TPG Readers Reveal Their Favorite Points Hotels in Australia
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A while back, we asked the esteemed members of our TPG Lounge about their go-to tips and tricks for visiting Australia on points and miles. In a similar vein, we recently asked our TPG Lounge members to share their all-time favorite points hotels in the Land Down Under.
Although there are a variety of points hotels located all over the country — in every large locale along any coastline as well as a few fancy ones in the Red Centre — the majority of the folks who wrote in seemed to favor points hotels in Sydney, a terrific city to start your big Aussie adventure, but definitely not the only one worth visiting. Here's a look at some of our favorite answers. (Some responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity).
Marriott and Hyatt Hotels FTW
Several TPG Lounge members enjoyed staying at Marriott and Hyatt properties around Sydney, in Perth, along the Gold Coast and as far north as Port Douglas.
"Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park. The views are amazing, the club is a great place socially and to do business if you need a temporary conference space, and the staff is super accommodating. I've always gotten my Starwood and Marriott perks and then some from the staff there." — Chip H.
"Yup, I stayed there [at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park] last year and loved it. Nice corner suite and great breakfast as a Marriott Lifetime Titanium (Platinum 50)." — Prash K.
"Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park. Amazing lounge." — Steve S.
"The Westin Perth and the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park." — Tim M.
"Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas. [It had a] huge pool that you could get in from your balcony and an amazing beach along the Great Barrier Reef." — Dustin C.
"The Westin Perth, in the middle of downtown and brand new." — Gillian D.
"Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast." — Ariel G.
"Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay. Beautiful and convenient location, good value, excellent service and great views." — Debra C.
"Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection." — Alisha T.W.
"Park Hyatt Sydney, usually $800 a night or more but a steal for 30,000 World of Hyatt points. It was even better when Hyatt had it for 15,000 points plus about $300 a night, but still a good value." — Jeff H.
"Park Hyatt Sydney. 30,000 World of Hyatt points for that view? Can't beat it." — Shawn M.
"Hyatt Regency Sydney in Darling Harbour. It's a fraction of the points [you'll pay at] the Park Hyatt with more to do around it and a 15-20 minute walk from [historic neighborhood] The Rocks. Additionally, if you don't care about tourist hotels, The Old Clare Hotel in Chippendale is a fabulous Design Hotel you can book with Marriott points. If I'm paying cash or want to be away from the Times Square of Australia, that's where you'll find me." — Shawn M.
IHG, Hilton and Other Hotels Worth Mentioning
A number of our TPG readers mentioned memorable stays at some of Australia's swankiest IHG and Hilton properties, as well as some other non-points hotels around the country.
"Hayman Island is set to reopen soon as the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort. It's a very unique location in the Whitsunday Islands along the southern edge of the Great Barrier Reef. I stayed there when it was a One and Only property and it's one of my favorite hotels in the world. The location is very unique. It will be pricey but the Australian dollar is down against the US dollar. In the past, there were activities and tours readily available through the hotel. We took our three kids and everyone found plenty to do even though the hotel is remote by most people's standards." — Eric M.
"InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Gold Coast." — Andrew L.
"We stayed in two different Holiday Inn hotels because of the great points redemptions. They both had Harbour views and one had a rooftop pool." — Diane B.
"InterContinental Sydney on points is an incredible deal!" — Javon G.
"At the InterContinental hotels in Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne, the rooms are so so and the view is nonexistent. The Crowne Plaza Melbourne is great, especially with the river view. Meriton Suites Herschel Street, Brisbane is fantastic if you want a condo-like experience. The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs and Desert Gardens Hotel - Ayers Rock Resort are other favorites." — Ed M.
"Loved the QT Sydney. Booked it with Chase Ultimate Rewards." — Erin N.
"The Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney. LUX!" — Gary A.
"Sofitel Melbourne on Collins." — Darren P.
"The Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. Amazing breakfast." — Holly S.W.
Readers Helping Readers
We love it when our TPG Lounge members get so involved in a topic they end up sharing tips and tricks based on their own experience — especially when they use that knowledge to reassure other travelers that they're making the right redemption choices. That's what happened when TPG reader Barbara K. asked the rest of the group if she was making the right move by cashing in her hotel points for four nights at the West Hotel Sydney, Curio Collection by Hilton.
"Has anyone stayed at the West Hotel Sydney, Curio Collection by Hilton? I'm going this year in June as a Hilton Diamond member with the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express per the tip on TPG. We are there for four nights and staying 100% on points." — Barbara K.
"We stayed in this hotel earlier this year. It's convenient to Darling Harbor with too many options for food and drinks, as well as within walking distance of Metro trains. Good staff, good service. You also get free drink vouchers when you are a Hilton Diamond member." — Meha S.
The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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