Caribbean
Park Hyatt St. Kitts
World of Hyatt Category 7 — 30,000 points per night
Just opened on November 1, this 126-room resort marks the Park Hyatt's first entry into the Caribbean. Stretched over a quiet expanse of Banana Bay, the rooms look right onto the sparkling waters of The Narrows, separating St. Kitts from the nearby volcanic island of Nevis. The elegant West Indies property houses three restaurants, private rooftop pools and, most notably, a Miraval Life in Balance Spa — also the first in the Caribbean— whose three couples' treatment rooms include outdoor showers and private plunge pools.
French Leave Resort, Autograph Collection
Marriott Rewards Category 9 — 45,000 points per night
The birthplace of the Bahamas, Eleuthera Island is as idyllic as they come — all pink sand beaches, azure waters, and colonial charm. It's a stunning backdrop to the French Leave Resort, designated an Autograph Collection property in December 2016, whose 12 villas each boast ocean views, shaded balconies, and golf cart service to traverse the resort's 260 acres. Snorkel, kayak, or try out a stand-up paddleboard right from the resort, or explore a bit farther afield with fishing or surfing excursions.
Hawaii
St. Regis Princeville Resort
SPG Category 7 — from 30,000 Starpoints per night
Kauai's beauty is legendary — the rugged green mountains, the quiet beach coves. With 251 guest rooms, including 51 premium suites, St. Regis Princeville Resort is the most luxurious resort at Hanalei Bay, on island's quiet northern coast. It's hard to say which is more appealing: the beach itself, with private cabanas and attentive service; or the 5,000-square-foot infinity pool, surrounded by lush tropical gardens.
Mexico
JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa
Marriott Rewards Category 9 — from 45,000 points per night
Each of the recently renovated 448 hotel rooms and suites at this spacious property has its own oceanview balcony, while the resort itself boasts the largest spa in Cancun, a dive pool with an artificial reef and a stretch of the prettiest beach in Cancun's Hotel Zone. It's also ideally situated for the many attractions of the Riviera Maya, from the laid-back island of Isla Mujeres to the beachfront Mayan ruins of Tulum.
Costa Rica
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort
World of Hyatt Category 4 — 15,000 points per night
An intriguing departure from Andaz's usual sleek, modern aesthetic, the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort is inspired by the surrounding jungle and is just the sort of place where monkeys might jump right onto your balcony. In keeping with the resort's laid-back feel, its two beaches, the quieter “Sombrero Claro” and the livelier “Sombrero Oscuro,” are more natural than manicured, with kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and waterskiing. The newest attraction is Andaz's Beach House, with lunch service, sunbed, and watersports; set on the stunning white-sand beach of Playa Nacascolo, it's just a 10-minute complementary shuttle from the resort.
Asia and the South Pacific
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Hilton Honors — 95,000 points per night
If clear waters, white sand and utter seclusion is what you're looking for, it's hard to improve on the Maldives. Set on two private islands connected by footbridge — accessible by seaplane or speedbeat only — the Conrad houses 150 villas: Beach Villas with private beach access, a small terrace and an open-air bathroom; Deluxe Beach Villas, with a private plunge pool; and Water Villas, built on stilts straight out over the lagoon itself. The property is situated on one of the world's premier coral reefs, so the snorkeling is as good as it gets.
Intercontinental Nha Trang, Vietnam
25,000 IHG Rewards Club points per night
If you're looking for scenic Vietnamese beaches with the convenience of a modern city, Nha Trang is your destination, with no shortage of restaurants, craft shops, and night markets. The Intercontinental Nha Trang is considered one of the country's most luxurious hotels; it's set on a prime stretch of shoreline, with 279 well-appointed guest rooms done up in shades that mimic the sand and sea. Beyond the property's three pools and four bars and restaurants, you can explore the temples, village, and uninhabited islands of the surrounding area.
Ritz-Carlton Langkawi, Malaysia
Ritz-Carlton Tier 2 — from 40,000 Ritz-Carlton Rewards points per night
While Thailand's islands tend to get all the attention, the Malaysian island of Langkawi is every bit as beautiful; it's also an ideal jumping-off point to Thailand's Ko Lipe, just an hour's boat ride away. Opened in September, the Ritz-Carlton Langkawi is among the finest resorts on the island, set on a private bay sheltered by verdant jungle. All rooms include large balconies with daybeds, while each of the villas sport private pools and a sundeck. While the entire property has a strong sense of design, the spa with overwater treatment rooms, styled after the woven fish traps used by local Malay fishermen, is particularly striking.
Le Méridien Bora Bora
SPG Category 7 — from 35,000 points per night
Thatched overwater bungalows on a private lagoon: imagine a heavenly retreat, and odds are it looks quite a bit like Le Méridien Bora Bora. Spend your days lazing on the white sand beaches near the pool bar, at more private stretches of sand around the inner lagoon, or at one of two infinity pools with Mount Otemanu as a backdrop. An onsite dive center is a scuba resource for both beginners and seasoned divers, while the resort's Ecological Center works to preserve the health of the coral reef.
