Starwood and Marriott Hotels Changing Categories Soon!

Starwood and Marriott just announced that they will be changing a number of their hotels where some are going up or down a category or two. This change will take place on March 7, 2017. That means you have until March 6, 2017, to lock in any any reservations at hotels that will be requiring more points.

After looking into the list, I personally think it is overall a negative change where more popular hotels are going up a category rather then down. But overall I do not see any earth shattering changes. The impact really comes down to where you are looking to travel. For me, I am sad to see both Marriott properties in Cancun go up a category, it seems like Thailand is getting a little more expensive (although you can still travel for cheap on points), Bali is also getting more expensive overall, and The Renaissance Curacao is going up to a category 6 which was a hidden gem property where you could use a free night 1-5 certificate. On the flip side, I am happy to see the Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas go down to a category 5 property which will be great for a family ski trip out West. None of the changes personally affect me much, although I might make some speculative reservations at the CasaMagna in Cancun.

You can see all the hotels changing here: Starwood and Marriott.

Popular Hotels Going Up a Category

Starwood

• The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali (going from a category 4 to 5)
• Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran (going from a category 3 to 4)
• Sthala, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Ubud Bali (going from a category 3 to 5)
• Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui (going from a category 6 to 7)
• Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort, Thailand (going from a category 2 to 3)
• The Library, Koh Samui, a Member of Design Hotels (going from a category 5 to 6)
• The Naka Phuket, a Member of Design Hotels (going from a category 5 to 6)
• Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, Paracas (going from a category 4 to 5)
• The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver (going from a category 4 to 5)
• The Westin Grand, Vancouver (going from a category 4 to 5)
• Le Westin Resort & Spa, Tremblant, Quebec (going from a category 4 to 5)
• Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica (going from a category 5 to 6)

Marriott

• Marriott’s Waikoloa Ocean Club (going from a category 7 to 8)
• Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection (going from a category 8 to 9)
• The Castle, Autograph Collection, Orlando (going from a category 5 to 6)
• The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection (going from a category 7 to 8)
• The New York EDITION (going from a category 3 to 4)
• Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa (going from a category 7 to 8)
• Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino (going from a category 5 to 6)
• CasaMagna(R) Marriott Cancun Resort (going from a category 7 to 8)
• JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa (going from a category 8 to 9)

Popular Hotels Going Down a Category

Starwood

• The Westin Kuala Lumpur (going from a category 4 to 3)
• The St. Regis Langkawi (going from a category 7 to 6)
• Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok (going from a category 5 to 4)
• Le Méridien Saigon (going from a category 4 to 3)
• Sheraton Mendoza Hotel (going from a category 3 to 2)
• Le Metropolitan, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Paris (going from a category 6 to 5)
• The Westin Palace, Milan (going from a category 6 to 5)
• W Istanbul (going from a category 5 to 4) – almost all hotels are actually going down a category or two in Turkey
• The Westin Copley Place, Boston (going from a category 6 to 5)
• The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio (going from a category 5 to 4)
• The Park Central San Francisco (going from a category 6 to 5)
• Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas (going from a category 6 to 5)
• W New Orleans – French Quarter (going from a category 6 to 5)

Marriott

• Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort & Marina (going from a category 7 to 6)

Of course there are many more hotels moving up or down and the above is a sampling that I picked out from the entire list. I highly suggest making any speculative reservations now and canceling later. Any changes to reservations past March 7 will require you to pay the increased number of points.

Which hotels will you book at?