How to use Hyatt points for a boutique hotel in South Africa's wine country
Editor's Note
One of the most common complaints I hear about hotel points is that folks think they can only earn and redeem them at cookie-cutter hotels that are a part of large chains.
In the past several years, however, many of the major hotel loyalty programs have started branching out with acquisitions of, or partnerships with, quirkier boutique hotels.
Hilton, for instance, now partners with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Marriott acquired Postcard Cabins just over a year ago and, perhaps most interesting, Hyatt acquired Mr & Mrs Smith in 2023.
Mr & Mrs Smith is a booking platform for over 1,800 luxury and boutique hotels around the world, and since its acquisition, it has now become possible to book hundreds of these hotels through Hyatt and earn and redeem points just like you would on any other stay.
Because of its Mr & Mrs Smith affiliation, World of Hyatt has actually become my go-to hotel points program for booking stays at offbeat (but upscale!) boutique hotels around the world.
That’s how I ended up at one of my favorite wine-country hotels, Leeu House, in the hamlet of Franschhoek in South Africa’s Cape Winelands over Bastille Day last summer. Far from a standard hotel experience, my stay encapsulated just what I appreciate so much about Hyatt’s linkup with Mr & Mrs Smith.
What is Leeu House?
With just 12 rooms and suites, Leeu House is a luxurious boutique hotel along Franschhoek’s main drag of Huguenot Street.
The hotel comprises a few Cape Dutch-style buildings with beautiful, sculpture-filled gardens and even an inviting pool with stunning views of the dramatic Drakenstein Mountains.
Its location in the heart of town means you don’t even need a car if you don’t want to rent one. You can walk to all the restaurants and boutiques in town, and the hotel has shuttle service to nearby wineries and its sister property just outside the village, Leeu Estates.
Leeu House feels like just that: a house where you simply settle down by the crackling fireplace in the front living room and have a glass of wine from the region as you admire some of the pieces from Leeu Collection founder Analjit Singh’s impressive art collection.
Most rooms are set off a central courtyard, so you will likely run into fellow guests here and there, though there is a good amount of privacy in the expansive rooms.
Due to the small size of the hotel, and thus the limited guest count, every staff member will know you by name pretty much as soon as you arrive, and they’re also on hand to offer help booking restaurants and winery visits and advice on the best nearby hiking trails.
Rooms at Leeu House
My Classic Room was just next door to the lobby and had a set of glass doors that I could curtain off for privacy. Though in the starting category, it was nearly 400 square feet and had a large main bedroom area with a king-size bed dressed in Egyptian cotton sheets.
There was plenty of closet space, a minibar that included coffee- and tea-making facilities, and a desk by the door, plus a flat-screen television and cute blue and white tile accents.
A large part of the room’s footprint was taken up by the bathroom, which was positively palatial. It had handsome black and white harlequin tiling and an enormous glassed-in shower, plus a separate country-style, clawfoot bathtub and dual marble vanities. The bathroom was stocked with South African-made Healing Earth bath products.
Spacious and sumptuous, my room felt like a little cocoon for relaxing after a day of hiking and wine tasting.
Dining at Leeu House
Leeu House has a small bar in the public living room just inside the street entrance, and a main restaurant adjacent to the garden called The Conservatory that is mainly the place for breakfast, though there is an all-day menu with a smattering of standard dishes, including some sandwiches and pasta options.
Though small, the breakfast buffet includes enticing fresh-baked pastries, plenty of seasonal fruit and a choice of coffee drinks, teas and fresh-squeezed juices. Guests can also choose from hot selections like avocado on rye toast, creamy local mushrooms on toast, eggs Benedict and French toast.
Interestingly, rates bookable through Hyatt include breakfast, and when you redeem points for your room, it is also included, which is a fantastic bonus given the quality of the food.
Instead of sticking to The Conservatory for lunch or dinner, most guests tend to head out to the various wine-tasting rooms in the area that serve food — and a complimentary tasting at Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines at Leeu Estates is typically included with stays at Leeu House as well.
The Leeu Collection also includes several other restaurants, some of which are at Leeu Estates, like the much-lauded La Petite Colombe, as well as outposts in town including Protege and Epice at the nearby Le Quartier Francais (another boutique property in town, though not bookable via Hyatt).
You can also simply walk across the street from Leeu House and dine at several elegant establishments from chef Ryan Shell, including Eleven for seasonal contemporary Cape cuisine, Oku for Asian-influenced tasting menus and Yama for simple but hearty sushi.
Amenities at Leeu House
Given its size, there aren’t a ton of other on-property amenities at Leeu House to speak of, other than its fantastic art collection and its peaceful pool.
However, guests can head to Leeu Estates, which is a five-minute drive away, to use the gym there as well as to use the Leeu Spa by Healing Earth.
There is a quiet relaxation area with a plunge pool.
The treatments, meanwhile, utilize Healing Earth products with African-sourced ingredients like marula oil and Kalahari melon. Among the signature experiences are a restorative hydration facial ($75 for 60 minutes) and a vinotherapy body scrub and massage that incorporates antioxidants distilled from locally grown pinotage grapes plus a clay body mask.
Booking Leeu House
If you want to earn or redeem points as well as enjoy any elite benefits to which you’re entitled, the best way to book Leeu House is through Hyatt.
Rather than a fixed chart with off-peak, standard and peak dates, like Hyatt uses for its own properties, Mr & Mrs Smith properties are priced dynamically in terms of points.
That’s both good news and bad news. The good news is that you can book pretty much any available room or suite if you have the points and are inclined to do so. The bad news is that you won’t be getting the best value for your points.
During my visit, nightly rates started at $524 or 40,250 points per night for a Classic Room, yielding a value of 1.3 cents per Hyatt point, well below TPG’s January 2026 valuation of Hyatt points at 1.7 cents apiece; this seems to be the standard value you can get at this particular property, no matter the date or type of room or suite you book.
Still, if you are swimming in Hyatt points, redeeming them here can be a good way to save on otherwise expensive stays.
If you do want to pay a cash rate, make the most of your stay by using a Hyatt-branded card like the World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) or World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see rates and fees), both of which offer lucrative welcome bonuses, automatic elite status and elevated earning rates at Hyatt properties.
Alternatively, if you want to redeem Hyatt points for a stay, you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points earned on cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) directly to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio, which may put an award stay within reach.
Bottom line
Thanks to Hyatt’s acquisition of Mr & Mrs Smith, it’s now possible to earn and redeem World of Hyatt points at fabulous boutique hotels around the world, including boutique hotels like the 12-room Leeu House in the Cape Winelands.
That’s why World of Hyatt remains one of my top loyalty programs, and why I’ll be keeping an eye on my points as even more Mr & Mrs Smith hotels become bookable through Hyatt.
Related reading:
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.