The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
News
8 hotels where you can snag a suite with standard rewards points
Featured image by Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Jennifer is a contributing writer to The Points Guy where she focuses on family travel. She is also the founder of Deals We Like where she helps her readers travel on a deal.
February 28, 2022 • 11 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
Some hotels allow you to book spacious suites or multi-bedroom accommodations using the standard number of loyalty points, offering more value for families or groups.
Properties highlighted include options in Colorado, Aruba, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Massachusetts, Hawaii and Portugal, with amenities like kitchens, living areas and access to resort facilities.
Booking a suite with points is not common, but certain brands and loyalty programs make it possible at select locations, sometimes even including extra perks like waived resort fees or complimentary fifth nights.
All-suite brands and select vacation club or timeshare properties are more likely to offer larger rooms at standard redemption rates.
What to consider
Availability of suites at standard points rates varies by property and may be limited during peak times or at certain locations.
Some properties may not provide full elite-status benefits or complimentary upgrades when booking with points, especially at vacation club or residence-style hotels.
Resort fees are often waived when booking with points at certain chains, but always check specific property policies.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed list of specific hotels worldwide where you can maximize hotel points for suite bookings, including property features and booking tips.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
When traveling with kids -- no matter their age -- having more space to spread out and relax is sometimes a necessity. It's a win-win, providing kids with a sense of independence and offering adults alone time.
However, if you're using your hotel points, extra space isn't always an option, unless you have status or you're willing to splurge. Using the standard number of points at a hotel typically books you into a regular hotel room. While it might be a lovely space, it's normally the smallest room at the property -- a standard accommodation with one or two beds, depending on the room type you booked.
Fortunately, at some hotels you can actually snag an amazing suite during the booking process using the standard number of hotel points. Here are some of our favorite hotels where you can do just that.
(Photo courtesy of Small Luxury Hotels)
Sheraton Lakeside Terrace Villas at Mountain Vista — Avon, Colorado
The Sheraton Lakeside Terrace Villas is an all-suites property where you can book a two-bedroom villa using just the standard number of Marriott Bonvoy points. With one king bed, one queen bed and two sofa beds spanning more than 1,400 square feet, this spacious room can comfortably sleep up to eight people. If you have a large family or just want some extra space, you'll find it here. The rooms also feature a fireplace, furnished balconies/patios with grills, washer/dryers and a full kitchen.
The property is conveniently located near a ski shuttle that can take you to the base of Beaver Creek Resort, only a few miles away. It's also just a half-mile from gondolas that carry guests to the Bachelor Gulf side of the mountain. Alternatively, Vail Ski Resort is just a 15-minute drive.
Adjacent to the hotel is the Avon Recreation Center, where families can enjoy the indoor pool, water slide and fitness center. Hotel guests receive complimentary passes to the center.
Since Sheraton Lakeside Terrace Villas is a Marriott Vacation Club property, there are limited Marriott benefits for those who have status. But unlike most Vacation Club properties, it's easy to book a room on points (requiring between 40,000 to 60,000 points per night). During standard or off-peak dates, you can even use a 50,000-point free night award certificate that comes with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express Card®.
Screenshot from Marriott.com
Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort — Aruba
The Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba features two separate areas at the property -- an adults-only section at the Renaissance Marina Hotel and the Renaissance Ocean Suites which caters to families. The Renaissance Ocean Suites is an all-suites property, which means booking a room here -- even with your Marriott Bonvoy points -- automatically ensures you'll be in a one-bedroom suite.
Suites here do come with a slight upcharge, which is an exception to that rule. However, it's nowhere close to the extent you'd see at another Marriott property when using points for a premium room. It's only 15,000 points per a night (or $80) regardless of the time of year.
The hotel is close to the Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) in Oranjestad -- not in the island's resort area of Palm Beach where most other chain hotels are located. It's also convenient to area restaurants and shops. Perhaps best of all, guests have access to the hotel's 40-acre private island (where flamingos roam freely) via the complimentary water taxi.
Screenshot from Marriott.com
Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach — Fort Lauderdale
Visiting Fort Lauderdale? You'll have the opportunity to use your points at many chain properties. However, the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach lets you apply just a standard number of points for a one-bedroom suite -- despite the hotel offering a smaller studio at the same point rate. Make sure to look for the "Partial Ocean View" option. The other suites are considered premium rooms. With the pull-out sleeper sofa, four guests can fit comfortably in this 750-square-foot space. The room also features an extra half-bath in the living room, as well as a full kitchen.
Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach charges a $40 resort fee, which includes two beach chairs and an umbrella, morning yoga and the use of bikes. However, all resort fees are waived when you use points at a Hilton property. This means you'll receive the exact same amenities at no extra cost, simply by using your points.
The number of points required at this property depends on the season, but at the top end, it's a fairly high 95,000 points per night. This is an ideal opportunity to use a Hilton free night award, which you can currently earn as part of the welcome offer on many of their credit cards or with credit card spend.
Screenshot from Hilton.com
Conrad New York Downtown — New York
Large(ish) rooms are hard to come by in New York City. However, you can redeem 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night at the Conrad New York Downtown and stay in a one-bedroom suite. It includes a fully separate bedroom and living room, and features either two double beds or one king bed, and a sofa bed. If you have Hilton Honors status -- which you'll automatically receive with one of Hilton's co-branded credit cards, even the no-annual fee Hilton Honors American Express Card (see rates & fees) -- you'll receive your fifth night free.
Located along the Hudson River, the hotel is extremely close to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and within walking distance to Tribeca, Greenwich Village, SoHo, South Street Seaport and Battery Park, the launching point to visit the Statue of Liberty. There are also many subway stops nearby for easy access to other tourist spots like Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Times Square.
Screenshot from Hilton.com
Oak n' Spruce Resort — South Lee, Massachusetts
Situated in the Berkshires, the Oak N' Spruce Resort is a great property for those seeking a resort getaway. Best of all, when you redeem your IHG Reward points, you're booked into one of their two-bedroom villas -- even though the property also includes smaller studio rooms and one-bedroom villas. Within the villa, you have a full kitchen, living area (with a pull-out couch) and two separate bedrooms with their own en-suite bathroom. To top it off, the room only costs 35,000 IHG Reward points per night, which is a great redemption value, especially during peak summer months or leaf peeping season. I've personally stayed at this property and found it to be a great use of the IHG free night certificates I receive with the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.
The hotel features a large outdoor and indoor pool, 18-hole miniature golf course, playground, hiking trails, arcade and a movie theater, as well as basketball, tennis and volleyball courts. The hotel is close to the towns of Great Barrington and Lenox, and many area hiking mountains and ski slopes.
Wailea Ekolu Village, A Destination by Hyatt Residence — Maui, Hawaii
If you're planning a trip to Maui, Hawaii, there are many properties within the World of Hyatt umbrella that will score you a suite for not that many points. The Wailea Ekolu Village is one of them. You can stay in a 1,000-square-foot, one-bedroom condo for between 17,000 and 23,000 World of Hyatt points per night -- depending on your dates. All condos have a full kitchen, two bathrooms, a living area and a private lanai.
And if this property isn't available on points -- since the Destination by Hyatt Residence properties are sometimes harder to book -- consider the Wailea Grand Champions Villas just down the street. It's also a category 5 property, so you'll receive the same one-bedroom condo set-up.
Or, if you'd prefer to stay in Kaanapali, the Kaanapali Alii, A Destination by Hyatt Residence, is a good option. Here you can enjoy your vacation in an even larger 1,500-square-foot one-bedroom condo. It's a category 6 property within the World of Hyatt award chart, which means it will take more points for a free night reward.
Mauna Lani Point, A Destination by Hyatt Residence — The Big Island, Hawaii
This property on The Big Island lets you use the standard number of points -- between 21,000 and 29,000 World of Hyatt points per night -- for a one-bedroom condo. Unfortunately though, similar to many other Destination by Hyatt Residence properties, you won't receive the same World of Hyatt status benefits, like complimentary upgrades or breakfast for Globalist members.
Pine Cliffs Residence, a Luxury Collection Resort, Algarve — Albufeira, Portugal
Planning an international family vacation? The Pine Cliffs Resort in the Algarve region of Portugal is a stunning option. The property is comprised of three different Marriott properties, but it doesn't feel separate at all when you're there. The Pine Cliffs Residence offers an incredibly large two-bedroom residence for just the standard number of points. Your room also includes a full kitchen, breakfast area and a washer/dryer.
Although the standard room can fit five guests, you can book a three-bedroom residence for just $100 more (on top of the standard points redeemed) if you need more space. At 1,506 square feet, this upgraded room can sleep eight guests comfortably.
Resort amenities here are top notch -- a large village with restaurants and shops, multiple swimming pools, a pirate ship-themed playground, tennis academy and even a glass elevator to take you to one of the most beautiful beaches along the coast. You're also a short drive to some of the most beautiful sites in the Algarve region.
But at a category 8 property, the hotel costs between 70,000 and 100,000 points per night. Although this is a high price point, the hotel is well worth it. And as at all other properties within the Marriott Bonvoy program, you'll receive your fifth night free when using points.
If you want to spread out -- but save your points -- choose a hotel that lets you book a suite at the standard rate. While the number of hotels that fall into this bucket aren't plentiful, there are still some hidden gems. And, of course, you can always look at the brands that typically offer all-suite properties like Embassy Suites by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Residence Inn by Marriott, Springhill Suites by Marriott and Hyatt House, just to name a few.
Or look at the Choice Privileges program since you can typically book their best room available -- suites included -- for the same number of points. Wyndham Rewards also charges per bedroom, so if you're staying at a property that offers a one-bedroom suite (common for many of their timeshare properties) it's the same amount of points as a studio room.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express, please click here.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
