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Apr 28, 2023

The best Marriott beach hotels across the US

If you are dreaming of a sunshine-filled getaway with long walks along white

If you are dreaming of a sunshine-filled getaway with long walks along white sandy beaches and the soothing sound of ocean waves lapping at your feet, then it's time to start planning a beach vacation.

Many travelers may automatically think of the tropical beaches of Florida when considering a domestic beach destination. But the U.S. has a diverse coastline, from California's wild, rugged cliffs to New England's secluded northern shores.

A beach holiday can be as active or as relaxing as you like and is great for families, whether you're a sunbather, water sports enthusiast or nature lover — or if you just want to read a good book with a cocktail in hand.

Marriott is one of the largest and most well-known hotel chains in the world, with a diverse portfolio of brands ranging from cheap and cheerful budget options to aspirational luxury properties. Marriott's Bonvoy loyalty program allows members to earn and redeem points for free nights and earn elite status for perks like room upgrades, free breakfast at certain brands, bonus points and early check-in and late checkout.

Here are the 12 best Marriott beach hotels in the U.S. for your next beach vacation.

Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes is conveniently located on the white sands of Myrtle Beach, close to Barefoot Landing, Broadway at the Beach, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and SkyWheel Myrtle Beach, making it a convenient base for exploring the area. Private beach access is available directly from the property.

There are 405 guest rooms (including eight suites), which all provide room service, air conditioning, 50-inch flat-screen televisions and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The resort's on-site Hibiscus Spa, open seven days a week, offers a signature therapeutic massage incorporating herbal hot packs as well as couples massages. There's also a custom massage for mothers-to-be in their second and third trimesters, which is designed to alleviate leg, hip and lower back pressure caused by the body's normal adjustments to pregnancy.

Rates start at $222 or 40,000 to 54,000 points per night.

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua is located on a 54-acre oceanfront property that offers direct access to Kapalua Bay Beach, one of Maui's most beautiful beaches, as well as hiking trails, two championship golf courses, whale watching, horseback riding, zip lining and ATV tours. The snorkeling and diving here are excellent — the resort is surrounded by one of Hawaii's largest nature preserves, comprising two marine sanctuaries.

The 466 guest rooms and suites are designed with Hawaii-inspired decor and feature dark wood floors and marble bathrooms. Two-bedroom residences offer plenty of space (1,500 square feet) and amenities for the whole family, with full kitchens, separate living rooms and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

The resort boasts multiple dining options, including the award-winning Banyan Tree restaurant, which offers a blend of Hawaiian- and Asian-inspired cuisine. Expect to feast on such dishes as coconut shrimp ceviche, black garlic glazed short ribs and coriander za'atar-crusted seared ahi tuna with olive-caper relish and salsa rosa.

Rates start at $812 or 88,000 to 126,000 points per night.

At this upscale resort, located on Florida's much-loved Marco Island, guests can enjoy swift access to 3 miles of pristine private beaches and take in breathtaking sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico (all rooms have balconies). A great family destination, amenities include a kids club with supervised programs, a splash zone and a game room.

Guests age 21 and over can retreat to Paradise by Sirene, an exclusive adults-only enclave of 94 rooms and suites with a rooftop pool.

All guests can choose from 12 different on-site food and beverage outlets, from fine dining at the signature Ario steakhouse restaurant with 35-day dry-aged steaks, American wine and handcrafted cocktails, to family fun at 10K Alley, a sports bar and gastropub with six lanes of bowling, a six-hole miniature golf course and sports simulators.

Marco Island is known for its abundant water sports and outdoor recreational opportunities, and the resort offers access to various activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing and boating. There are also nearby nature reserves and parks for hiking and wildlife viewing.

The JW Marriott's golf course, The Rookery at Marco, is an 18-hole championship golf course designed by acclaimed golf course architect Robert Cupp Jr. It's suitable for golfers of all skill levels and is nestled among lush natural preserves.

Rates start at $303 or 64,000 to 85,000 points per night.

Within easy reach of South Beach, Miami's vibrant nightlife, art deco architecture and cultural attractions, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort is one of the most distinguished addresses in South Florida, with 27 floors rising above white-sand beaches. This hotel is on the only inlet of the barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway.

All 216 guest rooms have dual-head rainforest showers and separate soaking tubs with Remede toiletries, while suites feature bleached black limba wood and oak herringbone wall paneling and sea-life details in the carpet, fabrics and artwork.

Butler service is on hand around the clock for suite guests with no requests too small or unattainable, from unpacking guests' belongings after check-in to securing the perfect reservation for dinner.

Both families and adults-only guests have dedicated resort pools, steps from the Atlantic Ocean. Splurge for a 600-square-foot air-conditioned oceanfront day villa with marble floors and antique mirrors, a shower, flat-screen TV, Bluetooth speakers and privacy hedges for an additional cost.

Those guests looking to indulge in retail therapy will find the world's most beautiful diamonds in the De Beers store located on the lobby level.

Rates start at $783 or 76,000 to 116,000 points per night.

Atop a 150-foot bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, guests at The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel are treated to breathtaking views of the California coastline. They are also just a short walk from Salt Creek Beach, with world-famous surfing on display. Recently renovated rooms enjoy ocean views, 55- to 65-inch LED smart televisions, full marble double sinks and 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets with goose-down comforters and plush pillows. Some rooms also come with outdoor fire pits.

Pets are welcome at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel for an additional $150 per room for up to two dogs or cats.

The on-site Dana Point Spa provides 12 treatment rooms with full-body massages that feature a fruit-enzyme exfoliation of the lower legs and feet, finished with a nourishing avocado mask. Or, try a rosebud-inspired pedicure with a sugar whip scrub and aromatic foot soak.

There are plenty of other activities for guests to enjoy on the property, with tennis courts, outdoor swimming pools and whirlpools and an organic garden. Raya restaurant by renowned chef Richard Sandoval serves coastal cuisine with sustainable seafood, local produce and organic meats with the flavors and aromas of Latin America.

Rates start at $734 or 67,000 to 95,000 points per night.

WIth a prime waterfront location overlooking Florida's Sarasota Bay, this luxe Ritz-Carlton is an elegant coastal retreat that provides breathtaking views of the bay and marina as well as proximity to the city's vibrant arts and cultural scene — the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art offers 21 galleries of European paintings and Cypriot, Asian and American art and is recognized as the official state art museum of Florida.

White-sand beaches, Spanish architecture and an 18-hole, Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course attract travelers from across the country and the world.

All 276 guest rooms and suites at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota have private balconies (many with views of Sarasota), twice-daily housekeeping and marble-trimmed, dual-vanity bathrooms.

Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club has private cabanas for an additional fee, accommodating up to six guests. The Lido Key Tiki Bar is a Sarasota landmark right on the beach. Guests who prefer a libation without the sand can partake of a signature rum cocktail alongside freshly caught Gulf shrimp at the hotel's Jack Dusty bar on the marina.

Rates start at $577 or 64,000 to 95,500 points per night.

The Westin Jekyll Island is located on Jekyll Island, a picturesque barrier island off the coast of Georgia, known for its pristine beaches, scenic marshes, Southern charm and abundant wildlife. This resort appeals to families looking to be active outdoors, with activities ranging from biking and kayaking to golfing and fishing.

Amenities include a 20-mile-long bike path, 3-mile running path, fitness studio and complimentary shuttle to nearby golf courses or the Jekyll Island Tennis Center.

The 200 guest rooms feature signature Westin amenities, including Heavenly beds and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. Four on-site food and beverage options offer fine dining as well as more casual fare, with prime steak and craft cocktails at the Reserve and convenient grab-and-go Starbucks coffee and pastries at the Westin Cafe.

A strong commitment to sustainability is one of this hotel's hallmarks. The room design specifications are 60% more sustainable than conventionally built guest rooms, and the hotel focuses on water conservation measures, energy-efficient lighting and recycling programs.

Rates start at $238 or 30,000 to 48,000 points per night.

Chic and contemporary guest rooms and suites designed by renowned hotelier Ian Schrager await guests at this prime oceanfront location in the heart of the vibrant and pumping Miami Beach, just a five-minute drive to South Beach.

There's a real sense of place at this ultrafashionable property with a tropical lobby filled with potted plants and gold mosaic columns, which add a luxurious touch.

Guest rooms adopt the signature minimalism the Edition brand is famous for, with clean white lines, porcelain floors and natural oakwood furnishing.

Dine in style at the hotel's signature restaurant, Matador Room, helmed by world-famous chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The much-lauded cuisine is a mix of Caribbean, Spanish and Latin and South American-inspired gastronomy, served in a glamorous setting reminiscent of the supper clubs of the 1940s and '50s. Try a pre-dinner cocktail served in a pineapple-shaped gold vessel.

In the hotel's basement is the Edition's scene-y bar-nightclub that features a neon-lit bowling alley and even a 2,000-square-foot indoor ice-skating rink, not something you would expect to find in tropical South Florida.

Rates start at $489 or 71,500 to 112,000 points per night.

A great choice for families, the Wailea Beach Resort sits on 22 acres and provides access to two gorgeous white-sand beaches (great for swimming), five pools (one with a waterslide) and tons of activities, including kayaking, snorkeling and surfing, not to mention some of the best whale watching on the planet (from December to May).

The 547 guest rooms (including 56 suites) start at 437 square feet and feature contemporary furnishings, a neutral color palette and marble-clad bathrooms. But the main draw here is the view, of either the lush garden or Pacific Ocean, from the private lanai.

On-site dining options include the award-winning Humble Market Kitchin By Roy Yamaguchi, which offers a fusion of Hawaiian, Asian and American flavors. Menu highlights include crispy calamari with Korean chili aioli, Kona lobster tail with garlic butter and a wagyu burger drizzled with truffle aioli and topped with crispy onion. Finish your meal with a pineapple upside-down cake served with coconut ice cream, or a lilikoi cheesecake with passion fruit glaze. For something more casual on the go, the Mo'Bettah food truck has shaved ice and poke bowls.

The resort offers courtesy cars to destinations in Wailea on a first-come, first-served basis. While you wait, try strumming the selection of ukuleles in the open-air lobby.

Rates start at $807 or 73,000 to 89,500 points per night.

Affectionately known as the Pink Palace of the Pacific, the Royal Hawaiian has been a Waikiki icon since 1927, hosting royalty, celebrities and dignitaries during its rich history. The iconic pink buildings are fashioned in a Spanish-Moorish style, popular a century ago, and influenced by Italian actor Rudolph Valentino.

The resort enjoys an unbeatable location on the famous Waikiki Beach and an array of amenities, including two outdoor pools that offer alfresco dining and signature tropical cocktails.

Guest rooms are spread across two buildings. Choose between the original Historic Wing with refined Hawaiian luxury, including custom dark wood, a bold fuchsia pink paint palette and platinum silver headboards, and the newer Mailani Tower, which channels a more contemporary interpretation of "Hawaiian excellence."

Don't miss the traditional Helumoa Hawaiian feast called Ahaaina every Monday and Thursday evening to celebrate the history and culture of Hawaiian royalty through food, singing, dancing and storytelling. For a more casual dining experience, try the hotel's signature Pink Palace Pancakes with mixed berry compote, haupia sauce (a kind of coconut cream) and toasted coconut at the Surf Lanai restaurant.

Rates start at $417 or 54,000 to 85,000 points per night.

Experience an ultraluxe tropical island getaway without leaving the U.S. at Dorado Beach on Puerto Rico's Caribbean coast. This emblematic Ritz-Carlton Reserve property is renowned for its three championship golf courses, designed by legendary golf architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. Guests can also take cooking classes to learn about local cuisine, participate in rum tastings, enjoy live music and dance performances, and even learn to play traditional Puerto Rican instruments.

Developed by Laurance S. Rockefeller in the 1950s, this 50-acre retreat, set on a former plantation, offers tailored luxury with 114 rooms and suites across 11 buildings flanking the east and west beaches, starting at a generous 941 square feet in size.

Nestled around a 100-year-old ficus tree, the resort's Botanico spa is a hidden sanctuary with an infinity reflection pool overlooking a pineapple garden. The spa continues the Hawaiian "manos santas" (meaning "healing hands") tradition, and guests can choose from treatments incorporating CBD oil, bamboo massage tools and polished warm stones.

Rates start at $1,495 or 173,500 to 229,500 points per night.

Also developed by Laurance S. Rockefeller, the soft white-sand beaches of Kaunaoa Bay await guests on Hawaii's Big Island.

Opened in 1965 as the island's first resort, it's an ideal location for families to enjoy Hawaii's quintessential experiences. Guest rooms feature large lanais to soak up views of the bay or the hotel's lush golf course framed by the Kohala Mountains.

Families seeking direct beach access can book ground-floor rooms in the Beachfront Wing, just a few steps from the pristine sands. On the beach, try snorkeling with giant manta rays in their natural habitat, guided by researchers and underwater videographers with decades of experience.

Each Tuesday, don't miss the traditional Mauna Kea Luau dinner, where guests feast on kalua pork while learning about Hawaiian culture via music and family traditions. For something more casual, the beachfront Hau Tree restaurant has local favorites like jumbo shrimp cocktails, ahi sashimi and poke bowls.

Others wishing to explore the Big Island can hike sections of the 175-mile Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, located right by the hotel. On Saturday mornings, guests are also offered a free art tour.

Rates start at $854 or 71,500 to 103,000 points per night.