I normally value Choice Privileges points at around half a cent apiece. It’s not a program I get very excited about, but there are outlier redemption opportunities. You can get a lot of value of out of these points, and it’s not all Quality Inns either.
The Atrium Beach Resort and Spa Sint Maarten, an Ascend Collection Hotel is a furnished 80 unit apartment-style property on Simpson Bay, St. Maarten.
They have studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, and three-bedroom penthouses with kitchens or kitchenettes, balconies, free parking, a pool and kids pool, spa, gym, laundry, and loungers with umbrellas. There’s no restaurant, but there is a grab-and-go deli, but there’s plenty of walkable dining and bar options nearby.
Here’s the thing. A reader points out to me that it can be a fantastic value redemption using Choice Privileges points. At 15,000 points per night, you’re getting 5 cents per point.
In fact, when they’re selling points at a 45% discount as they tend to do, and points are therefore $0.0057 apiece, you can redeem a 2-bedroom here for an out of pocket cost of $85.97 per night – against a $738 retail price.
Generally people tend to like the property because it offers strong value. It’s got a good location with beach access, spacious suites, and kitchens. They’re reportedly clean, and staff are friendly. Guests say the property feels older, and rooms dated. The pool is small, and it feels like a timeshare not a full service resort. Think of it as a value beach resort with good walkability, a good place to base a family out of but not a luxury destination itself.
There was a time when I would have been all over this. Part of me wants to stay there just for the deal. Certainly it would have been my pick up until 2008 or so.
Back before Choice bought the U.S. Radisson chain, Radisson had been split into U.S. and worldwide portfolios because of Chinese ownership and data sharing concerns. People used to love Radisson points for European redemptions – the Radisson Blu properties were pretty nice, Nordic properties were a good value. But here’s the thing – I never found that any of the hotels were the place I wanted to stay in a given city that I was in.
I chase deals like nobody’s business. But I protect my time even more. I have plenty of points, and time is the binding constraint. If I have one week with my family somewhere, I want it to be in the place that’s going to be the most comfortable and best experience for us – not just the best deal. I won’t even make them go down to the restaurant for breakfast always just because it’s free! I know, heresy.
There was a time when this hotel would have meant that I could visit St. Maarten. It would make the trip possible. Now it’s probably not where I’d stay. And I think that’s alright and says something about how life evolves, how scarce resources shift, and how our travel goals change. Points and deals enable to us experience things that we couldn’t otherwise, or do it in a manner we might not otherwise. They shouldn’t chain us to only seeking out the cheapest, the best price-to-value ratio, or the highest cents per point.
I pass this along to you thought because while I’m not buying Choice points to stay here, seriously, check it out – a 2-bedroom condo walkable to the beach in St. Martin for less than $100 a night seems like a great deal. A screaming deal, even.
Do it “just for the deal” Gary! You “would have been all over this”… so, live like it’s “2008 or so” again!
admit the Atrium Resort is a little bit dated, but their daily cleaning procedures are very good and the property is well maintained. The beach right out front is terrific, and that alone makes the stay worthwhile. I’ve stayed there many times and have always enjoyed it.
There’s also a great restaurant right next door called The Buccaneer where I usually end up eating several meals during my stay. In addition, there are grocery stores and other dining options within easy walking distance, which makes it very convenient.
This is a real deal. For anyone looking for a budget-friendly vacation, I think Saint Martin is a terrific value.
I was just in St Maarten three weeks ago and stayed at the property essentially next door to the Attrium. This is definitely a value play and, if you’re okay with a little walking to get to the beach, this could absolutely be a good option. The property is a little tired (best as I could tell from the outside), but some of the rooms have excellent views. Of course, I say “some”, because other rooms have atrocious views of a Burger King and a busy (and noisy) traffic intersection.
I actually was able to jump on a booking the Villas at Simpson Bay Resort through Capital One. I could have redeemed Capital One points there at about 0.9¢ each, but the cash price through Capital One was less than through the resort’s own website and I earned 10x points on the stay.
This is an island without a lot of global chain presence. There’s a JW Marriott that’s pricy and out of the way, a couple of Hilton Vacation Club properties within walking distance to the Attrium, a Best Western, and a couple of all-inclusive Sonestas. Hyatt, IHG, and Accor aren’t represented at all.
This is a fantastic post, Gary. Thank you.
I share your feelings… Ironically, as I have gained more points, time is my biggest constraint.
Another great, thoughtful post Gary. You illuminated very honestly how time is now your scarcest resource, and you verbalized that you’re being intentional. To me, that is what is important and I really welcome seeing that reflected in this post.
The Radisson Blu Beke in Budapest had a nice location: central enough to walk to many of the tourist highlights but not actually stuck in the middle of them. It was a superb value for a long time as well.
I’m not sure you’ve done your readers any favors by broadcasting this opportunity to such a large audience. Random people (many who probably won’t even make the trip) will now book this and the hotel — likely quickly — will either raise its points requirement or cut off access to the better units. It would have been better to leave it alone for Choice enthusiasts who would value the opportunity more.