Marriott is now the largest operator of hotels in Africa with its acquisition of 116 Protea Hotels for $200 million. The Protea Hotels are currently online for booking at Marriott.com. However, at this point in time you are better off booking these hotels through Hotels.com or any other OTA site with some kind of rate discount or rebate since stays at Protea and African Pride Hotels booked through Marriott do not earn any Marriott Rewards benefits or credit until some date in 2015 to be announced.
Also, a lower rate through an OTA is not currently eligible for a Best Rate Guarantee claim with Marriott.
The Best Rate Guarantee does not apply to the following brands: The Ritz-Carlton, Bulgari, Edition, Protea and African Pride. http://www.marriott.com/hotel-prices/travel.mi
“Please Note – African Pride does not participate in Marriott Rewards, This stay will not earn Elite Benefits, nights, points or miles.”
2,885 ZAR (South African Rand) = $272.91 USD for a Deluxe Suite at African Pride 15 on Orange Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa.
Protea Hotels have the same message for Marriott Rewards members.
“Please Note – Protea Hotels does not participate in Marriott Rewards, This stay will not earn Elite Benefits, nights, points or miles.”
1,220 ZAR = $115.38 USD.
Marriott has addressed the integration and participation of Protea Hotels in Marriott Rewards here with FAQ.
Your Rewards Will Take You Even Farther
Introducing Marriott’s newest brand, Protea Hotels. Explore and reserve over 100 exciting locations across South Africa as well as Malawi, Namibia, Uganda and Zamibia. The portfolio also includes 2 properties in the award-winning boutique
Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! brand and 10 properties in the superior deluxe African Pride Hotels collection. Whether you long for a small country hotel, sea and lakeside resort, chic urban hotel, or a fabulous game and safari lodge, Protea Hotels brings the beauty of Africa to you.During 2015, exact dates to be confirmed, Rewards members will be able to earn points and miles, enjoy their Elite benefits and redeem their points for stays at all participating Protea Hotels in Africa.
Marriott FAQ on Protea Hotels:
“Protea Hotels will participate in Marriott Rewards sometime in 2015 after some necessary system upgrades. Until then, Rewards members are unable to earn Elite benefits, Elite nights, points or airlines miles for stays made prior to then.”
1. Is Protea Hotels participating in Marriott Rewards?
We look forward to Protea Hotels’ participation in Marriott Rewards sometime in 2015. To ensure we are able to appropriately recognize and reward your loyalty, we need time to implement the necessary system upgrades in order to provide the excellent service delivery and smooth check-in processes you are accustomed to.
2. Will I be awarded stays and points retroactively prior to the official program participation?
No, members who had stays made before the brand fully participates in Marriott Rewards will not earn points, miles or nights retroactively.
3. When is the official date when I can begin earning night and stay credit for my stays?
At this time, an official date has not been determined. Marriott Rewards members and members of our partner program, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, will be notified through our Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards communication channels, including: Insiders, email notification, marriottrewards.com and ritzcarltonrewards.com. Sometime in 2015, members will be able to earn points, miles, Elite nights, Elite benefits, and redeem points for free night stays at that time going forward.
4. Will I, as an Elite member, receive any of my Elite benefits from the program during my stays prior to Protea Hotels joining the program sometime in 2015?
No, until Protea Hotels officially join Marriott Rewards sometime in 2015, members will not receive Elite level benefits they normally receive at participating brands. This includes, but is not limited to: Gold & Platinum free internet access and complimentary guest room upgrades.
5. When will I be able to redeem my points for a free stay at Protea Hotels?
Until Protea Hotels become a fully participating brand sometime in 2015, members will be unable to redeem points for a stay at Protea Hotels.
6. When Protea Hotels become a fully participating brand in Marriott Rewards, will I as a member of The Ritz-Carlton Rewards also earn points, miles, Elite nights, and Elite benefits at that time?
Yes, due to the program partnership between Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, members of both programs will be able to earn and redeem points and receive the appropriate Elite benefits when Protea Hotels become a fully participating brand in Marriott Rewards sometime in 2015.
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Marriott has this page with photos of Protea Hotels to explore.
I am looking forward to 2015 and the opportunities with Marriott Rewards in Africa. Now, if the PR firm for Marriott Africa wants to contact me about a tour of Protea Hotels and African Pride to share with Loyalty Traveler readers, my email is open for discussion. 
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Ric Garrido of Monterey, California is writer and owner of Loyalty Traveler.
Loyalty Traveler shares news and views on hotels, hotel loyalty programs and vacation destinations for frequent guests.
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