a swim.
Most guests who visit the Ritz-Carlton spend their time around the numerous pools or go and play on the golf course. And if you like lazing around reimagined multitiered pools and golfing, the Ritz hits the spot. The pools are great, with Hawaiian straw umbrellas dotted around the pools, and the golf is fantastic.
The rooms are large with marble bathrooms, large flat-screen TVs, hardwood floors, very comfortable beds, and a good-sized balcony with a sofa seat. Designed with a sandy palette, dark wood furnishings, ocean, and garden view guest rooms are a great choice. Our favorite rooms are one of the 21 rooms with their own private lanais and gas firepits.
Book a club room and enjoy the fully renovated Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge at the Anuenue Room, with views of Molokai and the neighboring Bay Course at Kapalua Golf. Daily snacks served at the club are enough to fill you up throughout the day.
The property has six restaurants and bars, including a laid-back pool café and the oceanfront burger shack mentioned above. Don’t miss Hawaiian coastal cuisine at the signature Banyan Tree, a beautiful restaurant where the walls are covered in cascading orchids and anthuriums.
2. Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
For avid Bonvoy points collectors or spenders, The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki, is also a fantastic choice, as it has its own beach! We think it’s one of the best luxury hotels in Hawaii and one of the best Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Waikiki. Other options include the Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach, which is not on the beach but has large standard rooms and great views, and the Sheraton.
The Royal Hawaiian opened in 1927. This “Pink Palace of the Pacific” is located slap band in the center of the famed Waikiki Beach. With 528 rooms and suites, The Royal Hawaiian features modern comfort, indigenous accents, and refined luxury.
Each room in the Royal Beach Tower provides an intimate lanai for a private vantage point of the sparkling Pacific Ocean. In the Historic Building, base rooms at the Royal Hawaiian can be musty, small, and dated with no view, so be warned, you might get one of these if you are redeeming points. We would always recommend booking at least one room up from the base room to avoid risking an unsatisfactory stay.
The resort’s signature restaurant, Azure Restaurant, is perched along the Waikiki beachfront and serves some of the best seafood in Waikiki and Honolulu.
3. Wailea Beach Resort by Marriott, Maui
If you want a more resort-style hotel on a peninsula adjacent to a wonderful beach, look no further than Maui. Of the three best Marriott Bonvoy hotels on Maui, the Ritz Kapalua is the most expensive on points, and the Marriott Wailea and Sheraton Maui cost fewer points.
If I were spending my points, I would stay at the Marriott Wailea because of the resort area. I love Wailea, it gets bags of sunshine, and the beach is calm with golden sand. I love the boardwalk along the beach that joins all the resorts and the little mall behind the resorts where you can pick up essentials and cheap eats.
The Wailea Beach Resort by Marriott Maui is a luxury Maui resort at the ocean’s edge with stunning pools, redesigned rooms, and unique amenities.
This Marriott is within walking distance from the Four Seasons Maui, Wailea which is great if you want to take advantage of the restaurants and bars in the Four Seasons. Overall, Wailea is the most high-end resort area on the island or, in fact, all the Hawaiian islands. You will also find the Fairmont and the Andaz here.
If you stay at the Marriott, you can enjoy evenings at the Four Seasons Maui for a much smaller price tag! A disadvantage of this property, beyond the resort fees, is that the Marriott is positioned on a rocky peninsula between beaches, which means that if you have a room at the entrance, which is part of the resort located further up the hill, it can be quite a walk to the beach.
I would stay, money no object, at the Four Seasons Wailea on Maui. We think that this is the best luxury hotel on Maui. Wherever you are in the world, Four Seasons hotels are consistently one of the best hotels in that city or resort. There isn’t a Four Seasons loyalty program, so you will never be able to book a free stay by racking up and redeeming points or by collecting points on your credit card and spending them at a Four Seasons hotel. It can’t be done. But you can get discounts at Four Seasons hotels and benefit from special rewards at Four Seasons hotels for no extra cost by booking your next stay via our luxury travel concierge.
4. Moana Surfrider Hotel, A Westin Resort
The last time I stayed in the Moana Surfrider Hotel was just before Christmas. A charming Christmas train was set in the foyer with sparkling snow and a train winding around these tiny mountains and through petite tunnels.
This is one of the three main memories of my stay here. The other two moments that stick with me are sitting on the rocking chairs on the balcony at the front of the hotel, looking out to the main street, watching people walk by, and relaxing in the heat.
And my third memorable moment was sipping a cocktail in the gardens overlooking the beach on the first night. The sunsets were quite early here, so we continued to sip as the stars came out. I had terrible jet lag, but the swishing of the waves on the shore and the distant Hawaiian tunes made that particular evening rather lovely.
The historical setting and the old-fashioned architecture make the Moana Surfrider a special choice in Waikiki. The hotel was actually built in 1901, and the lobby is in the original colonial building. You enter, bypassing the decked front porch lined with white wooden rocking chairs, and step into the perfectly restored lobby to enjoy enormous tropical flower displays. Guests are greeted with a lei and a glass of fruit juice. Rooms are, unfortunately, less noteworthy.
The historic and diamond rooms lack a balcony; although pleasant, they don’t let you sit out and enjoy the views. The best rooms here are the more modern Tower Ocean Front and Ocean View Rooms with incredible vistas. The Historic Banyan Ocean rooms are also cute if you are not bothered about a balcony. Of note, the Royal Hawaiian does not have rooms overlooking the beach. The Surfrider does have rooms overlooking or even hanging over the beach.
A couple of points worth noting for the luxury traveler. Base rooms here are small and can be musty. Ideally, upgrade to a room with a balcony and views for a luxury experience. Many “City View” rooms overlook the International Marketplace to the right of the hotel from the back. The view is great, but the music can be loud and continue well past midnight.
Right in the center of Waikiki Beach with direct beach access, the location means that you couldn’t be more central. The pool is small, but the hotel’s location and overall upkeep are superb, making this hotel a great hotel choice in Waikiki.
The private beach at the Moana Surfrider is a thin strip of an over-crowded beach with a small area closest to the hotel property cordoned off by a rope, where you can use hotel beach chairs. But there isn’t a Marriott option in Waikiki on Oahu with anything close to a secluded, private beach feel. They have beaches, but the beach is always busy.
Another bonus of Moana Surfrider is their club lounge. Access to the beach club lounge may save you cash despite a steep price tag of around $100 USD per room. This lounge feels like a beach club. The lounge is on the ground floor and has an outdoor seating area, which is great for breakfast, alfresco, or drinks in the evening. You are just a few feet above the beach!
There is a great selection at breakfast; scrambled eggs, fruit, cheese, and porridge, a nice variety along with coffee, espresso, and bottled water (Bottled water is not available at the equivalent club lounge at the Hyatt across the road, so the Moana beach club lounge offers a much better choice is the hotel lounge is a deal-breaker at your hotel). There are also soft drinks available throughout the day.
In the evening, they serve you free wine and beer, but your glass will never be empty. There is also a decent spread of food and excellent service.
5. The Ritz-Carlton Saint Thomas
The Ritz-Carlton, Saint Thomas, on the US Virgin Islands, is thriving. Two Category 5 hurricanes lashed the US Virgin Islands in 2017, reducing much of the infrastructure to rubble, but restoration has restored this hotel to its former glory.
The Ritz-Carlton Saint Thomas’ 180 guest rooms and suites have since been refurbished, each flaunting Frette bedding, a 55-inch LED TV, and an ocean-view balcony or terrace.
It officially reopened on November 29, 2019, after a two-year, $100-million renovation. Saint Thomas’s most upscale address brims with upgrades, including a revamped infinity pool and a new family pool with a fun slide. Also new is the property’s Alloro restaurant, featuring a seafood-heavy menu of traditional Sicilian fare, including house-made pasta, craft pizza, and Italian wine.
An airy aesthetic incorporating swathes of white defines the property’s fresh look, infusing everything from the public areas and event spaces to the reimagined Club Lounge, an upgraded guest experience decked in shiplap and oyster chandeliers (worth the splurge for the private check-in, dedicated concierge, and impressive food-and-beverage presentations that are rolled out all day long).
The resort’s catamaran is also bigger and better—the newly minted 60-foot-long Lady Lynsey II can take 75 passengers on snorkeling sails, sunset dinner cruises, island-hopping day trips, and private parties. Another don’t-miss offering: “Catch and Cook” beach barbecues.
Blissfully, some things haven’t changed, and returning guests will find the same spirit-expanding views across Great Bay, as well as beloved restaurants Sails, Coconut Cove (sip painkillers to a soundtrack of live music in the evenings), and surf-and-turf favorite Bleuwater. During the popular rum-tasting experience, sample locally produced rums infused with flavors like coconut, lemon-lime, mango, passion fruit, and pineapple.
Resort fees also cover garden tours and daily fitness classes, including water tai chi, and water-sports gear such as kayaks, Hobie Cats, paddleboards, and water tricycles. (Tip: Adults can get out on the water while children age four through 12 take part in locally inspired environmental and cultural activities such as iguana feeding and sea-creature crafts, courtesy of the Ritz Kids program.)
6. The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island
Nestled on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic, The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island is an island bordered by beaches, and the beach in front of the Ritz-Carlton is magnificent! Whether you prefer to try an 18-hole championship golf course, wiggle your toes in the sand, or enjoy the warmth of a beachside fire, this Ritz-Carlton is the perfect hideaway.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa offers various special services, including body treatments, massage therapies, facials, and salon services inspired by natural seaside elements.
There is a mass of history on this island, from Fort Clinch State Park (10 minutes away) featuring swimming, fishing, and boating as well as tours of a historic pre-Civil War fort, The Amelia Island Museum of History (10 minutes away), presenting the complete history of Amelia Island. You can drive to St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city, offering horse-drawn carriage tours, quaint restaurants, and charming boutiques (90 minutes away).
7. Ritz-Carlton Naples Beach Resort
The Ritz-Carlton Naples Beach is an impressive five-star with soaring floor-to-ceiling windows and chandeliers. It is ideal for families, weddings (there is a marvelous Vanderbilt Ballroom), and conventions. It is much larger than the golf resort up the road and more impressive.
Both Ritz-Carlton’s in Naples are excellent, and both have club lounges. The Ritz-Carlton Naples Golf Resort is ten minutes away by car or resort shuttle from The Ritz-Carlton Naples Beach.
Marvel at the stunning views from one of the private balconies at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, with three miles of immaculate beach to explore. Here on the Gulf of Mexico, guests are pampered with championship golf, the award-winning family program, a world-class spa, two swimming pools, an array of beach activities, and seven distinctive restaurants. Each of the resort’s 450 guestrooms and suites offers Frette linens and a private balcony for stunning Gulf views. As for the golf, tee off on the Tiburon Golf Course, designed by Greg Norman. The 51,000-square-foot spa is a welcome retreat with 33 treatment rooms.
8. Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale
The Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale is located on the oceanfront, with the beach across a two-lane road fronting the hotel. You can reach it via a sky bridge, which will take you directly from the hotel’s 3rd floor to the public beach. The pool is on the hotel’s 7th-floor pool and is surrounded by loungers and palms. The rooms aren’t noteworthy but do all have a balcony.
The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge is an ultra-exclusive space open to guests at The Ritz-Carlton who book the Club Experience. The lounge is luxurious, with marble floors and large sofas.
The food here is excellent and varies depending on the time of day. It includes fresh fruit, cheese platters, hot hors d’oeuvres, freshly baked cookies, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. The lounge is well worth the expense as it adds another dimension to the hotel experience. The lounge has a separate sitting area with a large flat-screen television and DVDs for children who might want to watch a movie and computer stations.
9. The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne
Just 9 miles/ 14 km from the main Miami airport, this tropical island oasis is set on the eastern shore of a unique island that offers guests a tranquil haven, surrounded by golden sands (if thin and seaweedy – see below), gentle waters, and towering palms. With a décor inspired by West Indies Colonial design, the 12-acre oceanfront resort captures the beauty of its waterfront setting with floor-to-ceiling lobby windows that offer the first dramatic glimpse of palm gardens and the Atlantic Ocean.
Four hundred fifty guest rooms, including 37 suites, 64 Ritz-Carlton Club level rooms, and suites, each overlooking the water or gardens. All guestrooms and suites welcome guests with feather beds and down comforters, Frette linens, and comfortable, Caribbean-inspired furnishings.
This hotel is not in central Miami and is 20-30 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Miami Beach, so if you’re looking for nightlife, you may find this hotel on the quiet side. The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne attracts families in the holiday season, so expect bustling restaurants and communal areas. You can escape the madness in the adults-only pool, but be aware that the hotel is a bit crazy, particularly on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.
The beach here is disappointing, narrow, full of seaweed, and limited golfing options. Crandon Park nearby is a very nice but overpriced municipal course full of quite bad golfers costing around $160 USD per round.
10. Marriott’s Barony Beach Club, Hilton Head Island
Live your best life at Marriott’s Barony Beach Club. Perfectly located on the beautiful oceanfront of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, this vacation rental beach resort offers the perfect backdrop for creating a lifetime of memories.
Feel at home in spacious two-bedroom, condo-style villa rentals with a living room, separate dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a furnished balcony. Spend days playing on the beach, learning to paddleboard. Relax by one of the resort’s indoor and outdoor pools, or spend time touring Hilton Head on their bikes or challenging your family to games like bocce, table tennis, and more. Work out in the 24-hour fitness center, then head to the spa for some pampering. When you’re ready to explore, you’ll find some of the Hilton Head area’s most popular attractions within reach, including Shelter Cove, Harbour Town, and Coligny Plaza.
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