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Marriott vs Sheraton (Starwood)

Compare the Marriott and Sheraton hotel chains to see which one is best for you.

Stephanie Yip
Stephanie Yip

Updated

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Woman checking into a hotel at reception.

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Confused over whether to book a room at a Marriott or Sheraton?

We look at the pros and cons of both hotel brands to see how they compare to each other. Is one cheaper than the other? Do they offer loyalty programs? Do either chain welcome four legged friends? Find out below.

Do keep in mind that the Sheraton is also commonly known as Starwood or the SPG.

TL;DR: Our verdict

Our winner: It's a very close score and frankly, either hotel will give you more bang for your buck. But Marriott does have more on offer when it comes to Wi-Fi, payment methods and no cancellation charges. Compared to the Sheraton, the Marriott also offers higher saving deals. Otherwise, they're very on par with what is provided.

Marriott vs Sheraton: Hotel features compared

Winner: Marriott. Both hotels tend to offer vey similar features, however Marriott provides more option when it comes to Wi-Fi.

FeatureMarriottSheratonVerdict
Is there free breakfast?At some hotels.Platinum loyalty club members can opt for a free continental breakfast as part of their welcome gift.Neither brand offers free breakfast as standard.
Is there free Wi-Fi?Marriott Rewards members get free Wi-Fi.Platinum SPG members get free in-room Internet.Sheraton's free Wi-Fi offering is more limited than the wider Marriott brand's.
Is there an executive lounge?In some hotels, but they are only open to Gold, Platinum and Platinum Premier rewards members.In some hotels. Access is free to Platinum SPG guests.Both brands have executive lounges in some hotels.
Are hotels pet friendly?1,400 pet-friendly hotels worldwide.Yes.Both brands welcome pets in certain hotels.
Does it have smoking rooms?Not in the USA or Canada; some do outside these regions.A limited number of smoking rooms are available.Both offer some smoking rooms.
Is there an online chat?No.No.Neither have an online chat.
How many stars does it have?Up to 5-stars, luxuryUp to 5-stars, luxuryBoth are luxury hotel brands.
Is there a loyalty program? Is it free to join?Marriott Rewards - free to joinStarwood Preferred Guest - free to joinBoth offer loyalty programs.

Marriott vs Sheraton: Booking options compared

Winner: Marriott. You have more options when it comes to payment methods and there are no cancellation charges before the 48 hour mark. However, both brands do price match.

FeatureMarriottSheratonVerdict
Can I price match?Yes.Yes.Both brands price match.
What are my payment options?
  • American Express
  • Diners Club
  • JCB
  • Switch/Maestro
  • Visa
  • Cheques
  • Marriott Gift Vouchers
  • Whitbread Leisure Vouchers
  • Love 2 Play
  • Red Letter Days
  • Bonus Bonds
  • American Express
  • Mastercard
  • Diners Club
  • Discover Network
  • Visa
  • JCB
  • Carte Blanche
  • Deposit SPG Amex Card
Marriott offers more ways to pay.
Does it allow for cancellations / changes?Yes, you can cancel without charges 48 hours before the stay.If you book a pre-paid room you cannot cancel without a penalty. With other rates you can cancel 48 hours before the stay without penalty.Cancellation charges apply to some Sheraton bookings.

Marriott vs Sheraton: Worldwide options compared

Winner: Both. When we compared Marriott and Sheraton against where its hotels were, the numbers came out the same.

FeatureMarriott SheratonVerdict
Where are its hotels?
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Caribbean
  • Central America
  • Europe
  • Middle East
  • South America
  • USA
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Caribbean
  • Central America
  • Europe
  • Middle East
  • South America
  • USA
The brands have hotels in the same destinations.
Which chains is it partnered with?

Marriott has 30 brands:

Sheraton is part of Marriott International. Partner hotel brands that share the SPG loyalty program include:
  • St Regis
  • The Luxury Collection
  • W Hotels
  • Westin
  • Meridien
  • Tribute Portfolio
  • Design Hotels
  • Aloft
  • Four Points
  • Element
Sheraton is part of Marriott International.
Where is it headquartered?Bethesda, USA.White Plains, USABoth are USA based.

Who offers the best price?

A one-night stay in a king bed room with 28 square metres of space on Park Lane London in January costs £391 ($676) with Marriott.

marriottvssheratonup-1

A one-night stay in a king bed room with 20 to 23 metres of space on Park Lane London in January costs £234 ($404) with Sheraton.

marriottvssheratonup-2

The verdict?

Marriott and Sheraton offer the same price match guarantee. In-room rate searches, carried out on the Marriott and Sheraton websites, at the same time, on the same day, show that Sheraton’s hotel rooms came out cheaper than Marriott’s.

Any other differences worth noting?

Sheraton hotels are the official hotels and resorts of Major League Baseball. As a result, guests in the USA and Canada receive free access to MLB TV Premium, which means they can watch live out-of-market and archived games via their desktop or supported mobile devices.

What are the deals like?

Sheraton offers various early bird booking deals, with discounts of 10-20%, depending on the deal. Marriott also offers varying advanced booking offers, with price cuts of up to 30% off. Sheraton also offers smaller deals like free breakfast offers and spa discounts.

The verdict?

Sheraton offers a wider range of offers on its deals pages than Marriott, but Marriott tends to offer bigger discounts on the big item deals.

Both brands offer decent discounts when you book direct.

Top hotel deals:

WotifWotif

Up to 60% off Australia stays

Available on stays until July 2021 in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Sunshine Coast and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

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Deal ends

Hotels.comHotels.com

Up to 63% off Australia-wide stays + Extra 8% off hotel bookings

Available on select dates until December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

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Deal ends

HotelsCombinedHotelsCombined

Up to 33% off Sea World Resort and Water Park stays with park entry

Available for stays until 30 April 2021 with packages available to include entry to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast and Paradise Country during your stay.

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Booking.comBooking.com

Up to 20% off Australia getaways

Available on stays from 5 January - 31 March 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.

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Deal ends

Accor HotelsAccor Hotels

Up to 30% off worldwide stays

Available on select dates when you stay a minimum of 3 nights. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Auckland, Paris, London and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

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MarriottMarriott

Up to 50% off room upgrades + free breakfast on stays

Available on stays until 30 April 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Gold Coast, New Zealand, Fiji and more.

Last verified

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Deal ends

MarriottMarriott

Up to 10,000 bonus points

Earn points when you become a Marriott Bonvoy member. Hotels include Marriott, Sheraton, St. Regis, The Ritz-Carlton, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels and much more.

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MarriottMarriott

Up to 25% off stays

Enroll and save 25% with Marriott Bonvoy Escapes. As a member, you can experience these exclusive benefits.

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