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Most aspirational hotel award redemptions in the world

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Old Jan 7, 2016, 10:23 am
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Last edit by: rajuabju
Here is BHRubin's master list, taken from post #29 below:


Below is my compiled list of most aspirational luxury hotel award redemptions--places I might consider staying using points or looking for elite upgrades--for most destinations around the world.

Obviously, "most aspirational" is highly subjective; I have included hotels and resorts that I personally consider to be reasonably comparable to Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula, Oberoi, and/or boutique luxury properties. I've also included some properties that are considered among the best properties in a resort/destination where few or no other comparable luxury property might. Obviously, there are ranges of quality with even the best luxury hotel brands.

* Asterisked properties are among the most notable/reputed properties in each location. This will be highly subjective, so feel free to comment or to ignore as appropriate.


UNITED STATES/CANADA

Atlanta:

*St. Regis Atlanta
*Ritz Carlton Atlanta
*Ritz Carlton Buckhead
InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta

Arizona:

*Canyon Suites at the Phoenician, Luxury Collection
*The Phoenician, Luxury Collection
*Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain
Arizona Biltmore, Waldorf Astoria
Boulders Resort, Hilton Curio

Austin:

W Austin
JW Marriott Austin
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin
Fairmont Austin

Boston:

*Ritz Carlton Boston Common
The Liberty, Luxury Collection
InterContinental Boston
W Boston

Canada:

*Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta
*Fairmont Chateau Whistler, British Columbia

Charlotte:

*Ritz Carlton Charlotte
The Ballantyne, Luxury Collection

Chicago:

*Waldorf Astoria Chicago
*St. Regis Chicago
Park Hyatt Chicago
Ritz Carlton Chicago
The Gwen, Luxury Collection

Colorado/Utah:

*Ritz Carlton Denver, CO
St. Regis Aspen, CO
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, CO
Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch, CO
Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge, Telluride, CO (suites only)
St. Regis Deer Valley, UT
Waldorf Astoria Park City, UT

Dallas:

Ritz Carlton Dallas

Hawaii:

*Ritz Carlton Kapalua, Maui
*St. Regis Princeville, Kauai
Grand Wailea, Waldorf Astoria, Maui
The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui (suites only)
The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
The Royal Hawaiian, Oahu, Luxury Collection
Grand Hyatt Kauai

Houston:

St. Regis Houston
JW Marriott Houston Downtown

Las Vegas:

The Cosmopolitan, Autograph Collection
SLS Las Vegas, Luxury Collection
W Las Vegas
Crocksford LXR

Los Angeles/Orange County:

*Ritz Carlton Los Angeles
*Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel
*Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey
*SLS Beverly Hills, Luxury Collection
*Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
West Hollywood EDITION

Miami/South Florida:

*St. Regis Bal Harbour, Miami
*Sunset Key Guest Cottages, Luxury Collection, Key West
Ritz Carlton South Beach
*Ritz Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami
Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne
Ritz Carlton Amelia Island
*Ritz Carlton Ft Lauderdale
Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove
Ritz Carlton Ft. Lauderdale
JW Marriott Marquis Miami
W South Beach
Casa Marina, Waldorf Astoria, Key West
The Miami Beach EDITION

Montreal:

W Montreal
Sofitel Montreal, Accor

Napa Valley, California:

*Las Alcobas, Luxury Collection
Andaz Napa Valley

Napes, Florida:

*Ritz Carlton Naples
*Ritz Carlton Golf Resort Naples

New Orleans:

Ritz Carlton New Orleans
The Roosevelt, Waldorf Astoria, New Orleans
InterContinental New Orleans

New York City:

*Ritz Carlton Central Park
*Ritz Carlton NoMad
*St. Regis New York
*Park Hyatt New York
Waldorf Astoria New New York
Towers at the Waldorf Astoria New York
The Chatwal, Luxury Collection
The Plaza, Fairmont
The New York EDITION
Times Square EDITION
New York EDITION

Orlando:

Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Ritz Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes

Philadelphia:

Ritz Carlton Philadelphia
The Logan Philadelphia, Curio Collection
W Philadelphia

Portland:

The Nines, Luxury Collection

San Antonio:

The St. Anthony, Luxury Collection

San Diego:

Fairmont Grand Del Mar
US Grant, Luxury Collection
*Park Hyatt Aviara

San Francisco/Northern California:

*Ritz Carlton San Francisco
*St. Regis San Francisco
Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square
Fairmont San Francisco
Palace Hotel, Luxury Collection
Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay
*Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe
Cal Nueva, Luxury Collection, Tahoe (upcoming)
Las Alcobas Napa, Luxury Collection (upcoming)

Sarasota, Florida:

*Ritz Carlton Sarasota

St. Louis:

Ritz Carlton St. Louis

Seattle:

Fairmont Olympic Seattle

Toronto, Canada:

*Ritz Carlton Toronto
*Shangri-LA Toronto
Park Hyatt Toronto
*St. Regis Toronto

Vancouver:

*Shangri-La Vancouver
Fairmont Pacific Rim

Vermont:

The Equinox, Luxury Collection

Washington, DC:

*Ritz Carlton Georgetown
*Ritz Carlton Washington
St. Regis Washington
Park Hyatt Washington DC
InterContinental The Willard Washington


MEXICO

Cancun/Riveria Maya:

*Ritz Carlton Cancun
*Fairmont Mayakoba
Hyatt Ziva Cancun
St. Regis Kanai (upcoming)
W Kanai Retreat (upcoming)
Andaz Mayakoba (upcoming)

Los Cabos:
*Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos
The Cape (Thompson)

Solaz, Luxury Collection

Mexico City:

*St. Regis Mexico City
*Las Alcobas, Mexico City, Luxury Collection
W Mexico City
Ritz Carlton Mexico City (upcoming)


Puerta Vallarta/Punta Mita:

*St. Regis Punta Mita
W Retreat Punta de Mita

Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico:

Hacienda Puerta Campeche, Luxury Collection
Hacienda Uayamon, Luxury Collection
Hacienda Santa Rosa, Luxury Collection
Hacienda Temozon, Temozon Sur, Luxury Collection
Hacienda San Jose, TixkokobH, Luxury Collection


CARIBBEAN

*St. Regis Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico
*Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman
Ritz Carlton San Juan, Puerto Rico
Ritz Carlton Aruba
Ritz Carlton St. Thomas
Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Barbados
Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, Jamaica
Paradise Island, Atlantis, Bahamas, Autograph Collection
Scrub Island Resort, BVI, Autograph Collection
*W Retreat Vieques Island, Puerto Rico
Park Hyatt St. Kitts (upcoming)


CENTRAL AMERICA

Costa Rica:

Andaz Papagayo Costa Rica
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort
Hotel Punta Islita, Autograph Collection

Dominican Republic:

JW Marriott Santo Domingo

Panama:

Waldorf Astoria Panama City
JW Marriott Panama
Ritz Carlton Panama (upcoming)
W Panama (upcoming)


EUROPE

Amsterdam:

*Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht
InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam
Softel The Grand Amsterdam, Accor
W Amsterdam

Athens:

*Hotel Grand Bretagne, Luxury Collection, Athens
King George, Luxury Collection, Athens
Arion, Luxury Collection, Athens

Barcelona:

*Hotel Arts, Ritz Carlton
Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection
Grand Hotel Central, Design Hotels (upcoming awards)
W Barcelona

Belgrade:

Metropol Palace, Luxury Collection
W Belgrade (upcoming)

Berlin:

*Ritz Carlton Berlin
Waldorf Astoria Berlin
Grand Hyatt Berlin
Sofitel Berlin Kurfuerstendamm, Accor
InterContinental Berlin
Swissotel Berlin, Fairmont
Westin Grand Berlin

Bratislava:

*Grand Hotel River Park, Luxury Collection

Bucharest:

JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel
InterContinental Bucharest

Budapest:

Boscolo Budapest, Autograph Collection
InterContinental Budapest
Ritz Carlton Budapest (upcoming)

Copenhagen:

Marriott Copenhagen

Edinburgh/Scotland:

Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh--The Caledonian
Sheraton Grande Edinburgh
*Trump Turnberry, Ayrshire, Luxury Collection
Fairmont St. Andrews
The Glasshouse, Edinburgh, Autograph Collection
W Edinburgh (upcoming)

Florence:

*St. Regis Florence
Westin Excelsior Florence

Geneva:

*Hotel President Wilson, Luxury Collection
Swissôtel Mętropole, Geneva, Fairmont
InterContinental Geneva

Germany:

Hotel Fuerstenhof, Leipzig, Luxury Collection
WeimarHotel Elephant, Weimar, Luxury Collection

Greece:

*Mystique, Santorini, Luxury Collection
Vdema, Santorini, Luxury Collection
Blue Palace, Crete, Luxury Collection
Santa Marina, Mykonos, Luxury Collection
The Romanos, Costa Navarino, Luxury Collection Resort,
Domes Of Elounda, Crete, Autograph Collection

The Hague:

*Hotel Des Indes, Luxury Collection

Hamburg:

*Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, Hamburg
*Park Hyatt Hamburg
Sofitel Hamburg Alter Wall
Le Meridien Hamburg

Helsinki:

*Hotel Kamp, Luxury Collection

Iceland:

ION Luxury Adventure Hotel, SPG Design Hotels
Reykjavic EDITION (upcoming)

Istanbul:

*Park Hyatt Istanbul--Macka Palas
*St. Regis Istanbul
Ritz Carlton Istanbul
Raffles Istanbul, Fairmont

Italy:

Falisia, Portopiccolo, Luxury Collection

Kiev:

Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv
InterContinental Kiev
Hyatt Kiev

Krakow:

Sheraton Krakow

London (most not luxury, but the best options):

*Shangri-La London At the Shard (no club/suite upgrades)
*The Savoy, Fairmont
Sofitel London St. James, Accor
Conrad London St. James
London EDITION
InterContinental London Park Lane

Madrid:

*Principal Madrid, Design Hotels
*Westin Palace Madrid
InterContinental Madrid

Mallorca:

St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca
Castillo Hotel Son Vida, Luxury Collection
Park Hyatt Mallorca

Milan:

*Park Hyatt Milan
*Excelsior Gallia Milan, Luxury Collection
W Milan (upcoming)

Moscow:

*Ritz Carlton Moscow
*Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow
*St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya
Hotel National, Luxury Collection

Paris/Versailles:

*Shangri-La Paris (no club/suite upgrades)
*Park Hyatt Paris--Vendome
*Prince de Galles, Luxury Collection
Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris

Portugal:

*The Pine Cliff Residence, Albufeira, Luxury Collection
Convento do Espinheiro, Evora, Luxury Collection
Conrad Algarve
InterContinental Porto Palacio das Cardosas
InterContinental Estoril
Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade
Sheraton Porto
Sheraton Algarve Hotel

Prague:

The Augustine, Luxury Collection

Rome:

St. Regis Rome
Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria
Westin Excelsior Rome

Salzburg:

*Schloss Fuschl, Luxury Collection
Hotel Goldener Hirsch, Luxury Collection

Sardinia:

*Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smeralda, Luxury Collection
*HomeHotel Pitrizza, Costa Smeralda, Luxury Collection

Seville:

*Hotel Alfonso XIII, Luxury Collection

Sofia:

*Sofia Hotel Balkan, Luxury Collection

Spain:

*Hotel Marques di Riscal, Elciego, Luxury Collection
*Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastian, Luxury Collection

St. Petersburg:

W St. Petersburg
Renaissance St. Petersburg Baltic

Switzerland:

The Hotel Lucerne, Autograph Collection

Turkey:

Lugal, Ankara, Luxury Collection
Caresse, Bodrum, Luxury Collection

Venice:

*Gritti Palace, Luxury Collection
Hotel Danieli, Luxury Collection
Westin Europa & Regina Venice
JW Marriott Venice

Verbier, Switzerland:

W Verbier

Vienna:

*Park Hyatt Vienna
*Hotel Imperial, Luxury Collection
*Hotel Bristol, Luxury Collection
*Ritz Carlton Vienna

Warsaw:

*Hotel Bristol, Luxury Collection

Zurich:

Park Hyatt Zurich
Kameha Grand Zurich, Autograph Collection


ASIA

Agra:

ITC Mughal Agra, Luxury Collection

Astana:

Ritz Carlton Astana
St. Regis Astana (upcoming)

Baku:

JW Marriott Absheron Baku
Fairmont Baku

Bali:

*St. Regis Bali
Ritz Carlton Bali
Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali
The Laguna, Nusa Dua, Bali, Luxury Collection
The Sarasvati, Seminyak, Bali, Luxury Collection
The Legian, Seminyak, Bali, Autograph Collection
W Retreat Bali (upcoming)
Waldorf Astoria Bali (upcoming)
Waldorf Astoria Bali Ubud (upcoming)
Bali EDITION (upcoming)

Bangalore:

*Ritz Carlton Bangalore
*ITC Gardenia Bengaluru, Luxury Collection
ITC Windsor Bengaluru, Luxury Collection
JW Marriott Bangalore

Bangkok:,

St. Regis Bangkok
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Luxury Collection
InterContinental Bangkok
Park Hyatt Bangkok
Waldorf Astoria Bangkok (upcoming)
Bangkok EDITION (upcoming)

Beijing:

Ritz Carlton Beijing
St. Regis Beijing
Park Hyatt Beijing
Waldorf Astoria Beijing
Raffles Beijing, Fairmont
Fairmont Beijing
Shangri-La's China World Hotel Beijing
Shangri-La China World Summit Wing Beijing
The Ritz-Carlton Beijing Financial Street

Chengdu:

*St. Regis Chengdu
Ritz Carlton Chengdu
Waldorf Astoria Chengdu (upcoming)
W Chengdu

Chennai:

Park Hyatt Chennai
ITC Grand Chola Chennai, Luxury Collection

Goa:

Park Hyatt Goa
Grand Hyatt Goa
*W Retreat Goa

Guangzhou:

*Ritz-Carlton Hotel Guangzhou
*Shangri-La Hotel Guangzhou
W Guangzhou
Grand Hyatt Guangzhou

Hangzhou:

The Azure Qiantang, Hangzhou, Luxury Collection

Hanoi:

*Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh City:

*Park Hyatt Saigon

Hong Kong:

*Ritz Carlton Hong Kong
*InterContinental Hong Kong
W Hong Kong
*St Regis Hong Kong

Hyderabad:

Park Hyatt Hyderabad
ITC Kakatiya Hyderabad, Luxury Collection

Jaipur, India:

ITC Rajputana, Jaipur

Jakarta:

*Raffles Jakarta, Fairmont
*Ritz Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place
Ritz Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan
*Keraton at the Plaza, Luxury Collection
Grand Hyatt Jakarta
JW Marriott Jakarta
St. Regis Jakarta (upcoming)
Waldorf Astoria Jakarta (upcoming)
W Jakarta (upcoming)

Kolkata:

ITC Sonar Kolkata, Luxury Collection

Kuala Lumpur:

Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur
Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur
St. Regis Kuala Lumpur (upcoming)
W Kuala Lumpur (upcoming)

Kyoto:

*Ritz Carlton Kyoto
Suiran, Luxury Collection

Langkawi:

The Andaman, Luxury Collection
St. Regis Langkawi
Ritz Carlton Langkawi (upcoming)

Lhasa, Tibet:

*St. Regis Lhasa

Lijiang:

InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort
Grand Hyatt Lijiang
St. Regis Lijiang (upcoming)

Macau:

Ritz Carlton Macau
Conrad Macao Cotai Central
Grand Hyatt Macau
St. Regis Macau (upcoming)

Maldives:

*Park Hyatt Maldives
*Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Shangri-La Villingili Maldives (no suite/club upgrades)
*W Retreat Maldives
*St. Regis Maldives Vommuli
*Ritz Carlton Maldives
*Park Hyatt Maldives
*Waldorf Astoria Maldives

Manila:

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila

Mumbai:

InterContinental Mumbai
*St. Regis Mumbai
ITC Maratha Mumbai, Luxury Collection
ITC Grand Central Mumbai, Luxury Collection
Grand Hyatt Mumbai
Sofitel Mumbai BKC
JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar
JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu
InterContinental Marine Drive
Ritz Carlton Mumbai (upcoming)

Nanjing:

The Grand Mansion, Nanjing, Luxury Collection
Ritz Carlton Nanjing (upcoming)
St. Regis Nanjing (upcoming)

New Delhi:

*ITC Grand Bharat New Delhi, Gurgaon, Luxury Collection
ITC Maurya, New Delhi, Luxury Collection
JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity
W Dehli NCR Gurgaon WTC (upcoming)

Osaka:

*St. Regis Osaka
*Ritz Carlton Osaka
Intercontinental Osaka

Phnom Penh:

*Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Fairmont
Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, Accor

Sanya:

St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay
Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay
Ritz-Carlton Sanya Yalong Bay
Conrad Sanya Haitang Bay
The Royal Begonia, Sanya, Luxury Collection
InterContinental Sanya
Shangri-La Sanya Hainan
Renaissance Sanya
Waldorf Astoria Sanya (upcoming)
Ritz Carlton Mission Hills, Haikou, Sanya (upcoming)
St. Regis Haikou, Sanya (upcoming)
St. Regis Qingshui Bay, Sanya (upcoming)
Sanya EDITION
W Retreat Sanya (upcoming)

Seoul:

Park Hyatt Seoul
Ritz Carlton Seoul
JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul
JW Marriott Seoul
Conrad Seoul
The Plaza, Seoul, Autograph Collection
The Parnas, Luxury Collection (upcoming)

Shanghai:

*Park Hyatt Shanghai
*Ritz Carlton Shangai, Pudong
*Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
*Fairmont Peace
Twelve at Hengshan, Shanghai, Luxury Collection
Jing An Shangri-La West Shanghai
Pudong Shangri-La East Shanghai
St. Regis Shanghai Jingan
W Shanghai The Bund
Shanghai EDITION
X Shanghai--The Bund (upcoming)

Shenzhen:

*The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen
*St. Regis Shenzhen
Grand Hyatt Shenzhen

Siem Reap:

*Park Hyatt Siem Reap
Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor

Singapore:

*Raffles Singapore, Fairmont (suites only)
*St. Regis Singapore
Shangri-La Singapore
Conrad Centennial Singapore
InterContinental Singapore
InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay (upcoming)

Taipei:

W Taipei
Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Taipei, Accor

Thailand:

Conrad Koh Samui
The Naka Island, Luxury Collection, Phuket
Vana Belle, Luxury Collection, Koh Samui
W Retreat, Koh Samui
W Retreat Phuket Phang Nha Bay (upcoming)

Tianjin:

*Ritz-Carlton Tianjin
*St. Regis Tianjin
The Astor Hotel, Tianjin, Luxury Collection

Tokyo:

*Park Hyatt Tokyo
Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills
*Ritz Carlton Tokyo
Conrad Tokyo
Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo
Grand Hyatt Tokyo
Prince Gallery Kioicho Tokyo, Luxury Collection

Xi'an:

Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Xian
Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square
Westin Xian
W Xian (upcoming)


AUSTRALIA/SOUTH PACIFIC

Auckland:

Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
Hilton Auckland
Park Hyatt Auckland (upcoming)

Brisbane:

Sofitel Brisbane Central
W Brisbane (upcoming)

Bora Bora, French Polynesia:

*St. Regis Bora Bora
InterContinental Thalasso Bora Bora
Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island
Hilton Bora Bora Nui

Fiji:

Shangri-La Fiji
Sheraton Denarau Villas
Radisson Blu Fiji Denarau Island
InterContinental Fiji
Hilton Fiji Beach

Melbourne:

*Park Hyatt Melbourne
Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Ritz Carlton Melbourne (upcoming)
W Melbourne (upcoming)

Moorea, French Polynesia:

Hilton Moorea Lagoon
Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora

Queenstown:

Sofitel Queenstown
Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa

Seychelles:

Raffles Praslin, Seychelles, Fairmont

Sydney:

*Park Hyatt Sydney
Swissotel Sydney
InterContinental Sydney
Shangri-la Sydney
Pier One Sydney Harbor, Autograph Collection
Sheraton on the Park, Sydney
W Sydney (upcoming)

Tahiti, French Polynesia (not luxury but best award):

InterContinental Tahiti

Wellington:

InterContinental Wellington


MIDDLE EAST/AFRICA

Abu Dhabi:

Shangri-La, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
St. Regis Abu Dhabi
St. Regis Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi
Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi EDITION (upcoming)

Addis Ababa:

Sheraton Addis, Luxury Collection

Amman:

*St. Regis Amman
InterContinental Amman
Grand Hyatt Amman
W Amann (upcoming)

Cairo:

*Ritz Carlton Nile, Cairo
St. Regis Cairo (upcoming)

Dar es Salaam:

*Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro

Doha:

St. Regis Doha
Ritz Carlton Doha
W Doha
Waldorf Astoria Doha (upcoming)

Dubai:

*Al Maha, Luxury Collection, Dubai
Raffles Dubai, Fairmont
St. Regis Dubai
Ritz Carlton Dubai
Ritz Carlton Dubai, IFC
Grosvenor House, Luxury Collection, Dubai
Park Hyatt Dubai
Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Dubai EDITION (upcoming)

Egypt:

Hilton Luxor
Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan

Jerusalem:

*Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem

Jordan:

Al Manara, Saraya Aqaba, Luxury Collection (upcoming)

Kenya:

Fairmont Mount Kenya
Fairmont The Norfolk, Nairobi
InterContinental Nairobi

Kuwait City:

JW Marriott Kuwait City
Sheraton Kuwait

Lebanon:

Grand Hills, Broumana, Luxury Collection

Marrakech:

Park Hyatt Marrakech (upcoming)
W Marrakech (upcoming)

Mauritius:

*St. Regis Mauritius
*Shangri-La Le Touessrok Mauritius
Sofitel Mauritius L'Imperial, Accor
InterContinental Mauritius

Muscat:

Al Bustan Palace, Ritz Carlton Muscat
Grand Hyatt Muscat
InterContinental Muscat
W Muscat (upcoming)

Sharm El Sheikh:

W Sharm El Sheikh (upcoming)

South Africa (not really luxury but these are best awards):

Conrad Pezula, Knysna
Westin Cape Town
InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport, Johannesburg
InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers, Johannesburg

Tel Aviv:

Ritz Carlton Herzliya
W Tel Aviv (upcoming)

United Arab Emirates:

Ajman Saray, Ajman, Luxury Collection

Zanzibar:

Park Hyatt Zanzibar


SOUTH AMERICA

Argentina:

Sofitel La Reserva Cardales, Campana

Colombia:

Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, Cartagena
JW Marriott Bogota
W Bogota
Artisan D.C., Bogota, Autograph Collection

Buenos Aires:

*Palacio Duhau--Park Hyatt Buenos Aires
Park Tower, Luxury Collection
Sofitel Buenos Aires Arroyo

Caracas, Venezuela:

JW Marriott Caracas

Chile:

*Villarrica Park Lake, Villarrica, Luxury Collection

Colombia:

*Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena

Peru:

Palacio del Inka, Cusco,Luxury Collection
*Tambo del Inka, Sacred Valley, Luxury Collection
*Hotel Paracas, Luxury Collection, Paracas
JW Marriott Lima
JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
Swissotel Lima
Westin Lima

Punta del Este:

Conrad Punta del Este

Rio de Janeiro:

JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro
Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro
Sheraton Grande Rio

Santiago:

Ritz Carlton Santiago
San Cristobal Tower, Luxury Collection
Grand Hyatt Santiago

Sao Paolo:

Grand Hyatt Sao Paulo
InterContinental Sao Paulo
Renaissance Sao Paulo

Uruguay:

*Carmelo Resort, Hyatt
Sofitel Montevideo


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Most aspirational hotel award redemptions in the world

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Old Feb 11, 2016, 9:05 am
  #136  
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Originally Posted by TOMFORD
You don't have to be sorry because most of those arguments are not valid. The IC is in a good location - true - but being next to the Gallery Place metro, Dupont Circle, and Scott Circle isn't half bad. And the IC being the most historic - fine - because yes, people absolutely pick hotels based on what they mean historically rather than the quality of the hotel itself. And lastly, considering the quality of its "high end suites" when discussing award redemptions is like picking out an outfit for your date night with Beyonce.
Sorry, but you are missing a lot in your analysis. How can you compare a small boutique hotel that has almost no amenities, nor proper restaurant with a full service hotel like the Willard? Take Kimpton's George for instance, which does have a nice location:

Spa? No.
Steam/Sauna/high end gym? No.
High end restaurant like the Occidental? No.

And I'll repeat the suites because yes at many of these inspirational hotels elites can get suite upgrades on award nights. Sometimes you can even book a suite on an award stay.

These Kimpton hotels are nice for sure. I'm staying in an ex-Kimpton hotel right now which is currently a Le Meridien. It's a pretty cool hotel, but it is lacking in a lot of features that are attributed to a great hotel. That's the part you need to understand.
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Old Feb 11, 2016, 10:10 am
  #137  
 
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Slightly OT, but for me DC is a city where the paid only options are far superior to the loyalty program participating properties. Hay-Adams, as far as I am concerned, is in a different league entirely from StR and Willard.

I consider FS to be the best in town, and a cut or two avove the closest competition like Ritz-Carlton Georgetown.

Of the point redemption options, I would pick R-C Georgetown, PH, and possibly StR as my top choices.
MikeFromTokyo is offline  
Old Feb 11, 2016, 10:21 am
  #138  
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Originally Posted by MikeFromTokyo
Slightly OT, but for me DC is a city where the paid only options are far superior to the loyalty program participating properties. Hay-Adams, as far as I am concerned, is in a different league entirely from StR and Willard.

I consider FS to be the best in town, and a cut or two avove the closest competition like Ritz-Carlton Georgetown.

Of the point redemption options, I would pick R-C Georgetown, PH, and possibly StR as my top choices.
I agree with your assessment of which hotels in that particular city for which I'd use points to get an award stay that I consider most aspirational. That being said, what you or I value most in an aspirational award are likely different from what other people value.

For me, having a gym or sauna or spa is completely irrelevant--especially in a city. For others, like stimpy, having these and better high end suites and the like is critical. Of course, the ability to use points/awards to get the high end suites is extremely limited and circumstantial, but that's what seems to matter most to stimpy. For me, being in a luxury hotel that offers luxury levels of service with great rooms in a great location is most important.

We all want different things.

That being said, this list is intended to let people get a sense of which hotels would be among the most aspirational...including those for as many of the major hotel points currencies as possible. The IC Willard is certainly the most aspirational award stay for those wanting to use IC points...and it still ranks as one of the top hotels in the city.

IMO, too many people are drawing too many bad conclusions for the wrong reasons about this list. Apparently, people are forgetting that their particular priorities are not shared by everyone else...or that they can ignore the elements of the list they find less appealing.
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Old Feb 11, 2016, 8:11 pm
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Originally Posted by bhrubin
I agree with your assessment of which hotels in that particular city for which I'd use points to get an award stay that I consider most aspirational. That being said, what you or I value most in an aspirational award are likely different from what other people value.
...
We all want different things.

That being said, this list is intended to let people get a sense of which hotels would be among the most aspirational...including those for as many of the major hotel points currencies as possible. The IC Willard is certainly the most aspirational award stay for those wanting to use IC points...and it still ranks as one of the top hotels in the city.

IMO, too many people are drawing too many bad conclusions for the wrong reasons about this list. Apparently, people are forgetting that their particular priorities are not shared by everyone else...or that they can ignore the elements of the list they find less appealing.
I agree on all points. I was just mentioning as an aside that DC is a city where I tend to favor FS and Hay Adams over the hotels that paricipate in point earning/redemption. (There are other cities where my favorite hotels are Hyatt, SPG, R-C, etc..)

That is of course only my very subjective opinion. If I had top tier status with a program like SPG, that could easily tip the benefit/cost balance in favor of StR, for example.
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Old Feb 11, 2016, 8:25 pm
  #140  
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Originally Posted by MikeFromTokyo
I agree on all points. I was just mentioning as an aside that DC is a city where I tend to favor FS and Hay Adams over the hotels that paricipate in point earning/redemption. (There are other cities where my favorite hotels are Hyatt, SPG, R-C, etc..)
I understand! My fave in DC is actually the Capella, given that I love a more boutique luxury feel and love the location/sensibility of the Capella. But when I consider a stay in DC, I too often find the StR or PH to be my choices when I'm there for leisure and can use points to stay for free. Sorry, but a free stay at the StR or PH is a far cry better deal almost always than a paid stay at the FS or HA IMO. Heck, I'd even give the PH better marks for fine dining.

In SF, my favorite has been the StR since it opened--I love everything about it except for its breakfast restaurant space. Points are irrelevant to me there. I've been many times to the FS and the old MO...and I definitely love the StR.

In NYC, my favorite is actually the Chatwal...though I'm salivating for when the Gramercy Park Hotel finally allows SPG/MR redemptions as part of SPG Design Hotels. That being said, I'll be at the StR New York in June on an award stay--partly because it was at 30K points/night vs 35K points/night at the Chatwal! It's been a while since I've stayed at the StR there, so I'll be curious to see how the refurb has turned out.

Again, we all differ on what we want to pay and what we want to get and how we prioritize between them.

That is of course only my very subjective opinion. If I had top tier status with a program like SPG, that could easily tip the benefit/cost balance in favor of StR, for example.
I'd venture a guess that even a free award night at the StR or PH on points without any status at all is still a better cost/benefit proposition for most than staying at one of the other top luxury hotels. Status is nice...but you don't need status to get good service at most StR or PH.

I find most people who won't accept that StR or PH or the like can compete in terms of luxury/service with FS, Peninsula, MO, etc. are those who never stay at StR or PH or the like...or who simply cannot fathom the possibility. I've stayed at too many of all the major luxury chains (and 10 Amans!) to know better.

Last edited by bhrubin; Feb 11, 2016 at 8:31 pm
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Old Sep 27, 2016, 7:01 pm
  #141  
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The possibilities are vast now that Marriott has taken over Starwood. There is no other hotel chain that even comes close to the aspirational award options now.
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Old Sep 29, 2016, 3:57 pm
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We stayed for just short of a week in a suite at Park Hyatt Mallorca a week back. That property is absolutely stunning and the suite was fantastic. We paid a combination of points and cash and a suite upgrade was given by Gold Passport as service recovery for an issue I had a few months ago. Can't rate the property highly enough. In terms of how aspirational it was, the suite was selling for €1600 a night.
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Old Sep 29, 2016, 4:15 pm
  #143  
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Originally Posted by jonjparr
We stayed for just short of a week in a suite at Park Hyatt Mallorca a week back. That property is absolutely stunning and the suite was fantastic. We paid a combination of points and cash and a suite upgrade was given by Gold Passport as service recovery for an issue I had a few months ago. Can't rate the property highly enough. In terms of how aspirational it was, the suite was selling for €1600 a night.
Will stay 4 nights at St Regis in a few month and need a hotel for another
2 nights. Options are another 2 nights at St Regis or 2 nights at PH in a suite. Did you take pictures? Do PH have an indoor pool?
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Old Sep 29, 2016, 5:58 pm
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Originally Posted by offerendum
Will stay 4 nights at St Regis in a few month and need a hotel for another
2 nights. Options are another 2 nights at St Regis or 2 nights at PH in a suite. Did you take pictures? Do PH have an indoor pool?
You should do whatever you want....but I confess to hoping you stay at both the StR and PH to offer a very recent and experienced comparison/contrast of the two. They're both on our radar...
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Old Sep 29, 2016, 9:34 pm
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Originally Posted by offerendum
Will stay 4 nights at St Regis in a few month and need a hotel for another
2 nights. Options are another 2 nights at St Regis or 2 nights at PH in a suite. Did you take pictures? Do PH have an indoor pool?
Yes - I took a tonne of pictures. Let me see if I can upload some. PH don't have an indoor pool and their outdoor pools are not heated. They are aware this is going to be a problem come winter!

PH Mallorca Suite Tour
https://youtu.be/m47Q3TaPJ2M
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 1:18 am
  #146  
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Originally Posted by bhrubin
You should do whatever you want....but I confess to hoping you stay at both the StR and PH to offer a very recent and experienced comparison/contrast of the two. They're both on our radar...
Stayed at StR before, so know what´s to expect. Have to stay as I have a conference there. Always like to try new things But girlfriend isn´t too happy to change hotels

Originally Posted by jonjparr
Yes - I took a tonne of pictures. Let me see if I can upload some. PH don't have an indoor pool and their outdoor pools are not heated. They are aware this is going to be a problem come winter!

PH Mallorca Suite Tour
https://youtu.be/m47Q3TaPJ2M
Thanks for the Video. Stay will be in March, so outdoor pools are not a safe bet. The suite looks impressive, great Video. Also watched your Video of Cap Ferrat. If I had to choose considering rooms - I would know what to do
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 4:18 am
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Originally Posted by offerendum
Thanks for the Video. Stay will be in March, so outdoor pools are not a safe bet. The suite looks impressive, great Video. Also watched your Video of Cap Ferrat. If I had to choose considering rooms - I would know what to do
Do you mean you would rather stay at Cap Ferrat or rather stay PH Mallorca? We also stayed two weeks this summer in one of Cap Ferrat's Pool Suites but I haven't yet got round to uploading my tour. Chateau Saint Martin tour is up though - we loved CSM.
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 6:10 am
  #148  
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Originally Posted by jonjparr
Do you mean you would rather stay at Cap Ferrat or rather stay PH Mallorca? We also stayed two weeks this summer in one of Cap Ferrat's Pool Suites but I haven't yet got round to uploading my tour. Chateau Saint Martin tour is up though - we loved CSM.
From the video PH. Cap Ferrat looks not so great, considering it´s a signature suite it looks tiny!
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Old Jan 24, 2018, 12:16 pm
  #149  
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I love this thread. I have a few updates for the wiki.
I would add the IC Danang. It was a really nice redemption
there is a new RC in Koh Samui
also maybe the IC Davos.
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Old Jan 28, 2018, 5:51 pm
  #150  
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Originally Posted by myeurocrush
I love this thread. I have a few updates for the wiki.
I would add the IC Danang. It was a really nice redemption
there is a new RC in Koh Samui
also maybe the IC Davos.
You’re welcome to add those to the wiki, of course!
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