Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card (Representative 53.3% APR Variable, Annual fee applies, 18+, Subject to status, terms and conditions apply)
One of the great joys of being a theatre writer is being able to travel and see incredible shows across the world. In my time I’ve been lucky enough to see musicals on Broadway, dance theatre in Jinan, China, a touring Globe production of Hamlet in Sierra Leone, and much more.
Theatre is also something that I now love to incorporate into family holidays, be that as part of an actual vacation or sometimes taking a child along when I have worked abroad. Both my children grew up visiting London’s brilliant children’s theatres like the Polka in Wimbledon and the Little Angel in Islington. I took my eldest along to New York when I had to do an interview out there – it was just before he started school in 2019 and it felt like a real adventure just going on the flight. We also fitted in a musical in Manhattan and I’m reasonably sure it was the highlight of his trip.
Andrzej Łukowski’s children grew up visiting the Polka Theatre, Wimbledon. Photographs: Amit Lennon/The Guardian
If, like me, you’re lucky enough to travel regularly, a Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card can help you get more out of your trip. Cardmembers receive two points per £1 spent on the Card, and an accelerated six points per £1 spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy – meaning you can gather points for your next stay, whenever that may be.
New York, of course, is famed for its pioneering theatre productions and the bright lights of Broadway are a compelling draw to visitors to the city. And it’s not just something that grownups can enjoy. I have found that plenty of the major musicals are family friendly, and there are also numerous children’s theatre shows scattered across the city including dedicated children’s venues.
Stay at the New York Marriott Marquis, nestled in the heart of the Broadway district, and you’ll have a selection of historic theatres quite literally on your doorstep. Given that it’s the city that never sleeps, it’s definitely a plus to have the option of Priority Late Checkout (subject to availability) if you’re staying with Marriott Bonvoy – just one of a number of great benefits you could be eligible for as a Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Cardmember. It’s obviously a different experience if you have young children in tow, though it may be excited youngsters rather than the city’s famous nightlife that keeps you up.
Broadway offers productions that are great for kids and grownups alike. Photograph: Candy Kempsey/Shutterstock
I have also found visits to family shows in non-English speaking countries to be accessible and a pretty great sort of tourism. You are doing as the locals do, but going to the theatre is a familiar experience and the language gap, when it exists, is often surprisingly surmountable. Puppetry, physical and street theatre is much more popular on the continent than in the UK – puppetry because, historically, travelling players took shows all across Europe and needed to have work that transcended the language barrier; street theatre because, well, the weather tends to be nice.
During one holiday we discovered that Berlin has its own English language children’s theatre, which has been staging plays for young local language learners since the 1980s but is fully accessible to tourists. Visiting friends in Sardinia, we caught a marionette show about a tiger’s reign of terror by Is Mascareddas, pioneers of puppet theatre on the Italian island. My children didn’t understand the words, but were fully invested in the tiger’s killing spree.
Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh means being a short stroll away from the Scottish capital’s theatres
In fact our passion for drama has taken us far and wide, inspiring holidays across Europe and beyond. If you travel with a Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card you can earn and use your points towards stays at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy in 144 countries – opening up countless possibilities for your theatre-orientated holidays.
Stay at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh, for example, and you’ll be right in the heart of the city with a selection of top venues just a stroll away. The Scottish capital has an abundance of theatres and is a great place to see family shows. Things really heat up in August, during the city’s enormous festival season, when there are dozens and dozens of children’s shows.
The JW Marriott Berlin is walking distance of several theatres. Photograph: Lutz Vorderwuelbecke
Or, if you’re visiting the German capital, book the JW Marriott Berlin, located in the city’s downtown – within walking distance of several theatres. Check out one of the many children’s productions, with several offering selected performances with English language subtitles.
All that culture can build up an appetite, especially among young children tired from sightseeing. Redeem your Marriott Bonvoy® points on dining at the hotel, so the whole family can relax and feel rejuvenated in comfortable surroundings.
Enjoy outdoor productions at the Minack theatre, Cornwall (top) or Regent’s Park Open Air theatre, London (bottom). Photographs: Juliet Ferguson/Alamy; Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
Theatre is a draw all year round, but there’s something quite special about the summer holiday season when you can visit an open air theatre. In the UK, Cornwall’s stunning coastal Minack theatre is a must-see if you’re in the area, a stone amphitheatre in the cliff over the sea, built in the 1930s. Or if you’re holidaying in London, head to the gorgeous Regent’s Park Open Air theatre, a beautiful setting which offers a lively programme that includes family work.
So when planning your next family holiday, why not think about a night out on the town – at the theatre!
How does the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card work?
For every £1 you spend on your Card, you’ll receive two Marriott Bonvoy® points. If you’re using your Card at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy, you’ll receive six points per eligible £1 spent. Points can then be redeemed to explore 9,500 properties across more than 30 leading brands in 144 countries and territories, and on more than 150 airlines.
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is also well suited to regular travellers. All Cardmembers start with Silver Elite status, and they are eligible for a Free Night Award after spending £25,000 in a year.
Search for Amex Marriott Bonvoy for more information
Representative 53.3% APR Variable, Annual fee applies, 18+, Subject to status, terms and conditions apply.
Important Information
You will receive 6 Points from American Express for each full £1 of eligible purchases made on your Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card at participating Marriott Bonvoy® properties. You will be awarded 2 Points for every full £1 you spend on purchases. Points are not earned on balance transfers, cash withdrawals, American Express Travellers Cheques purchases, foreign exchange transactions, interest, any spending in excess of your credit limit, changes for returned payments, late payments, referral charges, or American Express Credit Card finance charges. Written details are available on request.
Redemption level at or under 25,000 Points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ®. Certain hotels have resort fees. If you reach £25,000 in net purchases charged to your account in any Cardmembership year, you will earn a Free Night Awards, redeemable within one year for an available single-or double-occupancy standard room at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Account must be in good standing. On the annual reset date, the amount of annual net purchases resets to zero. Additional Terms and Conditions apply. Free Night Award and no blackouts apply to standard rooms only as defined by each participating property; contact the property before booking to check availability. To view the full Terms and Conditions, visit marriott.co.uk.
You will receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy ® Silver Elite status with your Marriott Bonvoy ® American Express ® Card. This complimentary Silver Elite status benefit is only available to the Basic Cardmember. If your Card is cancelled for any reason, your complimentary Silver Elite status provided with the Card will be cancelled.
If you reach £15,000 in net purchases charged to your Account in any Cardmembership year, you (the Basic Cardmember) will be enrolled for at least 12 months in the Gold Elite tier of the Marriott Bonvoy ® loyalty programme (unless you are already enrolled in an equivalent or higher level – Marriott Bonvoy ® associates excluded). Please allow 12-16 weeks after your eligible spending equals or exceeds such amount for the applicable year for enrolment to become effective. On the annual reset date, the amount of annual net purchases resets to zero. Additional Terms and Conditions apply.
Your upgrade to Gold elite Status is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which it was earned and the subsequent calendar year. Your enrolment will expire after that subsequent calendar year unless your eligible purchases during the next calendar year again qualify you for enrolment, or you qualify for Gold Elite Status under Marriott Bonvoy terms. You cannot receive enrolment in Gold Elite Status through Marriott Bonvoy if you are already enrolled at Gold Elite Status or any higher status.
15 Elite Night Credits: Upon opening your Card account, a maximum or 15 Elite Night credits will be credited to your Marriott Bonvoy ® Member Account within 60 days. On or before 1 March of each subsequent calendar year, a maximum of 15 Elite Night Credits will be credited to your Marriott Bonvoy Member Account operated by Marriott International, Inc., in accordance with Marriott Bonvoy terms and conditions To be eligible to receive the 15 Elite Night Credits with this Card, you must be the Basic Cardmember, your Card account must be in good standing at the time of the 15 Elite Night Credit deposit, and you must have an active Marriott Bonvoy ® programme Account. To receive the 15 Elite Night Credit deposit, your Card account must be linked to a Marriott Bonvoy ® programme Account in your name. You will receive a maximum of 15 Elite Night Credits per calendar year even if you have more than one Marriott Bonvoy ® Credit Card account or have more than one Marriott Bonvoy ® programme Account. American Express is not responsible for fulfilment of this benefit. It will take approximately eight weeks from the Card account approval date for the credits to be applied to your loyalty account.
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