If you are planning a luxury vacation, it’s hard to overlook the Marriott portfolio.
Among Marriott’s more than three dozen brands, some of the most premium options include The Ritz-Carlton, The St. Regis, JW Marriott, and W Hotels.
When you book a stay at any of these properties, you can expect a high level of service, sophistication, and comfort from the moment you walk in the front door. These luxury hotels are also found anywhere in the world, whether you want to stay close to home or catch a long-haul flight to somewhere far-flung.
As a repeat Marriott guest, I also find that the level of service is consistent and loyalty pays off; I love taking advantage of elite benefits and redeeming Bonvoy points for high-end stays.
From overwater villas in the Maldives to a city escape in New York, here are seven of the best luxury hotels within Marriott’s portfolio.
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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
Set in the idyllic Maldives, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands stands out as the most impressive property I’ve ever stayed at. The Maldives are a collection of remote islands, and when you arrive at the property, you’ll feel yourself settling into island time. And there’s a reason: the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands operates an hour ahead of the official Maldives time zone, which is intentional to allow guests to maximize their daylight hours while visiting.
This is a suite-only hotel, so whether you are staying in an overwater villa or an oceanfront villa, you will always have your eyes on the water. And with just 100 villas, the property never feels overcrowded. Nothing, from a reservation at any of the seven on-site restaurants and bars, or ice for your in-room Nespresso machine, is ever more than a message to your butler away.
I stayed in the two-bedroom Sunset Beach Pool Villa, which comes with a private pool, direct access to the water, and floor-to-ceiling retractable windows that bring the beach inside. Your butler is always two steps ahead of you, anticipating everything from a golf cart ride to your dinner reservation to the items you’ll need on a snorkeling excursion. Bikes are provided to ride around the island, but I enjoyed taking the time to walk from end to end to admire the swaying palm trees and the bluest water I’ve ever seen.
JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City Polanco
The JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City Polanco underwent an extensive renovation that wrapped up in 2023. I had the opportunity to attend the grand reopening and couldn’t have been more impressed. The hotel's color scheme is designed to blend with the city. You’ll notice a variety of light blues and earth colors, and everything is balanced. The on-site bar was inspired by rail trains and silk fibers from the market.
With 314 fully renovated rooms, the hotel transformed from a space designed for business travelers to one steeped in local culture. The rooms exemplify the classic and approachable luxury that JW Marriott is known for, with soft colors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and evening turndown service. It’s situated in Polanco, one of the best neighborhoods in Mexico City, and just a short walk from Quintonil, which is one of the world’s best restaurants.
Whether you visit the Tahona Mezcal Room for a tasting or opt to relax by the heated outdoor pool overlooking Chapultepec Park, you’ll feel a real sense of place thanks to the curated design. The on-site Organic Spa offers excellent treatments if you are battling altitude sickness during your stay.
The Westin Puntacana Resort
The Westin Puntacana Resort is a wise choice for anyone who wants a tranquil getaway in the Dominican Republic without the crowds of an all-inclusive property.
Here, 200 guest rooms, including 16 suites, each have private balconies overlooking the Caribbean Sea, and the hotel itself is located in the privately owned Puntacana Resort and Club, which means guests have access to a private beach that’s blissfully free of beach vendors and crowds. I’ve been to several properties throughout the area, both in the Puntacana Resort and out in the wider Punta Cana region, and I can confidently say I had the best experience at The Westin.
Westin hotels are also known for wellness, and the beds are among the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in. Plus, the on-site restaurants offer exceptional dining experiences. There are three options, but my favorite is Bao for its extensive Pan-Asian menu. There’s also the Brassa Grill for steak and seafood, and the Arena Beach Club.
You can take advantage of a variety of complimentary experiences available to guests, ranging from yoga by the sea to snorkeling. All non-motorized water sports are included in your stay, as is one 25-minute spa treatment.
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
It’s hard to get more prestigious than The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, which offers the largest overwater villas in the South Pacific. The villas start at over 1,500 square feet and feature direct access to the water, 42-inch plasma televisions, surround sound systems, coffee machines, high-speed Wi-Fi, and select villas also offer whirlpools or private pools.
A stay here also comes with a personal butler who can arrange whatever you need, whether that’s a diving excursion, spa treatment, or a reservation to one of the six on-site restaurants and bars. You can even visit the hotel’s Lagoonarium, a protected underwater fish sanctuary, complete with complimentary snorkeling gear.
The St. Regis offers an upper-echelon level of luxury that will redefine how you view future travel through its exclusivity, culinary experiences, and service. This award-winning property stands out as one of the best in the world, even beyond the Marriott portfolio.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
Originally built by Laurance S. Rockefeller in 1965, this resort on Hawaii’s Big Island recently underwent a $240 million renovation, offering 21st-century luxury while staying true to its roots.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection, is a true resort with amenities such as championship golf, tennis, local cuisine, and a variety of beach and cultural activities from snorkeling to sailing.
Some aspects of the hotel, like the 252 guest rooms, have been renovated, while others, like the infinity lap pool, destination spa, and Keiki Discover Garden, are brand new. There are 13 different categories of rooms, each with its own unique design. Whether you opt for the Mauna Kea Suite, complete with a large soaking tub and expansive lanai overlooking the water, or a room in the Main Tower with new midcentury furnishings, you’ll feel the essence of Hawaii throughout.
W Barcelona
If you look closely, you’ll notice that the W Barcelona is actually shaped like a sail to commemorate Barcelona as one of the most important maritime hubs in Europe. It’s conveniently situated on the Barcelona boardwalk and offers 473 guest rooms with excellent views of the water or city. The vibe is much more fun and youthful than that of many other top-tier properties in the area, while still retaining the sense of luxury synonymous with W Hotels.
I stayed in a Fabulous room designed to take full advantage of the view, with the bed in the center of the room and a seating area by the window. The pillow-top mattress ensures a restful night’s sleep after a long flight or before a long day of touring.
W Barcelona also stands out for its six different dining options. Under one roof, you’ll find Japanese restaurant Noxe (which turns into a club after dark) on the 26th floor, Salt Restaurant for Mediterranean cuisine, and Coya for Peruvian-inspired flavors, among other choices. When I visited, I tried as many restaurants as I could, including the in-room dining. The flavors were exquisite, and the sheer number of dining options at one hotel might make you miss the food scene in Barcelona entirely.
The New York Edition
Set in the former Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s headquarters, this 1909 building on Madison Avenue offers the perfect blend of city escape with tranquility.
The New York Edition is home to 271 guest rooms, suites, and penthouses, each of which offers fantastic views of the city and luxury amenities like custom Le Labo bath products, twice-daily housekeeping, and custom-imported linens.
You can choose to have dinner at the refined Clocktower Restaurant featuring elevated British cuisine, or you can grab a drink at the 24-carat aptly named Gold Bar.
Edition Hotels are also known for infusing a hyper-local focus, and The New York outpost does so at a relatively low price point. Rates start around $560 per night, whereas other similar luxury properties in the city can easily reach several thousand per night just to start.
The Shortcut
The Westin Puntacana offers a private beach free of vendors and crowds, rare for the Dominican Republic and hard to find at a comparable price point.
The New York Edition starts around $560 per night, making it one of the more accessible entries on this list compared to similar Manhattan luxury properties that can run several thousand a night.
Not every Marriott luxury brand delivers the same experience: W Hotels skew younger and livelier, while St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton are built for quiet, high-touch service.
The best properties offer a sense of place and identity that aren’t interchangeable with other luxury properties.
Harrison Pierce was hosted by Marriott as part of their trips to the Maldives, Mexico City, Barcelona, and Punta Cana. Some expenses were covered. All opinions and recommendations in this article are their own.
