Which hotel brand is best, Marriott Vs. Hilton? Marriott hotels are good quality 4 and 5 star hotels but are less luxurious than the Marriott subsidiaries Bulgari, EDITION, Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, and Ritz-Carlton hotels. Marriott and Hilton hotels are usually generic in decor and often have smaller rooms than their luxury counterparts, and Marriotts are usually slightly more luxurious than Hiltons.
Both hotel brands usually have a club lounge. Both typically have excellent facilities, extensive grounds, spas, and often pools.
It’s worth mentioning at this point that there are other Hilton brands, such as the Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, and Canopy by Hilton, that many consider superior to Marriott. For this article, we are mainly comparing Marriott with Hilton Hotels, not with Hilton subsidiaries.
Many major cities and resorts house both a Marriott and a Hilton hotel. These locations include London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Venice. We compare these two brands below.
1. Loyalty
Marriott is part of the Marriott Bonvoy brand loyalty program, so you collect the same points by staying at Marriott Hotels. Marriott Bonvoy Members with Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite status enjoy complimentary club lounge access at JW Marriott hotels.
Hilton hotels are usually 4—or 5-star and, in most locations, sit slightly below Marriott on the luxury brand scale. Diamond Hilton Honors members and up to one additional guest registered to the same room will enjoy complimentary access to executive club lounges if there is a club lounge at that Hilton hotel.
It’s worth mentioning that Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors loyalty benefits are usually nowhere near as good as the benefits you get by booking via luxury travel concierge. Our travel agency with JW Marriott and Hilton hotels means you will also get brilliant free benefits, usually including breakfast for two, prioritized room upgrades (subject to availability), hotel credit, and more if you book with our concierge. Our deals are almost always better than booking directly on the hotel website for both brands.
If you book with our team, you will also get all your usual Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors points during your stay. In Paris, New York, and London, you get free club lounge access when you book an InterContinental hotel via our team. Your loyalty tier is irrelevant to this perk.
2. Style
Regarding style, Marriott hotels fall just below JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, BULGARI, EDITION, and The Luxury Collection. These brands occupy a 5-star luxury category, with room quality and size, service, restaurants, and the hotel offering an ultra-luxurious setting. Marriott offers excellent quality but lacks the customer service and room size found in these more luxurious brands.
10 Best Marriott Hotels In Europe
What are the 10 best Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Europe? The Marriott brand includes Luxury Collection, EDITION, St Regis, W Hotels, and JW Marriott, as well as mid-range brands like Autograph Collection, Renaissance, Sheraton, Le Meridien, Design Hotels, and Westin. With 6,900 hotels across 130 countries, Marriot and its associated Bonvoy loyalty scheme include almost every travel destination you can imagine worldwide. Some of our favorite destinations in Europe have Marriott hotels.
JW Marriott Venice is probably our favourite Marriott hotel and one of the best Marriotts in Europe. This hotel has its own modern style set on its own private island.
While it does not have a club lounge, all the rooms are great. The breakfast is excellent and is served indoors and outdoors, and some of the rooms even have their own garden and plunge pool, so this hotel is worth a try.
The Hilton Stucky Venice, which we have reviewed in detail, is also outstanding and considerably cheaper than the JW Marriott. It has the advantage of being in the center and only a short shuttle boat ride away from St. Mark’s Square, and the shuttles are extremely regular. Plus, you are a short walk from the nearest water bus stop, which means the whole of Venice is accessible from this hotel, unlike the JW Marriott, which is remote and is only accessible by the hotel shuttle or a water taxi.
Review: Hilton Molino Stucky Venice
The Hilton Molino Stucky Venice is a great luxury hotel choice in Venice. In fact, for the room price, it's hard to beat! Book a room at the Hilton Molino Stucky (or any other luxury hotel in the world) via our luxury travel concierge, and you get brilliant extra benefits such as free breakfast for two, resort credit and room upgrade. Venice's magical winding waterways are famous worldwide, with tens of millions of tourists visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site annually.
The rooms at this Hilton are gorgeous and have phenomenal views, and the rooftop terrace is a fun place to hang out. The Hilton’s breakfast is amazing, although it is served indoors, so it lacks an Italian atmosphere. This hotel also has a Hilton club lounge.
The disadvantage of this Hilton hotel compared to the JW Marriott is that there is only one very busy rooftop pool, no green grounds, and the overall hotel is not as impressive as the JW Marriott on its own exclusive island. But the Hilton is much, much more convenient, and all the above points, plus its brilliant breakfast and comparably reasonable price, make it a great choice in Venice.
We have also reviewed the JW Marriott Venice in detail, so do take a look at both hotels as great options for staying in Venice.
Review: JW Marriott Venice
I write this review while lazing on the balcony of my Junior suite, dappled in sunlight at the JW Marriott Venice. The outlook is not what you would expect of Venice; all I can hear is bird song, and all I can see is an expanse of green forested gardens with the odd glimpse of Venetian Lagoon through the trees. This impressive luxury Marriott hotel opened in March 2015. Arrive by water taxi if you can. Not only is this a glamorous way to travel through Venice, but the dock at the JW Marriott is like something out of a Bond movie, providing a great first view of the property.
Beyond Venice, we have also reviewed the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London, which offers an excellent club lounge with a fantastic food offering. However, the rooms and corridors are a little dated. The Sheraton in London Park Lane, which is also part of the Marriott brand, is overall a better choice if you are staying in London.
The London Hilton Park Lane sits between these hotels, a 3-minute walk from each. This Hilton is very Marmite. It has a decent club lounge but is set in an old tower block with slow and usually full lifts. I did not like this hotel, as I’m not keen on old tower blocks. I’m always reminded of the old movie Towering Inferno, which puts me off, although the views from the Hilton are arguably the best of these three hotels due to its height. In London, most hotels are positioned in less high and sometimes historic buildings.
The boutique London Marriott Park Lane is located further North of the Hilton and the JW Marriott Grosvenor House and has a great club lounge. This Marriott feels intimate and unique.
There is another Marriott on the far side of the River Thames called the London Marriott County Hall, which is another great choice in London, particularly if you like to walk along the river and want to be able to see Big Ben from the hotel.
Honestly, all the Marriotts mentioned above in London beat the Hilton options. The only contender within the Hilton brand in London is the Conrad London, which has a very decent club lounge, one of the best in London.
Review: Club Lounge at JW Marriott Grosvenor House London
As part of our guide to the best hotel club and executive lounges in London, I am writing a review of the renovated, (in late 2014), and extended executive lounge at the Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott hotel, on Park Lane, right in the center of London. The entrance to the Grosvenor House's lounge is on the ground floor, reached by following some stairs adjacent to the hotel's reception area. Climb the marble staircase and enter through a keyed glass door to reach this spacious lounge.
The Sheraton Park Lane in London is brilliantly located around the corner from the main Four Seasons hotel in London, so this Sheraton is brilliantly located and ultra-luxurious. It is arguably better located than any of the other Marriott hotels in London, even the JW Marriott, which is opposite one of London’s wonderful parks. The JW Marriott is much further from Picadilly Circus, Soho, and Regents Street, which is a pain, particularly if you are walking. The JW Marriott is less convenient, making the Sheraton probably the best Marriott choice in London.
Review: Sheraton Grand London Park Lane
Located in the very heart of Mayfair, London, in the south of England, you’ll find a historic gem of a hotel, the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane. I adore the sophistication and charm of this area of London and so was delighted to spend a weekend there recently and enjoy a return to the glamour of the 1920s. The Sheraton Grand London Park Lane really does have everything I look for in a London hotel: that fantastic location, stunning décor (Art Deco is a huge favorite of mine), a club lounge, and impeccable service.
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel and the JW Marriott Essex House are not particularly luxurious properties in New York, although both have interesting historic aspects, such as the JW Marriott lifts. If you are looking for an alternative to the Ritz-Carlton hotels in New York, the St. Regis NY is also worth considering as it has a very good breakfast. We prefer the Ritz-Carlton hotels in New York.
The Hilton New York Times Square and the New York Hilton Midtown are both solid hotels, but the aforementioned Marriott-branded hotels are far superior. Like London, The Conrad in New York is worth considering, and the Waldorf Astoria is very good, too.
Ritz-Carlton New York Nomad Vs. Central Park. Which Is Best?
There are two Ritz-Carlton hotels in New York. The original, older, Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park Vs. Ritz-Carlton New York, Nomad. Which Ritz-Carlton in New York is best? We outline the pros and cons of each hotel below. Ritz-Carlton New York Nomad is well located, steps away from Madison Square Park, the Flatiron Building, and a short walk to the Highline.
There are numerous Hilton hotels in Paris. We think the best Hilton hotel in Paris is the Canopy by Hilton Paris Trocadero. We love this brand of hotel because many have fantastic rooftop terraces, and the Paris Canopy has a superb rooftop terrace with views of the Eifel Tower.
There are also numerous Marriott hotels in Paris and have outlined the best Marriott hotels in Paris separately. The Bulgari Paris is the best Marriott-branded hotel in Paris, and none of the Hiltons are close to this hotel in terms of style and luxury.
The Paris Marriott Champs Elysees Hotel is probably the best, reasonably priced Marriott hotel in Paris.
3. Location
As a general rule, Marriott Hotels and Hilton Hotels are both centrally located in cities. Most of the Marriott and Hilton hotels in New York are located in the concrete jungle, a walk from Central Park, unlike the Ritz-Carlton hotel, which is located on the edge of Central Park with gorgeously green park views. The Ritz-Carltons win our hearts in New York.
The Canopy by Hilton in Cannes is brilliantly located with incredible waterfront views from its rooftop terrace.
4. Size
Marriott and Hilton hotels vary hugely in size. Some larger JW Marriott and Hilton hotels are used for conferences. Again, there are exceptions, with some that are almost boutique in size, so it is worth investigating each hotel individually. Canopy by Hilton is a lovely Hilton boutique brand and is worth considering if you want a more unique place to stay.
Canopy by Hilton Cannes has panoramic views over the Mediterranean from one of the city’s best rooftop terraces, interiors designed by acclaimed designer Ramy Fischer, and a relaxing swimming pool that flows from indoors to outdoors. This hotel’s gorgeous terrace is pictured above.
10 Best Canopy by Hilton Hotels
What are the best Canopy by Hilton Hotels in the world? We have already reviewed the best Hilton beach hotels and resorts and the best Hilton hotels in Europe which include some brilliant Canopy Hotels. Now we review specifically the 10 best Canopy branded Hilton hotels.
5. Rooms
Standard rooms at Hilton hotels tend to be smaller than those at Marriott hotels, but again, this depends on the individual hotel. Some Sheraton rooms are particularly good, spacious, and unique, such as those in the Sheraton in London but many are small and generic without much character.
6. Pool & Gym
Whether there is a pool and gym is very property dependent. In Orlando, the JW Marriott has a lazy river and some super slides, and the neighboring Ritz-Carlton has a more classic rectangular pool. These two hotels share facilities. This shared pool area is comparative to the shared pool area at the Hilton Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria Orlando
JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Vs. Waldorf Astoria Vs. Hilton. Which Is Best?
JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Vs. Waldorf Astoria Vs. Hilton. Which is best? We've already reviewed whether JW Marriott Bonnet Creek vs. JW Marriott Grand Lakes is best. Generally, the JW Marriott Grand Lakes is best, as the lazy river pool and slides are brilliant here. These hotels are both featured in our listing of best Marriott hotels in Orlando. We have outlined the best JW Marriott hotels, in case you want to delve further into the hotel brand. JW Marriott is a high-end brand under the Marriott umbrella.
In New York, very few Hiltons and Marriotts have pools, although the Park Hyatt has a good one set high in the sky.
7. Ski
Both Hilton Hotels and Marriott Hotels have some brilliant ski hotels. We have investigated the best Hilton ski hotels and the best Marriott ski hotels separately which include St. Regis, W, and Westin ski hotels.
Top 10 Best Hilton Ski Hotels
The ten best Hilton Honors hotels at or near ski resorts are reviewed below. We've already reviewed the best Four Seasons ski hotels, but if you prefer to stay, collect, and redeem Hilton Honors, sweep the family away to one of the cozy lodge-inspired rooms below. Reconnect in one of the best ski hotels in the world, explore endless festive activities, or simply sip hot chocolate in the comfort of your room while snow falls softly outside. Hilton Worldwide offers its guests some of the best winter getaways globally at more than 4,000 hotels in 90 countries.
The best Hilton ski hotel is the Waldorf Astoria Park City, which offers unmatched accessibility to the best of Park City with its historic Main Street, three ski resort properties, and inspiring Olympic Games venues. However, if you are looking for a great Hilton ski hotel, we love the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa, which can be found in the heart of Whistler Village. Enjoy staying just steps from the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain gondolas, located only minutes from the Whistler Conference Center.
Top 10 Best Marriott Bonvoy Ski Hotels
Which Marriott Bonvoy hotel, including St Regis, Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, and Westin, is the best luxury ski hotel in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio? Which is best in Canada, America, and Europe? We review the top 10 best Marriott Bonvoy ski hotels below. Having already reviewed the best Four Seasons ski hotels and the best Hyatt ski hotels, we felt it was time to turn our heads to the Marriott brand of hotels. Ritz-Carlton hotels are often some of the best Marriott Bonvoy hotels in an area, particularly if you are looking for a club lounge.
8. Club Lounge
Most Marriott hotels also have club lounges, and if you have top-tier Marriott Bonvoy status, you get access to Marriott club lounges for free.
Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite Marriott Bonvoy members can access Executive Club M Club lounges at Marriott properties, including JW Marriott, Marriott, Renaissance, or Sheraton hotels. They can also bring one guest to the lounge as long as the guest is staying in the same room. You will get Platinum Elite status after staying 50 nights a year at a Marriott property. To get Titanium Elite, you need to stay 75 nights each year.
The same is the case for Hilton Club Lounges and there are some great club lounges within both brands. The best club lounges are Ritz-Carlton club lounges which are not free to anyone but fall under the Marriott brand.
Best Ritz-Carlton Executive Club Lounges
Ritz-Carlton executive club lounges are some of the best club lounges in the world. Usually, they include five daily meal presentations, complimentary drinks and snacks throughout the day, and alcoholic drinks and events such as wine flights in the late afternoon and evening. Add in a sophisticated environment and often amazing views, and you will understand why these lounges can be worth paying extra for. Marriott Platinum members do not get free access to Ritz-Carlton club lounges.
9. Family Facilities
Marriott and Hilton hotels are both great for families, particularly if they are located on a beach. Ritz-Carlton hotels are even better, but the best brand for family-friendly luxury hotels are the best at Four Seasons as well as some Belmond properties like the Hotel Cipriani.
10. Price
Marriott hotels are usually more expensive than Hilton hotels, some are less expensive, but you tend to get what you pay for with large rooms and a higher level of luxury at the more expensive hotels within each brand.
For a more reasonable Marriott stay, check out our review of some of the cheapest Marriott hotels.
10 Cheapest Marriott Bonvoy Hotels In The World
While St Regis, Ritz-Carlton & W Bonvoy brands tend to be the most expensive Marriott hotels, pick a Westin, Delta, Sheraton, or Marriott, and your stay will probably be cheaper. Even cheaper are brands like Courtyard, Four Points, and SpringHill Suites, which are also part of the Marriott Bonvoy brand. So which are the cheapest Marriott Bonvoy Hotels in cash and points in Canada, America, Asia, Europe, and beyond? We review our pick of the top 10 cheapest Marriott Bonvoy hotels below.
11. Conclusion
While both Marriott and Hilton hotels are great hotel choices in a city or a resort, Marriott and Hilton hotels are often convention hotels with hundreds of rooms. Some are amazing, like the Sheraton in London, but do your research before you pick your hotel. We prefer the more boutique hotels within each brand, like the Canopy by Hilton Hotels.
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