Marriott Bonvoy Just Launched an Adventure-first Travel Platform—Here’s How It Works

Instead of asking where you want to go on your next vacation, what if you started with what you want to do? Are you hoping to ski the Swiss Alps, paddleboard on Lake Tahoe, or hike through the Grand Canyon?

Today, Marriott Bonvoy is flipping the script on travel planning with the launch of Marriott Bonvoy Outdoors, a new platform that organizes trips around outdoor activities rather than hotels and destinations. The move reflects a shift in how modern travelers think about vacations; more than 82 percent of Marriott Bonvoy members want trips that include outdoor activities, according to a recent survey.

“We’re seeing travelers crave the freedom of the outdoors like never before, whether it’s a digital detox, a family trip to a national park, or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure,” said Peggy Roe, Marriott International executive vice president and chief customer officer, in an email to Travel + Leisure. “With outdoor travel now one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry, the time is right to bring the power of Marriott Bonvoy into nature.” 

The digital hub, available online and through the Marriott Bonvoy app, lets users browse getaways by passion: ski and snowboard; hike; bike; surf; dive; paddle; or fish. The platform pulls together more than 450 outdoor-focused hotels—from W Verbier in Switzerland to Moxy Banff and The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe—along with 50,000 Homes & Villas properties and curated tours and activities.

Actor and outdoor enthusiast Dylan Efron, who partnered with Marriott to kick off the initiative, says the approach mirrors how he already travels. “The most simple goal of this is just to get people outdoors,” Efron told T+L. “When we go to a hotel, it’s not just because it has a comfy bed—it’s because we’re trying to discover a new location. And the best way to do that is to get outside: ride a bike, go hike, and actually feel like you’re in this place for the first time.”

Dylan Efron rocking climbing for the Marriott Drop Pin Challenge.

Joao Canziani/Marriott International

Alongside the platform, Marriott unveiled a new portfolio called the Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy, featuring design-forward, nature-immersive stays. The collection debuts with Postcard Cabins, 29 Scandinavian-inspired hideaways across the U.S. that feature firepits, kitchenettes, and immediate access to hiking trails.

Trailborn Hotels round out the initial offerings—boutique properties set near premier outdoor destinations like Yellowstone National Park, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Grand Canyon. These properties promise wilderness access alongside elevated amenities that might include spas, outdoor pools, and fine dining. Potential additions to the collection could include ecolodges, yurts, or domes.

Interior of a guest room at the Trailborn Surf & Sound.

Christian Harder/Trailborn Hotels & Resorts

“A recent study has shown that travelers would be more likely to book an outdoor-related trip if modern comforts were part of the experience,” Roe said. “With The Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy, and specifically our founding partners—Postcard Cabins and Trailborn Hotels—we’re delivering on this ask with stylish, thoughtful stays that make it easy to wake up steps from a trailhead or gather around a campfire, all with the benefits of earning and redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points. Marriott Bonvoy Outdoors is about making those moments more accessible, memorable, and rewarding for our members.” 

To celebrate the launch, Marriott is rolling out the Drop Pin Challenge, a treasure hunt across 20 North American destinations with 10 million Bonvoy points at stake. Each pin is worth 10,000 points and can be uncovered by following clues online.

The Marriott Drop Pin Challenge underwater.

Marriott International

Efron placed the first pin himself near Postcard Cabin Big Bear in California. 

“We went out to Big Bear, and it was just gorgeous out there,” he said. “The Postcard Cabins are these little cabins with massive windows that overlook everything. It was a fun day—we were hiking, we were rock climbing, it was a full adventure.”