Book these category 5 Marriott hotels before it’s too late

14

Last week we reported the latest devaluation in Marriott’s program.  Marriott announced new hotel category assignments (which determine the number of points required for a stay): 1,082 properties will move up a category, and only 247 properties will move down.

Previously I’ve compiled lists of the best Category 5 Marriott properties:

Unfortunately, two of the properties on the best in the world list are moving up to category 6; and six of the US properties are moving up to category 6.

Why Category 5 Matters

Marriott provides many opportunities to earn free category 1-5 nights. Their credit cards each offer a free cat 1-5 night per year. They frequently run “Megabonus” promotions in which two stays results in 1 free cat 1-5 night. And, the best value Marriott Travel Package results in a certificate for up to 7 nights in a category 1-5 hotel (see: 12 things you need to know about Marriott Travel Packages).

Book these category 5 hotels by March 5th 2018

What follows are all of the category 5 Marriott hotels from my original posts that will move up to category 6 after March 5th.  As long as you book by March 5th, you’ll still get the category 5 award price and can still use your category 5 free night certificates even if the actual stay is much later in the year.

Category 5 Marriott hotels in the US don’t tend to be inspirational properties.  But, quite a few look like great choices for a weekend getaway.

New Brunswick Canada

The Algonquin Resort St. Andrews by-the-Sea, Autograph Collection

The best vacation destination category 5 property I could find in North America is in New Brunswick Canada (not far from Maine).  This looks like a very nice spot to stay while exploring the area.

a patio with chairs and lanterns

Unfortunately this property will move up to Category 6, so book it by March 5th.

Vietnam

JW Phu Quoc

Our own Nick Reyes stayed here early this year and has great things to say about this new resort (see: Marriott Cat 5 Sweet Spot: JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa).  Unfortunately you’ll have to book by March 5th to use free night certificates or to lock in the current Category 5 award price.

JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Marriott Rewards Sweet Spot

Arizona

a pool with chairs and tables
Courtyard Scottsdale Salt River

California

a building next to a body of water
Residence Inn Long Beach Downtown There are slim pickings for desirable category 5 hotels in California. This one looks more appealing than most.

 

a swimming pool and a building
Residence Inn San Diego Oceanside. This one gets good reviews, but despite the name it is not near the ocean

Florida

a pool with a lounge chair and a drink on it
Residence Inn West Palm Beach Downtown/CityPlace Area
This one doesn’t exactly offer a beach getaway, but if you want easy access to shopping and/or to Palm Beach, it might be right for you.

Idaho

a room with a bed and a balcony
Residence Inn Idaho Falls

Virginia

a view of a city from a window
Residence Inn Arlington Pentagon City
This could be a great home base for exploring the Washington DC area.

Wrap Up

If you’ve had plans to book any of the above Marriott hotels, book them by March 5th if possible.  After that time, you’ll no longer be able to use Category 1-5 free night certificates for these properties.

The good news is that 45 hotels that used to be category 6 will be dropping to category 5, and a few of these look quite interesting.  I’ll follow up soon with more information about these:

Courtyard Anaheim Resort/Convention Center
Courtyard Miami at Dolphin Mall
Courtyard Naples
Courtyard Pittsburgh Downtown
Courtyard Pittsburgh Shadyside
Courtyard Sarasota University Park/Lakewood Ranch Area
Fairfield Inn & Suites Anchorage Midtown
Fairfield Inn & Suites Austin South
Fairfield Inn & Suites Brunswick Freeport
Fairfield Inn & Suites Louisville East
Fairfield Inn & Suites Nashville at Opryland
Fairfield Inn & Suites New Buffalo
Fairfield Inn New York Long Island City/Manhattan View
Fairfield Inn Portland Maine Mall
Irvine Marriott
Knoxville Marriott
Long Island Marriott
Norfolk Waterside Marriott
North Charleston Marriott
Phoenix Marriott Mesa
Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel
Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark Hotel
Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel
Renaissance Philadelphia Airport Hotel
Residence Inn Bozeman
Residence Inn Denver Downtown
Residence Inn Kingston
Residence Inn Lake Charles
Residence Inn Miami Aventura Mall
Residence Inn New Bedford Dartmouth
Residence Inn Temecula Murrieta
Seattle Marriott Bellevue
SpringHill Suites Lake Charles
SpringHill Suites New York LaGuardia Airport
TownePlace Suites Anaheim Maingate Near Angel Stadium
TownePlace Suites Lake Charles
TownePlace Suites Nashville Airport
JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square
Courtyard Rio de Janeiro Barra da Tijuca
Residence Inn Rio de Janeiro Barra da Tijuca
Bonn Marriott World Conference Hotel
Hotel Nassau Breda, Autograph Collection
The Hague Marriott Hotel
Courtyard Seoul Namdaemun
Courtyard Madrid Princesa

Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

14 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments