The travel blog
Trip reports, honest reviews, and points & miles news from around the world — written after actually staying, sailing, and flying.
The Westin Anaheim Resort Review
My honest review of The Westin Anaheim Resort: the best luxury hotel near Disneyland, with a rooftop bar, top-tier dining, and hot to earn the max Marriott Bonvoy points.
Walt Disney World Swan Review: Bonvoy Points at Disney
My Walt Disney World Swan review: booking with Marriott points, the renovated rooms, walking to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and the Disney perks you get.
Four Points by Sheraton Anaheim Review (Walk to Disneyland)
My honest review of the Four Points by Sheraton Anaheim: walking distance to Disneyland, Bonvoy points and elite nights, freeway noise, and who it fits.
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Review (Big Island)
My honest review of the Waikoloa Beach Marriott on Hawaii's Big Island: A-Bay beach, pools, Bonvoy points value, resort fees, and who it suits.
Four Points by Sheraton LAX Review
A fair review of the Four Points by Sheraton LAX: a cheap Marriott with a free airport shuttle, good for a layover, with a few real misses to know first.
JW Marriott Tampa Water Street Review
My JW Marriott Tampa Water Street review: the rooftop pools, suite upgrade, downtown location, and booking this luxury hotel on Marriott Bonvoy points.
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort Review
My review of The St. Regis Bal Harbour: butler service, oceanfront suites, three pools, spa, and whether to pay cash or use Marriott points.
Westin Cancun Resort Villas & Spa Review
My take on the Westin Cancun Resort Villas & Spa as a Marriott Titanium member, from the two-sided beach and lagoon setting to booking tips.
Sheraton Mesa Wrigleyville West Review
My honest review of the Sheraton Mesa at Wrigleyville West next to Sloan Park, the Cubs spring training base, and how it holds up off-season.
Westin La Paloma Tucson Review
My review of the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson: a Sonoran Desert resort with Jack Nicklaus golf, a big waterslide, and how I booked it on Marriot
Le Meridien Dania Beach Review
My review of the Le Meridien Dania Beach at Fort Lauderdale Airport: a strong pre-cruise pick near FLL and Port Everglades, on points or cash.
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort Review
My honest review of the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa: lazy river, golf, points value, resort fees, and who should book.
Trailborn Grand Canyon Review: Williams, AZ
My Trailborn Grand Canyon review: a boutique outdoor hotel in Williams, AZ near the Grand Canyon Railway, now part of the Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bo
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Review
My JW Marriott Camelback Inn review: adobe casitas, pools, spa, golf, and my Marriott Platinum suite upgrade at this classic Scottsdale desert resort.
JW Marriott Charlotte Review: Uptown Luxury
My honest JW Marriott Charlotte review: Uptown location, rooftop pool, Caroline's Oyster Bar, club lounge, and how to book it with Bonvoy points.
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa Review
North Scottsdale's Westin Kierland has 27 holes of golf, a lazy river, a FlowRider, and a sunset bagpiper. Here is my take on this family and golf resort.
Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa Review: Legoland Value
An honest review of the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa: private Legoland entrance, shared Westin facilities, a 35K Bonvoy cert booking, and the catches.
Marriott's Newport Coast Villas Review
One of the best Marriott timeshares I've stayed at: a two-bedroom villa on the Newport Coast, pools, Crystal Cove access, and how to book with points.
Orlando World Center Marriott & Imperial Palms Villas Review
A family-friendly Disney-area base: Imperial Palms villas next to the Orlando World Center Marriott, its waterpark, dining, and how to book with points.
Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld Review
My honest Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld review: the atrium resort, big pool, Tradewinds breakfast, and how I used Marriott status pre-cruise.