Marriott’s Luxury Brands Review
Here we give insight into OUR experiences with these properties as well as give the best tips on choosing the best locations for your stays.
The Marriott Experience
The Marriott experience at the luxury tier is not about the rigid traditions of St. Regis or the historical grandeur of Ritz-Carlton. Instead, this tier focuses on modern expressions of luxury—spaces that balance comfort with style, formality with flexibility, and exclusivity with energy. For travelers who want something refined but not intimidating, Marriott’s luxury brands strike the middle ground.
JW Marriott, Edition, and W Hotels each carry their own personality, but what unites them is a commitment to giving guests a sense of arrival. When you walk into these properties, you know you’ve stepped into a world designed with intention. From curated interiors to attentive service, this tier is about creating environments that are memorable, stylish, and inviting without the weight of old-world expectations.
For Black American travelers, this tier often feels more welcoming and accessible than the “elite” brands above it. Many of these hotels were developed or expanded after the Civil Rights era, meaning their culture is less tied to the history of exclusion that older luxury names carry. The staff and guest mix at JW Marriott, Edition, and W properties is typically more diverse, and the vibe more aligned with a global, modern audience. These are hotels where Black professionals, creatives, and families can feel both seen and comfortable while still immersed in luxury.
At this level, behavior and decorum still matter, but in a way that fits the style of the brand. A JW Marriott guest is expected to carry themselves with quiet refinement. At Edition, the design-forward atmosphere calls for subtle sophistication. And at W Hotels, the expectation is less about formality and more about fitting into the energy of the space—social, stylish, and bold.
The key to enjoying Marriott’s luxury tier is understanding that these brands are about experience over tradition. They’re not designed to remind you of old money or legacy power. They’re designed to connect you with the spirit of the city, the community of travelers, and the unique rhythm of the property itself. For Black travelers, that means these hotels can feel less like crossing into someone else’s world and more like stepping into a space where your own expression belongs.
JW Marriott
Named after John Willard Marriott, the founder of Marriott International, JW Marriott hotels were created to embody the company’s highest ideals of refinement, comfort, and service. The first JW Marriott opened in Washington, D.C. in 1984, signaling Marriott’s push into luxury. Unlike older American luxury brands, JW Marriott properties were born in a post–Civil Rights era, making them less burdened by the history of exclusion that hangs over many “heritage” hotels.
JW Marriott is designed for the traveler who wants elegance without pretension. Properties feature spacious rooms, strong food and beverage programs, and a focus on wellness—many with spas and quiet lounges meant to encourage restoration as much as productivity. For Black American professionals and families, JW Marriott often feels like the “accessible luxury” space: upscale enough to impress, but not intimidating or unwelcoming. With more than 100 properties worldwide, they are often located in major urban centers, resort destinations, and international hubs.
Edition Hotels
Edition is Marriott’s boutique luxury lifestyle brand, created in partnership with hotel visionary Ian Schrager (best known for co-founding New York’s Studio 54). Launched in 2008, Edition’s goal was to redefine luxury for the modern traveler: design-forward, intimate, and culturally connected. Unlike JW Marriott’s polish or W’s energy, Edition aims for understated sophistication—spaces that feel curated, artful, and personal rather than grand or flashy.
Edition’s history is rooted in the era of globalization and modern boutique culture. Its hotels, often in cities like London, Miami Beach, Barcelona, and Shanghai, are meant to feel like part of the local fabric while still delivering luxury service. For Black American creatives, entrepreneurs, and travelers who value art, design, and cultural connection, Edition can feel like the most forward-thinking and inclusive of Marriott’s luxury options.
W Hotels
Launched in 1998, W Hotels exploded onto the scene as Marriott’s bold, nightlife-driven luxury brand. Born in New York City, W was designed for travelers who wanted something different from traditional luxury—something young, stylish, and full of energy. With neon lighting, rooftop bars, DJs in the lobby, and an unapologetically trendy aesthetic, W became the go-to brand for a new generation of globetrotters.
For Black American travelers, W Hotels hold particular appeal because they often reflect the diverse, international mix of modern urban life. Unlike old-guard luxury brands that still carry whispers of exclusion, W hotels lean into vibrancy, culture, and expression. They attract a wide range of guests—from creatives to influencers to young professionals—making them spaces where individuality and style are celebrated.
Today, W Hotels can be found in global hotspots like Miami, Barcelona, Dubai, and Bali. They’re not for everyone—quiet luxury seekers may feel out of place—but for those looking for fun, social, and design-rich energy, W Hotels are unmatched.
Together, JW Marriott, Edition, and W Hotels form Marriott’s modern luxury trio. They’re less about history and heritage, and more about how luxury fits into today’s world. JW Marriott appeals to travelers who want refined accessibility, Edition to those who want curated sophistication, and W to those who want bold social energy.
For Black American travelers, these brands matter because they represent a shift away from the exclusive cultures that once kept us out of luxury spaces. Instead, they reflect the world we helped shape: creative, global, expressive, and modern.
About the Brands
When is the right time?
Edition Hotels
Edition shines when the occasion is about style, art, and cultural connection. If you’re traveling to Art Basel in Miami, London Fashion Week, or simply want a design-driven getaway in Barcelona or Shanghai, Edition is the right fit. For Black American creatives, entrepreneurs, and couples who want a space that feels as modern and curated as their own lives, Edition provides the environment. These hotels are perfect for romantic getaways, curated city escapes, and networking trips tied to the arts or business innovation. The Edition vibe is less about showing status and more about expressing identity.
W Hotels
W is for when you want energy, nightlife, and social connection. It’s the brand to book for Essence Festival in New Orleans, Afro Nation in Portugal, or a high-energy birthday trip with friends to Miami, Barcelona, or Dubai. W Hotels thrive in destinations where culture, music, and nightlife are central. For Black American travelers who want to immerse themselves in vibrant, global spaces that feel diverse and expressive, W is the perfect choice. These properties are also strong options for bachelorette and bachelor trips, girls’ weekends, or milestone celebrations where the party is part of the plan.
The Bigger Picture
Marriott’s luxury brands are less about legacy and more about lifestyle alignment.
JW Marriott → family, professional, refined accessibility.
Edition → creativity, romance, cultural connection.
W Hotels → nightlife, social energy, expressive fun.
The “right time” isn’t just about budget—it’s about the life moment you’re in. For Black American travelers, these brands offer the chance to experience luxury in ways that reflect not only where you’re going, but who you are.
JW Marriott
JW Marriott is best when you want refinement without intimidation. It’s the right choice for family reunions, professional conferences, or milestone birthdays where you want to keep things upscale but still warm and approachable. Black American families often choose JW Marriott for events like HBCU homecomings, sorority and fraternity gatherings, or professional conferences in cities like Atlanta, Washington D.C., or Houston, where JW properties provide the perfect blend of prestige and comfort. Internationally, JW Marriott hotels in resorts like Cancun or Phuket are ideal for multi-generational vacations that balance relaxation with amenities for everyone.