Marriott Hotels & Resorts

Booking through WhataHotel grants you access to exclusive Marriott Luminous benefits at no additional cost – our rates are based on Marriott's best available flexible rate (comparable to the standard rate you'd find on Marriott.com, not the Bonvoy member rate). You'll receive complimentary daily breakfast for two guests per bedroom (the individual hotel determines the venue and whether this is full buffet breakfast, à la carte breakfast, or continental breakfast – typically served in the hotel's main restaurant or via in-room dining), a property credit of $50-$100 USD (or USD equivalent, conversion rate determined by the hotel) per stay for incidental charges such as dining, spa treatments, or resort activities – however, this credit is available only at select participating properties as individual hotels choose whether to offer it (the majority of Marriott Luminous hotels do not offer the credit, which is an important distinction from Marriott STARS where the $100 credit is guaranteed at all properties), complimentary room upgrade by one category based on availability at check-in (upgrade priority, though not guaranteed, means Luminous bookings may receive preference over standard bookings), early check-in and late checkout subject to availability, personalized welcome amenity upon arrival, complimentary high-speed in-room Wi-Fi, and enhanced VIP recognition throughout your stay. All Marriott Luminous bookings are direct bookings with Marriott (not third-party bookings), which means you'll receive all your Marriott Bonvoy elite benefits (if benefits overlap, the better one will be awarded), earn full Marriott Bonvoy points on the base room rate at your tier's earning rate, accrue elite qualifying nights toward status, and see the reservation in your Bonvoy app where you can manage it as you would with other bookings. If you're already a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium, or Ambassador elite member, Luminous benefits can stack with your existing perks – for example, even if you already get breakfast through executive lounge access, booking a Luminous rate could get you restaurant breakfast instead, and the property credit (where offered) provides additional value beyond standard elite benefits.

Marriott Luminous encompasses select properties from the following full-service Marriott brands: Marriott Hotels & Resorts (the classic flagship brand), JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts (luxury flagship), Autograph Collection (independent upscale and luxury hotels with unique character), Le Méridien (European-inspired upscale hotels), Renaissance Hotels (upscale lifestyle hotels), Tribute Portfolio (independent upscale hotels), W Hotels (luxury lifestyle brand), Westin Hotels & Resorts (upscale wellness-focused brand), and Gaylord Hotels (large convention resort properties). It's critically important to understand that while these brands fall under the Marriott Luminous umbrella, participation is optional – individual properties of these brands can choose to opt out of the program entirely. For example, the Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort is not listed as a Marriott Luminous property even though Westin is a participating brand, while other Maldives properties like JW Marriott Maldives, W Maldives, and Le Méridien Maldives do participate. This is fundamentally different from Marriott STARS (the separate program covering BVLGARI Hotels, EDITION Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and St. Regis), where all properties of the participating brands are automatically included and all offer the $100 credit. Before booking through Marriott Luminous, it's essential to confirm that your specific desired property participates in the program and, if the hotel credit is important to you, whether that particular property offers it. The good news is that for travelers without Marriott Bonvoy elite status or those wanting additional benefits beyond their elite perks, Luminous rates typically represent excellent value – often pricing just a few dollars more per night than the standard flexible rate while adding breakfast, potential upgrades, and other amenities that would otherwise cost significantly more.

Marriott started diversifying its brand portfolio in 1983 when it launched Courtyard by Marriott, described as "a hotel for business travelers designed by business travelers." The first properties opened in the Atlanta, Georgia area and then expanded nationally. This brand represented a return toward the company's Twin Bridges beginnings – more moderately priced hotels aimed at business travelers who may not want all the costs of a full-service hotel. In 1993, Marriott Corporation split its stock and formed two separate companies: Host Marriott Corporation (which owned the properties) and Marriott International, Inc. (which managed and franchised hotels). This structure allowed Marriott to expand rapidly through management contracts and franchising rather than property ownership. In 1995, Marriott added an iconic luxury brand to its portfolio by purchasing 49% interest in The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, acquiring another 49% in 1998 for almost full ownership. In 1997, Marriott launched TownePlace Suites, a moderately-priced extended-stay hotel brand. In 2009, Marriott launched Autograph Collection, a new brand of upscale and luxury independent hotels that maintain their unique identity while benefiting from Marriott's distribution and loyalty program. In 2011, a partnership with hotelier Antonio Catalán resulted in AC Hotels by Marriott, rebranding existing AC Hotels primarily in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, with the first AC Hotel opening in the U.S. in 2014 in New Orleans. In 2012, Arne Sorenson became President and CEO of Marriott International with Bill Marriott Jr. becoming Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board, marking a leadership transition while maintaining family involvement. Today, Marriott International operates nearly 9,500 properties in 144 countries offering over 1.7 million rooms across more than 30 brands, having evolved from that nine-seat root beer stand into one of the world's largest and most respected hospitality companies.

Marriott Luminous bookings through WhataHotel are made at Marriott's best available flexible rate (not the Marriott Bonvoy member rate) and are fully prepaid, including a $10.95 booking fee. There is no minimum length of stay required – benefits apply to single-night stays and extended stays alike. Marriott Luminous rates can only be booked through authorized Marriott Luminous travel advisors – bookings made directly with hotels or through other channels do not qualify for Luminous benefits. Rates are based on the flexible/standard rate found on Marriott's website and cannot be combined with Marriott Bonvoy member rates, but Luminous benefits can often be combined with existing Marriott promotional offers such as "Advance Purchase," "Third Night Free," or "Fourth Night Free" depending on individual property policies and offer terms. Marriott Luminous benefits are not available on discounted rates such as prepaid rates, corporate rates, senior rates, government rates, or other promotional discount rates. The property credit amount and availability varies significantly by property – some properties offer $100 USD credit, others offer $50 USD credit, and many properties choose not to offer any credit at all. Before booking, confirm both that your desired property participates in Marriott Luminous and whether it offers the property credit if that benefit is important to you. Room upgrades are to the next category based on availability at check-in and are not guaranteed – however, Luminous bookings receive upgrade priority, meaning they may receive preference over standard flexible rate bookings when upgrades are available. Early check-in and late checkout times are provided subject to availability, with no guaranteed 4pm late checkout (unlike American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts which offers guaranteed 4pm checkout). Cancellation policies vary by property and rate type – check your specific booking confirmation for exact cancellation terms. Because Luminous bookings are direct Marriott reservations, you can manage them through the Marriott Bonvoy app, earn points, accrue elite qualifying nights, and receive all applicable elite benefits.