We took advantage of the seasonal direct route between Montreal and Seattle with Air Canada to spend the Labor Day long weekend. On this trip, we stayed at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel for 3 nights.
Renaissance Seattle Hotel – Reservation
For this stay, we booked in cash, i.e. $340 per night, while the cost in points was 60,000 points at that time. Based on Milesopedia’s valuation of Marriott Bonvoy points, we felt it was more economical to pay in cash and save our points for next time.
However, I can only advise you to book as early as possible to get the best price, especially on a bank holiday weekend. I checked the rates regularly to see if I could get a better one and I never did.
Renaissance Seattle Hotel – Location
The Renaissance Seattle Hotel is located in the center of the Emerald City at Madison St and 6th Avenue. The famous Pionner Square and waterfront is less than a 10-minute walk away.
If you arrive by public transportation from the Seattle-Tacoma airport, it is a 35-minute ride to University Station and a 7-minute walk to the hotel. Be aware that Seattle is a city on a slope and the hotel is at the top of the slope, which can be problematic with young children.
In addition to the exceptional welcome bonus of each of these two cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all your purchases and 5 points per dollar at any of the Marriott establishments. On top of that, every year, you’ll receive a free hotel night certificate (worth 35,000 points) and 15 Elite Night Credits toward your Marriott Bonvoy status.
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card stands out for a benefit that returns every year: an Annual Free Night Award after your Cardmembership anniversary, valid for a night costing up to 35,000 points at participating properties. For travellers who stay with Marriott, it gives the Card value beyond the welcome offer.
You also receive 15 Elite Night Credits per calendar year toward your next status level and complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.
The welcome offer lets you earn up to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points:
60,000 points after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months;
10,000 additional points after $500 in purchases in month 13.
To help fund future stays, earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties and 2 points per dollar on other purchases. You can use your points for hotel nights.
The annual fee is $120, and Supplementary Cards have no annual fee. The Card also includes travel insurance, purchase protection, and an extended warranty, subject to applicable terms.
Legal
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Annual fee
Primary card$120
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,110
2nd Year Value$312
Travel insurance
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Renaissance Seattle Hotel – Registration
Check-in was very quick, we had previously checked in on the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Unfortunately, we did not get an upgrade during our stay. We arrived at the hotel very late and the hotel was full.
The hotel lobby is very welcoming, with a modern, colorful decor.
Renaissance Seattle Hotel – Room
The room is very deep but rather narrow, with a low ceiling. There is a large desk and a television. Also, there is a meridian to rest after a nice walk.
There’s a fridge, iron and safe.
The bathroom is located directly on the right as you enter the room and is closed with a sliding door. It is also very narrow, it is difficult to fit two people.
Renaissance Seattle Hotel – Breakfast
Breakfast is served at The Fig & The Fudge. Since the lounge is closed on weekends to Platinum Elite members and above, there may be a wait to get into the restaurant.
Breakfast is served in the form of a buffet and a la carte dishes. Platinum Elite and Superior members are only entitled to buffet breakfast as a status benefit.
On the first day, we found the service to be disorganized and the buffet had a hard time being stocked. We made our comments to the waiter who explained to us that there was a lack of staff. However, we could see a nice improvement the last two days.
Renaissance Seattle Hotel – Other services
Renaissance Seattle Hotel – Lounge
The lounge is accessible with the room card for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite and Superior members. The member may bring a guest.
During the week, breakfast is served between 6:30 and 9:30 am. On weekends, breakfast is served at The Fig & The Judge’s restaurant from 6:30am to 11am.
During the rest of the time, the lounge is available for drinks and snacks. During our stay, we did not have the opportunity to have breakfast in the lounge as we were there on the weekend.
Renaissance Seattle Hotel – Gym
If after walking the streets of Seattle, you still feel like working out, the gym is open 24/7. It is very large and the equipment seems relatively new. There is cardiovascular equipment, elliptical trainers, treadmills and free weights. Also, we liked the recyclable headphones provided.
Renaissance Seattle Hotel – The Bar
Located in the lobby, the 515 Bar offers different service at different times. In the morning, you will find more of a café, in the afternoon and evening, it is more like a cocktail bar.
Renaissance Seattle Hotel – The Business Center
In the lobby, a business area with computers and printers is available to guests. This can be useful for printing your boarding pass.
Renaissance Seattle Hotel – My Overall Impression
Despite the fact that the room was a little small, we had a good stay. Unfortunately, the lounge didn’t offer much on weekends as is often the case in hotels in the United States. We will certainly return if the price is competitive.
However, I would not recommend this hotel if you have small children and even less with a stroller. Please note that the hotel does not have a pool!
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card stands out for a benefit that returns every year: an Annual Free Night Award after your Cardmembership anniversary, valid for a night costing up to 35,000 points at participating properties. For travellers who stay with Marriott, it gives the Card value beyond the welcome offer.
You also receive 15 Elite Night Credits per calendar year toward your next status level and complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.
The welcome offer lets you earn up to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points:
60,000 points after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months;
10,000 additional points after $500 in purchases in month 13.
To help fund future stays, earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties and 2 points per dollar on other purchases. You can use your points for hotel nights.
The annual fee is $120, and Supplementary Cards have no annual fee. The Card also includes travel insurance, purchase protection, and an extended warranty, subject to applicable terms.
Legal
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Annual fee
Primary card$120
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,110
2nd Year Value$312
Travel insurance
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card stands out for a benefit that returns every year: an Annual Free Night Award after your Cardmembership anniversary, valid for a night costing up to 35,000 points at participating properties. For travellers who stay with Marriott, it gives the Card value beyond the welcome offer.
You also receive 15 Elite Night Credits per calendar year toward your next status level and complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.
The welcome offer lets you earn up to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points:
60,000 points after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months;
10,000 additional points after $500 in purchases in month 13.
To help fund future stays, earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties and 2 points per dollar on other purchases. You can use your points for hotel nights.
The annual fee is $120, and Supplementary Cards have no annual fee. The Card also includes travel insurance, purchase protection, and an extended warranty, subject to applicable terms.
Legal
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Annual fee
Primary card$120
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,110
2nd Year Value$312
Travel insurance
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Our editorial integrity
Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.