I just stumbled upon an amazing use of World of Hyatt points in one of my favorite places in the world.
In this post:
Queenstown, New Zealand, is an amazing destination
Before I talk about the hotel, let me briefly talk about the destination. To this day, Queenstown, on New Zealand’s South Island, is one of my favorite places I’ve ever been. I visited for the first time on a mother-son trip after I graduated from high school, over 15 years ago.
Ah, the good old days when a roundtrip business class award to New Zealand on Air New Zealand’s Boeing 747 cost just 90,000 United MileagePlus miles. So much has changed (well, except Air New Zealand’s business class seat, which is basically the same). I digress…
Queenstown is just a stunningly gorgeous destination. If you like the outdoors, and amazing views of mountains and water, I don’t think I’ve been to a prettier place. In fairness, I’ve only been back once since that visit, so it’s possible I’m just remembering this overly fondly, given what a great time I had with my mom.
Regardless, I really want to return to Queenstown, which brings me to the point of this post…
The Carlin, a World of Hyatt property through SLH
The Carlin is a new luxury hotel that opened in Queenstown in 2022. This is an independent boutique hotel, and belongs to Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH). Best of all, it participates in the partnership between World of Hyatt and SLH, meaning you can earn and redeem World of Hyatt points here.
This is a Category 8 World of Hyatt property, meaning a free night redemption costs 35,000-45,000 points per night, depending on whether pricing is off-peak, standard, or peak.
Paid rates start at 2,360 NZD (~$1,450 USD) per night, and only go up from there.
As of now, I see availability using points through late 2023. It doesn’t appear like the property is bookable with Hyatt points for 2024 just yet, so availability is best between now and November 2023. Stays at The Carlin include a complimentary minibar, as well as roundtrip airport transportation.
Based on what I’ve heard, this is now the most luxurious property in Queenstown “proper” (there are some other very high-end lodges, but they’re not in town). The hotel has just eight suites, each of which is one, two, or three bedrooms. Several of these room types are bookable with Hyatt points. Each room has a large terrace with panoramic views, as the hotel is spread out over seven floors.
Of course we all have different priorities with our points and different destinations we want to visit. For me, this is the single World of Hyatt points redemption I’m most excited about making, between the hotel and the destination. I figure some OMAAT readers may share my enthusiasm, which is why I’m sharing this.
Bottom line
Queenstown is one of the most beautiful towns I’ve ever visited. Last year we saw the opening of the most luxurious property in town, and best of all, it’s bookable with World of Hyatt points. If you have any interest in visiting Queenstown, I’d definitely consider a redemption here. I know I’m tempted…
Anyone plan on booking The Carlin Queenstown with World of Hyatt points?
This hotel is TERRIBLE. I agree with @Nick. It was dumped by SLH and is in now iin receivership. The owner died in December and they are cutting costs everywhere they can. I was there for 4 days and feel completely and utterly ripped off. I used Hyatt points and used about 4x about what it was worth. STAY AWAY although I'm guessing that no one will stay there (or read this blog post) now that it's no longer a Hyatt or an SLH property.
I am staying at this property and wow, it is awful. Everything but the view is dismal. It’s almost like staying at a distant uncles house as an unwanted guest for your aunts funeral.
@ Nick -- Wow, that's surprising. Could you share some more details?
Yes, I will soon. Busy day of traveling, and so thankful to be checked out
Can you elaborate on this? Every other commenter on here, Flyertalk, Facebook, etc., has absolutely raved about this place. Interested to get your take ahead of my November stay at the Carlin.
We are in amazing Queenstown and checked out of our first hotel this morning, switching to another to be closer to Lake Wanaka.
Horseback riding in Glenorchy, the boat ride to see glow worms in Te Anau, and so much more to do here...it's among our top 10 places to visit.
What's the point of this article? Just to say it's a great deal so you are considering to go back?
What’s the point of your comment? Just to complain?
I know, I have a reservation here in August for 35k. I can't wait to experience this amazing hotel, even if the stay is in the middle of winter!
I stayed on points a couple of months ago, and it is indeed an amazing use of points. A true suite (the Princess Suite) for 40k/night, including breakfast and round trip airport transfer (in a Bentley or Porsche). The hotel is up a relatively steep hill from the main throng of shops and restaurants in Queenstown, but as a result, the view is spectacular.
Spent five nights in Queenstown in late 2016 and absolutely loved it. The area is easily a top contender for most beautiful place on earth.
Am really hoping Hyatt's acquisition of Mr. & Mrs. Smith means their Queenstown properties will be bookable with World of Hyatt. Several of the Mr. & Mrs. Smith properties in the area look competitive with The Carlin.
"Ah, the good old days" when two roundtrip first class tickets from Chicago to Singapore on a United Airlines Boeing 747 cost just 250,000 United MileagePlus miles PLUS you received 10 free days of car rental and 10 days of hotel at 50% off rack rate (these where the days before hotel & rental company frequent flyer programs), both of which could be used at other times for up to a year independent of the...
"Ah, the good old days" when two roundtrip first class tickets from Chicago to Singapore on a United Airlines Boeing 747 cost just 250,000 United MileagePlus miles PLUS you received 10 free days of car rental and 10 days of hotel at 50% off rack rate (these where the days before hotel & rental company frequent flyer programs), both of which could be used at other times for up to a year independent of the trip. This was 1995 and paper tickets were in vogue. That said, the First Class hard & soft product was no where near what it is today!
Would love to make it to New Zealand. If only I could find an economy fare under $2500 with American’s seasonal DFW AKL flight. From there I could rent a 1.8L manual transmission and drive down the coast.
Funny you wrote this. I just stayed at that hotel 3 days ago. The best Hyatt point redemption ever I had. It included the Bentley airport transfer and breakfast.
Personally, I prefer the Moxy Tromso.
If my Aunt and Uncle didn’t have a place at Millbrook I’d be all over this.
Yes Queenstown and Wanaka definitely live up to the hype still.
Almost booked this when the Fiji Airways award availability dump happened. I was going to go solo and thought it might be weird staying here alone. Does anyone else exclude certain hotels when traveling solo because they're too "romantic" or group focused?
Not alone. I wouldn't stay here by myself, despite the fact it looks incredible and I doubt it would be *that* weird once I got there. But yes, I do take into account types of hotels when traveling by myself.
Glad to know I'm not alone!
I don't think it's a big deal honestly. most of my travel these days are solo (fortunately/unfortunately; bounce between the two) and i've definitely had second thoughts on staying at certain places as a solo traveler but do it anyway. specifically the Maldives comes to mind but I went anyway when I was able to secure free nights at the Waldorf Maldives and had a great time despite it being a primarily couples destination. i...
I don't think it's a big deal honestly. most of my travel these days are solo (fortunately/unfortunately; bounce between the two) and i've definitely had second thoughts on staying at certain places as a solo traveler but do it anyway. specifically the Maldives comes to mind but I went anyway when I was able to secure free nights at the Waldorf Maldives and had a great time despite it being a primarily couples destination. i do recall some of the workers there asking me if i was traveling solo but i just took it in stride.
hey lucky- this looks great! thanks for the heads up. i'm seeing zero availability for 2023. what dates did you find something?
@ pepe -- For 2023 you're not seeing any dates? I see lots. For example, October 1-4 is the first set of dates I just pulled up, and that has availability.
I wouldn't be surprised if they had a minimum night requirement for stays with points if you are looking at individual nights
ah that's it- looks like a two night minimum. Thanks!
No you are not misremembering. It lived up to the hype for us especially the hike up Ben Lomond. We had a beautiful AirBnB located up the hill from the town which made it a little annoying to walk home from the town restaurants but the views... Trying to get my daughter to study abroad in NZ in part to see this area and nearby Milford Sound.
Shame you didn't stop in with your father