Usually, spinning a wheel means either game shows or questionable life choices. Marriott Bonvoy is changing that narrative with “Travel Roulette,” a digital spin-the-wheel experience that’s less “I’ve made a terrible mistake” and more “surprise luxury getaway.” The hotel giant has unleashed this game of chance to celebrate hitting one million hotel rooms across the United States.
The concept (which runs through May 26) borrows from the viral “vacation roulette” trend—that social media phenomenon where travelers put their destination fate in the hands of random selection. It’s essentially dating-app logic applied to travel: swipe right on spontaneity and see where you match.
A Harris Poll survey commissioned by Marriott Bonvoy, conducted March 6-10, 2025, reveals 43% of Americans plan to book unplanned trips less than two months in advance or opt for a randomly selected destination this year. Travelers appear to be rebelling against the rigid scheduling that defined pandemic-era vacations. Spontaneity has become the ultimate luxury—more valuable than thread count or complimentary breakfast.
What’s in the Prize Pool?
The grand prize winner scores an impressive travel package: one million Marriott Bonvoy points and a four-night stay at the newly opened Canal House of Georgetown. With Marriott’s extensive portfolio of hotels, these points could fund numerous stays across their properties worldwide.
“Travel roulette embraces the excitement of the unexpected and encourages exploration of new destinations and spontaneous travel,” explains Peggy Roe, executive vice president and chief customer officer at Marriott International. “Reaching 1 million hotel rooms in the U.S. is a significant milestone for us, and we are celebrating it by inviting travelers to explore something unexpected and take a spontaneous trip.”
Smaller prizes include two-night stays at properties spanning from Maui to Manhattan, including AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea, ADERO Scottsdale Resort, JW Marriott Las Vegas, and W New York – Union Square. The Canal House of Georgetown itself strikes a perfect balance between classic and contemporary. Its design draws inspiration from the historic Chesapeake & Ohio Canal while featuring modern amenities that both travelers and locals can enjoy.
The Spontaneity Spectrum
Travel industry experts have noted a broader post-pandemic trend toward more flexible travel planning. According to the American Travel Association’s 2024 report on travel behaviors, spontaneous bookings increased 27% between 2023 and 2024, suggesting a shift away from the hyperplanned vacation model that dominated previous years.
Spontaneous travel does come with both benefits and challenges. While it offers the thrill of discovery and potential for unexpected delights, travel planning resources suggest setting basic parameters: being spontaneous about the destination but still securing accommodations and considering seasonal factors can help balance adventure with practicality.
In an age when algorithms predict our preferences with unsettling accuracy, there’s something refreshingly human about embracing randomness. The real question: are you the type who creates detailed packing spreadsheets, or the one who throws random clothes in a bag and somehow still looks photo-ready?
Either way, Marriott is betting you’ll spin their wheel. The digital roulette awaits at Marriott Bonvoy Roulette—no purchase necessary, just a Marriott Bonvoy membership and a willingness to let chance be your travel agent.
