Two great value hotel redemptions – in Cape Town and, erm, Buckinghamshire
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Two readers dropped me emails this week to highlight hotel redemptions they had booked which represented exceptional value for money. I thought I’d share them both today.
Family suites at Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, Cape Town
First up is the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront in Cape Town, a well regarded hotel with direct sea views (see photo below) near the V&A Waterfront development.
A few years ago, Radisson Rewards started offering ‘family rooms’ for redemption. This was a great move, allowing you to pay a few more points in return for a room which would allow you to fit in your children.
Radisson Blu Waterfront seemed to take the memo a little too far, however. It offers a two-bedroom sea-view suite as a ‘family room’ redemption. It is 110 square metres.
Next Thursday, which is still peak season in Cape Town, a standard room at Radisson Blu Waterfront is £300 per night prepaid. The 2-bedroom suite is selling for £720. I have seen it even higher.
For points – look under ‘Redemptions – Family Room’ – it is just 87,500 Radisson Rewards points per night. Remember that Radisson Rewards points convert at 1:3 from American Express Membership Rewards, so you’d only need 29,167 Amex points per night.
Note that this room only shows on dates where the 2-bedroom suite is available for cash. If it does not show for cash, a lesser quality room is offered as the ‘family’ redemption option. It will show clearly if you are getting the 2-bedroom suite.
The hotel website is here if you want to find out more.
The first genuinely luxurious UK countryside hotel on points – The Langley
The UK has a number of genuinely high-end country hotels near London – Four Seasons Hampshire, Chewton Glen, Whatley Manor, Coworth Park etc.
These hotels have two things in common. They are exceptionally expensive at weekends and they are not available with hotel loyalty points.
This is why I am excited by the opening of The Langley. Take a look at its website here.
The Langley will be part of Marriott Bonvoy’s The Luxury Collection. Based in Iver and:
“Sitting in a former royal hunting ground and with landscaping originally designed by England’s greatest gardener, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, the setting of this grand country manor amidst acres of formal gardens and parklands, offers an escape where time slows and natural beauty bounds. The hotel’s boutique selection of 41 exquisite rooms and suites are to be designed by Dennis Irvine Studio with the height of sophistication and refinement in mind.
The rooms are divided across the main house and The Brew House, a Grade II listed 18th century outbuilding. The Langley Spa, a world-class wellness centre will feature an indoor and outdoor pool, thermal area and five expansive treatment rooms. A specially designed fitness suite by leading personal trainer and author, Matt Roberts will use technologically advanced systems and equipment.”
The Langley is as reassuringly expensive as you would expect. Opening at the end of May, the cheapest rooms for a Saturday night in June are £441 and go up sharply from there.
For Marriott Bonvoy points, however, it is exceptionally cheap. The Langley is Category 5, which means it is 35,000 points per night.
I tend to value a Marriott Bonvoy point at 0.5p. Spend them at The Langley and you’re getting 1.25p+.
The hotel website is here. Redeem now if you want to lock in a Summer weekend. Ignore the message on the website about redemptions not yet being available – search and they show.
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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)
There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.
The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.
You can apply here.
Marriott Bonvoy American Express
20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review
You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.
Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as they hold the card? It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.
We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
The Platinum Card from American Express
80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review
You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:
- American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
- American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)
and for small business owners:
- American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
- American Express Business Platinum (50,000 bonus Amex points)
The conversion rate from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy points is 2:3.
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