Gaylord Hotels is one of the least-known Marriott Bonvoy brands out there, mostly due to its small portfolio of just 5 properties (with a sixth property in the pipeline).
The first Gaylord property opened in 1977 in Nashville; since then, its portfolio has steadily expanded and its properties are some of the largest hotels in the world.
In this guide, we’ll explore what Gaylord Hotels offers to its guests and how you can book these properties with Marriott Bonvoy points.
Everything You Need To Know About Gaylord Hotels
When you step into a Gaylord Hotels property, the first thing you’ll notice is a massive footprint. Gaylord Hotels are designed to be sprawling complexes capable of holding large conventions and events.
As such, these properties have enormous facilities and amenities, including golf courses, gigantic spas, shopping complexes, inconceivable amounts of event space, striking architecture, and even water parks.
In fact, the brand slogan is “Everything in one place,” which should give you an idea of how much value Gaylord places on being a one-stop shop for travelers.
Here, you can mix business and pleasure seamlessly.
Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
Gaylord Hotels belongs to the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. Currently, the best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points easily is by spending on its co-branded credit cards from Amex and Chase.
When you hold a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, you’ll get access to an assortment of benefits, including Marriott statement credits, free night award certificates, and complimentary elite status!
Recommended Marriott Bonvoy Cards
| CREDIT CARD | CARD INFO |
|---|
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Learn More (at Chase's secure site) | - Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn up to 14x total Bonvoy points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Card.
- 2x Bonvoy points for every $1 spent on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains).
- 1x point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, qualifying you for Silver Elite Status. Restrictions apply.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Earn unlimited Marriott Bonvoy points and get Free Night Stays faster.
- Good to Excellent Credit Recommended (670-850)
- Annual Fee: $0
$210 |
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Learn More (at Chase's secure site) | - Earn 3 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases + 10X total points on eligible purchases in select categories.
- 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
- Earn up to 17x total Bonvoy points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
- 2x Bonvoy points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Automatic Silver Elite Status each account anniversary year. Path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year.
- 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Earn unlimited Marriott Bonvoy points and get Free Night Stays faster.
- Good to Excellent Credit Recommended (670-850)
- Annual Fee: $95
$1,050 |
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
Learn More (at Amex's secure site) | - Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. Plus, earn up to $200 in Statement Credits for eligible purchases at U.S. Restaurants within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Enjoy up to $300 in statement credits each year of Card Membership for eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program.
- Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. 3 points at U.S. restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2 points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points) at a participating hotel. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy unlimited airport lounge visits when you enroll in Priority Pass™ Select membership.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Good to Excellent Credit Recommended (670-840)
- Annual Fee: $450
- Terms Apply. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, click here.
$525 |
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
Learn More (at Amex's secure site) | - Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn up to $150 back in statement credits on eligible purchases made on your new Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 6x points at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program.
- 4x points at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status with your Card. Plus, earn Gold Elite status after making $35,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Good to Excellent Credit Recommended (670-840)
- Annual fee: $125
- Terms Apply. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card, click here.
$525 |
Hot Tip: You can also transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Amex Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio, though we generally don’t recommend this unless you have a specific redemption in mind and need a few thousand more points to book it.
The 5 Best Gaylord Hotels To Book With Points
Gaylord Hotels are entirely in the U.S. Because these properties are so huge, you can generally expect a slow expansion of its footprint.
Indeed, there are 6 of these properties in the world (1 is in the pipeline), making it a very small brand in Marriott Bonvoy’s overall portfolio.
Read on to see the best Gaylord Hotels you can book using points. We’ll walk through the specifics of each property and what to expect.
Let’s get into it!
1. Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center (Nashville, Tennessee)
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Image Credit: MarriottGaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center is Gaylord’s maiden property, with its roots tracing back to 1977. Centrally located in Nashville’s Music Valley, just a short 10-minute walk from the Grand Ole Opry and 8 miles from the Nashville International Airport (BNA), this property has a lot going for it.
This 4-star resort has a jaw-dropping 2,888 rooms and suites, making it one of the 30 largest hotels in the entire world!
Each of the standard rooms in this 4-star resort has either 1 king bed or 2 queen beds. Pillowtop mattresses afford plenty of comfort and work desks with ergonomic office chairs allow you to maintain maximum productivity. You’ll also find a sitting area with an armchair and ottoman in the 350-square-foot standard rooms. Other furnishings include a flat-screen TV with Netflix capabilities, a minifridge, coffee and tea facilities, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
Each bathroom here consists of a walk-in shower, single floating vanity, premium bath and body products, as well as a hairdryer.
In total, there are 20 food and beverage outlets, ranging from high-end steakhouses to Auntie Anne’s and a sushi bar. There’s something for everyone here!
The other facilities include an award-winning spa, a 24/7 gym, 3 swimming pools (1 indoors), and an 18-hole golf course. Explore the property’s 9 acres of space, including expansive indoor gardens, a shopping mall, cascading waterfalls, boat tours up and down the indoor river, and an eye-popping 750,000 square feet of event space.
This property falls under Marriott Bonvoy’s Category 6 designation, costing 40,000 points per off-peak night, 50,000 points per standard night, or 60,000 points per peak night.
Paid rates hover around $440 per night on average, though the price you pay may be as high as $715 per night or as low as $210 per night.
2. Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center (Kissimmee, Florida)
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. Image Credit: MarriottGaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center is situated in Kissimmee, a popular resort destination in Central Florida. It’s mere minutes from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and so much more.
The 63-acre resort is a deluxe property with an epic glass atrium garden spanning 4.5 acres. Each of the 1,718 rooms and suites has either 1 king bed or 2 queen beds, plus a furnished, private balcony and a marble entryway. You’ll also find a sitting area with an armchair-ottoman combination, a work desk with an office chair, a minifridge, and a flat-screen TV. Lastly, make your own cup of coffee or tea in the room and make use of the free Wi-Fi.
Marble bathrooms include a single vanity, premium bath products, a shower-tub combination, and an LED-backlit mirror.
Several dining options dot the property, including a Mediterranean buffet restaurant, a regional seafood eatery, and a sports bar with a 37-foot TV screen.
This complex also has an adults-only, heated outdoor pool, an expansive water park, a luxe spa, a kids’ game room, and a complimentary theme park shuttle. Also, enjoy complimentary access to the gym.
A Marriott Bonvoy Category 5 hotel, Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center is bookable for 30,000 points per night during off-peak dates, 35,000 points per night during standard dates, and 40,000 points per night during peak dates. You can even redeem a Marriott free night certificate for a complimentary stay here!
If you find yourself booking a paid stay, rates for standard rooms are around $415 per night on average, $300 per night on the low end, and $660 per night on the high end.
Hot Tip: Learn how to visit Walt Disney World for cheap by using points and miles in our detailed guide. We also have tips on how to make your next trip to Disney as “stress-free” as possible.
3. Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center (Grapevine, Texas)
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center. Image Credit: MarriottGaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center is located on the shores of Grapevine Lake near the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. The property itself is 3 miles from Grapevine Mills Mall and is just 5 miles from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). This one-of-a-kind resort offers families and business travelers a fantastic staycation spot.
You can choose between 1 king bed or 2 queen beds in each of the guest rooms, starting out at 350 square feet in size. There’s a desk, sitting area with a winged lounge chair and an ottoman, a minifridge, plug-in high-tech amenities, and a flat-screen TV with HBO.
Double sinks and a shower-tub combination make up the bright bathroom, as well as signature toiletries and a hairdryer.
Again, the abundance of dining options means everybody can enjoy something — there are 4 full-service restaurants, a poolside bar and grill, a saloon, and a grab-and-go coffee house.
Make use of the 25,000-square-foot spa or the 24/7 fitness center with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment. Take a dip in any of the outdoor or indoor pools (some heated).
Enjoy the massive, 10-acre water park and lazy river complex or book a zipline ride — whatever your needs, Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center has your back!
This resort falls under Marriott Bonvoy’s Category 5 level, costing 30,000 points per night during off-peak dates, 35,000 points per night during standard dates, and 40,000 points per night during peak dates.
Paid rates can vary from $300 to $750 per night, with the average around $375 per night.
4. Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center (National Harbor, Maryland)
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Image Credit: MarriottThe Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is a premier resort situated on the Potomac’s shores downriver from Washington, D.C. in quaint National Harbor, Maryland.
This popular resort has updated rooms and suites, and the standard room has 1 king bed or 2 queen beds, as well as at least 422 square feet of space. You’ll find mid-century modern furnishings, including an informal dining table, a dining chair, a lounge chair, and a flat-screen TV. Lastly, there are coffee and tea machines, a mini-fridge, and free Wi-Fi.
Here, there are 4 dining options, which consist of a steakhouse, lobby bar, retro rooftop lounge, and a grab-and-go marketplace.
Check out the spa and salon or the 24/7 gym and Junior Olympic-sized pool. Alternatively, there’s an outdoor sundeck with a hot tub and a pool bar for maximum relaxation. For the kids, you’ll find a splash zone and a play zone with interactive video games. Lastly, there’s nearly 550,000 square feet of event space available.
This property is a Marriott Bonvoy Category 5, requiring 30,000 points per off-peak night, 35,000 points per standard night, and 40,000 points per peak night.
Expect to spend at least $250 per night for a standard room, but keep in mind that rates can shoot as high as $1,000 per night depending on your stay dates. The average is closer to $275 per night.
Hot Tip: With Washington, D.C. just over a 20-minute drive away, you may want to check out our ultimate guide to Washington, D.C., including details on monuments, memorials, attractions, and more. If your kids are in tow, check out the best things to do in Washington, D.C. with kids.
5. Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center (Aurora, Colorado)
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. Image Credit: MarriottThe Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is Gaylord’s only 5-star hotel, and it’s located in the city of Aurora, Colorado. The rustic-chic property is 10 miles from Denver International Airport (DEN), off of highway E-470.
Choose between 1 king bed and a pull-out sofa bed or 2 queen beds in each of the introductory guest rooms. Either way, you’ll enjoy at least 372 square feet of personal real estate. The rooms come with a desk, fridge, flat-screen TV, coffee and tea bar, and flat-screen LED TV with premium channels. There’s also free Wi-Fi.
Inside the bathroom, there’s a set of twin vanities, a water closet, and a spacious walk-in shower with upscale bath products. Nearby has closet storage space, too.
Whether you’re in the mood for Italian or Asian food, there are 9 dining options available to satisfy your palate at any time of the day.
The gym is open 24/7 and offers Peloton bikes (among other equipment), while the spa and salon boast a large menu of treatments. Every morning, there’s a water aerobics and yoga class, which guests can use to supplement their stay. You can also play disc golf or mini-golf — or better yet, check out the pools and lazy river. Lastly, there are whirlpools available, plus 500,000 square feet of versatile function space.
To book a reward night at this Category 5 property, redeem 30,000 points per night during off-peak dates, 35,000 points per night during standard dates, and 40,000 points per night during peak dates.
If you paid for a stay here, you’d probably spend around $380 per night, on average. However, during the low season and high season, you will see rates ranging from $265 to $1,200 per night!
Final Thoughts
Gaylord Hotels fall under the radar for many Marriott Bonvoy loyalists, despite offering exceptional resorts with endless amenities and facilities and staying true to its slogan of “Everything in one place.”
If you’re a business or corporate planner looking to host a large group, Gaylord Hotels is one of the best choices thanks to “Texas-sized” ballrooms and spaces.
And if you’re traveling with your family, Gaylord Hotels can be amazing, thanks to its theme park-like attractions and facilities. Water parks, indoor arcades, shopping malls, and spas are among the most universal facilities here.
What makes the Gaylord brand even better is that you can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points to get some exceptional value!
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card, click here.
