Although we often talk about redeeming points for fancy and expensive hotel stays, not all of us have millions upon millions of Marriott Bonvoy points, and we don’t always need five-star luxury. In fact, many of us are fine with just a clean and functional room when travelling.
Most hotel reviews on the internet, even those written here for Prince of Travel, feature aspirational properties that require a substantial number of points for redemptions, but what about hotel redemptions for those of us who’d rather stretch our Bonvoy points?
In this guide, let’s check out some tried-and-tested good-value properties around the world that you can enjoy for 10,000 Bonvoy points or less.
Asia
Asia is a goldmine for good-value Marriott Bonvoy properties, especially in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India.
In Asia, you’ll get a clean, comfortable room, friendly service, and the perks that come with being a Bonvoy elite member (like a big buffet breakfast and lounge access) – all for only a few thousand points.
Fairfield by Marriott Bali Legian
For as low as 6,500 Bonvoy points
While the island was recovering from the drop-off in tourism caused by the pandemic, Bali had many affordable Bonvoy properties; however, with tourists (and digital nomads) returning to the island, redemptions have largely shot up in price.
Fortunately, a few low-priced redemptions remain, including the Fairfield Bali Legian, which isn’t quite a resort, but more of a hotel with a nice pool and a bar.
That said, for a few thousand points, you’ll get a resort-like room – plus a full breakfast buffet if you’re a Bonvoy elite member.
The location isn’t near the beach, but it is easily accessible in the Kuta District, making it a great pick if you’re spending your days touring the island.
AC Hotel Penang
For as low as 5,000 Bonvoy points
Penang is undoubtedly one of Malaysia’s most compelling destinations, thanks mostly to its capital, Georgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you’re planning a trip to Penang, be sure to consider the AC Hotel Penang and its year-round affordable redemption rates. You’ll get a clean and modern room, and you may potentially get a nice view of the mountain as well.
The hotel’s breakfast doesn’t compare to what’s offered by many other hotels in Malaysia, but with Penang being the country’s culinary capital, you likely won’t mind.
Another downside to the hotel is its lack of proximity to Georgetown and its attractions – you’ll need half an hour in a rideshare to get to the city (or longer during rush hour).
However, the positive side of this location is that the hotel is near the airport, making it very convenient when you’re arriving or departing.
Four Points by Sheraton Riyadh Khaldia
For as low as 7,000 Bonvoy points
Heading to Riyadh for a stopover with Saudia or for a planned trip to actually visit the city? The Four Points by Sheraton Riyadh Khaldia offers a good-value stay no matter what your plans are.
Anecdotally, the hotel’s quite generous with top-tier Marriott Bonvoy elite members, allowing upgrades to two-bedroom suites, and the hotel’s rooms are modern, spacious, and meet Western standards.
However, one critique of the property is that its breakfast buffet is lacklustre by Arabic standards.
Also, while this hotel is quite a distance from the airport, you can get to the hotel and the rest of the city in about a 40-minute drive with an affordable rideshare.
If you’re in the city for some time, be sure to check out At-Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an array of classy restaurants.
Other Hotels to Consider in Asia
- Aloft Jakarta Wahid Hasyim: Located in the heart of Jakarta’s central business district, offering redemptions for as low as 6,500 Bonvoy points.
- Four Points by Sheraton Bali Ungasan: Far from the main Bali hotspots but good if you’re touring the island. This hotel has redemptions for as low as 5,000 Bonvoy points.
The Americas
Post-pandemic, hotels in the US and Canada have gone up in price, and their Marriott Bonvoy points redemption cost has followed suit. These days, you’d be hard pressed to find any redemptions for less than 10,000 points, especially in major cities.
Thankfully, in Latin America, Marriott’s acquisition of City Express Hotels added a portfolio of affordable Bonvoy redemptions, giving us a few more good-value options in the Americas.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Winnipeg
For as low as 7,500 Bonvoy points
If you find yourself in the capital of Manitoba, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Winnipeg is a great value redemption. The hotel, which shares the same building as the Residence Inn, is midway between the airport and the city centre, and the hotel provides a complimentary on-demand shuttle service.
While the property opened in 2019, the hotel’s rooms still have a fresh and new feel to them. Plus, continental breakfast is offered to everyone staying at the hotel as a standard amenity of Fairfield properties.
AC Hotel Santa Marta
For as low as 10,000 Bonvoy points
The seaside city of Santa Marta is a favourite vacation spot for Colombians, and the AC Hotel Santa Marta is smack dab in the middle of the action.
The hotel offers well-appointed rooms with seaside views, and frankly, it feels fancier than the average AC Hotels property.
A full breakfast buffet is offered to everyone, and those with Platinum Bonvoy elite status and higher may choose a welcome gift of up to $20 (USD) for use in the restaurant, where this amount gets you a fancy meal.
Other Hotels to Consider in the Americas
- Four Points by Sheraton Chicago O’Hare: This is the lowest-priced option within the vicinity, offering a free airport shuttle and redemptions for as low as 10,000 Bonvoy points.
- City Express Junior Bogotá Aeropuerto: Offers good enough accommodations and a free airport shuttle. Redemptions here are available for as low as 6,500 Bonvoy points.
Europe
Like North America, the cost in both cash and points of Marriott Bonvoy properties in Europe has generally trended upward post pandemic. However, there still remains a number of affordable and good-value Bonvoy redemptions, especially for properties in Spain (the birthplace of AC Hotels) and Türkiye.
JW Marriott Ankara
For as low as 10,000 Bonvoy points
What could be the most affordable JW Marriott property redeemable through Marriott Bonvoy is located in Türkiye’s capital city.
While its rooms look somewhat dated, the JW Marriott Ankara is grand and ostentatious, and you won’t believe what you’re getting with a few thousand points.
The value is even better if you’re a Bonvoy elite member since the hotel offers a club lounge and a full breakfast buffet, plus the likelihood that your Nightly Upgrade Award will be approved is also great.
AC Hotel Algeciras
For as low as 5,000 Bonvoy points
From a tourism perspective, there’s little reason for you to be in the town of Algeciras, Spain; however, it does make for a good transit point when taking the ferry from Morocco and proceeding to more popular cities like Malagá and Seville.
The AC Hotel Algeciras is near the port and provides good accommodations, whether you’re in town for one night or two. Plus, if you travel in non-peak periods, such as winter months, there’s a chance you’ll get an upgrade as a Bonvoy elite member.
Again, there’s not much to do in Algeciras, but you will find an El Cortes Inglés department store near the hotel, so you can always do some tax-free shopping.
AC Hotel La Linea
For as low as 5,000 Bonvoy points
The AC Hotel La Linea’s proximity to Gibraltar is its main selling point, and with hotel prices in Gibraltar proper priced much more expensively (and in British pounds), you’re better off redeeming your points at this hotel and walking about 20 minutes to the border.
The hotel is by no means remarkable, but it’s more than good enough for a few nights’ stay – plus some rooms offer a balcony with a view of the Rock of Gibraltar.
For Bonvoy Platinum elite members and above, AC Hotels in Europe are supposed to provide you a credit worth the equivalent of $10 (USD), and at this hotel, you can use said credit for its very modest breakfast spread.
Other Hotels to Consider in Europe
- AC Hotel Valladolid: A hotel housed in a former convent, with redemptions for as low as 6,500 Bonvoy points.
- Moxy Warsaw Praha: A hip hotel located on a buzzing street in the Old Praha district. Redemptions here go for as low as 6,500 Bonvoy points.
Africa
Relative to its size, there aren’t many Marriott Bonvoy properties in Africa; however, Marriott does offer a brand born in and made for Africa specifically in its portfolio of Protea Hotels.
Protea Hotels offer some of the most affordable redemptions within the Bonvoy ecosystem, and we’ve written a guide on this pan-African brand, so you can learn more about what to expect when you stay.
Protea Hotel Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton
For as low as 7,500 Bonvoy points
Johannesburg isn’t a tourist destination per se, but you might be in the city as a transit point on your way to explore the rest of South Africa or the rest of the continent of Africa itself.
With Johannesburg not known for its safety, travel guides advise staying in affluent, well-guarded areas, and the Protea Hotel Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton is right smack in the middle of the Sandton business district, which is a relatively safe place to be.
Housed in a heritage building, the hotel has been in existence since 1948, yet the space has been continually updated to keep with the times, providing Western-style accommodations matched with African hospitality.
While there’s little chance you’ll get an upgrade as a Bonvoy elite member, you’ll be spoiled by the hotel’s breakfast buffet, which is available as an elite welcome gift.
Protea Hotel Livingstone
For as low as 10,000 Bonvoy points
For tourists, the town of Livingstone, Zambia, has one main draw – its proximity to one side of the renowned Victoria Falls.
However, with the town of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, being more popular for tourists, there are only a few reputable hotels on the Livingstone side, and the Protea Hotel Livingstone is one of them.
Given the limited choices in town, cash rates at the hotel can be expensive, but the redemption rates are less, and therefore, good value.
This hotel isn’t the fanciest, but you’ll appreciate its Western standards and – of all things – air-conditioning. The on-site restaurant is also great, and affordable, too.
Other Hotels to Consider
- Protea Hotel Johannesburg Wanderers: Located in Johannesburg’s safe northern suburbs, you can stay here for as low as 6,500 Bonvoy points.
- Protea Hotel Cape Town Tyger Valley: Located in Cape Town’s northern suburbs and near the airport, this property has redemptions for as low as 6,500 Bonvoy points.
Conclusion
The reality is that not all of us have a huge stack of Marriott Bonvoy points, no matter how easy they are to earn in Canada and the US.
Hopefully, our list of good-value Bonvoy redemptions gives you an idea of where you can stretch the value of your hard-earned points as you plan your trip.
