It’s that time of year again when we’re all lacking in Vitamin D. Well, at least if you spend most of your time in the Northern Hemisphere. With months of grey skies and rainy days still to come, it’s high time to start thinking about jetting off somewhere sunny, and the idea of summer sun gets even easier when you realise that you can use points to cover even the nicest of hotels…
It’s the perfect time of year for a jaw dropping flight deal, so pair one with one of these amazing destinations, with points hotels worth splurging on. It’s time to start dreaming of sunshine, blue skies and sandy beaches…
Bali
With average temperatures hitting the high 20’s (Celsius) and the bursts of rain often followed by clear blue skies, January and February can be an excellent time to visit this popular destination. Enjoy beaches, jungle, rice fields, yummy food and all the other wonderful things you’ve heard about.
For points hotels in Bali, you’ve got plenty of choices with all loyalty programs. If however you want some amazing choices at excellent rates, Hyatt offers some wonderful hotels at both ends of the points scale, which can offer fantastic value compared to cash prices.
Viceroy Bali:
Hyatt points per night – 30,000
Average price per night – £500/$667
Alila Ubud:
Hyatt points per night – 12,000
Average price per night – £180/$240
Alila Seminyak:
Hyatt points per night – 20,000
Average price per night – £220/$295
Alila Villas Uluwatu:
Hyatt points per night – 30,000
Average price per night – £550/$734
Bora Bora
Bora Bora is one of those destinations that can often seem a bit out of reach, for many reasons, including the fact that it hardly shows up on any map when zoomed out, because it’s in the middle of the ocean.
But one look at the luxury resorts, crystal clear waters and soft sand and you’ll be thinking if there’s any possible way to make it happen. Fortunately, being able to use points at these beautiful hotels can make it slightly more attainable.
InterContinental Resort Bora Bora Thalasso Spa:
IHG points per night – min. of 70,000
Average price per night – £850/$1114
InterContinental Le Moana Bora Bora:
IHG points per night – min. of 70,000
Average price per night – £475/$633
Conrad Bora Bora Nui:
Hilton points per night -89,000
Average price per night – £600/$800
Canary Islands
If you’re based in Europe, this is one of the most convenient places for some winter sun as flights are only around 4 hours (from London) or less. And since these islands are less aspirational than other top winter destinations, availability using points is easy for the flights too.
With winter temperatures in the low 20’s it could be worth packing your shorts and heading out for a long weekend to get away from those winter blues. At the very least, it’s an amazing spa break…
The Ritz-Carlton, Abama:
Marriott points per night – 50,000
Average price per night – £250/$333
Sheraton Fuerteventura Beach, Golf & Spa Resort:
Marriott points per night – 35,000
Average price per night – £145/$193
Sheraton La Caleta Resort & Spa, Costa Adeje:
Marriott points per night – 35,000
Average price per night – £180/$240
Los Angeles
If you turn up and the skies aren’t blue and the sun is not shining then you’ve been unlucky. It rains in LA about once or twice a year, and even then it’s surprising. LA is a wonderful choice thanks to highly competitive flight prices at the moment, and well, everything that makes LA – LA.
Known for its year round sunshine, there’s really not a bad time to go. Enjoy gorgeous hikes, good food, runs along the beach and plenty of shopping. It definitely makes for a fun week away. And some of these hotels are just “wow”.
Andaz West Hollywood:
Hyatt points per night – 20,000
Average price per night – £320/$427
SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills:
Marriott points per night – 60,000
Average price per night – £370/$493
The West Hollywood EDITION:
Marriott points per night – 60,000
Average price per night – £370/$493
Sydney
When you think of winter sun, it’s impossible to skip Australia seeing as it’s actually in the middle of their summer, while we’re stuck in winter. Combine that with Sydney being an incredible city with so much to do, beautiful views and plenty of beaches to keep you occupied for days then it’s well worth the trip.
There are lots of creative ways to save on flights, with our without points and Australia is always worth the trip. And if you’re wondering what to do when you get there we’ve got that covered too.
Park Hyatt Sydney:
Hyatt points per night – 30,000
Average price per night – £700/$934
Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection:
Marriott points per night – 35,000
Average price per night – £180/$240
InterContinental Sydney, Double Bay:
IHG points per night – 55,000
Average price per night – £190/$253
Phuket
Although December – April is pretty peak travel season, it’s easy to see why when temperatures are hitting the 30’s daily. If your goal is to relax in the sun, eat delicious Thai food and watch incredible sunsets then this could be the place for you – or at least one of the many beautiful spots of Thailand.
Use cheap deals to Bangkok to get you into Thailand, and then book separate flights to Phuket to save on airfare, and then soak it up at one of these incredible destination hotels…
Twinpalms Montazure:
Hyatt points per night – 25,000
Average price per night – £200/$267
The Naka Phuket, a Member of Design Hotels:
Marriott points per night – 50,000
Average price per night – £255/$340
Keemala Phuket:
Hyatt points per night – 30,000
Average price per night – £450/$600
Singapore
You can always guarantee the heat in Singapore. Why not combine a city break with a little, easy side trip to one of their nearby beaches. Enjoy Gardens By The Bay, a Singapore Sling and one of the cheapest Michelin Star meals you’ll ever find. And you’ll definitely want to pack your shorts and T-shirt’s here.
Andaz Singapore:
Hyatt points per night – 20,000
Average price per night – £300/$400
The Westin Singapore:
Marriott points per night – 50,000
Average price per night – £280/$373
W Singapore, Sentosa Cove:
Marriott points per night – 50,000
Average price per night – £200/$267
Barbados
That lovely tropical climate means that you’ll be feeling the heat all year round. Bring your swimming costumes and spend your days enjoying the gorgeous beaches, turquoise waters and probably a spot of snorkeling too.
With some good flight options around from the US, Europe and beyond, if beach and chill is your kind of holiday then Barbados is hard to beat.
Courtyard Bridgetown, Barbados:
Marriott points per night – 25,000
Average price per night – £200/$267
Hilton Barbados Resort:
Hilton points per night – 25,000
Average price per night – £200/$267
Fairmont Royal Pavilion:
Accor points per night – variable
Average price per night – £750/$1000
Dubai
It’s always nice going away when you can pretty much guarantee some good weather; and with the summer months being unbearably hot, winter is actually the best time to visit the lights, sight and action of Dubai.
Full of luxury shopping, beaches, nightlife, endless hotels to choose from and a picture worthy skyline, it can make a fun place for a holiday. It’s also quite an easy flight from Europe, Asia or even the USA, with direct connections from most cities, and ultra competitive prices.
Andaz Dubai The Palm:
Hyatt points per night – 20,000
Average price per night – £260/$347
Park Hyatt Dubai:
Hyatt points per night – 20,000
Average price per night – £275/$367
Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai:
Marriott points per night – 35,000
Average price per night – £210/$280
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai:
Marriott points per night – 85,000
Average price per night – £1200/$1600
Cape Town
Come for the sunshine, but stay for the views, hikes and incredible food and wine. With an easy overnight flight and barely any time difference from Europe, this makes a wonderful destination even if just for a long weekend. If you’ll be coming from further, it’s still worth it.
Of course, if you have longer to stay for a safari or visit Franschhoek or Stellenbosch then even better. Look for great premium economy deals right now, or great business class pricing from Northern Europe.
15 On Orange Hotel, Autograph Collection:
Marriott points per night – 25,000
Average price per night – £160/$213
The Westin Cape Town:
Marriott points per night – 35,000
Average price per night – £250/$333
Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers:
Marriott points per night – 25,000
Average price per night – £160/$213
Hot tip: if you’re based in the USA, Hyatt and Chase offer the fastest path to converting every day spending into luxurious hotel nights. Hyatt properties top out at 30,000 points per night, versus 85,000 or more in other programs, and you can transfer points from most Chase cards directly to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio, and Hyatt also has its own credit card. Good to know, right?
