Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa — Hotel in Ponte Vedra Beach

I wish I could call this place a resort, especially with the price you are paying. I stayed here with family and decided to give it a try again after ten years. Nothing has really changed other than maybe a few plants on the exterior to give it some color.

I'll start with the staff. In true fashion, Marriott staff have always been friendly in my experience. They were helpful, smiling, and willing to help. I gave them a 5. Shanice at the front desk. The resort shuttle drivers, front desk staff, housekeeping, valet folks, and restaurant personnel were solid.

I dropped the family up front and parked my vehicle. The parking lot was easy to get to, but it needs work. Lots of broken sprinkler heads, lots of leaves, old/dead bushes, a few vehicles that looked abandoned, etc. After parking, I took the stairs from the parking lot and headed to the front entrance. While walking I noticed a section of hand railing was missing and had been for some time. Clearly there was rust, and a hazard should someone fall or run into this railing. A lawsuit waiting to happen.

I saw no presence of security at all. At a minimum, a roving security vehicle would give patrons some peace of mind. Maybe contact the local sheriff or police department and have their patrol personnel type up reports, when possible, in that space.

The rooms are brutal. Starting from walking into the building and getting to room 320 in the main building. The carpet is nasty and should go. The carpet in the hallways and in the room was old, and stinky. The bathroom tile is tan, and the grout used to be tan, but is now black. That tells me that nothing is being used to deep clean the floors. There are no exhaust fans in the bathroom, and there is peeling wallpaper, and old counter tops from the early 90's. Get rid of it!

The beds are small. This is NOT Europe. Folks needs at least a queen size bed to fit 2 people, not a full, or double. The furniture and everything but the tv in the room is outdated. The view to the back of the property was nice, but that's it. The a/c in the hallways was about 65 degrees.

We got to the property on a Thursday early afternoon and could not use the pool because of the leaves, and pollen floating in it. We ate at Alice and Pete's for a late lunch. The tables and furniture are old and not very comfortable. Our server was kind but seemed overwhelmed as she was alone from what I saw.

We ate at Alice and Pete's for dinner Friday night. The place was busy, and the food was decent. We had chicken wings, an Asian salad, and a few drinks. The service was solid.

On Saturday we ventured over to the Cabana Beach Club for a few hours. The shuttle driver was solid. These shuttles run all day and show up every 5-15 minutes depending on the capacity of the hotel. The place was clean, friendly staff, decent bar food, and drinks. The beach access area was clean, and the return trip was uneventful.

Across from the hotel there is a Publix, numerous small boutiques and restaurants. They are within walking distance from the hotel, just be careful with the vehicle traffic. We ate at Nona Blue. Good food, and good service.

Ultimately, between the resort fees, parking fees, and other taxes, it averaged out to about $474 a night. IMO, it's not worth that much. I could have parted with $250 a night, not more than that.

Having spent time around some members of the Marriott family in the past, they would be disappointed to walk this property and see its condition. I know that Marriott International is a publicly traded company and the Marriott family only owns a small percentage of it any longer.

That said, groups like the Vanguard Group Inc, BlackRock, Inc, State Street Corp and others are the majority owners now. Get it together and tighten up this and other properties where folks are spending millions to vacation with their families. It's no wonder why folks are trending more to VRBO/ Airbnb properties.

The only reason this property gets away with the prices is the whole golf allure. The PGA Tour has an event there and that's what keeps...

Having stayed at this hotel numerous times over the last couple years, and read many reviews, I understand (and have shared) certain guests' frustrations.

As brief background, being "contractually married to Marriott," over the past 20 years of my life, I have spent over five years in one Marriott property or another, and currently spend 100+ nights a year between Marriott bedsheets.

From my experience: Marriott used to be in the hospitality business, where it felt as if guests came first. Now, they seem more as if in the business of hospitality, where profits take priority over guests.

The condition of Marriott properties and guest service took a big hit after the financial crisis, dropped even more after Covid, and have never recovered.

Sawgrass is in a great location, which is what motivates me to overlook the negatives I can pretty much expect to experience whenever I stay there. The rooms aren't bad (not like when they let the villas deteriorate 20 years ago), but the accumulation of smaller faults are starting to pile up.

Towel bars are missing. Stainless steel surfaces are pitted and rusting. The shower faucet is about to come off like a loose tooth and the shower knob is wonky. Curtains are frayed. Carpets are stained.

Mechanically, something usually doesn't work. The TV. The HVAC. The phones. The sink gurgles hours after the last swallow of water went down.

The front desk has never been an issue. In fact, I've always found them to be very pleasant and efficient. The valet parking, however, is hit or miss. Leave plenty of time if you're heading out with dinner reservations or to catch a flight.

For those who don't sleep soundly, keep in mind the atrium design of the main building creates a lot of reverberating noise. The hotel is frequently occupied by, let's call them, well-lubricated golf bros away from the wife, who aren't shy about their volume or word choice, and their happy conversation in the bars and restaurants is broadcast upward and will make it through your door well into the midnight hour.

As for other reviewers' trying to reason how room upgrades and room assignments are handled: it seems as random as a lottery drawing. I'm about as high up the Marriott "frequent traveller" ladder as you can get, but more often than not I don't get any room upgrade even if I try to use the free-upgrade certificates I receive every year. In this and other Marriott properties, I've been stuck in plenty noisy rooms with lousy views (and there are quite a few rooms with bad views at this property).

If you're willing to look beyond the faults, this is a fine place to stay. If you're looking for perfection and luxury, you might...

I like to introduce everyone to the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation nestled amidst Ponte Vedra Beach's lush greenery. From its impeccably manicured grounds to its world-class amenities, the resort exudes an air of elegance and tranquility, making it the ideal destination for both golfers and those seeking a serene escape.

Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the resort's grand entrance, adorned with cascading waterfalls and vibrant landscaping. The lobby, with its soaring ceilings and tasteful décor, sets the tone for a luxurious stay. The attentive staff, always eager to assist with a smile, ensures that every need is met promptly and graciously.

The resort's accommodations are designed to pamper and indulge. Each spacious room features plush bedding, modern furnishings, and ample amenities to ensure a comfortable and restful stay. The balconies, overlooking the tranquil grounds or the lively pool area, provide a serene escape to enjoy the fresh air and Florida sunshine.

For those seeking culinary delights, the Sawgrass Marriott offers a variety of dining options to satisfy every palate. Vernon's First Coast Kitchen & Bar showcases farm-to-table cuisine, while Alice and Pete's offers a taste of traditional Floridian fare. For a more casual atmosphere, American Gator Club provides a relaxed setting with views of the 13th hole at the iconic TPC Sawgrass golf course.

The resort's true crown jewel lies in its golf offerings. The TPC Sawgrass, renowned as one of the most challenging golf courses in the world, provides an exhilarating experience for golfers of all skill levels. The resort also offers a variety of practice facilities, including a driving range, putting green, and chipping area, allowing golfers to hone their skills in preparation for their round on the legendary course.

Beyond golf, the Sawgrass Marriott offers a plethora of amenities to keep guests entertained and engaged. Two sparkling pools, a lazy river, and a water slide provide refreshing respite from the Florida sun. For those seeking rejuvenation, the resort's tranquil spa offers a variety of treatments, including massages, facials, and body wraps, ensuring that guests emerge feeling refreshed and revitalized.

The Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa is more than just a hotel; it's an oasis of tranquility, where guests can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse themselves in a world of luxury and relaxation. Whether seeking a challenging round of golf, a rejuvenating spa retreat, or simply a peaceful escape, the Sawgrass Marriott promises an unforgettable experience that will leave guests...