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I was surprised when I saw this but I suppose it makes sense given Hyatt bought Mr & Mrs Smith.
Will be interesting to see how the rates compare – I always found Hyatt about 10% more than booking direct with SLH. The Hyatt points earned could offset this but given the limited footprint and opportunities to earn in Europe (no credit card, can’t transfer from Amex etc.) it didn’t make sense for me. Hilton’s footprint is much better and the points much easier to top up, so hopefully it’s easier to find value.
That kind of excited me
Sad news for Hyatt (and it’s loyalists)
Just had an excellent stay at the Sukhothai Bangkok. Booked on points thanks to the new SLH partnership, 45k per night. Very lovely welcome, felt well looked after (staff all superb) – don’t know whether that’s standard or they’re making a particular effort for new Hilton customers. Got upgraded from the standard room to a very lovely suite, and as Hilton Diamond, free breakfast (which is excellent and a huge spread that could easily see you through lunch as well! 😉 Thoroughly enjoyed my stay, and it struck me as a good redemption option. Cash prices were around £220 per night for the same dates, so that’s, what, about 0.49p per point – decent value I thought, and certainly I felt like I was getting a lot of value in terms of space, ambience, service, etc than I might with other redemption options. Having previously stayed multiple times at the Conrad, Hilton Millennium, Hilton Sukhumvit, which are in the same ballpark, points-wise, I think the Sukhothai is my new go-to favourite. Nothing wrong with any of those, I should add, but they should probably cost fewer points in comparison. That said, if the Sukhothai were to go up in price, I’m not sure it would be quite so attractive – it’s a good sweet spot right now, I think. Highly recommended anyway.
We stayed at The Fish Hotel at the foot of the south Cotswolds last weekend. Excellent estate and just 60,000 points per night. Based on the cash rates worked out at just under 0.5 per point.
I’ve just booked 2 nights at either end of our Nassau trip next March at the Goldwynn Resort and Residences on Cable Beach. 100k points pn but cash rates are over $1k so 0.8p per point which feels like pretty good value, especially as the base rooms are studio suites with a kitchenette.
The Sukhothai Bangkok is one of our favourites. Biggest hotel in Bangkok (I think that’s still correct) and the staff are incredible. A great hotel for relaxing but also the option to explore Bangkok is there too. I can also recommend the Club rooms with lounge access if they become available.
I’ve just booked 2 nights at either end of our Nassau trip next March at the Goldwynn Resort and Residences on Cable Beach. 100k points pn but cash rates are over $1k so 0.8p per point which feels like pretty good value, especially as the base rooms are studio suites with a kitchenette.
I have been looking at the same property. However, I am slightly nervous, as the rate rules refer to 50% being non-refundable from 90 days prior to arrival, but then separately to cancel by 14 days prior to arrival or face a 2 night penalty. I am fine with a 14 day advance cancellation policy, but forfeiting 50% of my points if cancellation is within 90 days of arrival is extreme. What are the policies for your stay?
I’ve just booked 2 nights at either end of our Nassau trip next March at the Goldwynn Resort and Residences on Cable Beach. 100k points pn but cash rates are over $1k so 0.8p per point which feels like pretty good value, especially as the base rooms are studio suites with a kitchenette.
I have been looking at the same property. However, I am slightly nervous, as the rate rules refer to 50% being non-refundable from 90 days prior to arrival, but then separately to cancel by 14 days prior to arrival or face a 2 night penalty. I am fine with a 14 day advance cancellation policy, but forfeiting 50% of my points if cancellation is within 90 days of arrival is extreme. What are the policies for your stay?
To answer my question – the confirmation only refers to the 14 day period, and customer service chat confirmed that was the actual policy for an award booking.
We have just booked an outsize value SLH redemption at the Amilla resort (Baa atoll) in the Maldives for late January 2025. A co-worker of mine is visiting the Conrad Rangali at the same time as us, so we had to find a different Hilton points option. I sit next to him five days a week and don’t want to sit next to him on the beach in the Maldives as well … anyhow, I digress.
Had the choice of a sunset over water pool villa or lagoon over water pool villa for 120,000 points per night (same “cost” as Rangali), with fifth night free on a six night trip. Based on the quoted cash cost for the room and the seaplane transfer cost, the value is 1.9p per point for the lagoon villa and 1.6p for the sunset villa. The rooms are much larger than the Conrad Rangali and have their own pool. Whether we would actually pay £11.5k cash for six nights is a different question, but that’s how the maths stacks up. Combined with getting 241 avios J seats direct on BA, we are getting what I think is a fantastic deal. There is still a good amount of 120,000 points nights available for at least the next six months from now as far as I can see. YMMV.
NB The seaplane transfer cost for the Amilla is USD800 + 26% tax & service = USD1021pp which I believe is significantly higher than the Rangali and other resorts I think. I also don’t think there is a free drinks hour for Golds & Diamonds and half price drinks happy hour every day like the Rangali, so some offset in value there, as I believe that Rangali guests take good advantage of this opportunity.
@allycat, a better approach to calculate value would be – total cash cost of room with full board or all inclusive package and transfers minus cash payable for all f&b and transfers on a redemption booking divided by points used.
Many hotels are now charging lower premium for full board or AI packages when paying cash for room compared to points / room booking and upgrading f&b after going there.
@CamFlyer, apologies for not replying, and thanks for confirming that!
I’ve noticed also with IHG that properties in high-end (especially Caribbean region) destinations (or just plain expensive!) often have different cancellation policies to the standard one. I suspect it’s to protect themselves against speculative bookings, American visitors seem particularly fond of this practice, both with accommodation and reward flights!
Just had an excellent stay at the Sukhothai Bangkok. Booked on points thanks to the new SLH partnership, 45k per night. Very lovely welcome, felt well looked after (staff all superb) – don’t know whether that’s standard or they’re making a particular effort for new Hilton customers. Got upgraded from the standard room to a very lovely suite, and as Hilton Diamond, free breakfast (which is excellent and a huge spread that could easily see you through lunch as well! 😉 Thoroughly enjoyed my stay, and it struck me as a good redemption option. Cash prices were around £220 per night for the same dates, so that’s, what, about 0.49p per point – decent value I thought, and certainly I felt like I was getting a lot of value in terms of space, ambience, service, etc than I might with other redemption options. Having previously stayed multiple times at the Conrad, Hilton Millennium, Hilton Sukhumvit, which are in the same ballpark, points-wise, I think the Sukhothai is my new go-to favourite. Nothing wrong with any of those, I should add, but they should probably cost fewer points in comparison. That said, if the Sukhothai were to go up in price, I’m not sure it would be quite so attractive – it’s a good sweet spot right now, I think. Highly recommended anyway.
Out of curiosity did you get club access as a diamond?
Looking at a weekend in BKK and usually go for the Conrad but might try the Sukhothai for 45k points
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