Recently, my husband and I were heading to Arizona for a wedding. Coincidently, I noticed that we had an 85K Marriott annual certificate expiring simultaneously, so I started to figure out how to use it for part of our stay in Arizona (we’d stay with my sister for the rest of the stay). We ended up using an expiring Marriott certificate at the Scottsdale Phoenician Resort. Here’s how it went.

 

How to Get a Marriott Annual Certificate

I get a total of four Marriott annual certificates through two cards my husband and I have. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card and The Ritz Carlton™ Credit Card (no longer available for new signups) both have 85K certificates, which will give you the best bang for your buck. Yes, they both have high annual fees, but the benefits offset a lot of that, so I keep them because I can use the certificates at a luxury Marriott property. I was actually going to cancel my Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card until they changed the certificates from 50K to 85K certificates.

 

Marriott Hotel Options in Scottsdale

I am originally from Arizona and know that Scottsdale is a great area for luxury hotels. When I looked at availability, I saw this. Since I had the higher certificate, I booked the Canyon Suites, which is much quieter than the Phoenician (although part of the same group). We walked to the original Phoenician for dinner and I was so glad because the Canyon Suites were an oasis of calm and quiet.

 

 

Canyon Suites at the Scottsdale Phoenician Resort

Billed as the only Forbes Five-Star Hotel in Scottsdale and nestled at the foot of Camelback Mountain, the Canyon Suites is an excellent choice – but maybe not in summer (or early September, when we went). It was hot!! I forgot just how hot Arizona gets, and there is a reason that I never go there in the summer.  In another month or two, it would have been the perfect time to go to Arizona.

First Impressions of Scottsdale Phoenician Resort

The lobby is gorgeous, and check-in was quick and efficient. Everyone we saw was friendly and helpful, but I must say, “Do any of you get tired of the multiple questions of how is your day going?”. It is definitely the theme for all service-oriented professionals!😜

 

 

The Room

The check-in girl thanked us for our loyalty as Platinum Premier and encouraged us to take the points amenity as a free breakfast was included anyway. She took us to our room and oriented it to us. It was a large room with a huge bathroom. The decor was nice, and the wood accents in the entry and bathroom added to the warmness of the room. We also had a large terrace with views of the golf course.

 

 

 

 

Food Service

There wasn’t dinner served at the Scottsdale Phoenician Resort Canyon Suites, but it was a short 5-minute walk to the Phoenician main building where there were two restaurants, J&G Steakhouse and Mowry & Cotton. We went to Mowry & Cotton, and the food was good (and expensive), but we made the poor choice of sitting outdoors. There was only one other party outdoors, so that should have told us NOT to eat outside, but we didn’t listen to that. It was way too hot for me to enjoy my meal fully.

Our complimentary breakfast was in the lobby of the Canyon Suites, which was extensive and good. The lady who refilled it encouraged us to return for more as they were open till eleven. They also had the best cookies and flavored water in the lobby at nighttime.

 

 

 

Bottom Line

I usually use my Marriott annual night certificates in Hawaii at the Wailea Beach Resort. However, an expiring certificate and an upcoming wedding led me to another choice. While the weather was not ideal, using an expiring Marriott certificate at the Scottsdale Phoenician Resort was a good choice. What was the last hotel you used an expiring hotel certificate on?