14 Marriott hotels you should really book before dynamic pricing begins

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Big changes are coming this month when Marriott switches over to dynamic pricing — or “flexible point redemption,” as the world’s largest hotel brand is calling it.

And while we’ve had a few months to brace for the changes, more information is finally coming to light, including an exact start date for the switch (March 29), and the fact that most hotels will stay within their current peak and off-peak pricing bands for the rest of the year.

What we should expect is for a lot of hotels’ nightly redemption rates to fluctuate within those bands to be more aligned with hotel rates and availability. In theory, hotels could charge maximum rates for the rest of the year, though a Marriott spokesperson told TPG that there are and will continue to be “established criteria run by the program that do/will determine redemption rates.”

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But the reality of the situation is that a lot of our favorite Marriott hotel and resort redemptions are about to be more expensive than ever before.

We already knew that 97% of hotels would remain in Marriott’s current pricing category with rates shifting dynamically within those ranges. But for the other 3% of those hotels, or about 200 properties, maximum and minimum pricing will increase between 5,000 and 30,000 points per night. Ultimately, around 30 Marriott properties could land at nightly rates over the Category 8 peak rates.

In fact, Marriott recently released a list of the properties that will be changing and we’re sad to see some of our favorite, most aspirational properties (the ones where you really get an amazing bang for your buck) on the roster.

Fortunately, there’s still a bit of time left to book those properties under Bonvoy’s current pricing structure. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.

Here, you’ll find a handful of the Marriott hotels and resorts you should strongly consider booking before the changes go into effect at the end of the month.

In This Post

Hotels increasing by 10,000 points

SpringHill Suites Springdale Zion National Park — Springdale, Utah

When TPG content director Summer Hull said this property might be the best SpringHill Suites location on Earth, she meant it.

And it’s easy to see why, considering its incredible location near Zion National Park, its comfortable suites, free breakfast and lack of resort fee. It may not be the Ritz, but it’s an incredible hotel to use as a base for a national park getaway. Clearly, Marriott sees that value — it’s about to get 10,000 points more expensive.

How to book right now: Free nights in a standard suite at this Category 6 Marriott property cost 40,000 to 60,000 Bonvoy points per night. This means some nights should be eligible to book with a Marriott 50,000-point award certificate.

The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun — Cancun, Mexico

Another hotel getting a 10,000-point bump, The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun, was in need of a facelift when we reviewed the property in 2019 — and, thankfully, since then it’s had some work done. There, you can expect the luxury brand’s high level of service along with newly renovated rooms, large pools and a beach area, tennis courts, a handful of restaurants, bars and more.

How to book right now: A Category 6 Marriott resort, nights here cost between 40,000 and 60,000 Bonvoy points.

W Fort Lauderdale — Fort Lauderdale

It’s always a party in South Florida, and at Marriott’s W hotel brand, so it’s easy to see why folks love the W Fort Lauderdale. In fact, we gave the 517-room, beachfront resort our stamp of approval last year thanks to its stylish design, incredible location, fifth-floor pool deck with live DJs and its overall aesthetic. If you want to book somewhere to be seen, it’s time to cash in your points for a trip to this W before it gets a lot more expensive.

How to book right now: Award nights at this Category 6 Marriott resort cost between 40,000 and 60,000 Bonvoy points.

Hotels increasing by 20,000 points

The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort — French Polynesia

A trip to Bora Bora is truly a trip to paradise, and one you should book soon before The St. Regis Bora Bora gets pricier.

While we know that finding award availability here can be tricky, it’s worth a search now to save some points. Guests at this St. Regis, which is located in a quiet area of the islands, will find beautiful beaches, stunning water and all of the luxuries you’d expect from a top-tier brand. The hardest part of visiting? Trying to decide how long you can stay before having to return to the real world.

How to book right now: Currently a Category 8 resort, award rates here will set you back between 70,000 and 100,000 points per night.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands — the Maldives

It’s all in the details, said TPG reporter Chris Dong, who made the journey to the Maldives last year to check out the highly anticipated Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Island, a property that made our list of best new hotels for 2021. (Just remember your Marriott elite perks won’t go very far at the Ritz-Carlton brand.)

While it’s true that the property is about to get 20,000 points more expensive, book now for your chance at a more affordable stay of a lifetime. With a restrained and contemporary take on luxury, this resort has it all, including a private “butler” for every room, breathtaking overwater villas and service like you’ve never experienced before.

How to book right now: Award rates for this Category 8 resort are between 70,000 and 100,000 points per night.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort — the Maldives

Considered one of the most sought-after properties in the entire Marriott portfolio, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is a “drop-dead gorgeous property” that gives incredible attention to the smallest details for travelers who make the journey to the Maldives. Understandably, it’s an expensive place to stay, so book now because you’ll definitely spend big bucks on food and beverages at this top-tier resort. But hey, it’s worth it to visit one of the most stunning places on the entire planet, right?

How to book right now: You’ll spend between 70,000 and 100,000 points per night at this Category 8 resort.

An ultraluxe resort in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Maha is a hugely popular stop for Marriott Bonvoy loyalists heading to the United Arab Emirates. In fact, one TPG writer even went as far as to say that the tranquil desert oasis where nearly every room has a plunge pool is the best-value Marriott award redemption — at least for now.

And considering it’s an all-inclusive property where you get your own villa and the activities you can book include riding camels at sunset or dune bashing (exactly what it sounds like), it makes sense why people are obsessed with the place.

How to book right now: At this Category 8 resort, award nights cost between 70,000 and 100,000 points.

The St. Regis Aspen Resort — Aspen, Colorado

Another top hotel pick for 2021, The St. Regis Aspen is probably the best points hotel in chic, celebrity-loved Aspen. Luxurious but not too pretentious, you can wine and dine on American mountain food, take a swim in a heated pool, sleep comfortably in 400-thread-count Frette linens and even play with Kitty Jacob Astor II, the hotel’s resident dog. It’s a great spot to stay in Aspen year-round, so you won’t regret snagging what bookings are available while you still can.

How to book right now: Award rates here are between 70,000 and 100,000 points per night at this Category 8 resort.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto — Kyoto, Japan

I know, I know, we still can’t visit Japan, but that might change relatively soon.

If you’re willing to risk it, book a room at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto before award rates go up. Kyoto is one of the world’s most incredible cities, with its stunning architecture, incredible food scene and old-meets-new Japanese lifestyle — and a stay rooted in luxury at this Ritz-Carlton property surely makes for the trip of a lifetime. Not convinced? Check out our full review of the property, which was one of our top recommended hotels in 2021, to get the full story.

How to book right now: This is a Category 8 resort, and award nights here are found between 70,000 and 100,000 points.

Hotels increasing by 30,000 points

The Bodrum Edition — Bodrum, Turkey

One of my personal favorite hotels in the world, the Bodrum Edition is a sprawling resort in Turkey that offers beautiful views of the Aegean Coast, Edition’s signature scent wafting through every corner of the resort and delicious food and beverage options I still think about today.

The resort is only open for the summer and will reopen this year on April 22, so hopefully, you can snag a lower-priced award booking to experience the brand’s iconic, laid-back but chic design at one of the most beautiful resorts I’ve been to during my travels.

How to book right now: Award nights here will already set you back between 70,000 and 100,000 points.

The West Hollywood Edition — Los Angeles

You don’t have to be famous to book a room at the West Hollywood Edition, but you might just run into a celebrity at this popular spot that blends together the best of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. With 148 guest rooms, 48 suites and two penthouses, there’s a room type for everybody. Catch some California sunshine at the rooftop pool or hit the spa for a facial or treatment that leaves you ready for the red carpet.

How to book right now: For a stay at this Category 7 resort, award rates cost between 50,000 and 70,000 points per night.

JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort — Marco Island, Florida

Luckily for us travelers, Florida has a ton of incredible hotels across its many, many miles of beaches.

One that we know and love is the JW Marriott Marco Island, a resort with a dozen restaurants, two golf courses, a spa and striking views of the Gulf of Mexico. It also has an adults-only section, meaning you can stay away from little ones on your vacation if that’s your vibe. It’s also close to a handful of popular natural destinations like Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, so there is a lot to experience without venturing too far from your luxurious hotel base.

How to book right now: Rates at this Category 7 resort are between 50,000 and 70,000 points per night.

The Cloudveil — Jackson, Wyoming

Another one that made our list of best hotels that opened in 2021, The Cloudveil is a chic property in the heart of Jackson, Wyoming, that we can’t get enough of. Located on the main town square, The Cloudveil is just steps away from all the action in town, but also quite close to some of the best skiing and national parks in the country, including Grand Teton National Park. Tie that together with a beautiful resort with fireplaces and freestanding bathtubs in select rooms, and you’ll quickly realize why the price of an award night here is increasing.

How to book right now: This Category 7 resort will set you back between 50,000 and 70,000 points per night.

Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Maui — Wailea, Maui

For many folks, Hawaii is a dream destination for a dream vacation. At Wailea Beach Resort, you can have a little bit of it all, including five pools, two different beach areas and tons of activities for the entire family to enjoy.

The rooms themselves aren’t the absolute best on Maui, as we found back in 2018, but what the rooms lack in design is totally made up for with the stunning views and location of the resort. While there are a handful of Marriott properties on the island, this is a great one to book now before its rates climb a whopping 30,000 points.

How to book right now: Award rates at this Category 7 resort cost between 50,000 and 70,000 points per night.

Featured photo of the Bodrum Edition by Nick Ellis/The Points Guy.