Best Starwood hotels: Category 6

Starwood Category 6 Hotels are an impressive collection of properties with amazing locations that can offer great value when redeemed during peak travel dates. A free night at a Category 6 Starwood hotel will set you back 20,000 – 25,000 Starpoints per night, though there are a few properties with limited participation in the Starwood program that require as many as 100,000 Starpoints per night!

The higher redemption rates apply to hotels that either don’t have standard rooms or have a mandatory Full Board requirement during peak seasons. These includes hotels like the St. Regis Bora Bora, W Maldives, Mystique Santorini, and Pine Cliff Residences in Albufeira.

Below is a list of the best Category 6 Starwood hotels and if you’re in need of a recap, here links to the rest of the posts in this series:

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North America

West Coast

Palace Hotel San Francisco, A Luxury Collection Hotel (San Francisco)

Distinctions: TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

Accommodations: A standard award at the Palace Hotel gets you into a newly renovated 300 sqft Superior Room. These rooms feature a fresh, modern look with warm decor to give it a welcoming feel. It’s a definite upgrade from the old rooms, which were in desperate need of a spruce.

Considering rates at this hotel can top $600 per night, redeeming 20,000 Starpoints or 10,000 points + $180 can be a great value.

Location: The Palace Hotel has a great location right on Market Street, within walking distance of the Westfield Shopping Center, Union Square, BART and close to the Financial District, Embarcadero, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Other tourist sights are easily accessible via a quick and cheap Uber or Lyft drive. 

Honorable mention:

• W Los Angeles – West Beverly Hills
• W Hollywood
• The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain
• W San Francisco
• SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills

Hawaii

The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas (Princeville, Kauai)

Distinctions: N/A

Accommodations: SPG members who redeem points for a stay at the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas will be able to book a 512 sqft Studio Premium Villa. What makes this such a great redemption is that these rooms include a washer, dryer, and a kitchen. Considering how expensive a vacation in Hawaii can be, many people will appreciate being able to save by cooking their own meals and being able to do laundry.

Location: The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort is located on Kauai’s North Shore, with beautiful views of the ocean and the lush, green Makana mountains. The resort is located within 10 miles of both Hanalei Bay and the Napali Coast. The location is ideal for those who want to relax as well as adrenaline junkies looking for adventure.

Honorable mention:

• The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
• The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas

East Coast

The St. Regis Washington, D.C. (Washington, D.C.)

Distinctions:

• TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
• TripAdvisor #14 of 141 Hotels in Washington DC

Accommodations: For 20,000 – 25,000 points per night, guests can book a 350 sqft Superior Room. These rooms are outfitted in typical St. Regis style, with plush furniture, marble bathroom, chandeliers, and massive windows to give the space lots of natural light. 

Location: The St. Regis Washington D.C. is located in downtown, within walking distance of the White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and pretty much any other tourist sight in town. If you’re in town for business, there are various corporate offices in the immediate area, including BP, AOL/Time Warner, and Ernst & Young, to name a few.

Honorable mention:

• Le Parker Méridien New York
• The Westin New York Grand Central
• W New York – Times Square
• W New York – Downtown

New England

W Boston (Boston, MA)

Distinctions:

• TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
• TripAdvisor GreenLeaders Platinum Level

Accommodations: Redeeming points at the W Boston gets you into a 280-370 sqft Wonderful Room with city views. The decor is modern, but toned down compared to other W hotels, and guests are pampered with a Signature W Bed, 350 thread count sheets, and hypoallergenic feather pillows.

There’s also a pillow menu for discerning guests, as well as a W Pet Bed for those who decide to bring their pets along.

Location: The W Boston is located in Midtown, steps from various museums, shopping, restaurants, theaters, universities, the Freedom Trail, and the Bunker Hill Monument. It’s a great base from which to explore the city, and can be a decent value at 20,000 – 25,000 points per night.

Honorable mention: The Equinox, a Luxury Collection Golf Resort & Spa, Vermont

South

The St. Regis Atlanta (Atlanta, GA)

Distinctions:

• TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
• TripAdvisor #2 of 177 Hotels in Atlanta

Accommodations: Redeeming points at the St. Regis Atlanta gets you into a 440 sqft Superior Room with floor-to-ceiling windows, tastefully decorated like most St. Regis properties, with twice daily maid service.

The bathrooms are outfitted with white marble and feature Remède amenities. Guess also receive complimentary shoe shine service and one clothing item pressed free of charge. 

Location: The St. Regis Atlantic is located in the city’s prestigious Bulkhead neighborhood, close to lots of great shopping malls, parks, restaurants, and entertainment. It’s a great place from which to sightsee and enjoy all the city has to offer.

Honorable mention:

• W Austin
• The St. Regis Houston
• W New Orleans – French Quarter
• Le Parker Méridien Palm Springs

Caribbean

The Westin St. John Villas (St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands)

Distinctions: 

• TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
• TripAdvisor #5 of 38 Specialty Lodging in St. John

Accommodations: The Westin St. John is another great value redemption thanks to the location and room types guests can book with points. Standard awards get you into a 481 – 600 sqft Studio Villa with separate sitting and dining areas and kitchen equipped with a microwave convection oven, cooktop, dishwasher and fridge.

Studio Villas also have laundry machines and dryers, offering all the conveniences of home in a peaceful resort setting. 

Location: The Westin St. John is located near the Virgin Islands National Park, which is great for nature lovers looking for a serene and beautiful environment to hike. Beautiful beaches are nearby and water activities can be booked through the hotel concierge.

Honorable mention:

• The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa
• W Retreat & Spa – Vieques Island

Mexico

The St. Regis Mexico City (Mexico City, Mexico)

Distinctions:

• TripAdvisor #4 of 302 Hotels in Mexico City
• #17 TripAdvisor Top 25 Luxury Hotels in Mexico

Accommodations: Deluxe Rooms at the St. Regis Mexico City are fairly spacious at 538 sqft, with city views, a large marble bathroom stocked with Remede amenities. The hotel website posts of outfitting their beds with Pratesi linens. I’m not a linen expert (who among us is?), but the fact that they’re pointing it out probably means it’s significant. 

Location: The St. Regis Mexico City is located in the historic Paseo de la Reforma area, which means lots of beautiful architecture to admire for those who care about aesthetics. Nearby, guests can enjoy a great shopping and dining scene in Polanco and Condesa. 

Honorable mention:

• W Mexico City
• Hotel Escondido, Puerto Escondido, a Member of Design Hotels
• Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Mexico City
• The Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort Villas & Spa, Cancun

Central & South America

Central & South America

Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort (Guias de Anton Santa Clara, Panama)

Distinctions: N/A

Accommodations: For 20,000 points per night, the Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort gets you a fairly small 194 – 269 sqft room with a Garden view. What makes it such a great value is that rooms are all-inclusive! Rates are fairly low sometimes, so be sure to check them before redeeming points to ensure you’re getting maximum value out of your redemption.

Location: The Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort is located steps from the beach, a golf course, and shopping, dining, and nightlife options. Most of that is irrelevant, though, since the hotel is all-inclusive and much of what you’ll need will be on-site.

Honorable mention: N/A

Europe

Northern Europe

The Park Tower Knightsbridge, a Luxury Collection Hotel, London (London, England)

Distinctions: TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

Accommodations: For 25,000 points per night, guests staying at the Park Tower Knightsbridge can book a 344 sqft Classic Room with city views, located on the second to fifth floor. The hotel website boasts about the luxury bedding and assures a “delicious” night’s sleep. I know, weird.

Another thing that’s weird? The marble bathroom is described as having a “heated mirror”. What does anyone need a heated mirror for? Also, ouch to those of us who tend to lean agains them while applying eyeliner. 

Location: The Park Tower Knightsbridge is located in, you guessed it, the Knightsbridge area of London. The area is great for those who want to spend time shopping in upscale boutiques.

Architecture and history buffs will also enjoy the hotel’s location, with its proximity to Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Tower of London, Belgrave Square, Tate Gallery, West End Theatre District, and more. The Victoria station is just over a mile away, which is great for those using public transportation to and from the airport.

Honorable mention:

• W London – Leicester Square
• Great Northern Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, London
• ION Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir, a Member of Design Hotels

Western Europe

W Paris Opéra (Paris, France)

Distinctions: TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

Accommodations: Using points at the W Paris Opera gets you a Cozy Room, which is 194 – 215 sqft and features high ceilings and classic Parisian decor with a modern twist.

The bathroom features a rain forest shower and a spark wall. Ladies will appreciate the fact that the hotel will provide a curling iron upon request (one less thing to pack!). 

Location: As the name denotes, the W Paris Opera is located in the Opera district, within two miles of notable attractions like the Louvre, Place de la Concorde, Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame, the Arc de Truimphe, the Eiffel Tower, and Champs Elysees

Honorable mention:

• Hotel Imperial, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna
• Hotel Goldener Hirsch, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Salzburg
• The Guesthouse Vienna, a Member of Design Hotels

Southern Europe/Mediterranean

Hotel Maria Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Sebastian (San Sebastian, Spain)

Distinctions:

• TripAdvisor #1 of 50 Hotels in San Sebastian
• TripAdvisor #7 Top 25 Luxury Hotels in Spain

Accommodations: Standard rooms at the Hotel Maria Cristina offer 323 – 484 sqft of space and are decorated in the style of St. Regis hotel rooms, with neutral tones accented with luxurious furniture and vibrant artwork. The marble bathrooms feature separate showers and bathtubs, with luxury amenities.

Location: The Hotel Maria Cristina is located right on the Urumea River, a short walk from the Old Quarter, San Telmo Museum, the casino, shopping center, and beach. Really, an ideal place to stay if you’re looking for a convenient location for sightseeing.

Honorable mention:

• The St. Regis Rome
• Falisia, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Portopiccolo
• Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Milan
• Le Méridien Beach Plaza Monte Carlo
• Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville
• Hotel Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Elciego
• The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Navarino
• Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Elounda
• Arion, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Astir Palace, Athens
• Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens
• Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort, Santorini
• St. Regis Istanbul
• Caresse, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Bodrum

Africa

St. Regis Mauritius Resort (Le Morne, Mauritius)

Distinctions: Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 

Accommodations: A standard award redemption at the St. Regis Mauritius gets you into a, 807 sqft Beachfront Junior Suite, which is an amazing value at 20,000 points per night.

These junior suites are decorated in a cozy colonial style and outfitted with rain showers and large walk-in closets. Guests can also enjoy a 172 sqft outdoor patio with plenty of comfortable seating from which they can enjoy views of the Indian Ocean.

Location: This oceanside resort is located in the Le Morne peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is rife with natural beauty for guests to explore via national parks and botanical gardens.

Guests can also arrange a variety of activities through the hotel concierge, including a bike tour, swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, and nearby island tours.

Honorable mention:

• Le Meridien Ile Maurice
• The Westin Mauritius Turtle Bay Resort & Spa
• Shanti Maurice – A Nira Resort, St. Félix, a Member of Design Hotels

MIDDLE EAST

Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai (Dubai, UAE)

Distinctions:

• TripAdvisor #3 of Top 25 Hotels for Service in the UAE
• TripAdvisor #4 of 535 Hotels in Dubai

Accommodations: A standard award redemption at Grosvenor House gets you into a 377 – 592 sqft Deluxe or Superior Deluxe room with butler service and views of the Dubai Marina.

Bathrooms are outfitted with marble floors, crown molding, separate tub and shower, and Bulgari amenities. Some of these rooms also feature private balconies, daily fresh flowers, and a welcome fruit basket.

Location: Grosvenor House Dubai is located on the Dubai Marina, a quick taxi ride from several of Dubai’s famous shopping malls, amusement parks, and the iconic Burj Al Arab. Basically, if there’s anything in Dubai worth seeing, the location of this hotel will enable you to get there fairly cheaply via Uber or Taxi

Honorable mention: 

• Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa
• W Doha Hotel & Residences
• The St. Regis Doha
• The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi

Asia Pacific

Asia

St. Regis Osaka (Osaka, Japan)

Distinctions:

• TripAdvisor #5 Top 25 Hotels in Japan

Accommodations: Booking a standard award at the St. Regis Osaka gets you a 463 sqft Deluxe Room with floor-to-ceiling windows and Kawashima silk-covered headboards. The marble bathroom features double basins, rainforest showers, Japanese-style bathtubs, and a flatscreen tv.

Each Deluxe Room has its own Nespresso machine, but guests can also take advantage of the personal butler service for a fresh cup. Rooms at the St. Regis Osaka go for up to $600 per night, so redeeming 25,000 points per night can be a great bargain.

Location: The St. Regis Osaka has a great location, just minutes from various attractions. The famed Osaka Castle is just a mile away, along with various corporate offices, museums, and theaters. 

Honorable mention:

• The St. Regis Macao, Cotai Central
• W Singapore – Sentosa Cove
• The St. Regis Singapore
• Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa
• W Hong Kong

Pacific

Sheraton Denarau Villas (Denarau Island, Fiji)

Distinctions:

• TripAdvisor #3 of 8 Hotels in Denarau Island
• TripAdvisor #10 Top 10 Hotels for Families – Fiji

Accommodations: Redeeming points at the Sheraton Denarau Villas is a great value, especially for families who need two or more rooms. That’s because a standard award booking gets you into a 1,206 sqft two bedroom villa suite with one King and two Double beds – perfect for families with two or more kids. The room also features a fully equipped kitchen, which is ideal for families traveling on a budget. 

Location: The Sheraton Denarau is located just 20 minutes from Nadi International Airport, 10 minutes from Nadi Town, and five minutes from Port Denarau. This is the type of resort where you can really kick back and relax, but if you find yourself wanting to explore the island, the hotel concierge can help arrange tours.

Honorable mention:

• W Taipei
• Le Méridien Ile des Pins

Are there any Category 6 Starwood Hotels that you think deserve to be on this list?

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