Continuation of our stay in the southeastern United States. After a night at the Sheraton Bay Point Resort Panama Beach and a long 6-hour drive, we arrived at The Westin Jekyll Island, also booked with our points.
Our destination being Savannah / Hilton Head Island, we were looking for a hotel along the way to “cut the journey” in half and where we could stay the next day to enjoy the facilities / beach. The Westin Jekyll Island was perfectly situated for this… and was available with points! We booked this hotel the day we arrived.
This hotel was available on the Marriott Bonvoy website for 10,000 starpoints per night (equivalent to 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) instead of CA$319 (+taxes). Now, in Marriott’s new rate structure, it costs 35,000 points per night.
To get 10,000 starpoints, I converted 20,000 Select Membership Rewards points from my American Express Cobalt Card. As of August 2018, Membership Rewards/Select Membership Rewards points transfer to Marriott is at the 1,000:1,200 rate.
With the change in hotel category, it now takes 29,167 Membership Rewards points to earn the 35,000 Marriott points needed for one night. To be compared with the public rate then!
We arrive at the hotel around midnight (having wished to make the 5-6 hours of road at the end of the day so that the children sleep in the car). While Audrey stays in the car with the sleeping children, I take care of the suitcases and the registration.
As a Platinum member, I learned that I had been upgraded to an oceanfront suite, the highest category level (upgrade of 4 room types!). As a Platinum member, I choose the complimentary breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant: Reserve (or coffee shop, as desired).
Overview of the reception during the day:
Tables allow you to work while enjoying the outside light:
Our suite – #400 – is located at the end of the hallway: the view of the ocean has to be earned!
The entrance is composed of a wooden wall serving as a separator with the living room:
In the entrance, a large closet…
… in which there is a refrigerator, coffee machine and bottles of water (free).
With a sofa bed for children:
With a closet identical to the one in the entrance:
A very nice bathroom with a bathtub and a large shower.
With bath products common to all Westins.
We had to wait until the next morning to discover the view from our suite… and what a view!
The balcony – of a large size – is composed of two armchairs and a coffee table.
Alexandra only has eyes for the pool!
We will meet in the hotel’s restaurant to have our breakfast.
We choose the buffet option.
Here are the details:
The buffet offers fresh and quality products but the choice is not really varied. However, we appreciate the “Omelet Station”! And the children… are happy:
The Westin Jekyll Island offers direct access to the beach and we enjoy the “wild” and “natural” feel of Jekyll Island.
Turning around, we can see our suite which is on the top floor on the left (balcony + window)
I must say that the outdoor spaces are impeccable! It is pleasant to walk along the hotel with its gardens.
A wood-burning fireplace, pleasant in the evening!
We then go to the pool.
This one is expected to be expanded in spring 2019:
Very pleasant for children (with a gentle slope)! Alexandra is having a blast!
A small tour of the gym that will interest the most athletic:
A very good stay in The Westin Jekyll Island that we highly recommend if you are in the area. In our opinion, this is a place that deserves a 5 night stay to enjoy Jekyll Island!
Savings are here:
