FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Mariana Resort & Spa

by Gtrav

Dec 1, 2008
2008 / December 2008

Arrival/Check-in: After traversing the full length of Saipan from the airport by van (about 25 minutes), I arrived at the Mariana Resort’s vast open-air lobby, passing their tennis courts, go-cart track and horse-riding field on the way. Once check-in was handled, I was loaded into a golf cart for the short ride to the Reefside building where I would stay for six nights. (27/30)

Guest Quarters: Due to a last-minute accommodations change and the resort’s truncated Web site, I had no idea what level of room to expect. The first impression was quite nice. My room was large and bright, with light stucco walls, wood floors and two beds, one of which was a king-sized, curtained four-poster. The resort apparently follows the Micronesian tendency to cater to Asian visitors by providing over-firm beds; the king-sized bed felt like a thin mat laid on a gym floor. The smaller bed was more forgiving. The tea station was generous, but if you need coffee to live — as certain journalists do — it was sorely lacking. The minibar was half empty, leaving chill space for bottles of juice or wine. In-room entertainment consisted of liberal (by island standards) cable TV offerings and a dated boom box. The mammoth closet had a safe just a hair too small for a normal laptop. (24/30)

Services/Amenities: The Mariana Resort is a destination in its own right. There’s a wedding chapel, an 18-hole golf course (6,910 yards), Mandi Asian Spa, fun pools, a 50-meter pool, an onsite trekking/biking/tour shop and the 12th Night Italian restaurant with an outstanding seven-course surf-and-turf dinner. Breakfast is served in an open-air, thatch-roofed dining area with beguiling sea views. In addition to the Reefside rooms, all with sea views, there are newly renovated villas, some with sea views, sundecks and Jacuzzis. A pair of PCs in the lobby provide free Internet access; otherwise, in-room WiFi costs $8 per day. (39/40)

The Experience: No hotel classification structure exists on Saipan, but by my estimates the Mariana Resort is a firm 4-star facility, with only minor failings. The staggering number of onsite activities, the sprawling property and the overarching tropical character forgive any nitpicky shortcomings. The only true drawback is its cumbersome distance from nearly everything of interest on Saipan. Though a few public transportation options exist, springing for a hefty taxi fare or rental car is unavoidable. As a stand-alone site, the Mariana Resort is dazzling.

Total Score: (90/100)

Mariana Resort & Spa
P.O. Box 500527
Saipan, MP 96950 USA
tel 670 237 2089
http://www.marianaresort.com

 

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed

Step Lively in Fashionable Sneakers Designed for City Walking

Morgen Trainers, Black-Gum  Colombian craftsmanship meets European-inspired style in Beckett Simonon’s Morgen Trainers. Handmade in Bogotá with full-grain Italian leather exterior and ultra-soft Vachetta leather lining (feel free to go sockless), these low-profile sneakers feature sturdy, vulcanized rubber soles and plush internal padding to withstand all-day city walking. The black-gum colorway feels timeless, but with five additional combinations to choose from, it’s easy to add some of your own personality while maintaining a neutral look that travels well with a variety of outfits. With slow fashion roots and lasting construction, they’re built to go the distance. $270.

Three New Routes from TAP Air Portugal as Airline Celebrates 80 Years

TAP Air Portugal offers three new routes to Portugal:  from Boston (BOS) to Porto (OPO), Los Angeles (LAX) to Lisbon (LIS) and San Francisco (SFO) to Terceira (TER) in the Azores.

Airlines
Jul 11, 2025

Cathay Pacific Launches World’s Best Economy Class Sale

Cathay Pacific celebrates its recent recognition as a Top 3 World’s Best Airline and World’s Best Economy Class in 2025’s Skytrax World Airline Awards with a one-of-a-kind deal.

Daily
Jul 11, 2025

Gondwana Ecotours Unveils 10-Day Tour into Tanzanian Wilderness to See Great Migration

Gondwana Ecotours recently unveiled its 10-day Great Migration Serengeti Safari into Tanzania’s wilderness.

Seoul: Your Next MICE Destination

Seoul has rapidly become a leading global MICE hub, known for its rich culture, advanced technology and strong economy. As the capital of South Korea, it offers a strategic location in East Asia and a booming cultural influence through K-pop, K-movies, Korean cuisine and K-dramas. With its vibrant atmosphere and business-friendly environment, Seoul is increasingly the top choice for MICE organizers and corporate travelers seeking connection and collaboration.

Daily
Jul 11, 2025

Park Hyatt Johannesburg Opens

Hyatt Hotels Corporation recently announced the opening of Park Hyatt Johannesburg, in the Rosebank district and marking the brand’s third destination in the African region.

Global City Guidebook: Motueka, New Zealand

The town on New Zealand’s South Island is known for, among other things, its distinctive namesake hops used for making beer. Motueka’s beautiful beaches, proximity to parks, cafés and cultural offerings draw visitors for laid-back getaways.

Lech Walesa on Tour: A Conversation with a Man Who Changed the World

Some events change a nation. Some change the world.

eFlyer Reviews
Jul 9, 2025

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali Review

Maui’s well-heeled vacationers have long flocked to Wailea, a verdant paradise lined with upscale beachfront resorts. Kaanapali, 45 minutes up the coastal Honoapiʻilani Highway, was the island’s bustling alternative.