The Complete Guide to Westin Hotels

We’ve all been there — you’re knee-deep in a search for a place to stay while traveling when a hotel name you don’t recognize pops up. Not knowing whether it’s part of a chain, oriented to luxury travelers or if it includes free breakfast can make choosing a hotel difficult.

In this guide we’ll discuss Westin hotels, which is part of the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program, including what they’re like and what you can expect when staying at one of these properties.

Westin hotels are a part of Marriott. Together, with 31 other brands, Westin makes up a portion of Marriott’s massive portfolio.

Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy® points on qualifying Westin stays. Members can also work towards elite status within the program to get access to even more benefits.

Certain credit cards can both fast track your Marriott elite status level and help you earn Marriott points for redemptions more quickly.

» Learn more: The guide to Marriott brands

With so many hotel options out there — let alone the dozens of Marriott-branded options — you may be trying to figure out if Westin is actually a good hotel brand. To date, there are more than 235 Westin hotels in over 40 countries. The brand also continues to expand, with new Westin hotels being added regularly.

Marriott classifies Westins as one of its “distinctive premium” properties. So while they’re not necessarily top-of-the-line luxurious, like the St. Regis, they’re still high-quality and offer a wide range of amenities.

Westin hotels have the honor of being Marriott’s wellness brand. That means the hotel provides special offerings to help customers remain healthy even when on the road. Unique amenities you'll find at Westins include:

• Signature Heavenly beds. 

• Workout offerings like dedicated fitness studios, TRX equipment and “run concierges” who can set up group runs and provide local route maps.

• A gear lending program that allows you to borrow items such as yoga mats, shoes and even foam rollers during your stay. 

• Nutritional meal options from the hotel’s Eat Well menu. 

If you exercise and eat healthy at home, these types of offerings can make it easier to keep up your routines when you’re traveling, so the wellness language isn’t just lip service.

Westin hotels can also be a good option for business travelers. Some Westin properties offer lounges, which provide free food, drinks and a nice place to sit in the evenings. These lounges are a great perk for those with Marriott elite status — members who have Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador status receive complimentary lounge access for them and a guest whenever they travel.

Westins are also included in the breakfast benefit for those with Platinum status or above, which means breakfast is complimentary if you choose it as your welcome gift.

» Learn more: How to get free hotel breakfast

Marriott properties, including Westins, generally feature larger hotel rooms, where one king bed or two queen beds is the norm rather than the exception. However, you can still find some smaller rooms in a Westin, where double beds are available rather than queen-sized options.

No matter which bed size you choose, you can expect to find every room in a Westin equipped with Heavenly beds, which are popular enough that Marriott even sells them to the general public.

Like most Marriott properties, Westins also have different types of rooms for booking. This includes standard as well as superior rooms, which can include balconies or locations on higher floors. You can also generally expect to find suites available when booking a Westin.

» Learn more: Things to know before getting a Marriott credit card

Here are two stand-out options of which you’ll want to be aware if you’re specifically targeting the brand.

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort

The Maldives is a stunning collection of far-flung atolls and islands strewn off the coast of India. You’ll find white sand beaches, clear blue lagoons and more fish than you can shake a stick at.

If you’re wanting to stay in the Maldives without breaking the bank, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort could be a good option — room rates here are as low as $308 per night.

You can also find award nights for as low as 50,000 points each, which makes this a great use of the annual free night certificate offered by the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card after meeting the minimum spend each year.

Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas

Another beachy destination, but nearer to the U.S., are the Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas, located in tropical Maui, Hawaii.

You can find studio rooms here as well as one- and two-bedroom villas, making this an excellent option for those traveling in groups or those who want access to a kitchen. Of course, the beachfront location and abundance of activities doesn’t hurt, either.

Guests can access the resort’s spa, pool, fitness center and Hawaiian cultural center, or explore the island by bike or boat.

» Learn more: Hilton vs. Marriott: Which one is right for you?

Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and redeem points for Westin stays.

Marriott Bonvoy offers a total of five credit cards: four personal cards and one business card, issued by Chase or American Express. All but one card provides elite status, and most cards give you at least one free night each year with the opportunity to earn even more through spending.

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 ( see rates and fees).

• The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card has a $125 annual fee. It grants Gold elite 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 (see rates and fees).

Terms apply.

» Learn more: 8 valuable benefits of Marriott Bonvoy credit cards

With more than 200 Westin hotels worldwide, it's like you can find one suitable for your next trip. As a premium hotel brand within the Marriott portfolio that focuses on wellness, you can expect well-appointed guest rooms, access to fitness studios and equipment and healthy food options, no matter which Westin property you’re visiting.

The information related to the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.