Best Category 6 Marriott Hotels
A couple months ago I took advantage of the increased offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card, issued by Chase. Well…it wasn’t an elevated offer in everyone’s opinion. Instead of points as a welcome offer, the card offered five free night certificates. These are valid at properties that cost up to 50,000 points per night. This was a potential value of 250,000 points (assuming I use all of the certificates for their max value). Marriott Category 6 has a standard award rate of 50,000 points, which means I’m hunting for the best Category 6 Marriott hotels for burning these.
Should I Consider Off-Peak Category 7 Properties?
One thing I did realize is that Category 7 Marriott properties also require 50,000 points per night. However, I’m not all that well versed with Marriott’s peak and off-peak award system yet. Rather than hunt for the limited number of dates where I Category 7 property is offering reduced awards, I’d rather find a selection of Category 6 properties where awards are far more likely.
I’d also venture a guess that Category 7 properties during off-peak times are a worse award value, as cash rates are likely to be low compared to other periods. Award value is something I consider, but it is of somewhat less concern to me when using free night certificates.
12 Best Category 6 Marriott Properties
Marriott has a ton of properties worldwide, including 535 in award Category 6. I’ve looked over the list and map and have pulled out a dozen of the best Category 6 Marriott hotels that appeal to me and offer good award value.
W Miami
I’ve not stayed at a W hotel anywhere. The W Miami looks stylish and is in an excellent location in downtown. Rates for the dates I searched were $435 per night, making it an excellent choice in terms of award value. It would be amazing to get over $2,000 out of a single welcome offer.
St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London
London can be an expensive city, and while there are a lot of Marriott hotels, there aren’t a ton of great options in Category 6 (many more in Category 7 and Category 8). However, the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel stands out as an elegant 5-star choice that would be well worth using free night certificates to enjoy. Rates averaged $418 per night during the May dates I searched.
St. Regis Singapore
I hunted for a St. Regis property that I could stick in the list of best Category 6 Marriott hotels, and the one in Singapore fits the bill nicely. It looks stunning. I have yet to visit Singapore. This will definitely be on the radar if I still have free night certificates by the time I plan one. Rates were $387 per night for the dates I searched.
Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection
I’ve not really looked at any waterfront hotels for a stay in Tokyo, but the Mesm Tokyo looks like an excellent option if this is a desire. The 5-star hotel has a beautiful lobby and lovely modern design. Some of the rooms even include a digital piano! This may be my top choice for use of the free night certificates this year, assuming the quarantine requirements are lifted. Rates averaged $382 per night over the week I searched.
Japan is still slated to host the Olympic Games this summer, so I do hope things open up.
Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, Hawaii
While many Marriott properties have moved to Category 7 or higher, there are still a handful of Category 6 Marriott resorts available. Of these, the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort on the Big Island is the most appealing. Hawai’i is the only island I’ve visited of the main four, and I would gladly return (although Kauai is next on the list of interest). Rooms were going for $364 per night over the February dates I searched.
Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna
While Salzburg and Halstatt top my list of where I want to visit within Austria, I would love to see Vienna as well. The Hotel Bristol is a lovely 5-star establishment with a traditional opulent luxury style. Not my sort of place, but the value could be excellent in the summer. Rates were $352 per night over the spring dates I searched.
The Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain, Arizona
Just like with St. Regis, I wanted to see if I could get a Ritz Carlton on the list as well that offers excellent value. This property outside Tucson caught my eye. I actually love the area, with all the hiking opportunities it affords. Rates were $332 per night over the spring window I searched.
The Alida, Savannah, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Savannah, Georgia is high on my list of domestic destinations I want to visit. There are a number of excellent hotels in this charming southern city, and the Alida looks to be among them. I’ve browsed multiple chains and can’t decide which to book (the Andaz is another frontrunner). Rates were $316 per night at The Alida over my dates.
Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Mexico City
This hotel in the CDMX looks absolutely stunning based on the photos. You have a lot of options in Mexico City, including far more budget-conscious ones, but I might be willing to burn my free night certificates here. The design and attention to detail based on what I see and read are excellent. Rates averaged $306 over the dates I searched.
Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Central Park
Yes, for most this is likely an odd choice for this list of best Category 6 Marriott hotels. However, I have eyed this previously for next time we visit New York City. I really like Residence Inn hotels and I have wanted to stay near the park next time we are in NYC. If there were other options offering excellent value, I might go for those. But I’d be happy burning my certificates here. Rates averaged $303 over the dates I searched.
The Naka Phuket, a Member of Design Hotels, Thailand
You can definitely find some deals in Thailand, especially in Phuket. But this resort looks amazing. With lower category properties all around, it’s definitely a splurge. Rates were $300 per night over the dates I searched. Let’s hope Thailand opens up this year to tourism.
Le Metropolitan, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Paris
Paris can be an expensive city to visit, just like London. You may get lucky, though, as 2021 travel is still up in the air and many European cities have attractive rates. I did want to throw a Category 6 Marriott property in Paris on the list though. The Le Metropolitan looks like a great choice, with easy access to mass transit and quite close to Trocadéro and the Champ de Mars. Rates averaged $270 per night over my search window.
Final Thoughts
The certificates from the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card are good for up to 12 months from date of issue, so I do need to burn them this year. Marriott has been extending the expiration of their free night certificates, so I might be able to bank on them being extended into 2022, depending on how 2021 unfolds. I’m still hopeful that global travel will get back on track and that we’ll be able to enjoy five nights at one or more of these best Category 6 Marriott hotels over the coming months.
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Stayed at the Residence Inn Central Park a few months after it opened and it’s fantastic. Floor to ceiling windows and assuming you have some status, can get a sweet park view room. Like 4 blocks from the Subway. Highly recommend if one needs a place to stay in NYC.
Nice! It has appealed to me since it opened. Definitely going to plan on staying there at some point.
How long after you completed the MSR did your certs get issued? I’ve double-checked my MSR deadline and am planning on pushing back as far as I can so that I can get extend the expiration date of these certs.
I believe it took a few weeks. It wasn’t super long. Didn’t carefully track, though.
Thank you!
Having stayed there, the Miyako Marriott in Osaka is absolutely stunning. Amazing view from I believe still the tallest building in Japan over a huge sprawling city. There’s a big shopping center and a subway station right downstairs. Free ticket to the observation tower at the top where they have light shows. The lobby is pretty amazing too.
That sounds fantastic!
If your on ATL the St Regis (Cat 7) is nice and sits at 50k points most of the year.
I tried to use my eCertificate there but found out I was doing it all wrong as its not possible to book the eCertificate through the Bonvoy app. Must call to use it or heard its possible through the website.
Interesting. I didn’t take a look at Atlanta, although I do like the city. I’ll keep it in mind.
I have a bunch of the Cat 1-4 certificates in my account that all expire on Aug 1st I believe. I was hoping that bonvoy would make all the expirations for Dec 31. I don’t tend to vacation in the summer since I have a house on the water. So not knowing if marriott will extend them, I might have to throw caution in the wind and head to Florida in March or April just to use the 5 or 6 nights that will expire if I don’t. I think my Hyatt and Hilton nights are all out to Dec 2021 and maybe even 2022. Not sure why marriott hasn’t done the same.
I’m sure you can find a place that is both socially-distanced and good value for summer 2021. Hopefully we turn a corner on cases in the next couple months.
It feels like ur doing this backwards
By getting the certificates and then figuring out what to do with them?