Italy is a fantastic travel destination!
The amazing food, culture, and history make it a popular stop for folks visiting Europe. Did I mention the gelato? Yum!
If you’re planning a visit to Italy, you’ll have 50+ hotels to choose from using Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, or Starwood points. And there are hotels in all major Italian cities like Florence, Milan, Rome, and Venice. Plus other hotels along the beautiful Italian coastline.
Italy Is Beautiful! Use Starwood or Marriott Points for Wonderful Hotel Stays Across the Country!
I’ll share 5 highly-rated hotels in Italy where you can stay using Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, and Starwood points!
Italy Marriott and Starwood Hotels With Points
Link: Marriott Hotels in Italy
Link: Starwood Hotels in Italy
You can redeem Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, or Starwood points for award nights at all 3 hotel chains. Keep in mind, there are no Ritz-Carlton hotels in Italy.
If you collect Marriott points, remember you can transfer points instantly to your Starwood account at a 3:1 ratio. And vice versa.
Before you book your stay, be sure to link your loyalty accounts to get an instant status match. This way you’ll enjoy all of the perks regardless of which hotel chain you choose.
For example, Marriott Gold status can get you:
4:00 pm guaranteed late check-out at most Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels
Free continental breakfast for you and a guest (if available)
Lounge access with a guest at participating executive lounges
I haven’t personally stayed at all these hotels, but they have great reviews! Let me know if you’ve had an experience with any of them!
1. St. Regis Florence
Florence is extremely rich with Italian culture. It was once the capital of Italy.
And it’s home to beautiful cathedrals like the The Duomo, as well as famous art museums like the Uffizi Gallery.
For a luxurious stay in the city, you can book award nights at The St. Regis Florence. The hotel is located right along the Arno and is within walking distance to all of the popular Florence attractions.
Enjoy a Luxurious Stay in Italy at The St. Regis Florence
There are over 780 excellent reviews for this hotel on TripAdvisor. Many folks consider this hotel one of the best! The rooms are beautifully decorated, it’s conveniently located, and the amenities are terrific.
You can book a free night at this hotel using 30,000 Starwood points. With room nights regularly costing $500+, using points can be a great deal!
2. The Gritti Palace, Venice
Emily and I visited Venice a couple of years ago and thought it was a fabulous destination. We visited Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s Basilica, and Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square).
It’s also a great place for families because there is lots of stuff for kids to do like gondola rides!
For your stay, you might consider The Gritti Palace, Venice. It’s located in the heart of the historic Italian city.
The hotel has magnificent views of St. Mark’s Cathedral and the famous Venice canals. Emily stayed at this hotel on a recent trip and was fascinated by the hotel’s history and loved the ambiance.
You’ll Enjoy Picturesque Views From the Amazing Gritti Palace Hotel in Venice! It Looks Like a Painting!
Rooms at this hotel are exquisite with amazing decor. And there’s no shortage of Italian marble.
Enjoy the Amazing Decor in the Rooms at The Gritti Palace, Venice!
Amazing reviews on TripAdvisor rank this hotel in the top 10 in Venice. Folks say this is a bucket list hotel and love everything from the views to the service.
A free night at the hotel costs 30,000 Starwood points. Considering room nights can cost $800+, you’ll save a lot of money by using points.
3. JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
If you’re visiting Venice, but prefer to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, you might consider the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa.
This modern hotel is located on an island. You’ll need to take a free private water taxi to get there.
At this hotel, you’ll enjoy a quiet and relaxing stay. You can spend time in the GOCO Spa or hang out by the rooftop pool.
The JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa Is Very Modern and Has a Rooftop Pool With Incredible Views!
Although it’s on an island, the hotel offers a free complimentary shuttle to St. Mark’s Square. So you can still experience the local Venice attractions.
TripAdvisor reviews love the relaxed nature of this hotel. And the beautiful views and delicious breakfast buffet are also a hit!
A free night costs 40,000 Marriott points. Or you can convert 14,000 Starwood points.
Room nights in Spring 2017 are regularly ~$375+. So using points for a relaxing stay in Venice can be a great deal!
4. The Westin Excelsior, Rome
Emily and I were thrilled to see the historic sights when we visited Rome. You can see the Forum, the Colosseum, Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel and so much more!
I also loved the Heart of Rome walk and biking around the Borghese museum gardens. Rome has so much to offer and many of the activities are inexpensive!
To experience the capital city of Italy, you can redeem Starwood points for a stay The Westin Excelsior, Rome.
The Westin Excelsior, Rome Has a Grand Lobby With No Shortage of Fine Details
Besides the attention to detail of the hotel design, TripAdvisor reviews mention the large rooms, delicious food, and the hotel’s excellent location near the Spanish Steps.
A free night at this hotel costs 20,000 Starwood points. I’d rather use points than pay the cash room rates of $400+ per night.
5. Hotel Cala Di Volpe, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Costa Smeralda
If you’re dreaming of a vacation to an Italian beach, consider the luxurious Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smeralda.
This hotel is located along the Sardinian coast and has breathtaking views of the Mediterranean.
Plus, the hotel has a boat that takes you to a private beach where you can watch boats or partake in water sport activities!
You’ll Have Unforgettable Views of the Mediterranean Sea at This Starwood Hotel Along the Emerald Coastline!
Folks on TripAdvisor like the hotel’s beauty and charm. And the beds in the guest rooms are extremely comfortable!
A free night at this hotel costs 35,000 Starwood points. Although this is a lot of points, it can be a good choice for a special occasion like an anniversary or honeymoon. And it’s better than the $700+ cash cost of a room night!
Note: You’ll need to call Starwood to redeem points for a free night at this hotel.
Which Cards Earn You Points for Free Stays?
1. Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Credit Cards
Link: Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Link: Marriott Rewards Premier Business Card
Link: Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card
With the Marriott Rewards Premier personal and small business cards, you’ll earn 80,000 Marriott points after completing minimum spending requirements.
If you get the personal version of the card, you can earn another 7,500 bonus Marriott points when you add an authorized user and make a purchase within the first 3 months of opening your account. The $85 annual fee is NOT waived for the first year.
The $99 annual fee on the small business version of the card is also NOT waived for the first year. Here’s my review of the offer.
2. Starwood Credit Cards
Link: Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express
Link: Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express
You can earn 25,000 Starwood points after completing the minimum spending requirements on the Starwood Preferred Guest personal and small business cards.
And remember, when you pay for hotel stays using your AMEX or Chase co-branded Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, or Starwood credit card, you’ll earn bonus points at all 3 hotel chains.
For everyday non-bonus spending, I recommend the AMEX Starwood cards. Because you’ll earn 1 Starwood point per $1 you spend, which can be converted to 3 Marriott or Ritz-Carlton points. That’s better than the 1 Marriott or Ritz-Carlton point per $1 you spend you’ll get with the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton cards.
3. A Note About Qualifying for These Cards
The AMEX cards are easier to get than the Chase cards. Because earlier this year, Chase started to make it difficult for folks to be approved for Chase cards if you’ve opened ~5 or more credit cards (from any bank) in the past 24 months (excluding certain business cards).
That said, you ARE eligible for the Ritz-Carlton card even if you’ve opened lots of cards recently!
Bottom Line
You can use Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, or Starwood points to book an unforgettable trip to Italy.
Experience the historic Gritti Palace, Venice, like Emily did, by using 30,000 Starwood points. The views and ambiance are certainly worth it!
Before you book, be sure to link your Starwood and Marriott or Ritz-Carlton loyalty accounts. This way you’ll enjoy elite status perks no matter which hotel chain you choose!
Have you stayed in Italy using points from these 3 hotel chains? I’d love to hear about your experience!
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