Destinations on our award travel bucket list
As a self-proclaimed type A personality, I thrive on organization and lists—lots of lists. Of course I've curated a list of destinations we hope to visit in the future, some perfect for family adventures and others more ideal for romantic getaways. What's exciting is that we've already mapped out how to reach these places using points and miles, so our out-of-pocket costs would be next to nothing (when you book a Hyatt property using Chase Ultimate Rewards points, it literally costs you $0).
Our hope is that by sharing this list, you'll see that almost any travel goal can be achieved with the right strategy. We also want to inspire you to start planning your own points-fueled adventures. So, without further ado, here are the destinations we aim to visit in the future, practically for free!
Family-friendly destinations
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach - Our family will be visiting here this summer and we can’t wait! It’s a sprawling beachfront resort on the Pacific Ocean with two pools (one of which includes waterslides and a playground), free beach toys and boogie boards for the kids to use, family-friendly restaurants onsite, s’mores roasting, sandcastle building classes, movies on the beach, and a short walk to shopping and dining. The epitome of Southern California vibes. We can’t wait to experience this place!
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines - Located about 20 minutes from Austin, TX, this property provides an earthy, outdoorsy feel without having to go camping. Unplug and relax in the lazy river which is part of the Lost Pines Water Park, go horseback riding, take an archery lesson, visit the petting zoo, hang out at the nightly firepit, go golfing at their 18-hole course, drop the kids off at the onsite kids club (Club Hyatt) and head to the spa…the list goes on. This place looks like a blast for the whole family! I’d love to combine a few days here with a few days exploring the city of Austin someday.
Grand Hyatt Kauai - Hawaii is far from the east coast, but we definitely want to take the kids here someday. This is a massive luxury property located on Poipu Beach on the island of Kauai. It’s also very family friendly. They’ve got a water playground, championship golf, onsite restaurants that look fabulous, and who wouldn’t love to admire the lush landscape of Hawaii for a while? We would plan to take the kids snorkeling, go to an authentic luau, and rent a car so we could explore the island. We would most likely combine a stay here with visiting Maui or another island to make the most of our time in Hawaii.
SCHLOSS Roxburghe - Located about an hour away from Edinburgh, Scotland, I can’t believe this countryside retreat - or should I say castle - is bookable using Hyatt points. Staying here for a few days would be a must, if only to experience sleeping in a castle for $0! Can you imagine?! I envision us exploring the historic town of Kelso, eating lunch at a traditional Scottish pub, and of course spending a few days exploring Edinburgh as well while we’re there!
Grand Hyatt Athens - We definitely want to visit Greece as a family someday, and the Grand Hyatt Athens seems like the perfect place to start. We would plan to stay here a couple nights before taking cheap flights or ferries to a few different islands. While in Athens, we would plan to explore the ancient ruins, book a food tour, and cool off at the Grand Hyatt’s rooftop pool!
Couples getaways
Andaz Papagayo - Mark and I are heading here next year and we can’t wait! Picture a high-end contemporary resort overlooking the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Costa Rica. It’s eco-friendly, offers a beautiful open-air architecture, and sits atop a hill surrounded by tropical rainforest. Can you say zen? Take your pick of four different pools and three different beaches, one of which is located on a private island that’s only accessible via boat transfer. Go on an epic ziplining adventure in nature, take a yoga class, sign up for an onsite coffee tasting, dine at the variety of upscale restaurants on property. This place looks like a dream! We’ll report back with a full trip report. :)
Alila Ventana Big Sur - This property looks so beautiful and unique - a mixture of rustic and luxurious - hidden among the giant redwood trees in Northern California. It’s an all-inclusive property, but it’s not your average all-inclusive that prepares food for the masses. This place looks super high-end and offers upscale farm-to-table meals included in the price (or points price, in our case!) of your booking. We’d plan for a spa day, some hikes around the property, and some much-needed unplugged time. Imagine the accommodations and food costing you $0 for this vacation!
Andaz Napa - Mark and I visited Napa way back when we were dating, and it was such a special place that I hold dear to my heart. I’d love to return back someday soon, and this Andaz resort looks incredible. I think we’d really enjoy the trendy, contemporary vibe here. Located in downtown Napa, it’s within walking distance of shopping and restaurants, which would give us something to do in between visiting a variety of fabulous wineries. We need to plan a visit!
Park Hyatt St. Kitts - Another beach resort - but how could you blame me? Look at this place! I feel like St. Kitts is one of the lesser-known islands in the Caribbean, but that makes it all the more special in my opinion. Because some of the earliest settlers of St. Kitts were French, there is a heavy French influence here which adds to the island’s uniqueness. This Park Hyatt looks like the epitome of R&R, surrounded by the pristine turquoise water of the Caribbean sea. They also offer a kids club if you choose to bring children along, and plenty of onsite activities for guests of all ages. It looks like a place where you could do as much or as little as you want.
Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme - No bucket list of mine would be complete without Paris! Couple Paris with a Park Hyatt and it just screams luxury. While we can’t wait to take our kids to Paris for a visit, I wouldn’t cough up the points to stay here with a family of five. (There are other Hyatt options in Paris that are more family-friendly in my opinion.) But I have this property bookmarked for someday when Mark and I visit the City of Light just the two of us! We would probably spend our time meandering through museums, people watching at outdoor cafes, and enjoying a picnic with wine by the Seine. I’ll be dreaming about this visit until we make it a reality!
Conclusion
We hope our list has sparked your wanderlust and shown you the incredible potential of traveling on points and miles. And this is just the tip of the iceberg! By leveraging our strategies that we’re ready to teach you, you can turn your travel dreams into reality without breaking the bank. Start planning, get organized, and you'll soon find yourself exploring new destinations for almost free using credit card points and miles!
For more resources and support, check out the below links:
If you need us, we’ll be over here booking some more trips using our points and miles. Happy travels!
❤️ Liz
Friendly reminder: We are not financial advisers, we are simply sharing our method and approach with you. Of course, it's important to use credit cards responsibly. Pay off your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges, and never spend more than you can afford just to earn rewards.
