Review: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Upgrade and Benefits at Marina del Rey Marriott Hotel In California

Marriott Marina del Rey hotel is across from the Marina and the beach. Marina beach is less popular than Venice beach, that’s about 15 minutes walk from the Marriott property. There is a good selection of restaurants and bars within walking distance of the property. 

If you want to ride the boardwalk to Venice and Santa Monica, you may rent the bikes from the front desk (more below). You also can rent bikes from the local business but shop around for better prices. Avoid those e-scooters if you can, as you can’t take them and ride them on the boardwalk, and they can be very expensive. 

The upgrade was a bizarre experience. I used one of the Marriott Suite Night Awards to apply to the reservation for the Executive Suite room; however, the request was pending (not approved) as the hotel was quite busy, and suite rooms were unavailable when I did the revenue search a few days before arrival. 

One day before check-in, I used the chat feature in the Marriott Bonvoy app to inquire about a possible standard room upgrade with the Marina or water view. Surprisingly, they recognized my Marriott Platinum Elite status and offered me the Executive Suite. The same suite I attempted to use the Marriott suite night award for. However, the request remained pending, so I canceled the request and got my suite night award back in my Marriott Bonvoy account. 

The Executive Suite room is less desirable than I expected, and it’s much smaller than I imagined, more like a Junior Suite.

The suite has a 1 king-size bed, but I did not find the bed and pillows comfortable enough to my preferences. 

Across from the bed are a comfortable large sectional sofa and a television on the wall. 

The Executive Suite also has a balcony overlooking Santa Monica and a partial ocean view. The balcony is nothing special, you can’t sit down enjoying the view, and the space is limited to standing only. I am not impressed by the Executive Suite’s balcony. 

As Marriott Platinum Elite and above, you can access the M Club Lounge complementarily. 

The M Club Lounge at Marriott Marina del Rey is good. The lounge is located at the lobby level and serves breakfast and evening appetizers daily in an all-you-can-eat buffet style. 

Check out the following detailed review of the M Club Marriott Marina del Rey below:

Marriott Marina del Rey offers a choice of welcome amenity gifts, either 1,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points or a $10 credit voucher for food and drinks. 

I elected to have the $10 credit voucher. 

As Marriott Platinum Elite and above, you can get a $10 voucher credit towards food and beverage at Marriott Marina del Rey as the welcome amenity gift mentioned above. 

You simply give the voucher to the bartender at the on-site Sinder bar and restaurant that serves both food and drinks, and they’ll automatically take the $10 off the total dining bill. You can also use it inside the M Club if you order alcoholic drinks or food off the menu. 

Complimentary breakfast for Marriott Platinum Elite and the above members occurs inside the M Club Lounge at the lobby level by the room’s elevator. 

Breakfast is served in a buffet style, and there is a variety of hot and cold options with good quality. Check out the following detailed review of the M Club Marriott Marina del Rey below:

• Review M Club at Marriott Marina del Rey For Marriott Bonvoy Elite Members & Club Lounge Access Rooms

It’s worth noting that you can also order anything off Sinder’s menu inside the M Club Lounge if desired.

Resort Fee

There’s no resort fee at the Marriott Marina del Rey.

Marriott Marina del Rey Parking

Parking at Marriott Marina del Rey is valet parking only and costs $49 per night.

Yes, two complimentary bottles of water inside the Executive Suite room.

The regular check-in time at Marriott Marina del Rey is 4 PM. I arrived early AM, and the suite was yet to be available. The front desk lady who checked me in was nice and did the pre-check-in process, including giving me key access to the M Club Lounge to have breakfast while waiting for the room. The hotel was busy, so the room was not ready until about 3 PM!

The Marriott Marina del Rey front desk proactively asked me if I’d like a late 4 PM checkout as a Marriott Platinum Elite member. However, I did not need it because I had an early flight to Hawaii First Class in the AM. 

Marriott Marina del Rey does not have spa services. 

Yes, located at the lobby level. 

Marriott Marina del Rey offers bike rental services with the following rates. You can charge it to the room. The rate is actually quite competitive with the local business, especially if you want to hire an electric bike:

• $50 for 4 hours for the electric bike. $70 for 8 hours. 
• $40 for 4 hours for the non-electric bike. $60 for 8 hours. 
• You can only rent for 4 hours, and it’s first come, first served only. 

Yes, inside the Executive Suite room.

Yes, available, but only one robe and a pair of slippers. 

Marriott Marina del Rey has an outdoor swimming pool and a jacuzzi hot tub. The pool area needs to look more inviting and needs to be bigger.