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There are many ways to redeem points for hotel stays. I usually redeem for good-value properties that I can book for relatively few points. Having hotel points opens up a whole world of possibilities and has allowed me to stay at some spectacular properties that I couldn’t — or, at least, wouldn’t — have booked otherwise.

Many major hotel loyalty programs let travelers book amazing luxury properties with points. Unfortunately, standard award space for a reasonable-length stay is virtually nonexistent at some properties; others have such sky-high award pricing that they may not be the best use of your points. To set reasonable expectations, I left off properties that didn’t have at least decent award availability or points value when compiling this list.

Here’s a look at some of the most amazing luxury hotels you can book with points, including a few I’ve been lucky enough to visit and several more that are still on my wish list.

Alila Ventana Big Sur

Cost in cash: From $1,826 per night

Cost in points: From 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night

You go to Alila Ventana Big Sur to get away and relax. This rustic forest resort near Monterey, California, has 54 rooms and suites. Each resort booking includes all meals and select activities like yoga, meditation, tai chi and daily hikes. As such, Alila Ventana Big Sur is certainly a resort where your points can provide significant value.

TPG’s Zach Griff loved his stay, as evidenced in his review of the property. But as I found when researching availability — and as Zach noted in his review — award space for rooms priced at off-peak rates is limited.

The resort is adults-only, so no guests under 18 can accompany you. Note, too, that the glamping side of Alila Ventana Big Sur is different from the resort and doesn’t have access to many of the resort amenities.

Overall, this resort is for those with plenty of cash or a stash of World of Hyatt points. I’d likely try to book a short stay with off-peak standard room award pricing and use my points for a longer Pacific Coast Highway trip to get the most value.

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Miraval Arizona

Cost in cash: From $1,058 per night for single occupancy (from $1,852 per night for double occupancy)

Cost in points: From 40,000 World of Hyatt points per night for single occupancy (from 57,500 points per night for double occupancy)

Miraval is Hyatt’s most luxurious wellness-focused brand, and it has full-scale resorts and spas in Texas, Arizona and Massachusetts. TPG staffers have stayed at all three properties, giving each heaps of praise.

So, it’s not surprising that at least one Miraval resort would make my list of amazing luxury hotels around the world that you can book with points. I’m most excited to visit Miraval Arizona due to its desert location and status as the original Miraval resort.

There’s a special higher-than-usual World of Hyatt award chart for Miraval resorts, but redeeming Hyatt points still provides good value on most dates. All meals, snacks, coffee, smoothies and nonalcoholic beverages are included in stays. Plus, guests get shared shuttle transportation from Tucson International Airport (TUS) and a $175 per person nightly credit for spa services, fee-based activities and private sessions.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

Cost in cash: From $2,565 per night

Cost in points: From 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night

If you have a lot of Marriott Bonvoy points and want a spectacular stay in the Maldives, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is an excellent option. It’s just a 45-minute speedboat ride away from the airport in Male, where most international flights arrive in the Maldives. The standard point redemption will get you a one-bedroom ocean pool villa with an ocean view — though you can redeem more points at booking for an upgraded room type.

Frankly, I doubt I’ll ever be willing to redeem the points required to stay at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. However, especially considering paid rates, you’re getting a steal on most dates — particularly if you redeem points for at least five nights of your stay and can get a fifth night free.

Six Senses Laamu

Cost in cash: From $1,409 per night

Cost in points: From 194,000 IHG One Rewards points per night

My Six Senses Laamu review indicates how much I loved the resort, and it has remained my favorite stay years later. As such, I had to include it on this list of amazing luxury hotels around the world that you can book with points.

Six Senses Laamu is a rustic yet luxurious resort focused on environmental sustainability. It employs an entire team of marine biologists, offers amazing on-site snorkeling opportunities, includes some memorable experiential activities, has a cool kids club and features multilevel overwater villas as its base room type.

However, if I return to Six Senses Laamu (which I hope to do), I’d likely book a paid rate. Redeeming IHG One Rewards points doesn’t make sense for most Six Senses stays for two reasons: You’ll get a lower redemption rate than at most IHG hotels, and Six Senses frequently offers excellent half-board paid rates if you stay at least four nights.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

Cost in cash: From $962 per night

Cost in points: From 25,000 World of Hyatt points per night

Another luxurious option in the Maldives, the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is home to more than 50 land and overwater villas, all of which are surrounded by a 360-degree private reef that offers plenty of snorkeling opportunities. Amenities include four restaurants and a bar, multiple pools, a yoga studio and fitness center, a spa and an on-site dive center.

Thanks to World of Hyatt’s generous award chart, this Category 7 property costs only 25,000 to 35,000 points per night, depending on the dates. That’s a solid value for a hotel where cash rates can climb to well over $1,000 per night.

Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai

Cost in cash: From $898 per night

Cost in points: From 88,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night

I debated whether Marriott’s Al Maha resort in Dubai was worth splurging on a few years ago. After visiting in the summer of 2022, I’m happy I decided to try out this aspirational, essentially all-inclusive resort in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Our two-night stay was certainly memorable, from the meals on our villa’s patio and hours spent in our private pool overlooking the desert to the included activities.

The resort has 42 private villas with swimming pools, and guests redeeming points for their stay can enjoy three meals and two activities per day. Activities include archery, desert nature walks, desert drives, wildlife safaris, falconry demonstrations, horseback rides, camel trekking and sundowners in the dunes. We learned a lot during our desert nature walk and enjoyed light dune bashing during our wildlife safari.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui

Cost in cash: From $935 per night

Cost in points: From 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night

I loved my trip to French Polynesia, during which I visited Bora Bora and a few other islands. TPG’s Summer Hull did, too, falling in love with the Conrad Bora Bora Nui. She said it was her best Hilton points redemption, and her stay at this Hilton property is one she’ll never forget.

At the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, you’ll have access to four different beaches. There are also complimentary snorkeling equipment, kayaks and paddleboards to see marine life around the resort. Daily activities — including demonstrations on how to open a coconut and lei-making workshops — await as well.

Standard award nights cost 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night. It’s easy to find five or more consecutive standard award nights during some seasons, though standard award availability can be difficult to find during other seasons. Unless you have more Hilton points than you’ll ever be able to redeem, you’ll likely want to avoid the outrageous premium award night pricing.

Remember, too, that Hilton Honors elite members can benefit from a fifth night free on standard award night stays.