Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Marriott’s Most Aspirational Hotels

Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties offer a very different experience from standard Ritz-Carlton properties, while still participating in Marriott Bonvoy. As such, let’s take a look at what they are, which elite benefits apply, if we can book on points, and answer all your other questions about Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

What is Ritz-Carlton Reserve?

Think of Ritz-Carlton Reserve as a collection of luxury resorts heavily integrated with nature, where the luxury is both the experience and the exclusivity. A step above regular Ritz-Carltons, Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties are boutique resorts with roughly 100 rooms or fewer.

I think PMB contributor Sash phrased it rather well in his Mandapa review, so I’ll include what he said here: “It can be best described as an ultra-luxury brand within The Ritz-Carlton brand that offers intimate, immersive, highly personalized, and, most importantly, a deep connection to the destination. There are only a handful of these boutique properties around the world in ultra-exclusive locations.”

The Ritz-Carlton Reserve itself describes it as “Remote locations handpicked for their lush, unspoiled landscapes. Deeply personal experiences guided by true human connection.”

There are currently 9 Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties, with 4 of them having opened in the last 3 years:

• Dorado Beach (Puerto Rico), opened 2012
• Higashiyama (Niseko, Japan), opened 2020
• Mandapa (Bali, Indonesia), opened 2015
• Nakjui (Peninsula Papayago, Costa Rica), opened 2025
• Nujuma (Red Sea, Saudi Arabia), opened 2024
• Phulay Bay (Krabi, Thailand), opened 2009
• Rissai Valley (Jiuzhaigou, China), opened 2023
• Siari (Riviera Nayarit, Mexico), opened 2025
• Zadun (Los Cabos, Mexico), opened 2019

Nekajui Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Ritz-Carlton Reserve is continuing the rather rapid pace of expansion, with 4 properties in the pipeline:

• 60-room property in Trojena, Saudi Arabia, anticipated opening 2026
• 110-room property in Eleuthera, Bahamas, anticipated opening 2027
• 50-room property in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, anticipated opening 2029
• Property in Marica, Brazil, unknown rooms or open date

Marriott Bonvoy Elite Benefits

Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties fully participate in Marriott Bonvoy.

So this isn’t a case of BVLGARI or Design Hotels, which mostly use Marriott as a distribution platform and offer little in the way of actual Marriott Bonvoy integration. You will also earn 1 elite night for every night stayed.

You’ll earn Marriott points on spend just like any other full-service Marriott hotel, so that’s 10X points per dollar with an elite bonus of 10-75% depending on your status. Paying with a Marriott co-branded credit card will earn 5X per $1 CAD spent.

When it comes to elite perks, it is modified from the “usual” inclusions, though “usual” doesn’t mean much at Marriott these days (seriously, you need a PhD to figure out whether you’re eligible for breakfast when you show up at a Marriott hotel).

This corresponds very closely to Ritz-Carlton properties, since complimentary breakfast is not an elite benefit there either. Notably, Marriott does not mention any upgrade possibilities, which makes sense for this type of property. Members also cannot use Nightly Upgrade Awards at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties.

Marriott also notes that Ambassador Elites receive a $150 USD resort credit, which covers folio charges except room rate, taxes, and third-party charges. Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties appear to be the only hotels where Ambassador Elites receive this special benefit.

Booking Ritz-Carlton Reserve with Points

Redeeming Marriott points at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties is not only possible but also a fantastic use of Marriott points in this dynamic pricing era. I’ll continue to push the narrative that while points have many “practical” uses, there’s nothing that feels quite like unlocking an aspirational stay.

Mandapa in Bali is a hotel I’ve been personally eyeing for quite some time, and redeeming 156,000 points per night for a $2,420 stay sounds very lovely indeed.

Get 1.55 CPP at Mandapa

A friend of mine recently stayed at Nujuma in the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, and while 226,000 points per night is admittedly a staggering price to pay, it’s certainly better than $4,686. As with hotels in the Maldives, there is an additional transfer fee for either a car + boat or a seaplane transfer to the hotel. However, transfers to resorts in the Red Sea tend to be much cheaper.

Get 2.15 CPP at Nujuma

For something closer to home, consider Zadun in Los Cabos.

Get 1.52 CPP at Zadun

Siari Riviera Nayarit is the newest property and redemption rates are … disappointing, to say the least. Hopefully, that’s simply because the property opened less than six months ago and we’ll see pricing adjusted over time.

Get 0.46 CPP at Siari Riviera Nayarit

Takeaway

Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties are among the most aspirational hotels within Marriott Bonvoy, offering a far more intimate and destination-focused experience than a standard Ritz-Carlton while still fully participating in the Bonvoy ecosystem. You can earn and redeem Marriott points, collect elite night credits, and receive elite benefits. However, there is no complimentary breakfast and no Nightly Upgrade Award eligibility.

The real appeal is redeeming Marriott points for ultra-luxury stays that would otherwise cost thousands of dollars per night. Properties like Mandapa, Nujuma, and Zadún can still offer strong redemption value despite Marriott’s dynamic pricing. While the cash rates are often eye-watering, redeeming points for ultra-luxury stays like these is exactly the kind of aspirational travel that keeps many of us engaged in the hobby.