The 25 Best SLH Hotels To Book With Hyatt Points for Max Value [2023]

Fans of boutique, intimate hotels worldwide who still want to use points to book them aren’t entirely out of luck. Thanks to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) program, part of the Hyatt portfolio, travelers looking for this type of accommodation experience can have it while redeeming or earning World of Hyatt points.

This article explains more about the SLH program, how to book SLH hotels using World of Hyatt points, and the best value Hyatt SLH properties around the world. Best value means different things to different people, but we scoured SLH properties worldwide — even staying at some of them — to find ones that offer exceptional amenities, low redemption rates, or excellent points deals compared to cash rates.

What Are Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH)?

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) is a collection of one-of-a-kind, carefully curated hotel properties. Each of the 540 hotels has its own special vibe, from French castles to rainforest treehouses, beachy spa retreats, or vineyard properties. These boutique hotels are usually full of local character, ideal for travelers looking to connect with their destination in an intimate, unique space.

How To Earn World of Hyatt Points

Redeeming World of Hyatt points is an easy way to stay at many SLH properties for free. If you need to bump up your World of Hyatt points balance, you could always get one of our favorite credit cards for Hyatt loyalists.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card and World of Hyatt Business Credit Card earn 9x points per $1 spent total for Hyatt stays and experiences: 4x points at Hyatt hotels (including participating Small Luxury Hotels of the World) and 5x points just for being a World of Hyatt member.

You can also opt for a card that earns flexible points that you can transfer 1:1 to World of Hyatt, as well as a variety of other travel partners, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® or Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card. You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards points directly to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio.

How To Book SLH Hotels Using World of Hyatt Points

Not all SLH hotels are bookable using World of Hyatt points. The best way to redeem World of Hyatt points for SLH hotels is to search for the hotel after you’ve logged into your World of Hyatt account on the Hyatt website. Note that World of Hyatt members of any tier get the following benefits when booking an SLH property: free continental breakfast and Wi-Fi, and, based on availability, early check-in, late checkout, and a 1-category room upgrade.

6 Best Value Hyatt SLH Properties in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America

1. Movich Hotel Cartagena de Indias (Cartagena, Colombia)

This 32-room hotel lives inside the walled city of Cartagena, one of Colombia’s 9 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Guest rooms are luminous and modern, but when you look out the window or step out onto a balcony to admire the historic city’s bold colors and cobbled streets, you’ll see the space exudes the perfect mix of comfort, sleekness, and local charm.

Normally, you’d have to head outside the walled city to find a hotel with amenities like a spa and pool, but the Movich Hotel Cartagena de Indias’ rooftop pool is the perfect place to refresh after a long day of tourism while enjoying views of the Caribbean Sea.

Rates for this Category 3 hotel start at $405 or 9,000 points per night.

2. Casa Colonial Beach & Spa (Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic)

Pair old-world charm with beachfront chic at Casa Colonial Beach & Spa, an all-suite hotel where guest rooms embrace the island’s colonial history, featuring amenities like vintage bathtubs and large, private terraces. Meanwhile, shared spaces — like the sexy rooftop pool, which also features a few private mini pools — feel contemporary and idyllic.

The ideal alternative for those who shun the typical all-inclusive Dominican Republic all-inclusive resort experience, this quaint hotel is perfect for couples or honeymooners looking for a beachy Caribbean getaway.

Rates for this Category 4 hotel start at $328 or 12,000 points per night.

3. Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa (Costa Rica)

If staying in a chic, sustainable resort that sits on more than 900 acres of verdant Costa Rican jungle sounds intriguing, head to the Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa. Admire the Arenal Volcano from a number of the wood-clad rooms and suites — some with balcony soaking tubs or private plunge pools — or bask in the magical surroundings from the lush, open-air Shangri La rainforest lounge (adults only). Additionally, all guests get complimentary access to the property’s famed thermal hot springs and river, heated by the volcano.

Rates for this Category 6 hotel start at $450 or 21,000 points per night.

4. Emiliano Rio (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Channel your inner Carioca at the Emiliano Rio, which overlooks the city’s most famous stretch of sands: Copacabana. An architectural wonder, the hotel’s rooms boast unique and charming white shutter doors that close and open over every balcony. The minimalist, elegant rooms feature large soaking tubs, marble bathrooms, and clean, geometric lines, but an upgrade to the second category rooms or higher is worth it, as you’ll get a private balcony from which to enjoy those stunning seafront views.

If you stick with the lowest-grade courtyard room, don’t fret — you can still enjoy the expansive scenery from the rooftop pool, which offers views of the beach and the nearby Sugarloaf Mountain.

Rates for this Category 6 start at $406 or 21,000 points per night.

5. Matachica Resort & Spa (Ambergris Caye, Belize)

Matachica Resort & Spa is an idyllic spot for an elevated, adults-only tropical getaway, home to just 32 rooms (casitas and beach bungalows). Picture it: lazy mornings waking up in a thatched casita, lounging around in a hammock on your private deck, afternoon swims in one of the world’s most impressive barrier reefs, and tranquil beachfront sunsets from Mambo Bistro, where some of the tables are actually overwater.

The Jade Spa offers the ultimate relaxation with oceanfront treatment rooms and locally inspired services such as Mayan coffee scrubs and chocolate treatments.

Rates for this Category 6 hotel start at $300 or 21,000 points per night.

6. Point Grace Resort and Spa (Turks and Caicos)

Point Grace Resort and Spa sits on Grace Bay, one of the most beautiful 12-mile stretches of sandy paradise in Turks and Caicos. This all-suite hotel oozes charm — think quaint, 1-bedroom cottages with 4-poster canopy beds, vintage wood furniture, wooden white rail balconies, and tasteful tropical patterns and colors — as well as useful amenities like kitchenettes. The inviting pool and beachfront cabanas make this hotel feel like the perfect boutique paradise for couples or even larger families or groups, as you can also book 2- and 3-bedroom suites.

Award rates for this Category 8 hotel start at 35,000 points per night. However, since cash rates start at more than $600 per night and Turks and Caicos is an expensive Caribbean destination, we feel this hotel offers a solid value when booking with points.

Hot Tip:

Upgraded Points values World of Hyatt points at 1.5 cents per point. Many of the properties on this list offer an exceptionally high value. For example, Movich Hotel Cartagena de Indias costs $405 or 9,000 points per night. If you multiply 9,000 by 1.5 cents, you’ll get a value of $135. Subtract this from the cash rate of $405, and you’ll save $270 by booking in points — an excellent value use of your hard-earned World of Hyatt points.

9 Best Value Hyatt SLH Properties in Europe

1. Grand Hotel Parker’s (Naples, Italy)

Naples is often overlooked in favor of the glamorous and beautiful nearby Amalfi Coast. But once you take in the stunning views from the Grand Hotel Parker’s perch atop a hill overlooking the Bay of Naples, Mt. Vesuvius, and the island of Capri, you might just fall in love with the city known for its pizza, zooming motos, and authentic Italian culture.

Enjoy the classical furnishings, including bronze statues and vintage antiques, of this traditional and historic hotel, and don’t forget to dine, drink, and enjoy on Parker’s Terrace to take in all those incredible views.

Rates start at around $400 or 12,000 points per night.

2. Château D’ouchy (Lausanne, Switzerland)

This neo-gothic castle-turned-hotel is idyllic year-round — dip into the pool come summer or warm up in the winter in the hammam and sauna or the Boudoir Spa. The historic hotel has modern and luminous guest rooms, some of which overlook the river. Still, we recommend splurging on one of the moodier Chevalier or Riviera suites, complete with decorative ceilings, wood-paneled walls, and intricate art pieces. Château D’Ouchy even has its own boat for lake excursions.

Rates for this Category 5 hotel start at $250 or 17,000 points per night.

3. The Principal Madrid Hotel (Madrid, Spain)

Located on the buzzing Gran Vía street, this historic hotel encompasses what Madrid is all about — late nights out on the town and the hotel’s rooftop terrace, delicious Spanish cuisine, and comfortable beds for those midday siestas. The building, which dates back to 1917, has been deemed a historic place by the city of Madrid.

Although The Principal Madrid Hotel is slightly larger than many other SLH properties (75 rooms), I love that each guest room has a slightly different layout, though all feature the property’s signature tweed, leather, and velvet textures, a nod to the Spanish capital’s classical traditions and past.

Rates for this Category 5 hotel start at $316 or 17,000 points per night.

4. The Academy (London, United Kingdom)

The Academy’s boutique charm makes it feel like you’re staying in your very own Georgian-era London townhouse, complete with a library, charming, leafy courtyard, and an intimate bar/lounge. Rooms are cozy and comfortable, complete with workspaces and chic decor, some of which look over the trees in the serene courtyard. The Academy’s smiling staff and timeless charm make for a perfect West End stay in a city where accommodation is often bleak, dreary, and expensive.

Rates for this Category 5 hotel start at $330 or 17,000 points per night.

5. Grand Barrail Château Hotel & Spa (Saint Emilion, France)

This wine-producing castle means you get the value of a 2-in-1 stay: a traditional French château stay and a French vineyard experience. The Grand Barrail Château Hotel & Spa has rooms both inside and outside of the castle, and some offer views of the lush gardens and wine vines.

Stroll through the gardens and around the pond, dip into the pool, or get a wine-inspired treatment at Sothy’s Spa, which overlooks the rolling vineyards of Saint Emilion. Finally, dine at the on-site restaurant, Restaurant du Grand-Barrail. Its outdoor section overlooks the picturesque landscape, and the interior has colorful stained glass windows and ceilings.

Rates for this Category 6 hotel start at $350 or 21,000 points per night.

6. Canal House (Amsterdam)

With just 23 rooms, this traditional canal house (as the name suggests) is located in one of Amsterdam’s most popular neighborhoods for visitors and locals alike: Jordaan, just steps from the Amsterdam Tulip Museum and the Anne Frank House. Comprised of 3 17th century homes, Canal House has a room naming system that everyone can understand: Good Rooms, Great Rooms, Exceptional Rooms, Outstanding Rooms, and the Best Room.

Even the good rooms offer a comfortable and luxurious stay, thanks to rich decor colors and original artwork (including works by Marcel Wanders and antiques from the Droog movement), but I’d splurge for the giant soaking tub in the Best Room. The quaint courtyard is the optimal place to relax after a long day of tourism, too.

Rates for this Category 6 hotel start at $360 or 21,000 points per night.

7. Hotel Rangá (Iceland)

If cozying up in a log cabin and viewing the northern lights sounds like your dream vacation, head to Hotel Rangá in southern Iceland. From warming up in geothermic hot tubs to sipping hot toddies in the game room or admiring the aurora borealis from the on-site observatory, staying at this sustainable hotel offers many unique amenities — even complimentary snowsuits.

When it’s time to explore Iceland’s natural wonders, the property is an easy drive from many of the famous attractions in the area, such as waterfalls, black sand beaches, and glaciers.

Rates for this Category 7 hotel start at around $400 or 25,000 points per night.

8. Inverlochy Castle (Fort William, Scotland)

Set amid a Scottish glen with its very own loch, the old Inverlochy Castle is as idyllic as it gets. Enjoy daily walks amid the wooded greenery and loch, afternoon tea, and peaceful rejuvenation … just as Queen Victoria reportedly did there more than a century ago.

Guests can use the on-site billard or row out onto the loch using the hotel’s rowboat. Meanwhile, rest your head in one of the castle rooms or the walled garden rooms. The rooms were formerly the castle’s stables, now turned into stunning suites that overlook the misty manicured gardens.

Rates for this Category 7 hotel start at around $450 or 25,000 points per night.

9. Mykonos Ammos Hotel (Greece)

Hotels in Mykonos can dip into the thousands on high dates like July and August, so while the 35,000 points per night price tag isn’t cheap, Mykonos Ammos Hotel offers a solid value compared to cash rates or other nearby properties, especially if you want that traditional, all-white architecture, Greek Island, chic beachfront type of stay.

From cozy lobby and poolside reading nooks to impeccable beach bar service, this hotel is all about indulgence — you can walk straight out of your room to the pool or beach, and some rooms come with private hot tubs.

Rates for this Category 7 hotel start at around $375 or 25,000 points per night; however, peak dates (summer) start at $700 per night or 35,000 points.

Bottom Line:

Some of the best-value SLH properties in Europe may have slightly elevated point rates. Overall, it’s important to also consider many other things that define value: a unique property, exceptional amenities or location, the average hotel cost in the specific region, and cash rates. After all, you may not be able to put a price on sleeping in a centuries-old castle or directly in front of Amsterdam’s Grand Canal.

3 Best Value Hyatt SLH Properties in Africa

1. The Cellars-Hohenort (Cape Town, South Africa)

You don’t have to head all the way to Stellenbosch to experience South Africa’s best wines. Stay at The Cellars-Hohenhort, just a 15-minute drive from central Cape Town, close to the famed Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. The hotel, which sits in the shadow of Table Mountain, is also a stunningly beautiful wine estate, home to its very own gardens where much of its cuisine is sourced.

Guests can explore the grounds, sip wine, ride bicycles, relax at 2 swimming pools, or play lawn games. It’s worth upgrading the lowest category room to a room with a verandah so you can look out over the vines each morning after waking up.

Rates for this Category 3 hotel start at $350 or just 9,000 points per night. Cape Town accommodations aren’t cheap, so using points for this particular property yields an exceptional value.

2. Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort (Bel Ombre, Mauritius)

If Mauritius sounds exotic, it is — especially if you stay at Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort, which is located in the lush Bel Ombre Nature Reserve, featuring more than 6,000 acres of UNESCO-protected coastline and nature. From lazy beach days to exploring jungle rainfalls, there’s plenty of relaxation and adventure to have at this hotel.

As its name suggests, golfing and wellness take the lead. The spa has 9 treatment rooms, some of which are outdoors. The all-suite property is also home to 12 restaurants, and even the lowest-category guest rooms have peaceful, private patios.

Rates for this Category 6 hotel start around $370 or 21,000 points per night.

3. Hemingways Nairobi (Kenya)

The ideal hotel for some post or pre-safari relaxation, Hemingways Nairobi overlooks the Ngong Hills, which is close to the Nairobi National Park for a day safari if you don’t have time to get to Maasai Mara. The hotel, which boasts colonial charm, features 42 suites. Each comes with gorgeous, 4-poster canopy beds, a private terrace, and the option to add on butler service. The hotel also has a large pool, as well as a spa that uses local products such as coconut, cinnamon, and coffee in its treatments.

Rates for this Category 6 hotel start around $749 or 21,000 points per night.

5 Best Value Hyatt SLH Properties in Asia

1. Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali (Indonesia)

Bali’s ambiance has become rather trendy as of late, but if you’d prefer to skip the scene, head to the beachfront Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali to connect with the local culture and experience spa rejuvenation. The resort offers all-inclusive programs, annual retreats with themes like balance, culture, or vigor, and plenty of activities, such as Balinese dance performances, cooking classes, and daily yoga. The regal guest rooms all have garden or sea views, and the 1-bedroom villas also feature plunge pools.

Rates for this Category 4 hotel start at $348 or 12,000 points per night.

2. The Fortress Resort and Spa (Sri Lanka)

This hotel, designed to resemble a historic fort, is home to amenities like a yoga pavilion and a spa dedicated to Ayurveda. With an ideal location between Galle and Weligama, guests can explore Galle to discover old clock towers, churches, and other attractions and seek out the famous Sri Lankan stilt fishing closer to Weligama.

Rooms at The Fortress Resort and Spa feature private balconies or courtyards, and the Beach Splash rooms come with private indoor plunge pools. But if you opt for a pool-free room, don’t worry — the Indian Ocean or the property’s massive swimming pool are both just steps away.

Rates for this Category 4 hotel start at $256 or 12,000 points per night.

3. Twinpalms Phuket (Thailand)

Slightly larger than some of the other SLH properties on this list, the Twinpalms Phuket has 97 rooms, some of which offer direct access to the hotel’s weaving 164-foot lagoon pool and others that have private plunge pools. Just moments from Surin Beach, the hotel also features a wine room with over 3,000 bottles, a library, and the Palm Spa, which offers treatments like a hot wax candle massage and energy rebalancing therapies. This property is also featured in our list of the best hotels in Phuket to book with points.

Rates for this Category 5 hotel start at $355 or 17,000 points per night.

4. Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary (Bhutan)

Perhaps one of the most unique SLH properties in the world Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary is a remote retreat perfect for those who want a true escape. A very different type of all-inclusive experience, the all-organic sanctuary sources much of its produce from on-site gardens. With just 24 rooms (which are entirely plastic-free), the focus is truly on the guest experience.

Visitors can hike the Nephyu Valley, take a pottery class in the hotel’s art studio, sip a cuppa from the tea bar, learn about the Bhutanese herbal remedies from in-house traditional medicine doctors, dip into the indoor infinity pool, or relax in the spa.

Rates for this Category 6 hotel start around $650 or 21,000 points per night.

5. The Raj Palace (Jaipur, India)

The Raj Palace was formerly a real palace, and it still looks and feels like one. The hotel’s decor and ambiance pull from the local culture and tradition, featuring elegant textures, rich colors, and vintage, opulent decor. Expect regal guest rooms featuring columns and archways, and for a real splurge, opt for the 4-floor Presidential Suite. The Presidential Suite is covered in ornate gold, with a private rooftop terrace, private elevator, and massive bathroom.

The hotel features private gardens and courtyards ideal for strolling, a cinema, a pool, and even a museum with 18th- and 19th-century artifacts.

Rates for this Category 6 hotel start around $297 or 21,000 points per night.

2 Best Value Hyatt SLH Properties in the U.S. and Mexico

1. HGU New York (U.S.)

Manhattan has a gilded history, and the HGU New York respects that, combining old-world New York with modern comfort. It’s all about the details at this hotel, including plaster ceilings from 1905 paired with plush bedding, mid-century modern furniture, and practical workspaces. Located in the up-and-coming NoMad district, you can reach any part of the city easily from this spot, just steps away from the 6 subway line. The pet-friendly hotel also has a rooftop that opens seasonally, perfect for cocktails after a long day working or exploring the city.

Rates for this Category 5 hotel start at $250 or 17,000 points per night.

2. La Casa Que Canta (Zihuantanejo, Mexico)

One of the most charming boutique hotels in Mexico, La Casa de Canta is a dreamy, oceanfront property where all rooms come with private outdoor space and ocean views. Additionally, some come with private plunge pools, though there are 2 main pools at the resort. When we say oceanfront, it’s really almost ocean-above — the resort is situated on rocks with the ocean waves crashing directly below.

Although there are many unique resorts in Mexico, this one feels almost otherworldly, thanks to its pinkish adobe thatched roofs and hand-crafted Mexican furnishings and artwork.

Rates for this Category 7 hotel start at $520 or 25,000 points per night.

Final Thoughts

Booking a hotel with points doesn’t mean you have to stay at a bland, soulless mega-resort. Thanks to the Hyatt SLH program, you can stay at beautiful, boutique, and unique properties while still using your World of Hyatt points for the best value. The hotels on this list offer great redemptions, so consider staying at one of them on your next trip.