When we took our first trip to Europe as a family of four, I wasn’t just dreaming of gelato and gondolas. I was dreaming of a family vacation that felt comfortable, rewarding, and doable without overspending and yes, without paying full cash for luxury hotels.
Compared to Japan or other places we’ve visited in Asia, Italy was more expensive than expected, especially when it came to hotel stays. That’s where Marriott Bonvoy points and Free Night Certificates made all the difference. Using a few key Marriott credit cards and welcome bonuses, we were able to cover some of the best hotels in prime locations, places that would’ve easily cost $600+ per night. And we did it all while staying central, avoiding stress, and making memories we’d actually want to relive.
We didn’t aim for the cheapest redemptions. We aimed for the best for the family where location, comfort, and convenience worked together. Some of our rooms had space to stretch out. One had a treadmill next to the bed. Others gave us rooftop views, walkable access to train stations, or easy escapes from crowded tourist spots. These weren’t just redemptions. They were smart choices for traveling families who want to use points well.
Milan: Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel
In Milan, we arrived after a short rail ride from Bologna. Our choice? A stunning Marriott Bonvoy hotel just across from Milano Centrale, Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel. We weren’t interested in dragging suitcases across cobblestones. This was about efficiency: check in, freshen up, and walk to dinner within minutes of arrival.
The cash price here regularly hits €700+, and the room rate for Bonvoy members using points often hovers around 70K–100K. But with dynamic pricing, you can still find nights between 56,000 and 63,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. This is perfect if you’re using a 50,000 points Free Night Award and topping up with 15K Marriott Bonvoy points. That top-up feature, by the way, is one of the best ways to unlock more value from your certificates.
We booked two rooms to fit a family of four. This is quite common across Europe. Our suite at Gallia was large especially by European standards, and yes, it came with a treadmill. The rooftop bar, Terrazza Gallia, had panoramic views of Piazza Duca D’Aosta and Milano Centrale’s grand architecture. We celebrated a birthday there, and when the hotel surprised us with a cake to take on the train the next day? That’s when I knew, this hotel got families.
Photo credit: Maria Fung
JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
Photo Credit: JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
Next stop was Venice, where we stayed at JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa, set on a private island, Isola delle Rose. I called it “Most Accessible Private Island”. If you’ve ever visited Venice with kids, you know what a difference it makes to avoid dragging bags along tiny bridges and alleyways. The hotel’s complimentary water shuttle from San Marco took care of that. We arrived by private boat, the meet & greet service completely worth every dollar, and the property instantly felt like a vacation within our vacation.
Related Reading: Your Private Island Vacation: How To Plan It On Points
Photo Credit: JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
Photo Credit: Maria Fung – Private Meet & Greet Service
This stay costed us around 62,000K Marriott points, well within reach when you combine a certificate with a few extra points. And if you’re booking a longer stay, don’t forget about Marriott’s fifth night free benefit on award bookings. It’s an underrated feature that helps you stretch your points even further.
Photo Credit: Maria Fung
Photo Credit: Maria Fung
Photo Credit: Maria Fung
Photo Credit: JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
Photo Credit: JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
The JW Venice also had a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Venetian skyline, and we found the pace there ideal. It gave us breathing room between busy sightseeing days. If you’re planning to stay in Venice and want comfort, privacy, and easy access to the city, this property is worth every point.
Photo Credit: Maria Fung
The Regency, Rome, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Photo Credit: The Regency, Rome, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Rome is our final city in our upcoming trip. While I will stay at Comfort Hotel Bolivar, Rome through Choice Points, and even use Hilton Honors points in Rome for Small Luxury Hotels (SLH), this time I recommend a newer boutique option: The Regency, Rome, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. This property is small but elegant, with a location close to Trevi Fountain, Villa Borghese, and Via Veneto. If you’re someone who appreciates walkability and quieter corners of a busy city, you’ll love it here.
Award rates fluctuate. This is where it pays to monitor redemption rates or use tools like MaxMyPoint and Marriot website itself. I’ve seen The Regency priced between 45,000 and 65,000 Marriott Bonvoy points even during high seasons like Christmas. That makes it a smart candidate for a Free Night Award Redemption, especially when you want luxury hotels without compromising on location.
Related Reading – MaxMyPoint: How To Best Find Hotel Award Availability
Photo Credit: The Regency, Rome, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Photo Credit: The Regency, Rome, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Photo Credit: The Regency, Rome, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Photo Credit: The Regency, Rome, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Sonder Atelier Apartments Porta Romana
Photo Credit: Sonder Atelier Apartments Porta Romana
Before wrapping up, I have to mention a gem I found in Milan: Sonder Atelier Apartments Porta Romana, part of Marriott’s growing partnership with Sonder. These are contemporary apartments, and they are spacious, functional, and family-ready. They include in-unit laundry, a kitchenette, and even app-based check-in. For families traveling longer or needing flexibility, this is a great way to use your annual free night certificates and get that home-away-from-home feel.
Photo Credit: Sonder Atelier Apartments Porta Romana
Photo Credit: Sonder Atelier Apartments Porta Romana
We saw this one bookable around 43K–50K, depending on the time of year. Again, dynamic pricing applies, so keeping an eye on those award charts and expiration dates matters when you’re trying to build a trip that flows smoothly.
Photo Credit: Sonder Atelier Apartments Porta Romana
How To Earn Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Certificates
Now, if you’re just starting out, you might be wondering how to earn those certificates for award nights in the first place—and why it matters which hotel credit cards or business cards you choose.
Let me walk you through what worked for us.
We earned ours through Marriott Bonvoy credit cards, especially the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card. Currently, the Boundless card offers a welcome bonus that (at the time you apply) includes 5 Free Night Certificates worth 50,000 bonus points each (Remember the top-up, which means 65,000 bonus points!) That’s enough to cover some of the best hotels at Marriott properties in Italy with minimal top-up.
Beyond the welcome offer, the Boundless card also comes with an annual fee, but in return, you get a recurring annual free night award. That single reward, issued each account anniversary, has helped us book hotel rooms for award stay worth well over $500 when planning strategically even if the redemption cap is 35K. The top-up option to reach high rates means that certificate can still be used at some of the favorite hotels we’ve returned to more than once.
There are a few more practical things to keep in mind when traveling with points:
- like keeping track of your minimum spending requirements, account opening dates, and whether you’ve triggered any statement credits or room upgrades from your credit card offers. I use a spreadsheet to track it all, but you could also use tools to get reminders before a certificate’s expiration date sneaks up on you.
- And when in doubt about the hotel you stay? Ask. I’ve had more helpful conversations with the front desk staff at these hotels than I expected. Whether it’s about early check-in, late checkout, room upgrades, or simply confirming that your free night reward has applied properly, a little communication goes a long way.
Final Thoughts
Traveling with kids doesn’t mean you have to settle for basic or overpriced. The easiest way to make it feel luxurious without blowing your budget is to work with the tools available—Marriott Bonvoy members, hotel loyalty programs, and the right mix of financial products (i.e. credit cards) from trusted credit card issuers.
We don’t just use points to save money. We use them to create a better travel rhythm where you can pause, breathe, and appreciate where you are instead of stressing over the logistics.
If you’re in the middle of planning something similar, or just starting out and feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. And if you’re reading this with a cappuccino in hand, dreaming of Venice or Rome, I hope this post gives you a place to start.
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