 | Flytrippers cofounder |
We’re continuing our feature with concrete examples of the best redemptions of Marriott Bonvoy points, after the ones in Southeast Asia. If you want to maximize the number of free nights you get, you just need to plan your trips around the best hotels (exactly like when you pay with cash instead of points).
All Canadian travelers absolutely need to have each of the 2 Marriott Bonvoy cards. The rare record-high offer is back, and each bonus gives you up to 15 free nights at many hotels (so 30 nights with a travel companion).
You need to take advantage of the welcome bonus deal before September 22nd. Flytrippers helps you travel for less with its free newsletter specifically about travel rewards, its ranking of the best current offers, and its infographic summarizing all the basics.
Here are the 22 best redemptions of Marriott Bonvoy points in the rest of Asia (East Asia, South Asia, and West Asia).
Basics of the best redemptions of Marriott Bonvoy points
If you don’t know the basics of Marriott points, you need to read our article that explains the best redemptions of Marriott Bonvoy points.
That also explains that this feature focuses on the points redemptions that maximize your number of free nights.
We’re continuing with the best redemptions in the rest of Asia, with the other regions to come next.
It’s the best continent to save money in general, and the best for benefiting from many good choices of Marriott hotels that are affordable in points. It’s also one of the best regions period (that all experienced travelers love).
Japan 🇯🇵: 2 best redemptions of Marriott Bonvoy points
Japan is a country with an incredible mix of old and new, from centuries-old temples to some of the most modern cities in the world. It’s the most popular and expensive country in East Asia, but you have a few options to reduce your lodging costs.
1. Osaka
Osaka is known for its street food scene, especially in the Dotonbori area, and it’s often considered Japan’s culinary capital. It also makes a great base for day trips to Kyoto and Nara.
Four Points Flex by Sheraton Osaka Kitahama
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 11,600 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 14,500 points
2. Utsunomiya
Utsunomiya mixes an excellent local food culture (it’s especially known for its gyozas!) with a bit of history, and it’s a convenient base for visiting Nikko, a nearby town known for its UNESCO-listed shrines and temples.
Four Points Flex by Sheraton Utsunomiya
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 10,800 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 13,500 points
China 🇨🇳: 8 best redemptions of Marriott Bonvoy points
China is a huge country with so much to explore, and I’ve been fortunate to visit a few times. I loved it, and I believe it’s one of the most underrated destinations in East Asia and even the world. It’s a great culture shock, and while its sheer size is daunting, the upside is that there are many incredible destinations to visit. And there are plenty of hotel options here to choose from.
3. Xi’an
Xi’an is home to the Terracotta Army, one of China’s most famous historical sites and one I was really impressed by. It’s one of the few Chinese cities where you can still walk or bike along the original ancient city walls. I loved the food like the roujiamo (local burgers), the city’s vibe, and this hotel.
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 8,000 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 8,500 points
4. Chongqing
Chongqing is built into the mountains, with roads and buildings stacked on top of each other in a way that’s genuinely disorienting the first time you see it. Its nickname is “Cyberpunk City,” and it’s really incredibly futuristic and unique. The best-kept urban secret in the country, in my opinion!
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 9,900 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 11,500 points
5. Nanjing
Nanjing was one of China’s ancient capitals, and it’s easy to overlook next to bigger cities like Beijing and Shanghai. The Ming-era city wall, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, and the Qinhuai River area are all worth discovering. I very much enjoyed visiting, and it’s easy to access from Shanghai.
Four Points by Sheraton Nanjing, Gulou District
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 6,600 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 8,000 points
6. Chengdu
Chengdu is best known for its giant panda breeding base, one of the best places in the world to see pandas up close. It was very cool, and this hotel is quite close. The city also has a slower, more relaxed pace than other big Chinese cities. Sichuan cuisine is delicious, with hot pot among the spiciest in the country! 😱
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 7,600 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 9,500 points
7. Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city that’s smaller, giving it a more laid-back feel. I was pleasantly surprised, and I loved this very recent hotel. Gulangyu Island, a car-free island just off the coast with colonial-era architecture, is a must-see. It’s a great base to explore the rest of Fujian.
Courtyard by Marriott Xiamen Haicang
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 10,000 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 11,500 points
8. Guangzhou
Guangzhou is one of the world’s biggest cities but gets a fraction of the tourist attention Beijing and Shanghai do. I loved discovering the Cantonese culture both times I visited, including at this hotel on a unique urban island with 100,000+ students! The Canton Tower and the Pearl River waterfront are the modern side, while Shamian Island’s colonial-era streets show a different, older layer of the city.
Aloft Guangzhou University Park
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 7,600 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 9,500 points
9. Lingshui
Lingshui is on the southeastern coast of Hainan Island, nicknamed “China’s Hawaii.” The area is known for its beaches at Clearwater Bay and as a quieter, less developed alternative to nearby Sanya.
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 11,200 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 14,000 points
10. Haikou
Haikou is Hainan Island’s capital, quieter and less touristy than Sanya but with its own old town charm, old arcade-style streets you can still walk through, plus nearby volcanic geoparks and beaches.
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 11,200 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 14,000 points
India 🇮🇳: 6 best redemptions of Marriott Bonvoy points
India left a strong impression on me, for better or worse. This iconic South Asian country packs so much history and culture, but it can be overwhelming if you’re not used to big culture shocks. It’s a huge country with plenty of hotel options.
11. Agra
Agra is home to the Taj Mahal, one of the world’s most famous buildings. It’s definitely worth seeing it once in your life. You can also do it as a day trip from Delhi, as I did, but you have a great hotel option if you prefer staying.
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 10,600 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 12,500 points
12. Jaipur
Jaipur is nicknamed the Pink City for the rose-colored buildings in its old town, though the shade shifts throughout the day depending on the light. I enjoyed visiting, and the old town was quite walkable. I stayed at the other Marriott that’s often similarly priced.
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 11,200 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 13,500 points
13. Udaipur
Udaipur is known as the City of Lakes, and its centerpiece is Lake Pichola, with beautiful architecture features such as palaces that seem to rise straight out of the water, a genuinely impressive feat considering they were built centuries before modern engineering.
The Fern Bambora Fort Udaipur, Series by Marriott
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 6,800 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 8,500 points
14. Kochi
Kochi has a mix of influences you don’t find elsewhere in India, with Chinese fishing nets lining the shore, Portuguese and Dutch colonial buildings, and one of the oldest synagogues in the country, all packed into the old Fort Kochi neighborhood.
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 9,100 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 10,500 points
15. Siliguri
Siliguri sits right at the foothills of the Himalayas, and it’s the main jumping-off point for Darjeeling, Gangtok, and the rest of northeast India. It’s a great base if you want the mountains close by without staying up in the hills themselves. Kevin, Flytrippers’ other co-founder, liked this city and hotel.
Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 8,500 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 12,000 points
16. Tirupati
Tirupati is home to the Venkateswara Temple, one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, drawing millions of devotees each year to its hilltop location above the city.
Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 6,900 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 8,000 points
Georgia 🇬🇪: 1 best redemption of Marriott Bonvoy points
Georgia is one of Kevin’s favorite countries. We consider it part of West Asia, but it sits right at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, so it definitely feels very European. You get mountains, centuries-old churches, and some of the oldest wine regions in the world, all for a fraction of what Europe costs. Most people overlook it entirely, and that’s a shame, because it’s one of the best value trips out there.
17. Batumi
Batumi is Georgia’s Black Sea coastal city, with a beachfront boulevard, a mix of old and modern architecture, and a casino scene that’s earned it the nickname “Las Vegas of the Black Sea.” Kevin really enjoyed his time in this one-of-a-kind city.
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 11,600 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 14,000 points
Türkiye 🇹🇷: 1 best redemption of Marriott Bonvoy points
Türkiye is one of our favorite countries in the world, and its cultural layering stands out most, with centuries of Byzantine and Ottoman history built into its architecture, food, and hospitality. Although one of its former highlights (its low cost), has disappeared in recent years, it’s still a great way to experience the Middle East for the 1st time.
18. Bursa
Bursa was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, and it still has the mosques, tombs, and silk market from that era. It sits at the base of Mount Uludağ, so you can go from historic streets to a ski resort in under an hour. It’s pretty close to İstanbul too.
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 9,600 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 12,000 points
Oman 🇴🇲: 1 best redemption of Marriott Bonvoy points
Oman is a country I found genuinely fascinating, and honestly one of my favorites in the world. There’s amazing scenery, with dramatic mountains, desert valleys carved by hidden turquoise pools, and a unique desertic coast. There are old markets and forts that feel untouched by time, and it’s so much more authentic than the neighboring UAE that sadly gets way more visitors.
19. Muscat
Muscat is Oman’s capital, set against volcanic mountains right on the coast. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is one of the most impressive in the region, and the old town of Mutrah, with its waterfront and traditional market, gives a good sense of the city’s history as a trading port. It was my favorite part of the city, although I preferred roadtripping to the rest of the country. This hotel was good.
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 7,680 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 9,600 points
United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪: 1 best redemption of Marriott Bonvoy points
United Arab Emirates is a place of striking contrasts, with some of the tallest buildings in the world rising out of the desert. Beyond the skyline, there are also old neighborhoods, desert camps under the stars, and traditional markets that feel a world away from the shiny malls.
20. Dubai
Dubai is of course known for the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, along with its man-made islands and some of the most extravagant hotels in the world. There’s also an older, quieter side to the city, with historic neighborhoods and markets that are just as worth exploring as the famous modern skyline (and way more authentic).
Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 11,200 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 14,000 points
Kuwait 🇰🇼: 1 best redemption of Marriott Bonvoy points
Kuwait is a very rich and developed country that is one of the more underrated stops in the Middle East. Kevin was pleasantly surprised by this country that gets very little attention, like most travelers who discover it for the 1st time.
21. Kuwait City
Kuwait City actually translates to “fortress built by the water,” which fits given its spot on a natural harbor along the Gulf. The impressive Kuwait Towers are the main landmark here, but the city is also known for its traditional markets and many green spaces.
Residence Inn by Marriott Kuwait City
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 11,200 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 14,000 points
Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦: 1 best redemption of Marriott Bonvoy points
Saudi Arabia only opened up more to tourism a few years ago, and it’s still one of the least explored countries in the region. There are ancient tombs carved directly into desert rock formations, and you might be surprised to even find spots of clear water and coral reefs on the Red Sea coast, that get overlooked because of the country’s desert-only reputation.
22. Riyadh
Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia, and its name actually means “gardens,” a nod to the fertile land at the meeting point of 2 valleys where the city sits. It’s a fast-growing, modern metropolis, but it still holds onto pockets of traditional architecture and history if you know where to look.
Four Points by Sheraton Riyadh Khaldia
- Price per night (5 nights):
- 7,920 points
- Price per night (1 night):
- 9,200 points
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Summary
The best redemptions of Marriott Bonvoy points in the rest of Asia (East Asia, South Asia, and West Asia) let you maximize the number of free hotel nights you get. Take advantage of the current record deal on Marriott Bonvoy cards and simply plan trips around these amazing destinations.
What would you like to know about the best redemptions of Marriott points in the rest of Asia (East Asia, South Asia, and West Asia)? Tell us in the comments below.
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Featured image: Nanjing, China & Agra, India (photo credit: Nathan Wong & Sanin sn)
