Marriott Heads Outdoors: Postcard Cabins (ex-Getaway) & Trailborn Join the Bonvoy Family
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Marriott is moving beyond traditional hotels and deeper into nature-centric stays. In December 2024, the company announced two big moves: acquiring Postcard Cabins (the tiny-cabin brand formerly known as Getaway) and striking a long-term agreement to bring Trailborn boutique outdoor hotels into the Marriott ecosystem. The plan: build a dedicated, outdoor-focused collection tied to Marriott Bonvoy.
Postcard Cabins
Nature-first, tiny-cabin “outposts” within ~2 hours of major cities, each cabin with a private outdoor area (firepit), kitchenette, and an en-suite bathroom—designed for self-guided, contactless stays. The company rebranded from Getaway to Postcard Cabins in Oct 2024; Marriott announced the acquisition that December.
Where they are
29 U.S. locations (e.g., Big Bear/LA, Shenandoah/DC, Starved Rock/Chicago, Hocking Hills/Columbus, Hill Country/Austin–San Antonio). You can view a list of all locations here. Individual Marriott pages list each outpost with basics (check-in 4pm, check-out 11am, kitchenette, parking).
Booking & Bonvoy
All 29 outposts are bookable exclusively on Marriott.com and the Bonvoy app; members can earn and redeem points. Elite benefits apply with notable exclusions (e.g., no Guaranteed Lounge Access or 48-Hour Availability; some outposts don’t offer enhanced internet). This hotel brand, like most others, earns 10 base points for every dollar spent.
Cancellation is stricter than hotels (e.g., 15-day window on standard rates).
Cabin setup (typical)
Queen bed (some cabins sleep four with bunks), AC/heat, private bath with hot shower and biodegradable amenities, two-burner stove, mini-fridge, basic cookware, cell-phone lockbox, and a landline for emergencies. Wi-Fi is limited—only select outposts list it as an amenity. Door codes are texted before arrival (no front desk).
Dog-friendly: $50 per stay (added during booking). Cats are not allowed. Some Marriott hotel pages also list rates for stays with pets and a maximum of two dogs.
As with other brands, Marriott offers temporary discounts and bonus points. The current offer is: Stay for 3 or more nights at Postcard Cabins receive a 15% discount.
Real Reviews From Staying at Postcard Cabins
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Postcard Cabins are on marriott.com now
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“I stayed in a tiny cabin… Shenandoah North… So cute and cozy.” – Plenty of positive “cozy cabin” stays—especially at Shenandoah North. Instagram
Trailborn
A boutique-hotel brand building “basecamps” in iconic outdoor destinations—full service hotels with design-forward rooms, restaurants/bars, programming, and guided experiences. Marriott announced a long-term agreement to bring Trailborn into Bonvoy alongside Postcard Cabins.
Where they are
- Grand Canyon (Williams, AZ) – on Route 66; Miss Kitty’s Steakhouse & Bar; daily complimentary breakfast; pool & hot tub. Pets allowed in certain rooms (weight/qty limits; fee).
- Highlands, NC – Blue Ridge retreat with Highlands Supper Club, outdoor Nordic spa, curated excursions; pet-friendly rooms (fees/limits apply).
- Surf & Sound (Wrightsville Beach, NC) – beachfront resort with La Duna Paradiso, Bar Duna, Blockade Surf Bar; no pets; valet/parking fees apply. Opened Jan 2025 after full redesign.
- Rocky Mountains (Estes Park, CO) – flagship plus “Outpost” motor-lodge; Casa Colina F&B, pool, fire pits, and guided RMNP excursions.
And also several places marked as those that will open soon: Mendocino | MENDOCINO, CA, Jackson Hole | JACKSON HOLE, WY.
Trailborn also participates in the Bonvoy program for earning/redeeming points. Elite benefits are subject to program rules with exceptions (no guaranteed lounge access, overnight upgrade rewards, or 48-hour availability). Marriott’s general earn page indicates most hotel brands earn 10 base points per $1.
Policies & fees
- Cancellation: Generally 48-hour window (property/rate dependent).
- Pets: Allowed at Grand Canyon (limits/fee), Highlands (patio rooms; fee/weight limit), not allowed at Surf & Sound.
- Parking/fees: Grand Canyon lists on-site parking (and EV charging); Surf & Sound shows on-site/valet with a daily charge. Always check your dates for current amounts.
On-property Vibe & Amenities
- Grand Canyon: Western-inspired design, pool/hot tub, free breakfast, activities (bingo, movie nights), kids “camp-in” add-ons.
- Highlands: Nordic outdoor spa, guided fly-fishing/hiking/forest-bathing, Supper Club dining.
- Surf & Sound: Ocean/sound-view rooms (many with balconies), surf lessons & watercraft rentals, multiple dining venues.
Real Reviews From Staying at Trailborn
“Location and price of room is a good value. We stayed on the ocean side.”
Solid value and beachside setting at Surf & Sound; pick ocean-side rooms. Booking.com
“Everything about this place is amazing.”
Multiple recent positives on Highlands—renovated, quiet, near town. expedia
“I recently stayed at the Trailborn. I highly recommend it.”
Estes Park/Rocky Mountains property gets guest love for staff and rooms. Facebook
“We had a great stay, including a wonderful dinner in the hotel restaurant Miss Kitty’s.”
Grand Canyon location praised for on-site dining and overall experience. Facebook
Postcard Cabins and Trailborn in the Bonvoy program
As previously mentioned, Postcard Cabins and Trailborn are participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, which means you can book your stay with cash or points and earn points for eligible paid nights. Reward points must be booked through Marriott channels (Marriott.com, app, or member services).
Trailborn adds one useful feature: if you book through the Trailborn channel, you can still earn points if your Bonvoy number is attached to the reservation at check-in; however, you still need to book through Marriott to use your rewards. And so, participants in the program can take advantage of the “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” offer when booking with points.
Marriott Elite status benefits apply to both brands, but each has certain exceptions.
At Postcard Cabins, Bonvoy members receive program benefits, with the exception of free upgraded internet access, gift shop discounts, guaranteed lounge access, and 48-hour guaranteed availability; Marriott also notes that not all cabins provide free in-room internet, so check the individual hotel page.
At Trailborn, members receive program benefits, except for the gift shop discount, guaranteed lounge access, daily upgrade rewards, and 48-hour guaranteed availability. In short: you’ll still earn and use bonuses as usual, but don’t expect lounges or confirmed room upgrade tools at these outdoor-focused hotels.
Conclutions
Marriott’s move into the outdoor recreation space is not just a branding ploy, but a significant expansion of the Bonvoy map. With Postcard Cabins and Trailborn, program members can now earn and redeem points while staying in places that have nothing to do with traditional hotels: in remote little cabins in the woods or in designer base camps near parks, coastlines, and mountain towns. This diversity is a real win—more places, more travel styles, and the same loyalty currency.
For Bonvoy travelers, the rules are simple: choose the format that suits your trip, book through Marriott to lock in points and elite night credits, and always check the cash-to-points ratio. Yes, in some areas the benefits are less than with the major brands, but in return, you get access to experiences that were not previously in the portfolio.
