10 Best Marriott Bonvoy Redemptions Ranked (2026 Edition)
There’s a right way to use points, and then there’s the way most of us do it. You can spend them at an airport hotel with fluorescent lighting on the way to a cousin’s wedding and a breakfast buffet that tastes like regret. Or you can turn those same Marriott Bonvoy points into something far better: saltwater, linen sheets, and a cappuccino that arrives before you realize you wanted one. Want more ideas like this? Explore my full Hotel Edit.
If you’ve been quietly hoarding Bonvoy points, this is your permission slip to use them beautifully. These are the luxury Marriott resorts where your points don’t just get you a room, they get you a version of yourself who naps well and orders dessert, delivering truly epic redemption value.
Personally, I like to book a nice long vacation and use points strategically, not just for bragging rights. My favorite move is booking 5 nights on points (so you get the fifth night free), then adding 1–2 nights in cash to stretch the trip without blowing up the budget.
And if it’s a truly expensive resort, I’ll sometimes do the reverse: 1 night on points and 2 nights in cash. Even that can reduce the total price enough to make the trip feel doable, while still keeping the “I can’t believe we’re staying here” factor intact.
The Golden Rule of Marriott Redemptions
Never book a points stay for 4 nights. Always book 5.
When you redeem points for five consecutive nights, Marriott gives you the lowest point-cost night for free. This instantly increases your value by 25%. All the math below assumes you are using this benefit. If you’re the kind of traveler who’s happiest with a little more privacy (and a lot more water), I also put together my favorite luxury resort villas with private pools here.
Sun, Sand, and Architectural Calm: Caribbean & Mexico Luxury Redemptions
The Silver Palm at the Ritz Grand Cayman, Image courtesy of the Ritz Grand Cayman
The Caribbean and Mexico offer some of the best Marriott redemptions for pure, effortless indulgence.
1. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
Seven Mile Beach at its best: polished, calm, and quietly perfect. It’s the kind of place that still believes in service as a craft. You’ll spend your days between turquoise water and staff who somehow remember your name, your drink, and your general disposition.
Why It’s a Sweet Spot: Cash rates here regularly hit $2,000+ per night in high season. Booking with ~100k points yields a value of over 2 cents per point (double the industry average).
2. The St. Regis Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
New, architectural, and genuinely serene. The resort equivalent of taking a deep breath. All clean lines, soft tones, and a tempo that insists you slow down. The best points redemption for anyone recovering from “busy.”
Why It’s a Sweet Spot: This property is brand new, meaning cash rates are high (often $1,500+) to recover construction costs. Points rates haven't caught up yet, making this one of the best arbitrage opportunities in the Caribbean.
3. The Edition Riviera Maya (Kanai, Mexico)
Set inside a 620-acre mangrove reserve, this property is a masterclass in architectural homage. Designed to mimic the natural formation of Mayan cenotes, the resort features floating buildings, vast open lobbies, and overwater hammocks. Whitewashed walls and minimal design allow the light and the jungle to do the talking. For couples who like their luxury deeply intentional and their escape fully immersive.
Mediterranean & European Excellence
The Lakeside Pool at The Edition Lake Como, Image courtesy of The Edition Lake Como
Our European selections prioritize sleek design and an unforgettable sense of place, blending old-world charm with modern luxury.
4. JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa
This brand-new hillside resort in Chania is the ultimate modern Grecian escape. With low-slung, minimalist architecture, most rooms offering private pools, and a focus on Cretan terroir in the restaurants, it’s a stunning blend of luxury and location.
Why It’s a Sweet Spot: European resort prices skyrocket in July/August. Using ~60k points here when cash rates are €800+ saves you nearly $4,000 on a 5-night trip.
5. The Edition, Lake Como (Italy)
Minimalism meets mist. The Edition replaces chandeliers and velvet with something calmer: glassy water, matte finishes, and cocktails that taste like good decisions. Quiet luxury isn’t a phrase here, it’s the entire mood.
Why It’s a Sweet Spot: Lake Como is notoriously expensive. Getting a room here on points (often around 90k) is arguably the only "affordable" way to stay in luxury on the lake during peak summer.
6. The Madrid Edition (Spain)
Madrid doesn’t do subtle, and neither does this hotel. All sculptural lighting, crisp linens, and a rooftop pool that makes you understand why dinner starts at ten. Somehow it’s both calm and alive, perfect for a sophisticated city weekend.
7. W Verbier (Switzerland)
If you ski but also like a good playlist, this is your mountain. Sleek timber, glass walls, and après-ski that actually delivers. Equal parts alpine and attitude, this is where you come for the runs and the rosé.
Pacific Calm and Eastern Ritual: The Aspirational Redemptions
Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Image Courtesy of Mandapa
For the ultimate escape, these properties transform points into bucket-list cultural and private retreats.
8. The Ritz-Carlton, Turtle Bay (Oahu, Hawaii)
Far from Waikiki, close to peace. This North Shore sanctuary feels like the opposite of multitasking: waves, palms, spa, sleep, repeat. A points redemption that doubles as therapy.
9. The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto (Japan)
Refined, restrained, and quietly divine. Tatami precision meets Western comfort, and breakfast alone could justify the flight. For travelers who like beauty with a side of discipline.
10. Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Bali)
The dream redemption. Built along the Ayung River in Ubud, Mandapa is equal parts temple and hideaway. Villas open into the jungle, and time moves at its own pace. This is the definition of a spectacular Ritz-Carlton Reserve points stay.
Why It’s a Sweet Spot: This is the unicorn. Cash rates are often $2,000–$3,000 per night. Securing this for ~120k points is widely considered the single best redemption in the entire Marriott portfolio.
Final Thoughts on Luxury Bonvoy Value
A few more worth considering:
The Bodrum Edition (Turkey): Mediterranean minimalism and mornings that last until two.
The St. Regis Venice (Italy): Espresso, art, and perfect light on the Grand Canal.
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua (Hawaii): Calm, chic, and family-friendly without losing the plot.
Using points well isn’t about being clever, it’s about taste. Because anyone can save money. But not everyone can turn a loyalty program into a lifestyle.
If you’re planning a trip and want help narrowing it down, I plan these trips every week. The difference is rarely the hotel or resort itself. It’s knowing which one actually fits how you travel, who you’re traveling with, and what will make the trip feel easy once you arrive.
If you’d like help planning something, you can Start Planning here.
If you want to get to know me a bit first, you can:
• Read more about me
• Browse client stories and testimonials
• View my Virtuoso profile
• Read my verified reviews on Fora
Either way, I’m happy to help you figure out what makes sense and what doesn’t. That part matters more than people think.
