From London’s Waldorf Astoria at Admiralty Arch to ski-in stays in Niseko, here are the 2026 hotels Misryoum staff is booking—plus how they’re using points and credits.
Hotel planning can feel like a game of strategy—especially when you’re trying to stretch points and credits across the trips you actually want.
That’s exactly the mindset behind Misryoum staffers’ 2026 picks: a mix of landmark stays, winter resorts, and long-awaited returns to favorite properties—each with a clear goal, from smart redemptions to using branded card credits along the way.
Hotel Ulysses (Baltimore)
It’s the kind of booking that reflects a larger travel pattern for 2026: travelers want character. not just a clean bed.. Properties marketed as design-forward or “quirky” are increasingly popular with loyalty travelers because they deliver memorable stays while points help take the sting out of the rate.
Iconic London: Waldorf Astoria London – Admiralty Arch
Misryoum’s takeaway is simple: location premium doesn’t always have to mean paying premium cash.. Even when official booking details aren’t available yet. the excitement around this kind of opening signals demand for high-end awards that feel “once-in-a-lifetime” without requiring a once-in-a-lifetime budget.
Lake Como Edition (Italy)
Her logic also points to a trend Misryoum is seeing across Europe: travelers are increasingly willing to pay in points for resorts and scenic escapes that would otherwise be out of reach during peak seasons.. That can make award nights feel less like an indulgence and more like a practical way to keep an itinerary alive.
Hilton Niseko Village (Japan)
Her booking also shows how loyalty strategy works when you match the card benefits to the trip rhythm.. Breakfast as a Diamond elite perk. lift access covered via an Ikon Pass. and resort credit used for dinner are all examples of how points travelers try to eliminate “extra” spending without sacrificing comfort.
This is especially relevant for 2026 because winter travel isn’t just about the destination; it’s about reducing friction. When a resort is convenient by design, you end up saving time—and time is often the most expensive part of a tight itinerary.
Park Hyatt Tokyo (Japan) and the timing question
Henderson’s reasoning reflects a quiet but powerful force in hotel points travel—award pricing risk. Misryoum understands that changes to award pricing structures can shift what “a good deal” looks like overnight, and luxury redemptions can become harder to justify if point costs move up.
Even if you’re not tracking award bands daily, the lesson is transferable: if a hotel is on your bucket list and the redemption feels reasonable today, it often makes sense to book rather than wait for perfect timing that may never arrive.
Park Hyatt Sydney (Australia)
Misryoum’s editorial angle here is that high-demand hotels often become “reference points” for loyal travelers. Once a property earns that status—through service, design, or views—people don’t just want to stay there. They want to lock in the deal they remember.
Six Senses Con Dao (Vietnam) for food, nature, and points value
Her excitement isn’t only about the points; it’s about how the destination matches the experience.. The property’s reputation for food and the chance to see turtles during nesting season are practical reasons to plan around timing rather than just snagging any available night.. In other words, this is points strategy with an end goal: a trip that feels meaningful when you’re there.
Misryoum sees more travelers making “purpose-led” award bookings. Instead of chasing the highest category just because it’s glamorous, they’re choosing hotels where the location and on-site experiences justify the points.
What these Misryoum picks say about 2026 travel
If you’re planning your own 2026 calendar. Misryoum’s advice is to start with your trip’s “hard requirements” (where you want to be. when you need to be there. what you don’t want to compromise on).. Then use points to fill the gaps—so the redemption supports your actual vacation, not just your spreadsheet.
For many travelers, that’s the real win: turning hotels into experiences you remember, while loyalty perks quietly handle the cost.
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