Marriott’s new all-inclusives, tattoos at Andaz and other hotel news you missed
November is a great month — and a hard month. It's a mix of cold air and elections, hearty meals with family, airport chaos and, if you're like me, lots of time spent scouring the internet for incredible travel deals in the days after Thanksgiving.
Despite all the goings-on, this month was still a pretty exciting one in the hotel space. Marriott announced a beautiful new resort opening in Greece, Dolly Parton opened a new hotel in East Tennessee, Omni totally overhauled its loyalty program and the team behind The Standard announced an entirely new brand set to launch in Australia next year.
With so much happening in the span of just 30 days, there's still a lot of hotel news you might have missed. From exciting new openings to the launch of new programs designed to help travelers get a better feel for a hotel's neighboring communities, here's the hotel news we think you should know about.
Andaz wants travelers to 'reinvent themselves on vacation'
We don't typically find a hotel changing up its branding the most exciting thing in the world, but it's a different story when the brand debuts unexpected new experiences at various properties around the globe. Hyatt's Andaz brand is doing just that with the launch of "Be Like No One’s Watching," a campaign that's giving the Andaz website a fresh and cheeky facelift alongside new on-property experiences centered around the following themes:
- "Indulge" — where guests can connect to culinary, mixology and self-pampering moments.
- "Play" — which can be expressed through musical connections, gaming or even digital exploration.
- "Move" — where dance, fitness, sports and well-being experiences are delivered.
Curious what that actually looks like? With Indulge, guests can learn the art of Kaiserschmarrn, an Austrian dessert, at the Andaz Vienna am Belvedere. Play will have guests at the Andaz Condesa Mexico City taking a DJ masterclass or guests at the Andaz Fifth Avenue getting a tattoo. And with Move, a 60-minute Mayan meditation is waiting at the Andaz Mayakoba.
More experiences — and that visually exciting new brand design — can be explored online.
Business meets pleasure at the upcoming AC Hotel Honolulu
Marriott loyalists looking for a new place to stay in the Aloha State's capital city have a lot to look forward to when the new AC Hotel Honolulu opens Downtown on Dec. 12. The hotel will offer 112 rooms in a boutique-like setting near the area's great restaurants, nightlife and Chinatown. Rooms are sleek and modern, with wooden floors, dedicated workspaces and plush bedding. Breakfast is available at the AC Kitchen, while tapas and drinks are served at the AC Lounge. Or, for something really special, head to Yours Truly for cocktails served in a speakeasy located in an old post office.
Rates start as low as $197 per night. Marriott Bonvoy pricing is not currently available.
Marriott's eponymous brand enters the all-inclusive space
Starting next year, Marriott Hotels (the individual hotel brand) will enter the all-inclusive arena when the Marriott Cancun transforms into the Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort. Set to reopen in early 2024, the property will be the first to showcase the brand's new all-inclusive concepts, including a twist on The Greatroom (the brand's social lobby space), hands-on classes and experiences that engage with local culture, new entertainment and amenities, as well as culinary lineups that are sure to accommodate every traveler of any age. This particular resort also happens to have a lazy river.
Following the first location in Cancun will be the Marriott Puerto Vallarta, An All-Inclusive Resort in Mexico and the Marriott Djerba, An All-Inclusive Resort in Tunisia. Until then, take a look at our favorite Marriott all-inclusive resorts you should consider booking.
Caesars Palace gets over 400 updated rooms
One of the most iconic resorts on the Las Vegas strip, Caesars Palace has been a popular place to stay (and a pop culture hit) since it opened back in 1966. Fast forward some 50+ years and the hotel is putting in the work to make the property as fresh as ever. This month Caesars announced the debut of a full renovation of the Forum Tower, now called the Colosseum Tower.
The tower is home to 440 renovated guest rooms, designed by Michael Medeiros of RDH Interests Inc., that feature black and white interiors with pops of color, like emerald greens inspired by Cleopatra's jewelry and Roman red art and furniture pieces. Other new in-room features include mirrored headboards, glass-front minibars, Roman-style chaise lounges in standard king rooms, Greek and Roman drawings, and Marmara Striato marble floors in the bathrooms.
Harlem gets its first full-service hotel in 100 years
In New York City's Harlem neighborhood, Marriott has transformed the historic Victoria Theater, dating back to 1917, into the Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel. Designed to pay tribute to the area's historic theaters, the 211-room hotel kept much of the building's original spirit, including the marquee and outdoor ticket booth. Other tributes to Harlem include a staircase (pictured above) decorated with names of music legends like Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong, rooms with quotes on the wall from Langston Hughes and art throughout the hotel depicting the legends.
Guests will also find rooms with great views of the Manhattan skyline and Central Park; a restaurant called The Victoria, serving a fresh take on southern dishes like shrimp and grits and hot chicken sandwiches; and nightly jazz performances at the hotel's bar.
Rates can be found as low as $137 per night or 62,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. If you're considering making a January trip to NYC, you can also find great deals at over 150 hotels across the boroughs, thanks to New York City Hotel Week.
In other news:
- World of Hyatt announces major changes to Milestone Rewards, Guest of Honor and more
- W Edinburgh opens just in time for the holidays
- How to pick the right travel credit card for you
- Why you don’t earn hotel points when booking through online travel agencies
- These 8 apps and websites make award redemptions easier to find
Hotel reviews you need to read:
- Naughty or ice? What it’s like staying at the Gaylord National during the holidays
- First look at The BoTree, one of London's most exciting new hotels
- What it’s like staying at Regent Hong Kong, IHG’s shiny new ultra-luxury hotel darling
- What it's like staying at the Grand Hyatt Nashville, a convention hotel with style
- Friendly service and a stylish stay: The Dupont Circle Hotel in Washington, DC
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.