I'm attempting to use SkyMiles to book a hotel (Holiday Inn Express - Dubai, internet city)

When I check the rate for 5 nights on the Holiday Inn website, the total cost is about $400 USD including Taxes.

When I try to book it through the SkyMiles Marketplace it wants to charge me 77,244 miles! ... and the slider that allows you to adjust the miles-to-directpay ratio starts at 1000 pts/ $609. That's a 50% higher rate than if I booked directly (not to mention the 1000 SkyMiles).

Anyone have a similar experience or am I just doing this wrong?

Thanks.