To the point
Check out our photo essay of the Springhill Suites by Marriott Pensacola Beach hotel, for which we used Marriott Rewards points.
After several days in New Orleans, we arrived at the Springhill Suites by Marriott Pensacola Beach hotel, for which we used Marriott Bonvoy points.
Booking with Marriott Bonvoy points
We were in Pensacola Beach during the week of the 4th of July. This is one of the busiest times of the year: any hotel was selling for more than 250 US$ per night. On the Airbnb side, it was the same thing with a low price of 400 US$ / night!
Having taken it at the last minute for this trip, I was lucky to get the last available room with points… and for 5 consecutive nights!
The Springhill Suites by Marriott Pensacola Beach hotel is rated as a Category 8 as of July 2018: so it costs 40,000 points/night (instead of US$320 + tax) or 160,000 points for 5 nights (instead of US$1,600 + tax).
Cards to earn Marriott Bonvoy points
In Canada, there are various credit cards available to earn Marriott Bonvoy points, either directly or indirectly.
In a direct way
In August 2018, American Express will launch new offers on its cards related to the Marriott Bonvoy / Marriott Bonvoy program:
These cards earn Marriott points directly.
Indirectly
American Express offers 6 cards that transfer Membership Rewards points to Marriott points at a rate of 1000:1200.
- American Express Cobalt® Card
- the Platinum CardMD from American Express
- American Express Business Platinum Card
- American Express Gold Rewards Card
- American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card
- American Express Business EdgeMD Card
Our favorite in terms of accumulation remains the American Express Cobalt Card because it allows you to accumulate 5 Membership Rewards points / dollar in grocery stores, restaurants, bars, convenience stores (read: gift cards). Read our detailed review of this card here.
Since these points can be transferred at a rate of 1000:1200, it’s as if every spend in these categories earns you 6 Marriott points / dollar! No card in Canada reaches this level of performance to earn Marriott points!
Springhill Suites by Marriott Pensacola Beach
The hotel is ideally located on the beach unlike most other hotels where the road cuts off access to the beach.
Arrival at the hotel
Parking reflects the level of occupancy of the hotel. We leave the car in front of the hotel entrance, the time to check in and take our luggage to the room.
Tip if you stay at this hotel: there is an underground parking lot (included in your room rate by presenting your room card) that allows you to keep the car in the shade… and to store the various beach stuff since the parking lot directly overlooks the pool/beach!). We always found room there… even though the outside parking lot was full!
The reception is very “beach hotel”.
Of course, the national holiday is not forgotten here in the decorations!
And the hotel has little attentions for the (big) children!
When I booked, I didn’t really have a choice of room (parking side). But at check-in, thanks to Marriott Platinum status, I got an upgrade to a sea/pool view room. (The best ones are with sea view only).
I also got a welcome gift: choose 1 item from the hotel convenience store.
We are also given bracelets to wear throughout our stay to be identified at the pool as hotel residents.
Next to the reception is a small business center, convenient for printing documents.
The room
We go to our room on the 4th floor (out of 5),
The room is standard SpringHill Suites: we chose a king bed and a sofa bed (our children being too small for a queen bed). The mattress of the sofa bed will be placed on the ground.
Across from the bed is a “connected” TV, handy for Netflix.
The room is of a beautiful surface, our son Arthur could exercise his first steps of walk:
On the living room side, there is also a television, as well as all the necessary equipment: coffee machine, microwave (practical for baby bottles), refrigerator, ironing board, safe…)
Between the living room and the bedroom is the bathroom. Instead of a bathtub, a large shower.
A little tour on the balcony which has 2 chairs and a small table, with a view on the pool and the sea: Alexandra could dream about her future dives!
Breakfast
At this SpringHill Suites, breakfast is included for all. And there are many, many people.
Despite this, the buffet will always be well served, and even the hotel manager goes out of his way to make sure everything stays clean.
The breakfast buffet is very “American”: scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, waffles, pancakes, cereals, coffee…
Nothing exceptional, but quite enough for us and our children!
Swimming pools, beach and gym
The main attraction of this hotel is of course the direct access to Pensacola Beach and its 3 pools including one for children.
Our children were very happy with our stay here!
This is the beach side:
Bottom Line
A perfect 5 night stay in this hotel. Although we were there in the middle of a busy period, the immensity of the beach meant that we did not feel like we were “on top of each other”. And the 3 pools allowed for a good spread of hotel residents.
So we recommend the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Pensacola Beach if you’re visiting the area!
Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
