Want to rack up a bunch of elite-qualifying Marriot Bonvoy nights? Want to see the world for free? Want to become Marriott’s official TikTok correspondent?
If you answered yes to all of those questions, there’s an opportunity where you can have all of that — and more.
On Tuesday, Marriott announced it’s looking for three lucky adventurers to explore all 30 of its brands over the course of 300 days, along with a handful of other perks.
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A major publicity stunt on Marriott’s side? Yes. But one we can get behind since we have a lot of opinions about which hotels the winner should visit.
How the contest works
Three people will be selected from entries on TikTok. Each winner — who will be will be granted the very 2022 title of “Marriott Bonvoy TikTok Correspondent” — will set out on a journey to visit 10 different properties across 10 different Marriott brands and share the journey on TikTok. According to a Marriott spokesperson, the winners will not be able to select which brands or hotels they visit but will instead be given curated itineraries based on a bucket list of places they’d like to visit.
Each winner will take multiple trips spaced out over the 300-day period to domestic and international destinations. The length of each trip will be based on the hotel and dates, but the majority will be more than one night.
In addition to the stays, each winner will also get:
- Round-trip airfare.
- Exclusive experiential adventures.
- $10,000 Marriott Bonvoy gift card to cover items such as on-property meals, spa services and activities.
- $15,000 check to use as desired.
- “Take Me Away” kit featuring items from the branded online retail stores on Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques (and you know we have plenty of thoughts on what they should buy there, too).
- Vouchers for transportation from Uber, where Marriott Bonvoy members can link their accounts to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on select rides and Uber Eats food delivery.
- Progress toward elite status so they can enjoy benefits such as late checkout, room upgrades and more once their 300-day travel experience is over.
Where should the winners go?
With more than 6,500 hotels in nearly every corner of the planet, there’s no shortage of incredible destinations to choose from. Then factor in the individual brands (the luxurious St. Regis, hyper-chic Edition, hipper-than-thou Moxy and independent Autograph Collection) and it’s enough to make your head spin.
But, of course, we have plenty of opinions at TPG about where the winners should go.
This list includes iconic hotels every traveler should stay at once, kitschy hotels I personally can’t get enough of and under-the-radar knockouts at the entrance to national parks and theme parks and pretty much everything in between.
These may not be the absolute best hotels from each brand, but they’re ones I would pick to really get a taste of the world (and the brand). But hey, Marriott is the world’s largest hotel brand — we can’t wait to see which hotels they select for their intrepid TikTokers.
Edition: The London Edition — London
Edition is my favorite hotel brand in the world, and I’ve been lucky enough to stay at properties from Miami to Sanya, China, and they (almost) never disappoint. If It were up to me, I’d finally make a trip to the London Edition. I mean, if there’s one thing Ian Schrager knows, it’s how to deliver luxury — and the London Edition is no exception. This hotel feels like a private club you’re actually cool enough to enter.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 7
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 50,000/60,000/70,000
The Ritz-Carlton: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay — Half Moon Bay, California
While it’s not the glitziest Ritz-Carlton in the collection, the location alone makes it an ideal place to spend a few days. Just 30 minutes from San Francisco and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), this clifftop resort overlooking the ocean is the perfect place to sit around a fire pit and soak up the California coast.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 7
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 50,000/60,000/70,000
The Luxury Collection: The Royal Hawaiian — Waikiki, Hawaii
Some people might think this is a joke, but I’ve been dying to stay at this hotel that feels like it’s straight out of a Wes Anderson movie. Nicknamed “The Pink Palace,” a stay at this iconic hotel is not for those with an aversion to the color pink. Personally, I love it, and so would my Instagram feed. But even if you hate pink, you won’t hate the legendary stretch of Waikiki Beach the Royal Hawaiian sits on. (If you really feel strongly against it, why not try Pine Cliffs in Portugal or Augustine in Prague?)
Marriot Bonvoy category: 7
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 50,000/60,000/70,000
St. Regis: St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort — Maldives
Frankly, I could’ve filled this entire list with hotels in dreamy tropical locations like the Maldives and Bora Bora, but that wouldn’t tell the whole story, would it? I think you should go to the Maldives, and this stunning St. Regis is the place to stay. It might be a trek to get to, but with incredible attention to detail, a stunning setting and some of the world’s prettiest water, you can’t go wrong with this resort in paradise. Have a drink for me at the Whale Bar.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 8
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 70,000/85,000/100,000
W Hotels: W Dubai — The Palm — Dubai
There aren’t many words to describe Dubai. Truly, it’s a place you have to see for yourself. Part of that is experiencing Palm Jumeirah, a series of artificial islands with more hotels than you can imagine. There you’ll find one of my favorite W Hotels, W Dubai — The Palm, with colorful rooms, beach access, bungalows that look like bird nests floating in swimming pools and Torno Subito, an Italian restaurant that left me so full I could hardly make it back to the room. But don’t just take my word for it. One TPG hotel reviewer said this hotel “sets the gold standard for every other hotel in the W brand.”
Marriot Bonvoy category: 7
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 50,000/60,000/70,000
JW Marriott: JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort and Spa — Scottsdale, Arizona
The favorite resort of Bill Marriott is also one of our favorite resorts. We love the desert landscape, towering saguaros and lively courtyard so much we had our TPG editorial team retreat there last year. There’s something truly magical about being in the desert, especially in the winter when the days are warm and the night air is perfectly crisp. Spend your days here hiking Camelback Mountain, relaxing with a spicy margarita by the pool and then crashing in your well-appointed casita before doing it all again the next day.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 6
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 40,000/50,000/60,000
Marriott: Austin Marriott Downtown — Austin, Texas
As a native Texan, I’m ashamed to say that before this New Year’s Eve, I’d really spent no time in Austin. After spending four days there ringing in the new year, I can safely say I’m obsessed with the city — and can’t wait to get back to explore it even more. At the Austin Marriott Downtown you’ll be right in the middle of all the action and within walking distance to the city’s famous bars, the debauchery on dirty Sixth Street and some of the best barbecue in the state. At the hotel, beat the heat at the rooftop pool and soak up views of the city from floor-to-ceiling windows.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 6
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 40,000/50,000/60,000
Sheraton: Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort — Huzhou, China
Put this one on the list of hotels that just look so wild you won’t believe it’s real until you see it for yourself. Looking like a horseshoe jutting out of the water, the Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort is an ultramodern hotel where guests can enjoy the local Chinese culture and then relax with beachside drinks on Tai Lake. If that’s not enough, hit up the spa to truly relax.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 5
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 30,000/35,000/40,000
Marriott Vacation Club: Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club — Noord, Aruba
I’m not a lazy person, but I’m a big, big fan of lazy rivers, which is why I would elect to go to this Marriott Vacation Club. You might not get consistent five-star service, but you will be able to spend a few days in the sun. TPG’s executive editor, Scott Mayerowitz, has spent more than his fair share of time here and can attest to the fact that it’s a great place to pass a few sunny days with the family. Sure, you could pick the Ritz-Carlton down the street, but then you’d be giving up an afternoon spent floating mindlessly on an inner tube on the lazy river.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 6
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 40,000/50,000/60,000
Delta Hotels: Delta Hotels Toronto — Toronto
I’m a sucker for an incredible hotel bathroom, especially one with a stunning bathtub. In Toronto, you’ll find exactly that at this Delta property across the street from the famous CN Tower. You can take in the views of the city right from your bathtub or take a swim in an indoor heated pool if you’re visiting during the chilly Canadian winter.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 5
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 30,000/35,000/40,000
Westin: The Westin Paris – Vendome — Paris
Ah, Paris, one of the world’s greatest cities, and home to one of the world’s greatest Westin hotels. Perfectly placed across from the Tuileries Garden, this hotel is a dreamy anchor for a stay in a dreamy city. Snag a room with an Eiffel Tower view, pop a bottle of Champagne and forget that life exists anywhere else.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 7
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 50,000/60,000/70,000
Le Meridien: Le Meridien Batumi — Batumi, Georgia
If you’ve never been to Georgia (the country, not the state) make sure your first trip includes a stay at this great Le Meridien right on the Black Sea. Batumi is a resort city with interesting architecture, beaches and fun for the entire family. If you do go, spend some time on your balcony so you can fully take in the sweeping views of this great city.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 3
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 15,000/17,500/20,000
Renaissance Hotels: The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club — St. Petersburg, Florida
If you’ve ever imagined yourself swimming in a pool near yachts and sailboats, The Vinoy is a pretty solid place to make that dream a reality. OK, it might not be the most modern or updated Renaissance around, but it does have a character — and location, location, location. My idea of a dreamy trip by the water involves fresh seafood, local nightlife and hours spent lounging by the pool. Luckily, this hotel offers all of that (and not one but two pools). The only thing I’d skip here is golf at the Ron Garl-designed championship golf course, and that’s just because I don’t know how to play.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 6
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 40,000/50,000/60,000
Autograph Collection Hotels: Cotton House Hotel — Barcelona, Spain
The first time I went to Barcelona I was studying abroad in college and stayed in a very, very bad hostel. The next time I go to Barcelona I’ll be staying at the Cotton House, a highly regarded Autograph Collection hotel in a stunning and historic building — and you should, too. There you can imbibe on craft cocktails in a dark, wooden bar or sit back with a great book in the hotel’s library. If you need some sun, there’s also a small rooftop pool offering views of the enchanting Spanish city.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 7
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 50,000/60,000/70,000
Tribute Portfolio: The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe — Santa Fe, New Mexico
Last year, after dealing with months stuck mostly inside in New York City, I took a solo road trip to Santa Fe and absolutely fell in love. I didn’t stay at Rancho Santa Fe, part of the Tribute Portfolio, but I have many friends who have stayed there and loved it. There’s nothing more relaxing than curling up in bed next to a fireplace — an experience you can have here — except for maybe taking a solo hike in the crisp morning New Mexico air surrounding the resort.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 6
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 40,000/50,000/60,000
Design Hotels: Ion Adventure Hotel — Selfoss, Iceland
Marriot’s collection of Design Hotels is called that for a reason — and Ion Adventure Hotel might just be the most stunning of them all. Located in Iceland, this hotel somehow looks like a building from a futuristic space movie while also blending in masterfully with its natural surroundings. At the hotel, guests can soak up the natural beauty of Iceland and enjoy cocktails at the Northern Lights Bar. Who knows, maybe you’ll even catch the lights yourself.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 7
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 50,000/60,000/70,000
Gaylord Hotels: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center — Nashville
I went to college in Nashville and during my freshman year we’d load kids up by the carload and head to Opryland for a night of playing hide-and-seek in the absolutely massive resort that has its own indoor river you can actually take a gondola ride on. Perfect for young ones and those who are young at heart, there truly is something for everyone at this resort, including an indoor waterpark.
Back in college, my part-time job was being a backstage tour guide at the Grand Ole Opry right next door, and I can confirm that no trip to Opryland is complete without seeing a show at the historic venue.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 6
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 40,000/50,000/60,000
Courtyard: Courtyard Budapest City Center — Budapest, Hungary
Centrally located in the Hungarian capital city, this Courtyard has a lot to offer, including easy access to Budapest’s main shopping area and ruin pubs, which are fun bars often built in abandoned buildings. Guests here can expect large rooms — though I have to admit the carpet is a little funky — including some with balconies perfect for looking at Budapest’s beautiful rooftops.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 4
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 30,000/35,000/40,000
Four Points: Four Points By Sheraton Bogota — Bogota, Colombia
I’ve never been to Colombia, but it’s very high on my list. When someone suggested that this Four Points is one of the best in the portfolio, my ears perked up. With a convenient location and affordable price, it’s a solid option for anyone, including myself, looking to spend time in Bogota. The design seems big on weaving different patterns and textures together which I personally love, though I know that’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 2
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 10,000/12,500/15,000
SpringHill Suites: SpringHill Suites Springdale Zion National Park — Springdale, Utah
Any hotel that’s near the entrance to a national park works for me. Add a hot tub and seasonal pool with stunning canyon views and I’ll be there in a second, no questions asked. This SpringHill Suites location really does seem to have it all, including indoor and outdoor fireplaces, amazing scenery and a location about a mile away from Zion National Park.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 6
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 40,000/50,000/60,000
Fairfield: Fairfield Anaheim Resort — Anaheim, California
As much as I love a hotel near the entrance of a national park, I also love a hotel near the entrance of a theme park — especially if it’s a Disney park. Not only is this Fairfield close to Disneyland Resort, but it’s also a Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Hotel, meaning you can buy tickets to the park at the front desk and be riding Space Mountain after a seven-minute walk. Even better, the Disney fun continues in the rooms with Disney-inspired decorations and art.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 5
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 30,000/35,000/40,000
Protea Hotels: Protea Hotel Kruger Gate — Skukuza, South Africa
One of TPG’s most-traveled reporters, Katie Genter, says that Protea Hotel Kruger Gate is her favorite Marriott hotel across all of the brands — and I don’t take that lightly. But it makes sense considering this lodge-style safari hotel is right outside Kruger Gate at Kruger National Park and has an infinity pool looking out over the park. In fact, Genter even saw elephants milling about while soaking in that pool. The best part: It’s totally affordable and, according to Genter, has great food considering its remote location.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 2
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 10,000/12,500/15,000
AC Hotels: AC Hotel Miami Beach — Miami
Located right across the street from the Miami Beach Edition, and at a fraction of the price, the AC Hotel Miami Beach is really the best of both worlds. Guests here can soak up the sun at the rooftop pool or enjoy exclusive beach access to dip their toes in the ocean before lounging in a beach chair. The hotel is also pet-friendly and located near beaches that are more than welcoming of your four-legged friends.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 5
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 30,000/35,000/40,000
Aloft Hotels: Aloft Asheville Downtown — Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a funky town, so it only makes sense to stay at an equally fun and funky hotel like the Aloft Downtown Asheville. Here, take a dip in the pool or play a game of pool by the hotel’s bar. If you visit during the fall when the leaves are changing, cuddle up around an outdoor fireplace before hitting up one of the city’s many incredible restaurants.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 6
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 40,000/50,000/60,000
Moxy Hotels: Moxy Chelsea — New York City
Moxy is a brand that has a very playful, fun and youthful aesthetic. That’s true at the Moxy in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood, though it does feel a little more mature than some of its peers. I’d be upset if I left New York off of this list, and in a place with as many hotels as New York, this one hits a lot of marks: It’s affordable, functional and in a central location that allows for any tourist to easily get around.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 6
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 40,000/50,000/60,000
Homes & Villas by Marriott International: Skiers Palace — Breckenridge, Colorado
Did you know you can actually rent vacation homes from Marriott? If not, let me introduce you to one of the best around: Skiers Palace, a six-bedroom house with high ceilings, huge windows and not two or three, but a whopping 8 1/2 bathrooms. Located right near some of the best skiing in Colorado, this house is the perfect place to gather the extended family and spend a few days playing in the snow. Just to be clear, this space won’t come cheap; rates in February for this rental are above $4,500 per night.
A four-night stay from Feb. 14 through Feb. 18 at this house costs a total of $22,319 or 3,719,963 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Residence Inn: Residence Inn Cancun Hotel Zone — Cancun, Mexico
With so many people having the flexibility to work remotely right now, why not consider taking an extended vacation to the beach in Mexico? Located in Cancun’s hotel zone, this Residence Inn may not have all the splashy perks of other nearby resorts, but it is a place I wouldn’t mind spending an extended amount of time switching between runs to the beach and typing away about hotels on my laptop.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 4
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 30,000/35,000/40,000
TownePlace Suites: TownePlace Suites Roswell — Roswell, New Mexico
I grew up pretty close to Roswell and know that it’s a unique little town that draws an interestingly unique set of visitors thanks to its association with aliens. You don’t have to believe in aliens to have some fun visiting the quirky attractions paying homage to little green creatures that may or may not have paid a visit to the town. I know I always had fun passing through, and this TownePlace Suites property is the perfect place to set up camp while visiting this planet … I mean town.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 3
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 15,000/17,500/20,000
Marriott Executive Apartments: Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad — Hyderabad, India
I don’t foresee myself needing executive apartments any time soon, but if I did, I hope they’d be as great as these ones in Hyderabad. With a rooftop pool, fully equipped kitchens and one- and two-bedroom options, a long-term stay here seems like a great idea. Top it off — literally — with a rooftop restaurant serving three meals a day and, honestly, who even needs the kitchen?
Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad is an earning-only property.
Element: Element Detroit at the Metropolitan — Detroit
Element is a great brand for long-term stays, providing all the comforts you need for a home away from home. In downtown Detroit, you’ll find all of those amenities, including rooms with kitchenettes, within walking distance of some of the city’s main attractions. Add in complimentary breakfast and you might just want to move in permanently.
Marriot Bonvoy category: 4
Off-peak/standard/peak redemption: 30,000/35,000/40,000
How to enter
To toss your hat in the ring for a chance to become a Marriott master, post a video on TikTok sharing why you’re the best person for the experience and how travel has helped shape you. Be sure to be creative and include the hashtags #30stays300days and #contest to make sure your entry is seen. You must be at least 21 years old to enter and entries must be posted by March 18, 2022.
The winners will begin their journeys in the spring of 2022, but Marriott notes that trip dates are subject to change in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Featured photo courtesy of Marriott.