Bali is one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world with literally hundreds of hotels in dozens of regions to choose from–so which one do you choose? I’ve narrowed my choice by *trying* to stay at Starwood or Hyatt properties using points or cash & points. And, if it doesn’t make sense to use points, then I’d still prefer to stay at one of these properties so that I might have a better chance for an upgrade and, at the very least, earn more points while staying. At the end of the day, however, it might be cheaper and a better experience to stay at a local property.

View Starwood in Bali in a larger map

Starwood Bali hotels by category (prices include taxes):

Cat 7:

The St. Regis Bali Resort
Trip Adivsor: 93% / Ranked #3 of 36 hotels in Nusa Dua / 4.5 of 5 stars / 670 Reviews
Cheapest Cash Room: $649/night non-ref “Red-Hotel Deal” for basic St. Regis Suite w/ butler (990 sq ft)
“Good value” Cash Room: $775/night “Red-Hotel Deal” for Plunge Pool Suite w/butler (2,034 sq ft)
Points: 157.5k for 5 nights (Was quoted 126k for 4-night stay = 31.5k/night). Limited participation in SPG, definitely cannot use 35% off because of Cat 7
Points/$ return: $3,245 / 157.5k = 2.06 cents/points

Cat 6:

W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak
Trip Adivsor: 87% / Ranked #15 of 76 hotels in Seminyak / 4.5 of 5 stars / 1067 Reviews
Cheapest Cash Room: $430/night non-ref “Red-Hotel Deal” for basic Garden View room (689 sq ft)
“Good value” Cash Room: $786/night (refundable!) for “Marvelous one-bedroom villa” w/ private pool (2,422 sq ft)
Points for basic: For basic Garden View room = 80k for 5 nights w/ 5th night free deal – 35% for Plat coupon = 52k
Points/$ return basic: $2150 / 52k = 4.13 cents/points
Points for suite: For “Marvelous one-bedroom villa” w/ private pool (2,422 sq ft) = 240k for 5 nights w/ 5th night free deal – 35% for Plat coupon = 156k
Points/$ return suite: $3930 / 156k = 2.52 cents/points

The Westin Ubud Resort & Spa (Cat 6?)
Opening June 1, 2014 — won’t be open in time for this trip.

The Sarasvati, Bali (Cat 6?)
Opening June 30, 2014 — won’t be open in time for this trip.

Cat 5:

Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran
Trip Adivsor: 84% / Ranked #11 of 30 hotels in Jimbaran / 4.5 of 5 stars / 104 Reviews
Cheapest Cash Room: $212/night non-ref for Classic room (571-592 sq ft)
Good value Cash Room: $399/night for “Oceanic View Sky Villa” w/private garden/pool/jacuzzi (3,014 sq ft)
Points for basic: Classic room (571-592 sq ft) = 48k for 5 nights w/ 5th night free deal – 35% for Plat coupon = 31.2k
Points/$ return for basic: $1060 / 31.2k = 3.4 cents/points
Points for suite: Aqua Studio Suite = 96k for 5 nights w/ 5th night free deal – 35% for Plat coupon = 62.4k
Points/$ return for suite: $1215 / 62.4k = 1.95 cents/points

The Laguna Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali – Review thread
Trip Adivsor: 87% / Ranked #12 of 36 hotels in Nusa Dua / 4.5 of 5 stars / 1403 Reviews
Cheapest Cash Room: $179/night non-ref “Red-Hotel Deal” basic for Garden View (388 sq ft)
Good value Cash Room: $401/night non-ref for Villia w/ private pool, butler service (3,014 sq ft)
Points for basic: 48k for 5 nights w/ 5th night free deal – 35% for Plat coupon = 31.2k
Points/$ return basic: $895 / 31.2k = 2.87 cents/points
Points for suite: Executive suite (646 sq ft) =  96k for 5 nights w/ 5th night free deal – 35% for Plat coupon = 62.4k
Points/$ return suite: $1505 / 62.4k = 2.41 cents/points

The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali
Trip Advisor: 88% / Ranked #9 of 36 hotels in Nusa Dua / 4.5 of 5 stars / 1198 Reviews
Cheapest Cash Room: $166/night non-ref “Red-Hotel Deal” for basic Garden View (409 sq ft)
Good value Cash Room: $306/night non-ref for One-Bedroom King Suite (818 sq ft)
Points for basic: 48k for 5 nights w/ 5th night free deal – 35% for Plat coupon = 31.2k
Points/$ return basic: $830 / 31.2k = 2.66 cents/points
Points for suite: “One-Bedroom Suite” (818 sq ft) = 96k for 5 nights w/ 5th night free deal – 35% for Plat coupon = 62.4k
Points/$ return suite: $1530 / 62.4k = 2.45 cents/points
Cash & Points for Suite: “One-Bedroom Suite” (818 sq ft) = $275 & 12k points/night
Cash & Points return: ($1530 – $1375) / 60k = 0.002 cents/point return

Cat 4:

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort
Trip Adivsor: 74% / Ranked #22 of 161 hotels in Kuta / 4.0 of 5 stars / 207 Reviews
Cheapest Cash Room: $186/night non-ref “Red-Hotel Deal” for basic Garden View (495 sq ft)
Good value Cash Room: $313/night non-ref for Ocean View King Suite (667 sq ft)
Points: 40k for 5 nights w/ 5th night free deal – 35% for Plat coupon = 26k
Points/$ return: $930 / 26k = 3.58 cents/points

Cat 3:

None

Cat 2 (Not technically in Bali):

Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort
Trip Adivsor: 77% / Ranked #7 of 16 hotels in Senggigi / 4.0 of 5 stars / 605 Reviews
Cheapest Cash Room: $95/night non-ref “Red-Hotel Deal” for basic Pool View (409 sq ft)
Good value Cash Room: $294/night non-ref for “Grand Suite” ocean view (1,238 sq ft)
Points: 19k for 5 nights – 35% for Plat coupon = 12.3k
Points/$ return: $475 / 12.3k = 3.86 cents/points

Other choices to maximize Starwood Preferred Guest Points:

1. Use Suite Night Awards (SPG Platinum amenity)
Pro: Might be able to get a suite for free, can use on any type of stay (award or cash), SPG Platinum members get 10 free SNAs a year
Con: Can only confirm within 5 days of arrival

2. Use the new Cash & Points options
Pro: Would guarantee me into a suite, I think?
Con: Wouldn’t be able to use the 5th night free or the 35% off coupon.

3. Use points to upgrade to a suite
Pro: Hmmm….
Con: Can only confirm within 5 days of arrival, basically the same as Suite Night Award, pretty expensive

4. 50% Off Regular Rack Rates coupon
Pro: Very cheap to use–only 1k Starpoints!
Con: 50% off of rack rate might be a worse price than the best rate offered

Hyatt Bali properties:

Grand Hyatt Bali
Trip Adivsor: 80% / Ranked #21 of 36 hotels in Nusa Dua / 4.0 of 5 stars / 1136 Reviews
Cheapest Cash Room: $223/night REFUNDABLE  for basic “Grand King” (527 sq ft)
Good value Cash Room: $641/night REFUNDABLE  for “Grand Suite King” (1,517 sq ft)
Points for basic: 60k for 5 nights for basic “Grand King” (527 sq ft)
Points/$ return basic: $1,115 / 60k = 1.86 cents/points
Points for suite: 90k for 5 nights in “Grand Suite King” (1,517 sq ft)
Points/$ return suite: $3,205 / 90k = 3.56 cents/points

Other choices to maximize Hyatt points:

1. Use “Suite Upgrade Award” (4 free as a Hyatt Diamond Amenity)
Pros: 1 “Suite Upgrade Award” will cover up to 7 nights, confirmed into a suite
Cons: Must be a on a paid stay, “For purposes of this award, a suite provides for one-bedroom accommodations. Suite upgrade award is not valid toward Specialty, Premier, Presidential or Diplomatic Suites.”

2. Use points to book a Suite:
Pros: Can be confirmed into a suite
Cons: Costs 50% more points, probably only works for Standard Suites

Cat 3 Suite for 18k Hyatt points/night

3. Book with cash, upgrade with points
Pros: Can guarantee/confirm into a suite?
Cons: Have to book a minimum of the deluxe room (more expensive), 6k points is only good for 4 nights
With this option I would book 4 nights into the “Club Deluxe King” at $332/night and then use 6k points to upgrade to a suite.

Points needed to upgrade to suite from cash rate with the following stipulation: “When redeeming Regency Club® or Grand Club® upgrades or suite upgrades at a resort property, you must pay a minimum of the Hyatt Daily Rate deluxe room (such as partial ocean view, ocean view, slope view, etc).”

So…what to do?