A reader pointed out that a former Belmond hotel had moved over to Small Luxury Hotels of the World and partnered with Hyatt, though the property hasn’t yet re-opened. Hyatt had once appeared in the running to acquire the former Orient Express hotel chain rebranded as Belmond.
Hyatt has a partnership with SLH Hotels that lets you earn points and status at those properties (when booking paid rates through Hyatt) and redeem points at these same properties, though not all of the hotels are part of this arrangement.
Shortly before the pandemic the partnership had grown to include about half of the SLH hotels. We hadn’t seen any additions since then, which isn’t surprising since many hotels would have wanted to pause investment in integration during the pandemic.
However back on April 1, 2021, 12 additional SLH properties were added to the World of Hyatt program. No announcement was made at the time. Here’s the new additions:
| Amani Boutique Hotel Zanzibar in Zanzibar, Tanzania | Category 5 | |
| Canaves Oia Suites in Santorini, Greece | Category 8 | |
| Culloden Estate and Spa in Belfast, United Kingdom | Category 4 | |
| Donna Carmela Resort and Lodges in Carruba di Riposto, Italy | Category 6 | |
| Grove of Narberth in Narberth, United Kingdom | Category 5 | |
| Homewood in Bath, United Kingdom | Category 5 | |
| Hotel des Gouverneurs in Bastia, France | Category 5 | |
| Hotel Excelsior in Dubrovnik, Croatia | Category 7 | |
| Keswick Hall in Virginia, United States | Category 6 | |
| The Cellars-Hohenort in Capetown, South Africa | Category 4 | |
| The Marine in Hermanus, South Africa | Category 4 | |
| The Plettenberg in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa | Category 5 |
Keswick Hall, Credit: Hyatt
Interesting Additions
In October 2019 Hyatt added Canaves Oia Hotel and Canaves Oia Epitmoe both SLH properties on Santorini to their SLH partnership. Now they’re adding Santorini’s Canaves Oia Suites. All 3 are category 8 redemptions.
Arguably the addition of Canaves Oia Suites gives them the best location on Santorini (and it has two pools), while Epitome may be more luxurious.
There are three properties in South Africa and one in Tanzania as part of this batch of additions. There are three in the U.K., one in France and one in Italy. There’s a lot to like here, not least of which is the addition of an option in Dubrovnik as well. It’s just 12 more hotels, but a lot of nice options for World of Hyatt members to redeem.
Mechanics of the Hyatt-SLH Partnership
With Hyatt’s MGM partnership, elite members of each program are able to status match. That way they get extra recognition when staying at the partner’s properties. There’s no similar mechanism with SLH hotels. So a Globalist in the Hyatt program can redeen points at an SLH hotel that’s part of the relationship, but won’t get breakfast (unless offered to all guests) or an upgrade by virtue of their status.
While the most expensive redemption for a legacy Hyatt property is category 7 (30,000 points per night) new additions to the program including SLH Hotels can be priced at category 8 (40,000 points per night). Check rates, because many seasonal properties justify that redemption cost at their peak but very much not so at other times of the year, so you’ll prefer to pay cash and check to see whether booking through a luxury travel advisor throws in additional value-added amenities.
Booking paid stays through Hyatt at participating SLH hotels includes
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Daily Complimentary Continental Breakfast
- Room Upgrade (one category at check-in if available)
- Early check-in (noon, based upon availability at check-in)
- Late check-out (2:00pm, based upon availability at check-in)
Hyatt’s best rate guarantee doesn’t apply, and SLH’s own best rate guarantee doesn’t apply. Booking independent properties direct may yield lower rates than going through a central channel, and in this case you’ll want to even check pricing that SLH.com is offering versus what Hyatt may be offering. There’s no promise Hyatt rates qualifying for points and status credit will be the best rates. Often I’ve found that they aren’t.
@greg
I’m trying to maximize the new hyatt promo and the plan is to stay at a SLH property which costs $720/night. Direct with the SLH is roughly $500. Not sure if the $720/night is worth it to get hyatt nights + points? I think directly booking with SLH I forfeit those right? Thoughts?
Why does the page about Chinese ethnic cleansing give a 502 error when I click on it? Very creepy
I stayed at the Canaves Oia Suites for 40k points/night last month and it was perhaps the greatest hotel experience I’ve ever had. Seriously. The staff was ALMOST as good as the view.
Also, we added a night. However, I was short on Hyatt points and didn’t have anymore Chase points to transfer over. As a result I actually had to buy points. Doing so, and because they had a promotion, I discovered that buying the 40k points was actually less expensive than paying for the room in cash.
@Eric – you don’t get Hyatt nights/points credit if you book w/SLH directly.
I wouldn’t pay that premium if I were you, that’s way too high of a spread.
Stayed at Keswick Hall a few years ago. Beautiful property and a nice addition for those on the East Coast looking for Hyatt elite nights or a great resort on points.
When I try to book CANAVES OIA SUITES on Hyatt.com, it says;
“Unfortunately, this hotel is not accepting World of Hyatt points or award during those dates. Explore our other rates or modify your search.”
Anyone else found a workaround?
Peter, unfortunately that just means that the two base level rooms you can book with points are unavailable. Check Epitome, too. Also, they currently have a minimum of either 2 or 3 nights.
@Adam how was the stay at Canaves Oia suites – did you just get the suite booked or any further upgrade? Heading there next month!
@Justin No joke, it was the greatest hotel experience of my life. I say that as someone who has been to all fifty states, twice, along with a dozen or so countries. I’ve stayed at plenty of nice Waldorf Astoria properties, Park Hyatt’s, Intercontinental’s, fun boutique hotels, etc. I’m Diamond with Hilton and Platinum with IHG.
Seriously, I hate to make your expectations too high, but you’re going to lose your sh*t when you see the place. Yes, we were fortunate enough to get upgraded to a pretty incredible room but EVERY room has a plunge pool and a great view. The staff is the friendliest, most accommodating, most happy-to-see-you staff I’ve ever encountered. Granted we arrived five days after their country reopened, but still. I posted some photos on my Google Maps review, but they’re nothing you can’t find online elsewhere. It’s seriously an incredible property.
I had SLIGHT regrets that I wasn’t able to book Epitome because it’s supposed to be even nicer, albeit with a slightly inferior view. Keep in mind that the sunset view WILL be slightly better about a quarter mile past the hotel where the tourists gather, but your balcony view overlooking the caldera is incredible.
Unlike most resorts, breakfast is free and incredible. The buffet was closed due to COVID so you order off a menu…or just tell them what you want and they’ll prepare it. Parking is confusing but free and they’ll essentially valet your car for you in the nearby lot. If you’re renting a car, call them when you drive up and they’ll meet you outside and collect your car and luggage. There’s not much signage so it can be confusing. It’s refreshing to stay at an incredible resort and literally not pay a dime if it’s a reward stay. No resort fee, no parking, no breakfast, etc. That being said, I still asked to add on a gratuity for the staff at checkout. They were a bit confused by this, so I’m assuming most guests don’t do it.
The location is incredible. Yes, Fira has nightlife but Oia is much prettier and has better views. Passagio, across the street, is good for a morning coffee or a last-stop drink on the way back to your hotel each night.
Don’t waste your money at one of the many ridiculously overpriced restaurants offering a sunset view. Enjoy the sunset from your room, or from near the blue domed church or near the castle (assuming the crowds haven’t totally returned). Then eat at one of the restaurants that lacks a sunset view because it’ll be dramatically better and significantly less expensive.
You’re going to have a wonderful time.
Canaves Oia is the most stunning hotel I’ve ever stayed to! I’ve checked all options, through Hyatt, SLH, booking.com and direct hotel’s official booking engine canavesoiasuites.reserve-online.net/?src=857 was by far the lowest rate, so I completed my reservation to another magical stay! I really cannot wait, I can’t recommend enough this hotel!