To the point
The Protea Hotel by Marriott Nelspruit is a category 1 hotel in South Africa, accessible from just 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
An affordable hotel with Marriott Bonvoy points
The hotel Protea Hotel by Marriott Nelspruit is category 1 (December 2019).
It costs between 5,000 and 10,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for a free night.
To earn Marriott Bonvoy points in Canada, the easiest way is via one of these 3 credit cards:
- The Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card
- The Marriott BonvoyMD Business American ExpressMD* Card
- The American Express CobaltMD Card
Each of them offers a nice welcome bonus and the possibility to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on each of your purchases (either directly for the card s Marriott Bonvoy, or by transfer for la Carte Cobaltᵐᶜ American Express).
You could have both Marriott Bonvoy cards and collect your points in your Marriott Bonvoy account!
As for the card Cobaltᵐᶜ American Express, it allows you to transfer your Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy points at a rate of 1:1.2.
With the 5 membership rewards points per dollar you earn on:
- grocery stores
- restaurants and bars
- convenience stores
- food delivery at home
it is like earning 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar!
Our opinion about Protea Hotel by Marriott Nelspruit
After a first night at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Hazyview, then a few nights in a superb airbnb at Phalaborwa and 2 nights at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Kruger Gate, here we are at our last stop in the North-East of South Africa in Nelspruit.
Location
We chose to stay at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Nelspruit car:
- It’s a good stopover hotel on the way to Johannesburg.
- it cost us only 5,000 points (category 1 during the off-peak season)
His address: 30 Jerepico Street, Orchards, Nelspruit 1200 South Africa
Arrival
When we check in, the reception informs us of our advantages with the Titanium Elite status of Marriott Bonvoy: a free drink at the bar and breakfast.
No upgrade since we already have the highest room category (which was available with points like all other rooms).
In the reception area, the Christmas decorations were in place.
Several small posters were even displayed to thank the loyalty of some Marriott Bonvoy members!
The hotel has 2 floors. If your room is on the second floor, you will have to go up the stairs as there is no elevator.
The room
The room is of a suitable size.
On the bed is a “VIP” banner, as well as a word of welcome.
And on the desk, little snacks (peanuts, throughdriednde, candy).
Facing the bed, a small television… well framed!
The hair dryer is next to the desk.
Always appreciable, especially for families: a fridge.
In the large wardrobe, bathrobes, an iron and a safe.
A coffee maker is placed on the desk, as well as a bottle of water.
The bathroom
The bathroom has a bathtub and a separate shower, as well as hygiene products.
Note that the handkerchiefs are for men only 😀
Hotel amenities
The bar
On the central level of the hotel is a bar/lounge.
The pool
The hotel has a nice outdoor swimming pool (unheated).
Breakfast
Breakfast is in the hotel restaurant and in the form of a buffet.
Here are the different dishes:
Really a lot of choice in this Category 1 hotel!
The cold drink:
It is possible to have eggs served as you wish.
And the omelette all garnished was EXCELLENT!
An excellent breakfast that will allow us to skip lunch! A it was free, thanks to our Titanium status (also complimentary to Platinum members).
Bottom Line
The hotel Protea Hotel by Marriott Nelspruit is excellent, especially considering the rate paid: 5,000 points per night (in low season). It was especially the Protea Hotel where we received the best service: from the reception, to the dinner staff, to the breakfast staff, everyone was ready to help us!
A simple example: when I got up around 4:30 a.m. to work on the bar’s couches, a member of the staff who had served us the night before at the restaurant came to see me at his 5:00 a.m. shift and said to me in English:
Mr. Neighbor must need a good cup of coffee? Could I offer you a cappuccino?
5-star service in a hotel… category 1! BRAVO.
We therefore highly recommend this hotel if you are passing through the area.
To easily earn Marriott Bonvoy points, here’s the current offer on the Marriott BonvoyTM American ExpressMD Card:
Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
