Unlock exclusive Marriott Bonvoy perks at brand-new resorts in sunny destinations

Today was the first day I had to grab a hoodie on the way out the door for my early morning walk with my dogs. That crisp air caught me by surprise. As the pups sniffed their way around the neighborhood, I thought about all the things I still need to check off my to-do list before winter descends. The top item on that list? Book a winter getaway or two to warm-weather destinations. I dashed home to rev up the planning process.

I keep a notebook where I jot down hotel news and recommendations. As I flipped through the pages, I noted the many new and renovated Marriott Bonvoy properties in sunny destinations that are on my radar. That bit of intel — paired with my trusty Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and all its benefits — put the wheels fully in motion.

With my Brilliant card, I earn up to 21 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy properties (the earning rate depends on the hotel brand). I’ll discuss this in more detail below.

I also receive one free night award every year after my card renewal month. Awards can be used for one night (with a redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at participating hotels. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.

Then there are the benefits that I love, which include:

• Up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at Ritz-Carlton- or St. Regis-branded properties when I book directly using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay; terms apply
• A $300 Brilliant Dining Credit, which provides up to $25 per month each calendar year in statement credits for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide when I pay with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card; terms apply

The icing on the cake? Complimentary Platinum Elite status benefits, which include 50% more points on eligible purchases made directly at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, an upgrade to an enhanced room at check-in (when available and booked with a qualifying rate) and lounge access with complimentary breakfast for two (available at select hotels when booked with a qualifying rate). Terms apply.

The Brilliant card carries an annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees). See TPG’s other articles to learn more about how to maximize the use of this card:

Let’s dig into the best warm-weather destinations to book for winter 2025 and how to leverage your Brilliant card to take advantage of all its benefits.

Book a budget or luxury all-inclusive resort

In recent years, Marriott has made significant moves in a bid to dominate the all-inclusive-resort market. What’s cool is that the offerings range from budget to high-end, so there is an all-inclusive resort that’s right for every traveler. As an example, here are two brand-new all-inclusive resorts that could be perfect for a wintertime getaway when all you crave is some sunshine:

• Budget in the Dominican Republic: Marriott Miches Beach, An All-Inclusive Resort
• Luxury near Cancun, Mexico: Almare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Isla Mujeres, Adult All-Inclusive

Those with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant can earn up to 21 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at the above hotels. That’s up to 10 points per dollar spent at these particular hotel brands from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member, 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases when you charge the stay to your Brilliant card and, finally, an additional 50% points bonus due to the Platinum Elite status you receive as a complimentary benefit of the Brilliant card. That’s an outstanding earning proposition that will allow you to bank points to redeem for free nights across Marriott’s vast portfolio of hotel brands. Some hotels may have mandatory service and resort charges. Terms apply.

Now, let’s look a bit closer at these two all-inclusive options.

Marriott Miches Beach, An All-Inclusive Resort

There are nonstop flights to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) from about two dozen U.S. gateway cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Miami and New York. Once there, you can stroll its beaches, zip line through the jungle, snorkel at sites offshore, go off-roading in a dune buggy, golf or fish, among other pursuits.

While there are resorts set closer to the airport, it’s worth the hour-or-so drive to the surprisingly affordable Marriott Miches Beach resort on the Dominican Republic’s northeast shore. We saw rates as low as $322 (including taxes and fees) based on double occupancy for March dates. Since it’s an all-inclusive resort, that rate covers all meals, snacks, alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi and nonmotorized water sports. Stay three nights or more and you also get a complimentary hydrotherapy spa treatment. (Note: This hotel does not offer room service.)

Almare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Isla Mujeres, Adult All-Inclusive

If you instead gravitate toward luxury hotel stays where the resort is the destination, you can’t do better than Almare. With rates as low as $958 per night (including taxes and fees) in March (the high season), the staff will pamper you with exemplary service.

While you’ll fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN), getting to the resort also requires a short drive and then a water taxi, which definitely adds an air of exclusivity to the entire experience. Book an oceanfront room or splurge on the Duplex Suite with a private plunge pool.

Foodies enjoy the resort’s seven dining and drinking venues, including a Mexican restaurant, a Mediterranean outpost called Seasalt, a coffeehouse (don’t miss the locally roasted Mexican cocoa) and the pool bar.

Almare is a fantastic place to use your free night award that comes as an annual benefit with the Brilliant card. Basic cardmembers earn a free night award every year after their renewal month. You can use this certificate for one night (with a redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at participating hotels. You can also top up the award by using 15,000 points, allowing you to book a free night at a hotel that charges up to 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

TPG’s January 2025 valuations rate Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.85 cents each, so look for a hotel with a cash rate above $722.50 per night to get the best value from this award.

$100 property credit at new resorts in Aruba and Hawaii

If you prefer exclusive luxury resorts over all-inclusive resorts, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant‘s got you covered there as well with up to a $100 property credit for stays lasting two or more nights at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis properties. (You must book directly with Marriott.) The credit applies to qualifying purchases on the property, including dining, spa treatments and hotel recreational activities that are not managed by a third party.

Here are the hotels I’m eyeing for use of my $100 property credit:

The St. Regis Aruba Resort: Opening at the end of January, Marriott brings its ultraluxe St. Regis brand to this island in the southern Caribbean Sea. This resort offers 252 rooms and 52 suites. The Caroline Astor one-bedroom presidential suite offers incredible ocean views and an expansive outdoor terrace. This would be a fantastic place to spend Valentine’s Day.

The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay: While Turtle Bay isn’t a new hotel, it was recently reflagged as a Ritz-Carlton. It’s an iconic place to stay on Oahu’s famed North Shore on cash or points. If you love to surf or watch the pros, this is the place to visit in winter, when a number of international competitions are held.

More on complimentary Platinum Elite status and annual dining credits with the Brilliant card

Before I log off to book my wintertime vacay, I want to elaborate on a couple of other benefits I already mentioned for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card.

Complimentary Platinum Elite status

The fact that Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status is a benefit is a compelling reason to apply for the Brilliant card.

Platinum Elite members who book using a qualifying rate are also eligible for complimentary room upgrades subject to availability at check-in. So, if you’re heading to any of these new Marriott properties, you could snag a complimentary room upgrade: Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Turks & Caicos; JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa; The Riviera Maya Edition at Kanai; AC Hotel Honolulu; and Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa.

Annual dining credits

Finally, I mentioned this in passing earlier, but the Brilliant card offers annual dining credits (up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year). Just use your card to make eligible purchases at restaurants and receive up to $25 monthly in statement credits. This is a valuable perk since you can use it at restaurants worldwide and not just when you’re in vacation mode.

Once a month, I use my Brilliant card to pay a $25.90 bill at Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls. With the $25 statement credit, I spend just 90 cents on a Connecticut-style roll, a Diet Coke and a side of coleslaw. Score!

Bottom line

Marriott has such a large footprint, nearly any traveler can find the right hotel experience for them — whether they’re searching for budget options, properties with family-centric amenities, romantic getaway destinations or a spot where friends can gather for an annual meetup. When you consider all the value-added benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, you begin to see all your vacation possibilities more clearly.

It’s not too late to plan a winter vacation. Earmark some time and click the “book” button ASAP!

For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, click here.