There are many ways to redeem points for hotel stays. I usually redeem for good-value properties that I can book for relatively few points. Having hotel points opens up a whole world of possibilities and has allowed me to stay at some spectacular properties that I couldn’t — or at least wouldn’t — have booked otherwise.
Many major hotel loyalty programs let travelers book amazing luxury properties with points. Unfortunately, standard award space for a reasonable-length stay is virtually nonexistent at some properties, such as the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. Other properties, like Hyatt’s new Mr & Mrs Smith collection, have such sky-high award pricing that they may not be the best use of your points. To set reasonable expectations, I left properties off this list that didn’t have at least decent award availability or points value.
Here’s a look at some of the most amazing luxury hotels you can book with points, including a few I’ve been lucky enough to visit and several more that are still on my wish list.
Alila Ventana Big Sur
Cost in cash: From $1,606 per night
Cost in points: From 45,000 World of Hyatt points per night
You go to Ventana Big Sur to get away and relax. This rustic forest resort near Monterey, California, has 54 rooms and suites. Each resort booking includes all meals and select activities like yoga, meditation, tai chi and daily hikes. As such, Ventana Big Sur is certainly a resort where your points can provide significant value.
TPG’s Zach Griff loved his stay, as evidenced in his review of Hyatt’s Ventana Big Sur. But as I found when researching availability — and as Zach noted in his review — award space for rooms priced at off-peak rates is limited. However, I did find several nights with off-peak Category 8 pricing for standard rooms and many nights with off-peak standard and premium suite availability.
The resort is adults-only, so no guests under 18 can accompany you. Note, too, that the glamping side of Ventana Big Sur is different from the resort and doesn’t have access to many of the resort amenities.
Overall, this is a resort for those with plenty of cash, an ample stash of World of Hyatt points or a special occasion to celebrate. I’d likely try to book a short stay with off-peak standard room award pricing and use my points for a longer Pacific Coast Highway trip to get the most value.
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Related: The best Hyatt all-inclusive resorts in the world
Miraval Arizona
Cost in cash: From $1,074 per night for single occupancy (from $1,933 per night for double occupancy)
Cost in points: From 40,000 World of Hyatt points per night for single occupancy (from 57,500 points per night for double occupancy)
Hyatt’s most luxurious wellness-focused brand is Miraval, which has full-scale resorts and spas in Texas, Arizona and Massachusetts, plus an international outpost in Saudi Arabia. TPG staffers have stayed at all three domestic properties, giving each heaps of praise.
So, it’s not surprising that at least one Miraval resort would make my list of amazing luxury hotels around the world that you can book with points. I’m most excited to visit Miraval Arizona due to its desert location and status as the original Miraval resort.
There’s a special World of Hyatt award chart for Miraval resorts, but redeeming Hyatt points still provides good value on most dates. All meals, snacks, coffee, smoothies and nonalcoholic beverages are included in stays. Plus, guests get shared shuttle transportation from Tucson International Airport (TUS) and a $175 per person nightly credit for spa services, fee-based activities and private sessions.
Related: Does it make sense to redeem World of Hyatt points for all-inclusive resorts?
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
Cost in cash: From $1,504 per night
Cost in points: From 82,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
If you have a lot of Marriott Bonvoy points and want a spectacular stay in the Maldives, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is an excellent option. It’s just a 45-minute speedboat ride away from the airport in Male, where most international flights arrive in the Maldives. The standard point redemption will get you a one-bedroom ocean pool villa with an ocean view — although you can redeem more points at booking for an upgraded room type.
Former TPG reporter Chris Dong summed up his stay perfectly when he wrote, “I enjoyed my time at the Ritz, not because of how glamorous it was but because I felt truly cared for in a way that I’ve never felt at any other hotel in the world.”
Frankly, I doubt I’ll ever be willing to redeem the points required to stay at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives. However, especially considering paid rates, you’re getting a steal on most dates — particularly if you redeem points for at least five nights of your stay and can get a fifth night free.
Related: Stay at these amazing Ritz-Carltons across the world
Six Senses Laamu
Cost in cash: From $1,049 per night
Cost in points: From 190,000 IHG One Rewards points per night
My Six Senses Laamu review indicates how much I loved the resort, and it’s remained my favorite stay years later. As such, I had to include it on this list of amazing luxury hotels around the world that you can book with points.
Six Senses Laamu is a rustic luxury resort focused on environmental sustainability. It employs an entire team of marine biologists, offers amazing on-site snorkeling opportunities, includes some memorable experiential activities, has a cool kids club and features multilevel overwater villas as its base room type.
However, I’d likely book a paid rate if I return to Six Senses Laamu (which I hope to do). Redeeming IHG One Rewards points doesn’t make sense for most Six Senses stays for two reasons: You’ll get a lower redemption rate than at most IHG hotels, and Six Senses frequently offers excellent half-board paid rates if you stay at least four nights.
Related: Most luxurious Six Senses resorts across the world
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
Cost in cash: From $800 per night
Cost in points: From 25,000 World of Hyatt points per night
Another luxurious option in the Maldives, the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is home to more than 50 land and overwater villas, all of which are surrounded by a 360-degree private reef that offers plenty of snorkeling opportunities. Amenities include four restaurants and a bar, multiple pools, a yoga studio and fitness center, a spa and an on-site dive center.
Thanks to World of Hyatt’s generous award chart, this Category 7 property costs only 25,000 to 35,000 points per night, depending on the dates. That’s a solid value for a hotel where cash rates can climb to well over $1,000 per night.
Related: The best ways to get to the Maldives on points and miles
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Cost in cash: From $1,176 per night
Cost in points: From 96,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
I debated whether Marriott’s Al Maha resort in Dubai was worth splurging on a few years ago. After visiting in the summer of 2022, I’m happy I decided to try out this aspirational, essentially all-inclusive resort in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Our two-night stay was certainly memorable, from the meals on our villa’s patio and hours spent in our private pool overlooking the desert to the included activities.
The resort has 42 private villas with swimming pools, and guests redeeming points for their stay can enjoy three meals and two activities per day. Activities include archery, desert nature walks, desert drives, wildlife safaris, falconry demonstrations, horseback rides, camel trekking and sundowners in the dunes. We learned a lot during our desert nature walk and enjoyed light dune bashing during our wildlife safari.
Related: The best Marriott hotels in the world
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
Cost in cash: From $1,202 per night
Cost in points: From 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night
I loved my trip to French Polynesia, during which I visited Bora Bora and a few other islands. TPG’s Summer Hull did, too, falling in love with the Conrad Bora Bora Nui. Describing it as her best Hilton points redemption, her stay at the Hilton property is one she’ll never forget.
At the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, you’ll have access to four different beaches. There are also complimentary snorkeling equipment, kayaks and paddleboards to see marine life around the resort. Daily activities, including demonstrations on how to open a coconut and lei-making workshops, await as well.
Standard award nights typically cost 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night. It’s easy to find five or more consecutive standard award nights during some seasons, though standard award availability can be difficult to find during other seasons. Unless you have more Hilton points than you’ll ever be able to redeem, you’ll likely want to avoid the outrageous premium award night pricing.
Remember, too, that Hilton Honors elite members can benefit from a fifth night free on standard award night stays.
Related: Which should you choose? 5 top Bora Bora resorts and how to book
Necker Island
Cost in cash: From $5,650 per night
Cost in points: 2,000,000 Virgin points per seven-night stay
Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands is one of the most epic hotels you can book with points. In fact, it’s a bit of a stretch to call this private island retreat a hotel.
If you book an award stay at Necker Island, your stay includes your accommodation, breakfast, round-trip transportation from Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) and access to water sports equipment. The island is also home to various animals, including lemurs, giant tortoises and flamingos.
You can book a room through Virgin Red, the sister program of Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, but you’ll have to commit to a seven-night stay, and award stays are only available during a handful of “Celebration Weeks” each year, some of which are adults-only. Children can stay for a surcharge on some “Celebration” dates, but the above prices are only for double occupancy.
Related: Private-island resorts you can book with points
Bottom line
This is far from a comprehensive list of luxury hotels you can book with points, and you’d likely include different hotels on your own list. For instance, while many travelers would include the Park Hyatt Sydney on their list, I personally think the best hotels are remote and separated from urban life. Even if your idea of an amazing hotel differs from mine, I hope this list helps you dream and aspire to build your stash of points and miles in 2024.
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