When we talk about the best hotels to book with points, we’re looking for more than just a free night’s stay. The real sweet spots are properties that offer oversized value, such as spacious rooms or suites that would normally cost a fortune, paired with standout amenities like pools, spas, on-site dining, and prime locations. In this post, I’ll go into some of the best sweet spot redemptions in the U.S. by hotel program.

With a points rate that’s far lower than the equivalent cash price, your redemption suddenly delivers incredible value. If you hold elite status or book through the right program, perks like complimentary upgrades, club lounge access, or late checkout can make the stay even sweeter. Finding these redemptions is like striking gold with your points and miles.

 

Hyatt Hotels

Park Hyatt New York

The Park Hyatt New York offers oversized suites, with rates often exceeding $1,000 per night, but requires only 35,000-45,000 Hyatt points per night. This property features both a spa and a fitness center. If you have Globalist status, you can enjoy free breakfast, suite upgrades, and a late checkout, all in the heart of NYC.  Read our review here.

 

 

Hyatt Regency Maui

A Hawaiian favorite, this family-friendly resort offers oceanfront pools and waterslides, making it a great use of 21,000 to 29,000 points per night. By paying with points, you also waive the daily resort fee, which will save you hundreds over a multi-night stay. Club access will help feed the family, saving you additional money. We have numerous reviews about this property that routinely runs $600+/night.

 

Almost Any Thompson Hotel

Thompson Hotels in big cities such as NYC, Chicago, Austin, Denver, etc., are great for those boutique-style stays with luxury touches.  Hyatt elite members get free breakfast and late checkout for between 21,000 and 25,000 points per night. These hotels are typically centrally located, placing you at the heart of all the action. 

 

 

• Thompson Central Park
• Thompson Chicago
• Thompson San Antonio
• Thompson Denver

 

 

Hilton Hotels

Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas

The Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas is one of the best Hilton sweet spot redemptions, as it offers an authentic luxury experience right on the Strip without the usual casino crowds. Standard rooms often cost $700 or more per night, yet reward nights can be booked for around 100,000 Hilton Honors points per night.  Redeeming points for the spacious rooms and rooftop pool can save you hundreds of dollars for one of the most upscale stays in Vegas. 

 

 

The Central Station Memphis, Curio Collection by Hilton 

The Central Station Memphis, Curio Collection, is a standout sweet spot due to its historic charm and distinctly local vibe. Located within a restored train station, the hotel features a vinyl record library and listening room, as well as live music in the lobby, capturing the spirit of Memphis. Rooms here are often available for 47,000 Hilton Honors points per night, making this an incredible value and a one-of-a-kind cultural experience.

 

 

Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock

The Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock is a fantastic sweet spot for a luxury redemption in the heart of red rock country. Rooms here are oversized and come with fireplaces, private balconies, and views of Sedona’s iconic landscapes, all for around 85,000 Hilton Honors points per night. 

 

 

Pair any of these Hilton stays with your Hilton elite status for added perks like complimentary breakfast or lounge access, and don’t forget Hilton’s Fifth Night Free benefit on award stays, which stretches your points even further.

 

Marriott Bonvoy Hotels

JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes

This resort is an excellent choice for families who want to stay off-property from Disney World while still enjoying plenty of perks. Award nights start around 75,000 points per night, and while there is a $55 resort fee, it comes with solid value. The fee covers access to the water slides and aqua course, shuttle service to the Disney parks, bike rentals, and even use of the pickleball courts. For families seeking to stretch their budget while enjoying a resort-style experience, this property truly delivers. 

 

 

 

Gaylord Hotels

The Gaylord Hotels are a fantastic sweet spot redemption within Marriott Bonvoy. These resorts are destinations in themselves, and many even have their own water park complete with slides, splash zones, and lazy rivers, all of which is included in your stay. Nightly rates typically run 50,000 to 60,000 points, making them a solid value given everything you get.

What really sets the Gaylord properties apart, however, are their seasonal events, especially around the holidays. Using points during these peak times can be a brilliant move, since cash rates often soar while award pricing remains reasonable. Here’s Pam’s review of the Gaylord Rockies.

 

 

IHG Hotels

Kimpton Properties

Kimpton properties can often be an excellent use of IHG points, offering boutique luxury with stylish design and prime city locations. They offer perks such as nightly social hours with wine and provide pet-friendly stays at no extra cost. Check out Pam’s review of the Denver Kimpton Monaco.

 

 

Holiday Inn Club Vacations 

With locations across the U.S., Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts are a great sweet spot option for families. They offer spacious rooms and resort-style amenities, with many properties featuring pools, golf, and a variety of recreational activities. At an average of just 35,000 IHG points per night, these stays deliver outstanding value compared to the often much higher cash rates.

 

 

Maximize Your Stays

To maximize your chances of getting one of these large rooms and high amenity for lower points stays, here are some tips:

• Many loyalty programs offer lower point rates on off-peak nights or midweek stays, so consider avoiding weekends or holidays when cash rates and point rates increase.
• If your loyalty program allows, consider using your standard room award, plus some points and cash, to upgrade to larger rooms or suites. When you’re a bit short on points, mixing cash and points sometimes unlocks larger rooms or suites for far less than going all-cash or all-points.
• If you have a loyalty status within any hotel program, consider requesting suite upgrades, club lounge access, early check-in, or late check-out. You can also use Pam’s template to see what other perks the hotel may provide.
• Sometimes a hotel farther from the city center still gives you large, luxurious rooms for fewer points, and you get the bonus of a quieter stay and better views or surroundings.  But even if a property costs more points, being centrally located or including amenities you’ll use—such as breakfast, a spa, or a pool—adds value. Don’t just compare the nightly rate; always consider what you get with your stay.

 

Bottom Line

Sweet spot hotel redemptions aren’t just about saving points; they’re about turning your rewards into unforgettable experiences. From spacious family-friendly resorts, historic boutique stays, or a luxury property that you may not otherwise splurge on, these redemptions let you enjoy more for less. What is your favorite hotel redemption sweet spot?

 

Related Posts

Thompson Chicago Review

Sweet-Spot Award Redemptions to Europe

Airline Redemption Sweet Spots