10 Best Marriott Beach Hotels in the U.S.

Marriott has several world-famous beach hotels, but it also has many great oceanfront properties in the U.S. you may be unfamiliar with. Whether you're planning a family road trip, or flying from coast to coast or beyond, this guide highlights just a few of the lesser-known — but equally beautiful — hotels where Marriott Bonvoy members can earn or redeem Marriott Bonvoy® points.

If you use a Marriott Bonvoy-affiliated credit card for a stay at one of these oceanfront escapes, you earn bonus points on every eligible dollar you spend. For example, travelers who pay with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card can earn 17 points per dollar spent at Marriott family hotels. The card also comes with Silver status and a free hotel night worth up to 35,000 points after each card anniversary. (Jump to other Marriott card options).

Wherever you’re headed, there’s a Marriott beach hotel waiting for you. Here are just a few of the best Marriott resorts in the U.S. for sun chasers.

» Learn more: Your guide to the Marriott Bonvoy award chart

The best Marriott resorts in the U.S. for beachgoers

1. Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Off the north end of the Virginia Beach boardwalk and next to The Historic Cavalier Hotel, the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront offers beach views from balcony rooms, plus a rooftop sushi restaurant that draws locals and guests.

At this property, a redemption night costs between 35,000 and 60,000 points.

2. Courtyard Carolina Beach Oceanfront, Carolina Beach, North Carolina

In Carolina Beach, North Carolina, the Courtyard Carolina Beach Oceanfront enjoys beautiful waterfront views as well as convenient walking distance to the boardwalk. Balconied guest rooms and suites, laundry facilities, beachfront swings and seating, and outdoor and indoor pools make this a popular place for families to vacation.

A redemption night costs between 27,500 and 40,000 points.

3. Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes is known for its golf courses, and the resort sits along a sparkling stretch of sand. You can even see the beach and waves from the outdoor pools.

A night can be redeemed for 35,000 to 60,000 points.

4. AC Hotel Miami Beach

Not to be overshadowed by the many other Miami Beach Marriott properties in the area (including Edition, W, Moxy and Ritz-Carlton), the AC Hotel by Marriott Miami Beach holds its own along Collins Avenue. Though this hotel isn’t directly on the beach, guests can walk across the street to South Beach sand, sun and waves.

AC’s European brand influence is another interesting draw to this property, where a redemption night goes for between 27,500 and 40,000 points.

» Learn more: Why I love Marriott Bonvoy

5. Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort, Key Largo, Florida

The Florida Keys have a lot to offer when it comes to outdoor adventure — from beautiful beaches to watersports aplenty. The Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort costs between 35,000 and 60,000 points per night.

Many of the resort’s rooms have balconies overlooking the beach. Other amenities include live music, an outdoor pool with whirlpools, and a floating dock for solo relaxation.

6. Residence Inn St. Petersburg Treasure Island, St. Petersburg, Florida

With accommodations that include kitchens, free breakfast, balconies and multi-bedroom suites, the Residence Inn St. Petersburg Treasure Island is an ideal spot for family beach vacations.

This is a property with a redemption night going for 45,000 to 70,000 points. Nearby St. Petersburg is a family-friendly destination with a boardwalk, aquariums and a water park.

7. JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, Marco Island, Florida

The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort is a redemption costing between 45,000 and 70,000 points for a night.

With 12 restaurants, two championship golf courses and a spa, there's more to do than just relax on 3 miles of beach. Views include pool, ocean and tropical options, and the Paradise by Sirene experience is worth the upgrade for an adults-only, butler-pampered stay. It includes access to a rooftop pool, a private seating area on the beach and breakfast.

8. JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot, Santa Monica, California

A short walk from the beach, the JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot is also close to the city's famous pier and the Third Street Promenade shopping and dining area. Many of the rooms feature beachfront balconies with views of the ocean and the pier.

As a redemption, one night here costs 45,000 to 70,000 points.

9. Pier South Resort, Autograph Collection, San Diego

At Pier South Resort, Autograph Collection, this Marriott Bonvoy property welcomes travelers for nightly rates between 35,000 and 60,000 points.

As a Silver LEED-certified hotel, it is focused on environmental efforts. Given its beachfront locale and proximity to the San Diego Zoo, this hotel is ideal for families.

» Learn more: Earn or redeem points at these awesome hotels with bunk beds

10. Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, Honolulu

While there are many great beach hotels throughout Hawaii, Waikiki Beach in Honolulu has a large concentration of Marriott Bonvoy properties. Among them, the cheapest redemption for Marriott fans along Waikiki Beach is the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani. Though the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is not strictly beachfront, guests can easily walk across the street to one of the country’s most famous stretches of sand.

Plus, the hotel is in the midst of a massive renovation, giving it even more modern touches. In fact, renovations on the 664-room Ainahau Tower are set for a June 2024 completion date. That means guests staying there this summer will be treated to modern, tropical redesigns. They'll sleep in a room painted with calming, tropical hues inspired by papaya, mocha and blue skies. Updated wall coverings, drapes and flooring will give rooms a fresh touch. Plus, rooms feature works from local artisans, such as upholstery from native Hawaiian designer NOHO Home.

How to earn Marriott points quickly

Before you start using your Marriott Bonvoy points, you have to earn them. Beyond qualifying hotel stays, another way to amass a large number of points is to earn a sign-up bonus for a Marriott hotel credit card.

There is one additional consumer card and one business card in the Marriott credit card portfolio.

• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card has a $250 annual fee. It comes with complimentary Gold elite status and earns 6x points at Marriott hotels. It also includes 1,000 bonus points per stay, a free night worth 50,000 points (after spending $15,000) and 15 Elite Night Credits. Terms apply.

• The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card has a $125 annual fee. It grants Gold status and 6x points at Marriott hotels. The card also provides a free night award up to 35,000 points with the option to earn a second night, a 7% room rate discount and 15 Elite Night Credits. Terms apply.

If you seek more flexibility in redeeming miles for hotel stays, consider applying for a more general travel credit card instead. A more general travel credit card differs from a hotel card in that you can book lodging at multiple hotel chains, rather than reaping the benefits of staying loyal to a single brand.

The more high-end the travel credit card, the more benefits you can enjoy, including airport lounge access or elite status in certain programs. That said, a brand-specific hotel card can net you benefits like late check-out or free breakfast, which can have meaningful dollar value.

Stay at a Marriott beach resort with points

There are several ways to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points — or earn a bonanza of them — just in time for your next Marriott beach resort vacation. Summertime travelers may be most interested in warm-weather spots, and these are some of the best under-hyped Marriott beach hotels in the U.S.

All information about Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.

To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, see this page.