In 2018 we saw Hyatt and Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) launch a partnership, allowing World of Hyatt members to earn and redeem points for stays at SLH properties. In this post I wanted to take an updated look at how this awesome partnership works.
In this post:
What is the Hyatt & SLH partnership?
Historically one of Hyatt’s biggest weaknesses compared to competitors (Hilton, IHG, Marriott, etc.) has been its smaller footprint. Fortunately this is an area where Hyatt has been improving significantly in recent years.
For one, Hyatt now directly manages well over 1,300 hotels across 28 brands, ranging from Alila to Andaz to Park Hyatt. Hyatt has grown its portfolio both through organic growth, as well as through acquisitions of other hotel groups, including Two Roads Hospitality and Apple Leisure Group.
Beyond that, Hyatt has developed a marketing partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which gives World of Hyatt members access to hundreds of additional hotels. World of Hyatt members can earn and redeem points, and receive exclusive privileges, when booking these properties through Hyatt.
SLH is a group of roughly 540 boutique hotels. What makes SLH different than the other major hotel groups is that SLH as such doesn’t manage these properties. Rather SLH is essentially a community of independent hotels that don’t have any desire to directly join the major hotel groups.
In other words, SLH has a marketing agreement with these hotels, and now Hyatt has a marketing partnership with SLH. We win as consumers, since we have access to lots more hotels with our points. Note that while SLH has its own INVITED loyalty program, the Hyatt collaboration is arguably more lucrative, for properties that choose to participate.
Which SLH properties participate in the Hyatt partnership?
While Small Luxury Hotels of the World has roughly 540 properties, about 370 of them participate in the World of Hyatt collaboration. SLH properties partnering with World of Hyatt span six continents, and geographically break down as follows:
- 236 properties in Europe
- 64 properties in Asia
- 36 properties in the Caribbean & Latin America
- 16 properties in the United States & Canada
- 14 properties in Africa & the Middle East
- Four properties in Australia & the Pacific
Over time we’ve slowly seen more hotels be added, and for that matter we’ve also seen some hotels removed.
Earning World of Hyatt points at SLH properties
The ability to earn World of Hyatt points at Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties is quite robust:
- World of Hyatt members earn five base points per USD spent on eligible room revenue with SLH (incidental spending at SLH properties isn’t eligible for points accrual), and those base points count toward lifetime World of Hyatt status
- World of Hyatt members receive their standard elite tier bonuses at SLH properties (10% for Discoverist, 20% for Explorist, and 30% for Globalist)
- World of Hyatt members receive standard elite nights for SLH stays
- World of Hyatt members paying with the World of Hyatt Credit Card (review) and World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (review) receive 4x World of Hyatt points per dollar spent for SLH stays, just as they usually would when staying at a Hyatt
- Stays at SLH properties are eligible for World of Hyatt’s global promotions
The most important restriction to be aware of is that you can only earn World of Hyatt points at SLH properties if you reserve through Hyatt booking channels, including the Hyatt website, app, call center, etc. If you book through SLH, directly through the hotel, or through an online travel agency, you won’t be eligible to accrue World of Hyatt points.
Redeeming Hyatt points at SLH properties
World of Hyatt points can be redeemed at virtually all participating Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties (the only exception is Kontiki Expeditions, where you can just earn points). Below is World of Hyatt’s standard award chart, which is also what pricing at SLH properties is based on.
World of Hyatt Category | Off-Peak | Standard | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
Category 1 | 3,500 | 5,000 | 6,500 |
Category 2 | 6,500 | 8,000 | 9,500 |
Category 3 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 15,000 |
Category 4 | 12,000 | 15,000 | 18,000 |
Category 5 | 17,000 | 20,000 | 23,000 |
Category 6 | 21,000 | 25,000 | 29,000 |
Category 7 | 25,000 | 30,000 | 35,000 |
Category 8 | 35,000 | 40,000 | 45,000 |
A few more things to note:
- Hyatt free night awards can also be redeemed at SLH properties, though do have category restrictions
- All SLH properties fall into the Category 1-8 range, which is the same pricing range you’ll find for Hyatt’s own properties
- There are capacity controls on award redemptions at SLH properties, unlike at properties managed directly by Hyatt
Admittedly up to 45,000 points per night for a redemption is steep, but there are still plenty of properties where this could represent a phenomenal deal, based on my valuation of 1.5 cents per World of Hyatt point. For example, you could redeem 40,000 points per night at Calala Island, where a cash rate would be $2,550+. Talk about a steal!
World of Hyatt benefits at SLH properties
Small Luxury Hotels of the World hotels provide the following on-property benefits for all World of Hyatt members who book through Hyatt channels:
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Daily complimentary continental breakfast
- Room upgrade (one category at check-in, if available)
- Early check-in (noon, based upon availability)
- Late check-out (2:00PM, based upon availability)
Note that:
- There are no special World of Hyatt elite benefits at SLH properties, so don’t expect full Globalist member benefits
- World of Hyatt suite upgrade awards, club access awards, and Guest of Honor awards, can’t be redeemed at SLH properties
Great use of Chase Ultimate Rewards points
The Hyatt & SLH partnership is of course exciting for those with World of Hyatt points, including those earning points with the World of Hyatt Credit Card and World of Hyatt Business Credit Card. However, this is also useful for those with Chase Ultimate Rewards points, since this is a great way to redeem those points for luxury hotel stays.
- Earn 4x Points at Hyatt Properties
- Free Night Every Year
- Complimentary Discoverist Status
- $95
- Earn 4x Points at Hyatt Properties
- Complimentary Discoverist Status
- Gift Discoverist Status up to 5 Employees
- $199
- 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 3x points on dining
- 2x points on travel purchases
- $95
- 3x points on Travel after the $300 Annual Travel Credit
- 3x points on Dining
- $300 Travel Credit
- $550
- Earn 3x points on travel
- Earn 3x points on shipping purchases
- Cell Phone Protection
- $95
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Car Rental Coverage
- Extended Warranty Protection
- $0
- Earn 5% Cash Back at office supply stores
- Earn 5% Cash Back on internet, cable TV, mobile phones, and landlines
- Car Rental Coverage
- $0
- Earn 3% Cash Back on Dining
- Earn 3% Cash Back at Drugstores
- Earn 1.5% Cash Back On All Other Purchases
- $0
World of Hyatt also often sells points at a discount, which could represent a good deal for SLH redemptions.
Bottom line
Personally I’ve found the World of Hyatt & Small Luxury Hotels of the World collaboration to be extremely useful. This is an incredible opportunity to earn and redeem points at some gorgeous boutique properties that otherwise wouldn’t be accessible through loyalty programs.
This partnership has expanded significantly since first being introduced in 2018, and is now up to roughly 370 hotels. I find the SLH partnership is particularly useful in Europe, where there are so many charming hotels that are accessible through this.
My favorite SLH stays have been at Calala Island in Nicaragua and Canaves Oia Epitome in Greece, though I’ve had other good stays as well.
If you’ve taken advantage of the Hyatt & SLH partnership, what was your experience like?
Loyalty lobby reported today that the Hyatt SLH relationship is ending. Does anyone have more info about this?
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/
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!
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.
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 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.............
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'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...
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!
It's rumored that this relationship might be ending later in 2024 after MMS is integrated.
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...
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.
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 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...
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.