There are several 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 amazing properties that I couldn’t — or, at least, wouldn’t — have booked otherwise.
Many major hotel loyalty programs allow travelers to book attractive luxury properties with points. Unfortunately, standard award space for reasonable-length stays is virtually non-existent at some properties; Others have such sky-high reward values that they may not make the best use of your points. To set reasonable expectations, I’ve left out properties with the least decent reward availability or points value when compiling this list.
Here’s a look at some of the amazing luxury hotels you can book with points, including the ones I’ve been lucky enough to visit and many more that are still on my wish list.
Alila Ventana Mota Sur
Expenditure in cash: From $1,826 per night
Cost in points: From 35,000 World Hyatt Points per night
You head to Alila Ventana Big Sur to get away and relax. This rustic forest resort near Monterey, California has 54 rooms and suites. Every resort booking includes all meals and optional activities such as yoga, meditation, tai chi and daily hikes. As such, Alila Ventana Big Sur is definitely one resort where your points can provide significant value.
The resort is adults only, so no guests under the age of 18 may accompany you. Also note that Alila Ventana Big Sur’s scenic side is separate from the resort and does not have access to many resort amenities.
Overall, this resort is for those with plenty of cash or World of Hyatt points. I would try to book a short stay with an off-peak standard room award price and use my points for a longer Pacific Coast Highway trip to get the most value.
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Related: Best Hyatt All Inclusive Resorts in the World
Miraval Arizona
Expenditure in cash: From $1,058 per night for single occupancy (from $1,852 per night for double occupancy)
Cost in points: 40,000 World of Hyatt points per night for single occupancy (from 57,500 points per night for double occupancy)
Miraval is Hyatt’s most luxurious wellness-focused brand, and has full-scale resorts and spas in Texas, Arizona and Massachusetts. TPG employees have stayed at all three properties, each with rave reviews.
So, it’s no surprise that at least one Miraval resort makes my list of amazing luxury hotels around the world that you can book with points. I am most excited to visit Miraval Arizona because of its desert location and status as the original Miraval Resort.
Related: Does it make sense to redeem World of Hyatt points for all-inclusive resorts?
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Faroe Islands
Expenditure in cash: From $2,565 per night
Cost in points: From 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points per night
To be honest, I doubt I’ll ever be willing to redeem the points required to stay at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Faroe Islands. However, especially considering the rates paid, you’re getting a steal on most dates — especially if you redeem points for at least five nights of your stay and get the fifth night free.
RELATED: Stay at this incredible Ritz-Carlton around the world
The six senses are lamu
Expenditure in cash: From $1,409 per night
Cost in points: From 194,000 IHG One Rewards points per night
Six Senses Lamu is a rustic yet luxurious resort focused on environmental sustainability. It employs a whole team of marine biologists, offers amazing snorkeling opportunities on site, includes some memorable hands-on activities, has a great kids club and has multilevel overwater villas as its base room type.
However, if I return to Six Senses Lamu (which I hope to do), I will probably book the paid rate. Redeeming IHG One Rewards points doesn’t make sense at most Six Senses stays for two reasons: You’ll get a lower redemption rate than most IHG hotels, and Six Senses often offer excellent half-board paid rates if you stay at least four. the night
Related: The Most Luxurious Six Senses Resorts Around the World
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
Expenditure in cash: From $962 per night
Cost in points: From 25,000 World Hyatt Points per night
Another luxury option in the Maldives, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadaha features over 50 land and overwater villas, all 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 just 25,000 to 35,000 points per night, depending on dates. It’s a solid value for hotels where cash rates can exceed $1,000 per night.
Related: 34 Maldives resorts you can book with points and miles
Al Maha, The Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Expenditure in cash: From $898 per night
Cost in points: From 88,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
I debated whether Marriott’s Al Maha Resort in Dubai was worth visiting a few years ago. After visiting in the summer of 2022, I’m glad I decided to try this ambitious, essentially all-inclusive resort in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Our two-night stay was definitely memorable, from the meals on our villa’s patio and the hours spent in our private pool overlooking the desert to the included activities.
The resort has 42 private villas with swimming pools, and guests can redeem points for their stay to enjoy three meals and two activities per day. Activities include archery, desert nature walks, desert drives, wildlife safaris, falconry shows, horse riding, camel trekking and sunset in the dunes. We learned a lot during our desert nature walk and enjoyed gentle dunes during our wildlife safari.
Related: The best Marriott hotels in the world
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
Expenditure in cash: From $935 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. of TPG Summer Hull also fell in love with Conrad Bora Bora Nui. She said it was her best Hilton point redemption and she will never forget her stay at this Hilton property.
At Conrad Bora Bora Nui, you’ll have access to four different beaches. There is also free snorkeling equipment, kayaks and paddleboards to view the marine life around the resort. Daily activities – including demonstrations on how to open a coconut and li making workshop – also await.
Standard award nights cost 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night. During some seasons it is easy to find five or more standard award nights in a row, although during other seasons it may be difficult to find standard award availability. Unless you have more Hilton Points than you can redeem, you’ll want to avoid outrageous premium award night prices.
Also remember that Hilton Honors elite members can get a free fifth night on a standard award night stay.
Related: Best All Inclusive Resorts and Packages in Bora Bora
The bottom line
This is far from a comprehensive list of luxury hotels you can book with points, and you’ll probably include a variety of hotels on your own list. For instance, while many travelers will include this Park Hyatt Sydney on their list, I personally think the best hotels are remote and isolated from city life. Even if your idea of a great hotel is different than mine, I hope this list helps you dream and aspire to make your points and miles station in 2025.