Best International 50K Marriott Hotels
After looking at the best domestic options for using 50K free night awards and inspired by the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless 5 free night offer that expires on 7/21/22, I thought I’d search Marriott’s overseas portfolio to see what makes a list of best international 50K Marriott hotels. It’s true that you’re not longer stuck at a hard 50K cap given Marriott’s new award + points option for topping off free night. But I like to shoot for hotels as close to award value as possible.
10 of the Best International 50K Marriott Hotels
The options I found are not always available all the time at the 50K points level, given Marriott’s new dynamic pricing. I went with a mix of value, destination, and general hotel appeal for my picks. There will be “unicorn” redemptions out there, but I think these are some great options that earn a spot on a list of best international 50K Marriott hotels.
Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Backdropped by desert mountains along the Gulf of Oman, this Muscat resort looks like a gem. It’s opulent luxury far from home, beautiful both inside and outside. The hotel is well outside the city, however, so keep that in mind. I found Bonvoy awards in the 40,000s. Cash rates I viewed varied from $250 to over $400 USD.
The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket
There are lots of resorts in Phuket to choose from, and this one stands out to me. The hotel and property look gorgeous. It’s also located off the main island and requires a boat ride to access. Dates I viewed in November and December had rates between $250 and $300. Award night are going for 43,000 to 48,000 Bonvoy points.
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa
Any list of best international Marriott 50K hotels would be incomplete without a Maldives entry. This new property looks amazing. Like many Maldivian resorts, it’s on a private atoll and offers both beach houses and overwater bungalows. Paradise on earth. There are award nights for fewer than 50,000 points, making this a great option for a free night. Cash rates are often between $450 and $550.
The Westin Singapore
One of these days I’ll finally fly Singapore business class, get to see Jewel Changi Airport, and visit this interesting little country. There are several Marriott Bonvoy properties in Singapore, but the Westin is the one where you can consistently use a free night award, and it looks great. Cash rates are often over $400, and award nights tend to hover in the the 40,000-point range.
It would be hard to pass up a different property, however, spending a few more points in addition to the free night award. The St. Regis and two Autograph Collection properties look fantastic as well.
Penha Longa Resort
This Portuguese retreat in the mountains near Sintra is high on my list for a visit to Portugal. The contemporary design exhibits luxury, but isn’t opulent. I’d be glad to burn free night awards here, especially when cash rates are over 400 euros.
JW Marriott Los Cabos
Worried about safety in Cancun? Visit Los Cabos instead. While the Waldorf Los Cabos is a MtM Team favorite, the JW Marriott looks like a fine property, and one well worth burning a free night award to enjoy. Cash rates are often in the $350 to $400 range while award ring in south of 50,000 points.
Punta Islita, Autograph Collection
You won’t score a stay here in peak season using a free night award, but this resort certainly makes my list of best international 50K Marriott hotels. Rates are reasonable in low and shoulder season in terms of both cash and points. Located in the Guanacaste province on the Pacific Coast, you can enjoy a jungle bungalow perched alongside the ocean. If you haven’t made it to Costa Rica, you’re missing out. Pura vida.
Falisia, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Portopiccolo
Luxury hotel? Beautiful pools and spa? Italian coast? It sounds like a winner. It’s not you’re typical Italy, either, located on the Slovenian border near Trieste. I’d happily burn a certificate here instead of 400 euros.
The Ritz-Carlton Santiago
A second Ritz-Carlton property you can enjoy using a 50K free night award. Located in the high end Las Condes district, you’ll have the best of the Chilean capital around you to enjoy. Compared to other options, you’re not getting amazing value with rates hovering around $300.
Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection
I’m going to cheat slightly with my final entry, as this luxury property typically requires just over 50,000 Bonvoy points per night, which means you’ll need to supplement your free night award with a few more points. But it should be worth it. I love the style and skyline views it offers. Rates are consistently over $300, so an award is the way to go here.
Earn Five 50K Certs – Bonvoy Boundless Card Offer
Right now the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card has an offer where you can earn five Marriott 50K free night awards. This is one of the best offers I’ve seen, and one that I took in late 2020 when it first came available.
Offer and card details
- Earn 5 Free Nights up to a 250,000 Total Point Value (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.
Learn More & How to Apply
- Earn 6 points for every $1 spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on gas stations, grocery stores, and dining
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Earn one credit toward Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits per calendar year and automatic Silver Elite Status each account anniversary year as a cardmember
- Enjoy a Free Night Award every year after your account anniversary, valid for a one-night hotel stay at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points
- Annual fee of $95
Final Thoughts
There are plenty more Marriott properties out there where you can burn your free nights, as the global chain has an impressive footprint. It was hard to pick from among the best international 50K Marriott hotels. If you have some of these free night awards, I hope you find something you love and still get good value.
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As 86 year old, 30+ year titanium, it is sad to see what beancounters are doing, was told by Port Canaveral Spring Hill suites “no bottled water unless you are Ambassador”.
With 9 billion debt and interest rates rising they are getting desperate so it remains to be seen just how desperate they get.
This is why you always try to leave a 5/24 slot open!!!fantastic deal for $95 annual fee card. I tried to post in a Disney facebook group that you could get 5 free nights at the Dolphin hotel by topping off the certs but got crickets!
If you can maximize these, they’re worth far more than 75k or 100k points, that’s for sure. I think I got ~$1,400 out of my five nights, and I know you can get far more than that if you try even a bit harder than I did.
I’m eyeing the card for two nights at the Fairfield Key West to further me on my quest to visit all 63 national parks in the US. Dry Tortugas National Park is a 1.5 hr ferry ride away from Key West, and we already have two nights camping plus kayak transport reserved on the Yankee Freedom! The Fairfield isn’t any special but cash rates go for $850 in January so I’d happily burn a 50K cert plus 7000 points to top it up.
The other three nights are TBD, so this article is perfect for ideas!
Now fingers crossed I can get approved. I dropped below 5/24 a few days ago, but I’m fully expecting a denial. I’ll have to call reconsideration after 8/1 to get an AU card taken off also.
I actually browsed Key West looking for domestic options. Didn’t see anything under 50k, but 57k seems like a fine deal, even for a Fairfield, given the location. Prices are always crazy in Key West each time I’ve looked!
Hope you get approved for the card!