It’s extraordinary to see how much the points and miles landscape has changed this past 15 years. We’re already more than halfway through 2023 and for fun I like to look back at some of the most special redemptions that we experienced around the world.
Some used to be sweet spots that are long gone from devaluations… some are different brands due to change in ownership… and some are thankfully still there to experience. In order of the earliest time zone, here’s our top 10 hotels!
Park Hyatt Sydney
I still remember the glorious sunrises from our room. Perched right by the Sydney Opera House, this is arguably the best Park Hyatt real estate location in the world. Back in 2016, this hotel only cost 30,000 points/night. During the stay, we scored a nice upgrade with a room that has both views of the harbor and the famous opera house.
Today, this is a Category 8 hotel that can be redeemed for about 40,000 points/night. Cash rates hovers right under $1000 USD/night.
St. Regis Osaka
Back when St. Regis was in the Starwood Preferred Guest umbrella, this St. Regis Osaka was a hugely undervalued hotel that was absurdly cheap to redeem. In 2014, it was a SPG Category 5 hotel which meant that it cost merely 12,000-16,000 points/night for the stay. On top of that, we got generously upgraded to the grand deluxe “Sakura Suite”. For Platinum members, you’re also spoiled with a delicious breakfast that we still remember today.
This hotel now is a Marriott that can be redeemed for 63,000 Bonvoy points/night.
Ritz Carlton Tokyo
Above the hustle and bustle, the Ritz Carlton Tokyo makes you feel like the CEO of all the “salaryman” in this busy metropolis. The hotel generously gifted us the corner suite too, which had a panoramic view of the Tokyo Tower skyline in the living room. Coffee magically just tastes better up here…
Today this hotel is available to book for 100,000+ Bonvoy points/night. Definitely CEO priced now…
Ritz Carlton Hong Kong
Welcome to the tallest hotel in the world. I still remember spending most of the stay in a state of awe just looking outside of our breakfast window. Speaking of awe, this instagram model is not included in the points stay.
Thankfully award rates isn’t as sky high (yet). Today, standard rooms start at 83,000 Bonvoy points/night.
Habtoor Palace Dubai (formerly St. Regis)
This baller estate changed ownership to a Hilton LXR portfolio in 2017. Previously the St. Regis Dubai, this hotel made us feel like royalty in a palace. This place subjectively brings back memories of Skydive Dubai and Etihad Apartment Class. Two epic experiences in one stay.
Today standard rooms can be booked for 80,000+ Hilton points/night.
W Barcelona
Namaste, you are party sailing above the Mediterranean Sea. This sail-shaped hotel is a famous landmark for fancy party goers in the summer seasons. Back in 2016, this property was an absolute steal at only 20,000 SPG points/night.
You can even take a ferry to Ibiza from here too. Untz untz.
Partying is ludicrously expensive here now… standard rooms start at over 100,000+ Bonvoy points/night.
The Savoy London
Prior to AccorHotels acquisition, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts used have a lucrative hotel promo where you get a free night anywhere in the world under the Fairmont portfolio for every 10 stays. One of the most expensive hotels you can use the free night certificate is The Savoy London. To this day, I still remember their afternoon tea was over $100 USD/person. And this is before inflation!
Points booking is challenging and in today’s market not worth it. This hotel is best booked by cash which tends to hover around $900 USD/night.
St. Regis New York
This places oozes old money. Crowned as the first St. Regis in the world, this places is the definition of opulent luxury in the historic New York upper east side charm. During our stay, the hotel generously upgraded us to the “Madison Suite” that tends to command a price at over 2000 USD/night!
Unless you’re bank rolling with cash, this hotel is best booked by awards at 100,000+ Bonvoy points/night.
Ritz Carlton Residence Club® Aspen
Since this is a timeshare ownership, this hotel residence is an outlier from an award redemption standpoint. Nevertheless, it’s worth mentioning since we got such an outsized value from this Marriott Vacation Club points redemption. During winter season, this place is postcard paradise seeing all the winter pros ski/snowboard down right by the hot tub of this hotel.
If you have Marriott Vacation Club points, this is a rare exception where timeshare ownership might be worth it on this Ritz residence property.
Points redemption is not possible through the Marriott Bonvoy program.
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
Ending this list back at home, we have the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. This is arguably one of the fanciest hotel in the world under the Hilton portfolio. When the hotel first opened back in 2017, they even provided complimentary Rolls Royce transfers around Los Angeles, which we took full advantage of when we shopped at Rodeo Drive.
Standard rooms here start at 120,000+ Hilton points/night.
There you have it, we just went around the world featuring our top 10 most memorable hotel redemptions with points. Moral of the story is to not wait around to go somewhere aspirational “one day”. Some opportunity should be taken advantage of now… for it might not be available tomorrow!
The world is such a big place to maximize memories with travel.
Chai Bear World 