Hyatt & Small Luxury Hotels Of The World (SLH) Partnership

I was really excited about this when it launched but my experience with SLH-Hyatt has been mixed.

The biggest issues I've run into are very low/no award availability at many SLH properties, even in low season etc and inconsistent quality levels at SLH properties. The Academy in London for example was barely 4* with mediochre service, but marketed as much nicer.

At first I was excited to earn Hyatt points for cash stays as well, but usually the SLH cash rate is lower than booking on Hyatt.com

If anyone has found a sweet spot, particularly in EU, I am all ears. So far not great for me.

I agree with Bri. The relationship is much better on paper than reality. I typically only find points availability when it’s poor value.

I've found tremendous value in the SLH relationship. I'm not sure you guys are looking hard enough at when calendars are opening up, checking for availability, etc. Here are my stays:

4 Nights Casa Angelina in Praiano, Italy in July (peak): 160,000 points, Cash price: $4,300

4 Nights Hotel Villa Franca in Positano, Italy in July (peak): 160,000 points, Cash price: $7,077

6 Nights at Point Grace Resort & Spa, in Turks & Caicos in January (peak): 240,000 points, Cash price: $8,763

4 Nights at Grand Hotel Victoria, in Lake Como, Italy in September (peak): 160,000 Points, Cash price: $6,063

3 Nights at Villa Petriolo in Tuscany, Italy in September (peak): 66,000 points, Cash price: $887

3 nights at Goldene Rose Karthouse in Dolomites, Italy in September (Peak): 51,000 points, Cass Price: $687

2 Nights at The Roundtree Amagansett in The Hamptons, New York in August (Peak): 90,000 Points, Cash price: $3,020

All in I've stayed at 7 SLH hotels for a combined 22 Nights all in peak seasons and averaged 3.22CPP on those redemptions.

It's rumored that this relationship might be ending later in 2024 after MMS is integrated.

I've gotten great value and very much hope this partnership continues even after the integration of Mr. & Mrs. Smith:

*My partner and I just returned from four nights at Sailrock South Caicos. 165,000 points for a room that cost around $1000 pre-taxes/service (31.25% at this hotel!) per night. Includes the inter-island flight from PLS to South Caicos, arranged by the hotel!

*For the past three summers we've stayed several nights at the Topping Rose House in the Hamptons using points for a room that has gone from $2,100 to $2,600 a night. Now, supply/demand at play here - it's definitely not the top hotel I've had the opportunity to visit - but the location, amenities, and the Jean-Georges restaurant on site easily make it the best point-per-dollar ratio I've ever gotten with WOH points (>6c/point). It's now an annual tradition we hope we can continue!

I've had a great experience with using Hyatt points for SLH - especially for a week at Canaves Oia Epitome in Santorini in 2021. Just this morning booked Schlosshotel Kronberg outside Frankfurt for March at only 9,000 points vs. a $350ish cash rate with tax for a base room (no upgrade, no breakfast) - that's a 10% return on dining spend with the Chase Sapphire Preferred or BILT. I would be sad to see the Hyatt/SLH partnership end.

I used Hyatt points to stay at Belles Rives in Antibes a couple of years ago and it was a complete shitshow. They seemed like they really hated being associated with Hyatt and I wrote Hyatt so convey those feelings. Gratefully for both parties they are not associated anymore............I think overall the brand is VERY UNEVEN with a lot of disappointments if you are a Globalist with expectations of a true luxury experience.............

Hi Ben,
I saw your post about a WOH premium credit card survey. I wanted to know if you think it might be coming out soon or is now a good time to apply for the personal WOH card?

I had a great experience at the Fish Hotel in the Uk. They included free full breakfast though they weren't required to do so. Felt completely welcome so it appears the attitude is very property dependent.

Lucky, I recently booked 7 nights at Matachica Resort in Belize via Hyatt app using WOH cc. It is listed as an SLH property. CC only shows 1x points for the booking. Any idea if these charges post the extra points later, or if I should contact Chase?
Thanks!

Ben, there is an unsourced rumor about SLH/Hyatt ending their relationship. Do you know anything about this?

https://loyaltylobby.com/2024/01/14/small-luxury-hotels-of-the-world-capital-one-travel-partnership/

Loyalty lobby reported today that the Hyatt SLH relationship is ending. Does anyone have more info about this?