The Marriott name has been a staple in the hospitality industry since the late 20th century and now reigns as the largest hotel chain in the world, with a whopping 1.4 million rooms on its roster across 139 different countries and territories.
Marriott offers a whole range of hotels and resorts. There are chic inner-city palaces that overlook the Big Apple, beach-side relaxation pads on the coral atolls of the Maldives, ski-in lodges in the Rockies and safari bases in the East African Rift.
The only question left is which one to book for your next vacation. Read on for our guide to the 10 best Marriott hotels around the world.
The St. Regis New York, New York
To walk into the St. Regis New York is to follow in the footsteps of stars. Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor have all stayed here, and John Lennon even recorded a demo in a suite here back in 1971!
This imposing East 55th Street property is unquestionably one of the most legendary members of the Marriott chain. It sports flowing marble lobbies and a Baroque façade that oozes luxury from top to bottom.
While it may seem like a museum, the hotel also flaunts modern fitness facilities, a yoga room, an elegant cognac nook for drinking the finest from France. You also can’t miss the King Cole Bar- the undisputed home of the Bloody Mary cocktail.
Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville
Tucked between the University of Seville and the maze-like old town of this enthralling Andalusian city, the Hotel Alfonso XIII is a Marriott that effortlessly blends the old and the new.
The building dates to 1929, when it was raised on orders from the King of Spain to be a hotel for visiting monarchs and VIPs from around the world.
The piece de resistances here include the stunning covered cloisters, which have been converted into peaceful reading rooms, and the outdoor pool space, nestled neatly under rows of Sevillian orange trees.
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Maldives
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is a Marriott that pushes the boundaries of conventional hoteliering. Set on its own island in the midst of the Indian Ocean, it’s got access to over a kilometer of completely private beachfront, all of which is quintessential Maldives white powder and turquoise H2O.
There are 44 overwater villas where you can wake to visions of rainbowfish and parrotfish darting through the coral reefs below. Guests can access the Iridium Spa for eastern-inspired massage and aromatherapy treatments. There’s an on-site watersports outfitter to help you plan those yacht excursions and sailing trips.
Bulgari Hotel London, London
The prestigious Bulgari Hotel is a five-star stay that makes its home in the heart of London’s upscale Knightsbridge district. Peer from the windows and you’ll be able to see the Serpentine Lake wiggling through Hyde Park, and Harrod’s department store is just down the road.
The rooms here are a statement in edgy design. Even the smallest rooms are around 463 square feet in space, while the pricier suites are inlaid with rich hardwood flooring and draped with bespoke velveteen curtains.
The spa is certainly one of the highlights at the Bulgari. After long days of sightseeing along the Thames, you can return to what’s one of the largest spas in Central London, complete with a 25-meter pool, a hammam, and hydromassage baths.
Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Escape the hustle and bustle and soaring steel skyscrapers of Dubai for the Al Maha resort. It’s a self-billed oasis in the deserts of the UAE that’s luxury from check in to check out.
Outside, suites with infinity pools open onto sweeping 180-degree vistas of the wild Hajar Mountain plateau. As you laze and daydream there, you’ll spot a montage of camel herds and oryx, and watch the dust devils billowing on the sand dunes on the horizon.
Al Maha is also home to the acclaimed Al Diwaan restaurant, where you can dine on exquisite international fare as the sun glows red and pink across the undulating Arabian Desert.
Protea Hotel by Marriott Livingstone, Zambia
The Protea Hotel by Marriott is unquestionably one the best Marriott hotels in Africa. Just four miles to the north of the roaring Victoria Falls and right on the cusp of the rhino-stalked Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, it’s certainly got the location.
But safari goers will return to spacious suites done out in contemporary styles, each with just a hint of the vernacular coming through in the curious Zambian artworks and paintings. The outdoor areas are also fantastic. There’s a relaxing pool space and a series of sitting terraces framed by flower-sprouting ponds.
There’s hardly a better option for adventurers keen to combine safaris and sightings of the famous falls.
JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, Orlando
If you’ve got your sights set on the iconic theme parks of Orlando, FL, and want somewhere fun-filled and just a bit luxurious for the whole family, the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes won’t disappoint.
Set neatly midway between the vibrant downtown Orlando and the endless rollercoasters and rides of Lake Buena Vista, the resort counts a whopping 5,000 acres of space. It uses that to offer up the sprawling Grande Lakes Water Park, which itself has looping slides and a lazy river to entertain the younger ones.
Mom and dad might prefer to busy themselves on the Greg Norman-designed championship golf course, or at the on-site field-to-table eatery, Whisper Creek Farm.
The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection, Wyoming
Veteran skiers and hikers of Jackson Hole will know that Town Square is a hubbub of life both summer and winter. It’s the place to be, and The Cloudveil – Marriott’s award-winning luxury option in the resort – puts you smack dab in the action.
Step outside to see the iconic Antler Arches and the rows of après bars and saloons. Or simply don’t leave, because there’s plenty to keep you busy within, from hearty mountain-style suites to a rustic-chic lobby space with a roaring log fire.
You only need ask at reception and they’ll help you explore the region to the full – think 4X4 rides, guided hikes, excursions to Yellowstone National Park, and ski passes.
The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice
Nothing says romance like The Gritti Palace. Shouldering its way above the iconic Grand Canal of Venice, the hotel is housed in a Gothic palazzo that dates from 1475. From the terraces out front, you can watch the gondolas bobbing by as you sip an evening Spritz, or enjoy a morning coffee as the sun kisses the tops of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute across the way.
There are a couple of things that set this one apart from the crowd. First, the hotel is one of the few in the world to host it’s own cooking school. Cue the Gritti Epicurean School, a place to acquaint yourself with the art of Italian food. Then there’s the Riva Yacht, a high-class motorboat that’s for the exclusive use of guests who want to whiz around the famous Venice Lagoon from isle to isle.
The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket
Forget Phuket’s body-packed beaches and beer-sloshing nightlife towns. For R&R, you’re much better off with a stint at The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection hotel that sits on paradisiacal Ko Naka Yai just off the east coast of Phuket proper.
The resort occupies the northern tip of the isle, where a scything S-bend of white sand runs under the coconut trees. There are villa suites that open onto lush gardens that sprout banyan trees. Others have polished-concrete living spaces that spill into infinity pools with sweeping views of the Andaman Sea.
Ko Naka Yai itself is home to umpteen other secret coves and snorkeling lagoons. It’s 100% car-free, too, which means bike, sea kayak, and hiking boots are the ticket to getting around.
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We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
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