Which Starwood Hotels Made Conde Nast Traveler’s Top 100 Hotels List?

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I’ve written about the up to 30,000 point increased sign-up bonus on the Starwood Preferred Guest American Express card, which ends on June 30, 2014.

Readers have asked about the best ways to use Starwood points, and often folks will use the points for hotel stays.  Starwood hotels include AloftElementFour PointsLe MeredienSheraton, St Regis, The Luxury CollectionWestin and W brand hotels.

But did you know there are 3 Starwood hotels on the most recent Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World list?  You could use the increased sign-up bonus on the Starwood Preferred Guest American Express card to treat yourself to a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

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Number 41 on the Top 100 List: Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Crete, Greece

The Condé Nast Traveler Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World

Link:   Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World

Each year, Condé Nast Traveler magazine surveys its readers and asks them to share their favorite hotels worldwide.  Each hotel is given an overall score, based on rooms, service, food, location, design, and activities.

Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choose Their Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World Each Year

In 2013, over 80,000 people participated in the survey.  I’ve looked at their Top 100 list of hotels and resorts, and each of them are incredible.  Many are independent hotels or part of small chains, but Starwood hotels has 3 hotels on the list.

You can take part in the Reader’s Choice Awards for 2014!  They’ll publish the results in November.

Which 3 Starwood Hotels Made the List?

1.   The St. Regis, Florence (Tied for #41)

Link:   The St. Regis, Florence

The St. Regis, Florence in Tuscany, Italy, is tied for 41st place in the Condé Nast Traveler Top 100 list.  It’s a 15th century palace in the center of Florence with only 100 rooms, and has custom artwork, chandeliers, and frescoes.

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Amazing Artwork and Decor in the St. Regis, Florence Guest Rooms

And you can get full butler service, including coffee and tea, unpacking and packing, and garment pressing.  You can even request butler service via email, 24 hours a day!

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I Could Certainly Get Used to This!
How Much Do Rooms Normally Cost?

I searched for a room in September at the St. Regis, Florence.  The lowest rate was 752 Euros per night (~$1,026) for a non-refundable deluxe room.

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You’ll Pay 752 Euros, or ~$1,026, for a Non-Refundable Room at the St. Regis, Florence

But if you use Starwood points, you’ll pay 35,000 points for the same night.  This hotel is in Starwood’s top category (7), and the calendar shows lots of nights available.

In this case, you’re getting a value of ~2.9 cents per point ($1,026 room cost / 35,000 points).  I usually try to get at least 2 cents value per Starwood point, so this is a good deal.

If you sign-up for the Starwood Preferred Guest American Express with the up to 30,000 point bonus, you’ll have the 35,000 points for the room once you complete the minimum spending requirements (30,000 point sign-up bonus + 5,000 points from spending $5,000 in the 1st 6 months).

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You’ll Pay 35,000 Starwood Points for the Same Room

A night that costs over $1,000 at a spectacular hotel, just by signing-up for 1 credit card, sounds like a pretty good deal to me!  Then again, you could save your points for more nights in a cheaper hotel elsewhere!

2.   Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Crete (Tied for #41)

Link:   Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Crete

Also tied for 41st place on the Condé Nast Traveler Top 100 is the Blue Palace Resort & Spa in Crete, Greece.  Known for breathtaking views, luxurious rooms, and fine dining, all rooms in the resort overlook the Aegean Sea.

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The Blue Palace Resort & Spa, in Crete, Overlooks the Aegean Sea

Most rooms even have their own private infinity pool.  And their spa is ranked as 1 of the best in Europe.

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Relax in Your Own Private Infinity Pool
How Much Do Rooms Normally Cost?

I looked for rooms this fall at the Blue Palace Resort & Spa.  The lowest rate was 315 Euros per night (~$430) for a non-refundable superior room.

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You’ll Pay 315 Euros, or ~$430, for 1 Night at the Blue Palace Resort & Spa

Using Starwood points, you’ll pay 20,000 points for the same night (category 6), and the calendar shows lots of available nights.  There’s also an option to pay with cash and points, which costs 10,000 points plus $180 per night.

In this case, for a free night, you’re getting a value of ~2.2 cents per Starwood point, which still isn’t bad ($430 room cost / 20,000 points).

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The Blue Palace Resort & Spa Costs 20,000 Starwood Points per Night

The up to 30,000 point bonus from the Starwood Preferred Guest American Express card could get you 3 nights at this hotel if you use cash and points.  Emily and I may have to start planning a vacation to Greece! 🙂

3.   The St. Regis Lhasa Resort, Tibet

Link:   The St. Regis Lhasa Resort, Tibet

Ranked 15th in the world by Condé Nast Traveler, the St. Regis Lhasa Resort is decorated in traditional Tibetan style, inspired by a nearby monastery.  A Gold Energy Pool, made with 24-carat gold leaf, is the focal point of this hotel.  I’ve never seen a pool like this!

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Crystals and Gold Leaf Give the Gold Energy Pool Its Color

As with other St. Regis hotels, butler service is available 24/7.  They also have hands-on cooking classes and a meditation garden for those interested in Tibetan culture.

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The St. Regis Lhasa Is a Perfect Place to Unwind and Reflect
How Much Do Rooms Normally Cost?

The lowest non-refundable rate for a deluxe room at the St. Regis Lhasa this September is 2,346 Chinese Yuan, or ~$376.

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A Deluxe Room Costs 2,346 Yuan, or ~$376

This is a Starwood Category 6 hotel, so the same room costs 25,000 Starwood points per night.  Or you can book with cash and points for 10,000 points plus $180 per night.  There are plenty of rooms available.

For this hotel, you’re getting a value of ~1.5 cents per Starwood point.  That’s a little less than I normally like to use Starwood points for, but if this is a dream trip for you, it’s worth it!

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Deluxe Rooms at the St. Regis Lhasa Cost 25,000 Starwood Points per Night

Again, the up to 30,000 point bonus from the Starwood Preferred Guest American Express card is enough for 3 nights at this hotel if you use cash and points.  I know many folks dream of visiting Tibet, and this would be an amazing way to do it!

Bottom Line

The Starwood Preferred Guest program has 3 hotels on the Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the WorldAnd all can be booked using Starwood points:

Until June 30, 2014, you can get an up to 30,000 point sign-up bonus on the Starwood Preferred Guest American Express card.  That’s good for up to 3 nights using cash and points at some of these hotels!

Now that’s definitely Big Travel with Small Money!  If you’ve stayed at 1 of these hotels, please let me know about your experience in the comments!

 

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