Traveling the world as a full-time travel blogger now for over 10 years, I have obviously stayed in my fair share of hotels. However, there is one hotel brand that is near and dear to my heart and that is Marriott International, one of the largest and most well-known hotel chains globally.

Marriott’s global footprint is impressive to say the least, offering up something like 8,000+ properties in over 140 countries and territories across its dozens of brands. From iconic city-center hotels to luxurious resorts, travelers are spoiled for choice when it comes to staying in some of the most comfortable and enjoyable hotels out there.

I personally have stayed in more Marriott hotels than any other hotel chain and the reasons why are extensive. Their combination of quality, global presence, rewards, corporate responsibility, and general peace of mind they offer is what continues to make Marriott a popular choice for travelers around the world.

Reasons to Stay in a Marriott Hotel

Marriott’s Diverse Portfolio of Brands & Global Presence

Marriott International has come a long way from its humble beginnings nearly 100 years ago when the original Marriott Corporation was founded by John Willard Marriott in 1927. Marriott was born as a simple American root beer stand in Washington D.C. before going on to become a chain of Hot Shoppes restaurants  and then eventually the world’s largest offering of available hotel rooms.

Marriott’s growth is truly remarkable, beginning life as a simple hotel in Virginia in the 1950s offering a small number of rooms to now offering up more than 1.5 million rooms worldwide. Marriott’s diverse portfolio of brands now caters to a wide range of traveler preferences and budgets. Whether you’re seeking luxury accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis, or looking for the Cheapest Marriott Hotel with budget-friendly options like Courtyard by Marriott or Fairfield by Marriott, there’s something for every traveler.

Marriott has only grown over the past decades through mergers and acquisitions such as the more recent addition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Whether you’re traveling for business or leisure as a solo traveler or with family, you can easily commit to the Marriott brand since its varying properties are so diverse in both amenities and cost.

Marriott Hotel Brands

Known for its unparalleled luxury and legendary service, The Ritz-Carlton brand is synonymous with elegance and sophistication. Some standout properties include The Ritz-Carlton in Kyoto, The Ritz-Carlton Bali, and The Ritz-Carlton Vienna.

More opulence can be found with St. Regis hotels which offer refined luxury and bespoke service in some of the world’s most prestigious destinations. Notable properties include The St. Regis New York and The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort.

JW Marriott hotels are some of my personal favorites and I have been fortunate to stay in several including what I consider to be the best Marriott Italy has to offer which is the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa nestled on its own private island.

Renaissance Hotels are known for their contemporary design, innovative architecture, and stylish interiors. Each property is designed to reflect the local culture, heritage, and surroundings. They are most often strategically located in key urban centers, business districts, and leisure destinations around the world.

The Renaissance Navigator program provides travelers with personalized recommendations and insider tips for exploring the local area. From hidden gems and cultural attractions to dining and entertainment options, the local Renaissance Navigator helps guests discover the best that each destination has to offer.

If you’ve been captivated by Netflix’s Emily in Paris and are looking to find love for yourself in the “City of Light”, a few of the best Marriott Paris options within the Renaissance brand include Renaissance Paris Vendome Hotel, Renaissance Paris Republique Hotel, and Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe Hotel.

You then have Marriott’s Luxury Collection offering a curated selection of unique, indigenous hotels and resorts that provide immersive experiences in bucket-list destinations. W Hotels blend luxury with a contemporary, vibrant atmosphere, appealing to a younger, trendier crowd.

Residence Inn by Marriott is wonderful for traveling families or couples on a budget who enjoy independent travel and self-catering. They often have full kitchens and loads of space to move around. These were our top choice during extensive cross-country American road trips.

Other popular brands within Marriott’s portfolio include Courtyard by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, Fairfield by Marriott, AC Hotels by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, and South Africa’s Protea Hotel properties.

Marriott’s Rewards Program

Marriott also offers one of the best reward programs where it’s easy to earn points, free stays, and perks. The more you stay loyal, the greater the rewards. Marriott Bonvoy is Marriott’s loyalty program, offering members a range of benefits and rewards for their stays. Points can be earned for hotel stays, dining, and other eligible purchases, and redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, experiences, and more. Elite status tiers offer additional perks such as late checkout, lounge access, and bonus points.

Earned points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including free nights at Marriott properties, room upgrades, airline miles, car rentals, travel packages, and experiences through Marriott Bonvoy Moments.

In addition to earning points, members also earn Elite Night Credits for each night stayed at a Marriott property. These credits count toward elite status qualification and can help members reach higher elite tiers faster.

Simply becoming a Marriott Bonvoy member for free will see you enjoying exclusive benefits such as member rates, free Wi-Fi, and mobile check-in. You’ll also gain access to special promotions, offers, and experiences available only to Marriott Bonvoy members.

Moving up to higher member tiers like Silver Elite will gain you Priority Late Checkout. Gold Elite members will score room upgrades, a very handy late 2PM checkout and an arrival gift that may be in the form of bonus points, free breakfast, or other amenity.

Marriott Bonvoy has partnerships with various airlines, rental car companies, and other travel-related businesses, allowing members to earn and redeem points across a wide range of travel experiences.

Marriott-branded travel credit cards allow you to earn increased points on money spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels as well as purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and dining. Some also offer free annual anniversary nights and automatic elite status such as Gold or Silver Elite.

Marriott’s Corporate Responsibility

Marriott International emphasizes corporate responsibility and sustainability through its initiatives focused on environmental sustainability, diversity and inclusion, community engagement, and responsible sourcing.

Marriott implements environmentally friendly practices across its properties, including energy and water conservation, waste reduction, and sustainable sourcing. Marriott also works to reduce its carbon footprint through initiatives such as energy-efficient building designs, renewable energy sourcing, and carbon offset programs. Many Marriott properties are LEED-certified, indicating adherence to high standards of environmental performance and sustainability.

Marriott engages with communities through its Marriott Bonvoy Impact platform, which focuses on initiatives such as disaster relief, youth empowerment, and sustainability projects. Marriott partners with local organizations and charities to support community development, education, and social welfare programs in the areas where its properties are located.

Marriott is committed to supplier diversity, actively seeking out and supporting minority-owned, women-owned, and small businesses in its supply chain. Marriott even encourages its employees to volunteer their time and skills to support community initiatives and charitable causes through programs like Serve 360.

Marriott has always prioritized the health and safety of its guests and employees, implementing rigorous health and hygiene protocols as seen with the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

Marriott’s Technology and Innovation Comfort

Marriott is known for its consistent quality standards and exceptional service across its brands. From well-appointed rooms and amenities to attentive, Marriott aims to provide a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience for guests across all its properties from its most basic to its most luxurious.

Marriott has embraced technology with its mobile check-in and check-out, keyless entry, personalized services through mobile apps, and smart room features. Marriott’s mobile check-in and check-out options allow you to bypass the front desk conveniently through the Marriott Bonvoy app. This not only saves time but also enhances convenience and flexibility, not to mention not having to worry about losing a room key card.

Marriott incorporates smart room features into its properties, such as smart thermostats, lighting controls, and entertainment systems. These features not only add comfort and convenience but also promote energy efficiency and sustainability.

Marriott leverages technology to deliver personalized experiences to guests, including customized recommendations, offers, and services based on guest preferences and past behavior. Some Marriott properties feature voice-activated assistants in guest rooms, allowing guests to control room features, request services, and access information using voice commands.

Marriott invests in high-speed internet connectivity and in-room technology, ensuring seamless access to the internet which is vital to business travelers and digital nomads like myself who rely on fast and reliable internet. I have definitely spent many hours taking advantage of Marriott’s free in-room Wi-Fi.

Some Marriott properties now offer virtual reality tours, allowing you to explore hotel facilities and amenities virtually before booking your stay. This innovative technology provides a fun immersive experience during the hotel booking process which is otherwise often simply a stressful part of travel planning.

I will put this post to rest by mentioning Marriott’s famous beds. Marriott beds are some of the best I have ever slept in while traveling. They offer their own signature bedding, featuring a custom-designed mattress, down comforter, and premium linens. The Marriott Bed has become known worldwide for its comfort and quality, something that is always welcomed by any traveler after enduring a long-haul international flight.

Marriott continually invests in research and development to identify emerging technologies and trends in the hospitality industry, ensuring that its properties will remain at the forefront of innovation and continue to lure travelers like myself into the comfort of their rooms.