Here are 8 fantastic (and slightly aspirational) hotel point bookings for your next trip

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives (Source)

There are numerous ways to redeem points for hotel stays. I often opt for properties that offer great value and can be booked with relatively few points. Having hotel points opens up a world of possibilities, allowing me to stay at spectacular properties that I wouldn't normally book otherwise.

Many major hotel loyalty programs let travelers book incredible luxury properties with points. However, standard award availability for reasonable stays is nearly non-existent at some places, like the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. Others, such as Hyatt's new Mr & Mrs Smith collection, have prohibitively high award pricing, making them less ideal for point redemption. To set realistic expectations, I've excluded properties with poor award availability or low points value.

Here's a look at some of the most amazing luxury hotels you can book with points.

Alila Ventana Big Sur
Big Sur, California

Alila Ventana Big Sur (Source)

Cost in cash: From $1,606 per night
Cost in points: From 45,000 World of Hyatt points per night

Ventana Big Sur is a retreat for relaxation, located in a rustic forest near Monterey, California. The resort features 54 rooms and suites, with each booking including all meals and activities like yoga, meditation, tai chi, and daily hikes. Your points can offer significant value here.

The property consistently receives great reviews, though award space at off-peak rates is limited. I found several nights with off-peak Category 8 pricing for standard rooms and premium suites. Note, the resort is adults-only, and the glamping side of Ventana Big Sur lacks access to many resort amenities.

Overall, it's ideal for those with ample cash, plenty of World of Hyatt points, or a special occasion to celebrate. I'd book a short stay with off-peak standard room pricing and use my points for a longer Pacific Coast Highway trip for maximum value.

Miraval Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

Miraval Arizona (Source)

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 Miraval brand, with resorts in Texas, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Saudi Arabia, is focused on wellness. The original Miraval resort in Arizona is on my list of amazing luxury hotels to book with points.

Despite a special World of Hyatt award chart for Miraval resorts, redeeming Hyatt points generally provides good value. All meals, snacks, nonalcoholic beverages, shared shuttle transportation from Tucson International Airport (TUS), and a $175 per person nightly credit for spa services and activities are included.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
Fari Islands, Maldives

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands (Source)

Cost in cash: From $1,504 per night
Cost in points: From 82,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night

For a spectacular stay in the Maldives, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is an excellent choice, just a 45-minute speedboat ride from the airport in Male. A standard point redemption gets you a one-bedroom ocean pool villa with an ocean view, though you can redeem more points for an upgraded room type. Given the high cash rates, redeeming points here can be a great deal, especially if you stay five nights and get a fifth night free.

Six Senses Laamu
Laamu Atoll, Maldives

Six Senses Laamu (Source)

Cost in cash: From $1,049 per night
Cost in points: From 190,000 IHG One Rewards points per night

Six Senses Laamu, a rustic luxury resort focused on sustainability in the Maldives, remains my favorite stay. The resort offers amazing snorkeling, unique experiences, and multilevel overwater villas as its base room type.

However, redeeming IHG One Rewards points isn't usually the best option, as lower redemption rates and excellent paid rates are often available. I'd likely book a paid rate instead.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
Hadahaa, Maldives

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa (Source)

Cost in cash: From $800 per night
Cost in points: From 25,000 World of Hyatt points per night

This luxurious Maldives option features more than 50 land and overwater villas, surrounded by a private reef perfect for snorkeling. Amenities include restaurants, bars, pools, a yoga studio, a fitness center, a spa, and a dive center.

World of Hyatt's generous award chart makes this Category 7 property a great value at 25,000 to 35,000 points per night, especially with cash rates often exceeding $1,000 per night.

Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai (Source)

Cost in cash: From $1,176 per night
Cost in points: From 96,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night

This all-inclusive resort in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve offers private villas with pools, three meals a day, and two activities per day, such as archery, desert nature walks, and wildlife safaris. Plus, it can be conveniently reached from Dubai and Abu Dhabi alike.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui
Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Conrad Bora Bora Nui (Source)

Cost in cash: From $1,202 per night
Cost in points: From 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night

The Conrad Bora Bora Nui in French Polynesia offers a memorable experience with access to four beaches, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, and daily activities. Standard award nights typically cost 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night, and elite members get a fifth night free on standard award stays.

Necker Island
Necker Island, British Virgin Island

Necker Island (Source)

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 a private island retreat you can book with points. The stay includes accommodation, breakfast, round-trip transportation, and access to water sports equipment. Award stays require a seven-night commitment and are available during select "Celebration Weeks" each year.

Bottom line

This list highlights some of the best luxury hotels you can book with points. While your list may differ, I hope this helps you dream and aspire to build your stash of points and miles in 2024.

This article was first published on thepointsguy.com