More Marriott Luxury Brands Reviews
Where comfort, class, and culture meet.
At this level, the experience is about heritage and familiarity. Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, and Westin are names that have defined global travel for decades. While they may not have the same boutique style as Edition or the bold energy of W Hotels, these brands remain deeply woven into the fabric of international travel. They represent stability, tradition, and the idea of a full-service hotel that still delivers comfort and recognition no matter where you go.
For Black American travelers, this tier is often the first entry point into luxury-style stays. Many of us attended family reunions at a Sheraton, stayed at a Westin during a major conference, or booked a Marriott Hotel on an early international trip. These properties are widely available, usually at price points below the elite luxury level, making them accessible without losing prestige. They also tend to be the anchors of major cities—hotels that have hosted everything from international summits to cultural conventions.
Culturally, this tier carries a complicated history. Sheraton and Westin properties in the U.S. did not fully desegregate until after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and there are documented cases where Black travelers were denied rooms at properties that now advertise inclusivity. At the same time, these hotels became some of the first global brands where Black Americans could travel abroad and feel the familiarity of a U.S. chain, even when navigating uncertain waters overseas. That dual legacy—exclusion at home, recognition abroad—shapes the way many in our community view these brands today.
The experience of Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, and Westin is not about curated boutique design or nightlife-driven luxury—it’s about consistency, wellness, and reliability. Guests at this level know they will receive well-appointed rooms, recognizable service standards, and amenities that make travel easier, whether for business, family, or leisure. The “luxury” here lies not in exclusivity, but in knowing you can expect comfort anywhere in the world.
The Marriott Experience
About the Brands
Marriott Hotels
The flagship of the company, Marriott Hotels carry the family name of John Willard Marriott himself. The brand evolved from the company’s first hotels in the 1950s and 60s, expanding into a global presence by the late 20th century. Today, there are over 600 Marriott Hotels worldwide, making it one of the most recognized full-service hotel brands.
Marriott Hotels are built around professional polish and dependable comfort. They’re often located in business hubs and major cities, with strong meeting facilities, ballrooms, and all-day dining outlets. For Black American professionals, this has long made Marriott Hotels the “safe bet” for conferences, corporate travel, or international business.
Historically, Marriott as a company was among the more conservative operators, and like other major hotel chains, its U.S. hotels reflected the segregated norms of the time until the 1960s. Yet by the 1980s, Marriott Hotels became some of the first American chains that Black executives, pastors, and civic leaders would choose for gatherings and conventions, drawn to their scale and reputation for service. Today, Marriott Hotels represent classic upper-upscale reliability, with a touch of corporate elegance.
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
Founded in 1937 in Massachusetts, Sheraton was one of the first hotel chains to expand internationally, reaching markets like Canada, Latin America, and the Middle East by the 1960s. Marriott International acquired Sheraton in 2016, but the brand retains its own identity as a global full-service standard.
Sheraton historically positioned itself as a hotel of prestige and recognition, especially in global capitals. For many Black American travelers in the mid-to-late 20th century, Sheraton was the brand they encountered first when traveling abroad — a familiar American name in places where other options felt uncertain. At the same time, in the U.S., Sheraton properties were not always welcoming; stories exist of Black travelers being turned away even into the 1960s, highlighting a legacy of exclusion that contrasts with the brand’s international reach.
Today, Sheraton has undergone a major refresh, rebranding itself with modernized lobbies, co-working spaces, and updated guest rooms. For Black travelers, Sheraton sits at the intersection of nostalgia and renewal — many of us recall family gatherings, conventions, or vacations held in Sheraton ballrooms, and now the brand is repositioning itself as a forward-facing, globally consistent choice.
Westin Hotels & Resorts
Founded in 1930 as Western Hotels, later renamed Westin, this brand is credited with pioneering many industry standards — including the first guestroom with a 24-hour room service guarantee and the iconic Heavenly Bed introduced in 1999. Westin has always leaned into wellness and rejuvenation, branding itself around rest, renewal, and balance.
Westin’s history with Black travelers mirrors that of Sheraton: it operated as a mainstream hotel chain through the segregation era, with integration occurring in the wake of the Civil Rights Act. Over time, Westin gained a reputation as a reliable, slightly more modern alternative to Sheraton, particularly for business travelers and families who valued wellness.
Today, Westin is positioned as the well-being brand within Marriott’s portfolio. Gyms, spas, healthy dining options, and rooms designed around sleep quality make it appealing for Black American travelers who prioritize health and recovery while on the road. For conferences, weddings, and family trips, Westin offers an approachable form of luxury that doesn’t feel elitist but still feels special.
Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, and Westin form the classic backbone of Marriott’s global presence. They’re the brands most Black American travelers have likely stayed in at some point — whether at a family reunion, a fraternity or sorority conference, or an international trip. While their histories include moments of exclusion, they also represent the democratization of luxury travel: familiar, consistent, and accessible spaces where Black travelers built memories across generations.
These brands aren’t about exclusivity or trendsetting. They’re about heritage, dependability, and recognition, making them some of the most important pillars of Marriott’s story — and of Black travel history as well.
When is the right time?
Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin is the right choice for moments when wellness and renewal are at the center of your journey. This is the brand for rest-focused getaways, girls’ trips centered on relaxation, or conferences where recovery matters as much as networking. The Heavenly Bed and wellness programs aren’t just marketing — they’ve made Westin a favorite for travelers who want to arrive home recharged. For Black professionals or families balancing busy lives, a stay at a Westin in Maui, Scottsdale, or Costa Rica feels like a chance to truly reset. Domestically, Westins in cities like Dallas, Charlotte, and Los Angeles are popular for weddings and faith-based conferences that want both upscale comfort and a restorative vibe.
The Bigger Picture
This tier is less about flash and more about foundation.
Marriott Hotels → Professional, dependable, and family-accessible.
Sheraton → International reach and community gatherings.
Westin → Wellness, rest, and balanced luxury.
For Black American travelers, these brands often represent the first taste of luxury-style travel. They are the hotels where we’ve attended our first big conventions, hosted family celebrations, or experienced international travel with the security of a familiar name. The “right time” for these brands isn’t only about occasion — it’s about the role they’ve played in our community’s collective travel story.
Marriott Hotels
Marriott Hotels are best when you want professional polish with family accessibility. They’re the right fit for conferences, conventions, and reunions, especially in U.S. cities like Atlanta, Washington D.C., or Chicago where Black professional and civic organizations often host major events. If you’ve ever attended an NAACP convention, National Urban League event, or a Black Greek-letter fraternity/sorority gathering, chances are it was hosted at a Marriott Hotel. Internationally, Marriott Hotels in places like London, Accra, or São Paulo provide a sense of familiarity when traveling abroad, offering consistency when everything else feels new.
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
Sheraton is the brand for family-centered gatherings and international reach. For Black American families, Sheraton hotels have long been the backdrop for weddings, anniversaries, and multi-generational reunions. Their ballrooms and large event spaces make them natural choices for celebrations that bring dozens or even hundreds together. Abroad, Sheraton’s early expansion means it often holds the prime location in global capitals and resort towns. A Sheraton in Nairobi, Mexico City, or the Caribbean may not be flashy, but it’s dependable, recognized, and familiar — the kind of brand that reassures you you’re in good hands in an unfamiliar setting.