There are countless ways to enhance your hotel stays and earn additional perks, from achieving elite status with hotel loyalty programs to booking through exclusive programs like American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts. However, one often overlooked option is booking select Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) stays through the World of Hyatt program. In 2018, Hyatt and SLH launched a partnership that allows World of Hyatt members to earn and redeem points at participating SLH properties, along with several value-added benefits. This partnership extends to hundreds of properties worldwide, with a focus on Europe, but also includes properties in Asia and North America.
In this comprehensive guide, we will closely examine the benefits that World of Hyatt members can enjoy when staying at participating SLH properties. We will also provide insights on how to book your stay to ensure eligibility for these perks, as not all bookings are eligible.
World of Hyatt Benefits at SLH Properties
When booking SLH stays through Hyatt, World of Hyatt members can earn points and elite night credits, just as they would with any other Hyatt stay (with the exception of incidentals). This means that you can accumulate a minimum of 5 points per dollar spent before factoring in any World of Hyatt elite bonuses.
Additionally, you can redeem your Hyatt points and free night awards at participating SLH properties. It is important to note, however, that award bookings are only valid for two adults, so additional fees may apply if you have additional adults or children in your party.
In addition to the standard World of Hyatt benefits, all members, regardless of their World of Hyatt membership tier status, can enjoy the following on-property perks:
1. Daily complimentary continental breakfast for two
2. Complimentary Wi-Fi
3. Early check-in at noon (based on availability at check-in)
4. Late checkout at 2 p.m. (based on availability at check-in)
5. One category room upgrade (based on availability at check-in)
It is worth noting that while elite members will receive their standard points bonuses (10% for Discoverist, 20% for Explorist, and 30% for Globalist), no other elite benefits apply. For example, World of Hyatt members cannot redeem suite upgrade certificates, and Globalist members will not have waived resort fees.
Interestingly, the benefits of booking an SLH property through Hyatt are even more generous than when booking directly with SLH and their Invited loyalty program. The Invited program only offers free breakfast and upgrades once you reach its Inspired tier, which requires at least three nights per 12-month tier year with SLH.
Booking SLH Stays through Hyatt
When booking SLH stays through Hyatt, it is important to note that World of Hyatt’s award charts use peak, off-peak, and standard pricing. Therefore, the award night prices for each participating SLH property will vary depending on whether the dates you wish to book fall into peak, off-peak, or standard periods.
Whether you are paying in cash or redeeming points, it is essential to book your SLH stay through Hyatt to ensure eligibility for the partnership benefits discussed in this guide. Unfortunately, booking through World of Hyatt may not always guarantee the lowest rate. It is worth mentioning that SLH properties are not subject to Hyatt’s best rate guarantee.
To illustrate this, let’s consider a one-night stay at the Brick Hotel in Mexico City on September 13, 2024. Hyatt quotes a rate of $642.91 for this stay, but if we were to book the same room type with the same cancellation policies directly through SLH, the rate would be $578.62.
Ultimately, it is advisable to compare rates when booking SLH properties and determine whether the potential premium is worth the extra benefits and Hyatt points.
Maximizing Your SLH Bookings
To maximize your SLH bookings, it is highly recommended to utilize the World of Hyatt Credit Card or the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card. Just like other Hyatt bookings, cardholders earn 4 points per dollar spent at participating SLH locations in addition to their regular World of Hyatt earnings.
If you are considering adding the World of Hyatt Credit Card to your wallet, it currently offers a sign-up bonus of up to 60,000 bonus points. This includes 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, plus up to 30,000 more points by earning 2 bonus points per dollar on purchases that would normally earn 1 bonus point per dollar, up to $15,000 in the first six months of account opening.
Meanwhile, the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
If you want to earn Hyatt status quickly, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt. Additionally, World of Hyatt is a transfer partner with Bilt Rewards, providing multiple options to boost your Hyatt account balance for redeeming points on an SLH stay.
In conclusion, although booking participating SLH properties through World of Hyatt may not always be the most affordable option, it can be incredibly enticing. Not only do you enjoy elite-like benefits, but you also earn valuable World of Hyatt points when booking through Hyatt. Furthermore, Discoverist and Explorist elite members can enjoy superior benefits on SLH stays compared to most other Hyatt stays.