To the point
Check out our photo report from our stay at The Westin Jekyll Island, obtained with our Marriott points.
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.
The reservation of our room with 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!
Arrival at the hotel
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:
The arrival in our suite
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).
The children’s lounge
With a sofa bed for children:
The parents’ room
With a closet identical to the one in the entrance:
The bathroom
A very nice bathroom with a bathtub and a large shower.
With bath products common to all Westins.
The view from our suite
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!
Breakfast
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 beach
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)
Exterior and interior spaces
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:
Bottom Line
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!
Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
