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Hilton’s partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) gives you access to unique luxury stays at boutique properties around the globe, including some stunning spots in the Caribbean. Even better, you can book stays at these posh properties with Hilton points or free night certificates. That's a big benefit, since many of these properties have hefty nightly rates.
Here’s how to make the most of Hilton’s SLH partnership for a luxury Caribbean escape.
What Are Small Luxury Hotels of the World?
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) is a collection of around 700 independent hotels across more than 100 countries. Most of these properties are relatively small, averaging just 50 rooms, and each one is unique. And you can book several hundred of these properties through Hilton, including redeeming your
Hilton elite members also receive additional benefits, including complimentary breakfast or a food-and-beverage credit, and potential room upgrades (up to a suite when available). You can even take advantage of the fifth-night-free benefit on award stays. Note that your benefits may vary by elite level. All elites get free breakfast and fifth-night-free, but you need Gold or above for room upgrades.
Related: 9 Things to Love About the Hilton Honors Program
Best Hilton Redemptions at Caribbean SLH Properties
Whether you're redeeming Hilton points or free night certificates, the Caribbean offers excellent SLH options. Here are a few of our favorite properties in the region and how many points you'll pay to stay at each.
Hermitage Bay, Antigua
One standout SLH property you can book with Hilton is Hermitage Bay in Antigua. This boutique all-inclusive resort offers gorgeous beachfront and garden-view villas, plus luxury seasonal dining experiences. Unfortunately, it costs a small fortune in points to stay here. You'll pay 230,000 Hilton points for a Standard Room Award when award space is available. Alternatively, you can use Hilton free night certificates to book your stay.
To check availability, search for Hermitage Bay on the Hilton website or app and enter your desired travel dates. Look for standard room pricing at 230,000 points per night. If you think standard room pricing is high, consider that premium award nights are in the 1 to 2 million-point range.
Considering a Hillside Garden Pool Villa goes for about $3,308 per night for members, you're getting a value of about 1.44¢ per point. If you're using points, select the room you'd like and click “Book Now.”
Keep in mind that for a five-night stay, you’ll only need points for four nights thanks to Hilton’s fifth-night-free benefit for elite members. If you're using free night certificates, call Hilton to complete your booking.
Liming Bequia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The Liming Bequia is a serene escape on Bequia Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It’s an intimate resort with just 11 villas, each featuring a private infinity pool. You can book award nights for 130,000 points or use a Hilton free night certificate.
With Hilton’s fifth-night-free perk, a five-night stay in a one-bedroom villa would cost just 520,000 points. The same villa often runs over $750 per night — or more during the peak season — so it's a solid deal for your Hilton Honors points. Note that the Junior Suite and One Bedroom Villa cost the same when you pay with points. I recommend booking the villa, as you'll get a much more private experience.
South Bank, Turks and Caicos
South Bank in Turks and Caicos is another incredible Caribbean SLH property. Every room here features a full kitchen and a private pool, giving you plenty of space to spread out. Standard room availability starts at 210,000 points per night, and you can also use free night certificates.
Booking a five-night stay at 210,000 points per night (with the fifth-night-free benefit) totals 840,000 points. With cash rates for a two-bedroom Boat House starting at over $1,800 per night, having points on hand can save you thousands of dollars.
Bluefields Bay Villas, Jamaica
Bluefields Bay Villas is a truly special all-inclusive SLH property in the Caribbean. The property comprises just six beachside villas, each with a private pool, butler service, and a nanny available on request. Take in stunning views of the Caribbean Sea from your villa, and enjoy gourmet Jamaican cuisine, including private dining experiences.
This property costs 220,000 points per night when Standard Room availability is available. This means a five-night stay will cost you 880,000 Hilton points when you factor in the fifth-night-free benefit. Meanwhile, paid nights start at over $1,100 per night.
Paradise Beach, St. Kitts & Nevis
Nevis is a small, sleepy island located off the coast of Saint Kitts. There, you'll find volcanic peaks, black sand beaches, and a handful of properties that feel more like secrets than hotels.
Paradise Beach Nevis is one of the island's best options. It's just ten villas along Pinney's Beach, each with its own plunge pool and private cabana. You'll spend 250,000 points per night for a beachfront villa, so a five-night stay costs a whopping 1,000,000 points with the fifth-night-free benefit. Meanwhile, paid nights start at over $2,500.
Ways To Earn Hilton Points and Free Night Certificates
One of the best ways to get outstanding value from your SLH stay is by using Hilton points or free night certificates instead of paying cash. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to earn both.
Earning Hilton points
You can earn Hilton points by collecting a welcome bonus and through everyday spending on one of Hilton’s co-branded
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: Earn 70,000 Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 01/13/2027.
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Earn 130,000 Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 01/13/2027.
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Best Points Offer Yet! Earn 200,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 01/13/2027.
- The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Limited Time Offer: Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card in the first six months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/13/2027.
Each of these cards earns Hilton points, and some earn especially strong rates on common spending categories.
$0Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points per dollar on eligible purchases charged directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Honors portfolio of brands.
- Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points per dollar on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
$150Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- 12X bonus points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
- 6X bonus points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your card at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
- 4X bonus points for each dollar of U.S online retail purchases.
- 3X bonus points for all other eligible purchases on your card.
$195Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- 12X Hilton Honors points on eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio.
- 5X Hilton Honors points on the first $100,000 spent per calendar year on other eligible purchases; 3X thereafter.
You’ll also earn Hilton points on stays at Hilton properties. The number of points you earn depends on your elite status level and whether you’re paying with a Hilton credit card. If you hold the Hilton Aspire — which comes with automatic Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status — you’ll earn an impressive 34X points per dollar on eligible purchases.
Another creative way to stock up on Hilton points is by purchasing them during a sale. Hilton regularly sells points for 0.5 cents each, which can deliver solid value in the right situation. For example, a 150,000-point night that might normally cost thousands of dollars in cash could cost you just $750 if you buy points at the right time.
Earning Hilton free night certificates
Free night certificates are another excellent way to get outsized value, especially at high-end or boutique SLH properties. You can use them at nearly any Hilton hotel worldwide, as long as a standard room is available.
Here’s how you can earn these certificates:
- The Hilton Aspire comes with one free night certificate every cardmember anniversary.
- Those with the Hilton Aspire can earn two more free night certificates by spending $30,000 and then an additional $30,000 in the same calendar year, for up to three total per year.
- The Hilton Surpass offers one free night certificate after you spend $15,000 in a calendar year.
In addition, you may also find that Amex occasionally includes a free night certificate as part of a Hilton card's welcome offer. So you might want to wait for one of these offers to come around, since they're especially valuable.
It's worth noting that free night certificates can’t be used in combination with the fifth-night-free benefit, which is only for points bookings. However, you can combine points and free night certificates on a longer stay. For example, you could use a certificate for the first or last night and points for the rest.
Related: Why I Spend $15,000 Each Year on My Hilton Surpass Card
Final Thoughts
SLH properties stand out for their uniqueness and attention to the guest experience. Thanks to the SLH partnership with Hilton, you can redeem either Hilton points or free night certificates for stays — often unlocking exceptional value.
This is especially true in the Caribbean, where nightly rates at boutique resorts frequently climb into the thousands of dollars. Whether you're booking a romantic retreat or a bucket-list beach escape, using Hilton
If you’re eyeing a trip to the Caribbean, be sure to check out Hilton’s SLH properties as part of your planning. They combine the charm of independent hotels with the rewards power of the Hilton Honors program — making them a smart (and luxurious) redemption option.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Hilton Honors American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (Rates & Fees), and The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (Rates & Fees)
