The best Marriott properties for every budget in Miami Beach
With balmy weather almost year-round and so much to see, eat, drink and do, it’s no wonder that Miami attracts so many tourists each year. Between the powdery white-sand beaches, abundant and varied cuisine, buzzing nightlife scene and rich cultural experiences, there’s something for every kind of traveler. However, as a result, this South Florida city often commands high prices — during peak season, you’re looking at a minimum of $300 a night for fairly basic hotels and over $1,000 for more premium ones.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of properties you can book with points. Marriott Bonvoy fields the most options with over 100 properties in the greater Miami area alone. From The Ritz-Carlton to W Hotels to Autograph Collection to Moxy and more, there are Marriott brands in Miami for all tastes, needs and, perhaps most importantly, budgets.
Many of the options may look pretty similar on paper so today we’re going to sort through them to help separate the wheat from the chaff. Here are the five best Marriott Bonvoy properties you can redeem your points at in Miami Beach.
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Bargain: Moxy Miami South Beach
This hotel just opened in February 2021 and is the Moxy brand’s first resort-style property. It’s located in the heart of South Beach’s Art Deco District and boasts two rooftop pools and six food-and-beverage outlets, including multiple rooftop bars and a rooftop restaurant. Other features include an indoor-outdoor gym and an outdoor screening area on the rooftop. While not directly on the beach, you’re just a short walk away and still get access to beach chairs.
Related: Here’s what it was like staying at the brand-new Moxy Miami South Beach
How to book
As a Category 5 Marriott Bonvoy property, an award night here will set you back 30,000 points for an off-peak night, 35,000 for a standard night and 40,000 for a peak night. This means that you can use the annual free-night certificate that comes with many Bonvoy credit cards for a standard award night here. Meanwhile, paid nights typically start at $159 for a standard room. Whether you pay for your stay with cash or points, you’ll need to pay a $27 daily destination fee, which gets you amenities like two beach chairs, on-property fitness classes, bicycle rentals and a free appetizer.
Reasonable: Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection
While TPG’s Nicky Kelvin didn’t have the best experience at this property during its soft-launch period, recent reviews suggest that the property has improved significantly since then. This European-inspired Autograph Collection property is located right on the beach in the slightly quieter Mid-Beach area, near luxurious properties like the Fontainebleau and the Faena. Amenities include two pools — one for adults and one for families — spa services and multiple bars and restaurants.
Related: Using your Marriott free-night certificate in the US
How to book
The Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club is a Category 6 Marriott Bonvoy property, meaning a free night will cost you 40,000, 50,000 or 60,000 points, depending on the dates of your stay. As such, it’s eligible for the up-to-50,000-point free-night certificates that come with certain premium Marriott cobranded cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card on standard and off-peak nights. Alternatively, paid nights usually hover around $240. There’s also a $35 destination fee, which gets you premium Wi-Fi, beach chair service (two chairs per room) and bicycle rentals.
Pricey: Miami Beach Edition
If you want something swanky, but with a modern, minimalist design, you can stay at the Miami Beach Edition. Like the Cadillac Hotel, it’s located in the quieter Mid-Beach strip, meaning you still get access to a beautiful, wide beach, but with fewer crowds. Amenities include two large pools, a nightclub, a neon-lit bowling alley and an ice skating rink. That said, many people seek out this hotel for its restaurants and lounges, which are helmed by famed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Related: Review of the Miami Beach Edition
How to book
This is a Marriott Bonvoy Category 8 property so a stay here won’t come cheap. You’ll spend 70,000 points per night during off-peak dates, 85,000 points per night during standard dates and 100,000 points per night during peak dates. If you want to pay cash, expect to spend anywhere from $400 to close to $1,000 per night. There’s also a hefty $42 resort fee, which covers things like fitness-wellness sessions, beach chairs, beach cruisers and internet access. If you have a card like The Platinum Card® from American Express, you can also book your stay through American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts with Membership Rewards points or cash.
Splurge: W South Beach
If you really want to go all-in, you can stay at the newly renovated W South Beach. It’s located right on the beach and offers a plethora of amenities, including multiple pools, on-site tennis and basketball courts and a new 9,000-square-foot spa. The property boasts five great food-and-beverage outlets, including the Miami outpost of the high-end Chinese eatery Mr Chow. Rooms are spacious, tastefully decorated and all feature an oversized balcony and ocean view.
Related: Here’s what it was like staying at the newly renovated W South Beach
How to book
The W South Beach is another top-tier Category 8 property, meaning standard award nights go for 85,000 points a night, off-peak for 70,000 and peak at a whopping 100,000 points a night. Paid nights range anywhere from $500 to over $1,000 per night, making this property a great use of your points. Keep in mind, TPG values Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cents apiece. There’s also a $40 daily resort fee, which includes a welcome drink, use of two beach chairs, bicycle rentals, fitness classes, art tours and more. As with the Edition, if you plan on paying cash for your stay, you can get extra perks by booking through Amex FHR.
Classic luxury: The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort
Not everyone’s coming to Miami to party. If you want a more quiet luxury stay, then The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort might be better for you. As its name suggests, it’s located in Bal Harbour, a well-heeled neighborhood located at the northern tip of Miami Beach. This property stands out for its spacious and luxuriously appointed rooms — which all have balconies with ocean views — as well as the signature St. Regis butler service. With three restaurants, two large pools, a Remède spa, a full-service beach area and more, everyone’s interests can be satisfied without leaving the property.
Related: Review of The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort
How to book
This is a top-tier Category 8 Marriott Bonvoy hotel, so a free night will cost you 70,000 points for an off-peak night, 85,000 for a standard night and 100,000 for a peak night. Paid nights range from around $700 to upward of $1,500 per night, making this another fantastic use of your points. Regardless of how you book, you’ll be on the hook for a resort fee of $45 per day, which includes one fitness class per adult per day, bike rentals daily for up to two hours, upgraded internet, access to spa facilities and a daily complimentary cocktail at The St. Regis Bar.
Bottom line
There’s an abundance of fabulous hotels in Miami Beach you can book with your Marriott Bonvoy points, though some are better than others. For instance, if you’re looking for a serene, luxurious stay, you’re likely better off booking The St. Regis Bal Harbour than The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach.
If you’re short on Marriott points, there are many ways to boost your account — including applying for one of the program’s cobranded credit cards. For example, now through May 12, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is currently offering a welcome bonus of 125,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Plus, you’ll earn up to $200 in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants within the first six months of card membership.
While not always the most lucrative option, you can also top up your Marriott balance by transferring points from American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards. Also, keep in mind that you’ll get a fifth night free when booking Marriott Bonvoy stays with points.
Featured photo of the Moxy South Beach by Benji Stawski/The Points Guy.
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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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