Marriott Tanzania resort and Hyatt Victoria Falls debut for points travelers

The summer hotel industry news has delivered several announcements that will reshape where points and miles travelers can redeem their awards over the next two years. Hilton continues to expand its all-inclusive portfolio, Marriott has committed to major new resorts in the Caribbean and East Africa, Hyatt is entering a new geographic market, and premium properties are adding experiential partnerships that create unique redemption opportunities beyond traditional stays.

These developments signal that loyalty programs are investing in destination diversity, which benefits award travelers seeking to stretch their points further and access properties that might otherwise require paid bookings.

Marriott Scales All-Inclusive Strategy in Two Continents

Marriott, already a leader in the all-inclusive resort space, has announced two significant new properties that will accept World of Marriott Bonvoy points as of their opening dates. This expansion addresses a persistent challenge for points travelers: the limited number of award-friendly all-inclusive properties in key destinations.

Jamaica Property Set for 2028 Debut

The first property will open in Montego Bay, Jamaica, in 2028. Montego Bay remains one of the Caribbean’s most accessible all-inclusive destinations, and a new Marriott all-inclusive there will provide another option for travelers looking to use Bonvoy points for all-encompassing resort experiences. The Montego Bay market has historically offered redemption value for points travelers, as all-inclusive rates often justify the points outlay better than standard resort rooms.

Zanzibar All-Inclusive Opens in 2027

More notably, Marriott has secured an all-inclusive property in Zanzibar, Tanzania, opening in 2027. The resort will feature multiple swimming pools, a spa, a theater, an oceanfront jetty with a seawater pool and bar, and a diverse culinary program. Zanzibar has emerged as an increasingly accessible destination for luxury travelers, and an all-inclusive format there makes award travel significantly easier—eliminating the need to piece together restaurant bookings and activities across multiple operators. For Bonvoy members, this property could offer exceptional point value, particularly for longer stays where all-inclusive rates compress the cost per night.

Waldorf Astoria New York Unveils Tennis Invitational

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The recently reopened Waldorf Astoria New York, which returned to operation last year after a major renovation, will debut a new event series this summer. On August 27, the hotel will host the Waldorf Astoria Racquet Club: Ballroom Tennis Invitational, featuring professional players Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Leylah Fernandez, and Maria Sakkari competing indoors within the hotel’s historic ballroom.

The event represents a creative use of luxury hotel space and signals the property’s strategy to attract high-end clientele through curated experiences. For points travelers, it demonstrates how premium properties are bundling special events with room packages. The hotel is offering dedicated packages that include access to the matches, Moët & Chandon champagne, and food prepared by Chef Michael Anthony through his restaurant Lex Yard within the property. Guests using Hilton Honors points to book the Waldorf Astoria during this event window could access these premium experiences as part of their redemption.

Naviva Four Seasons Adds Exclusive Spirit Partnership

Four Seasons’ Naviva resort in Mexico, set on 48 acres of rainforest alongside the Pacific Ocean, has partnered with Eterno Embrujo, a producer of agave-based raicilla. The partnership makes an exclusive batch of Eterno Embrujo raicilla available exclusively at Naviva—guests cannot purchase it elsewhere.

Experiential Travel Through Loyalty Redemption

The resort offers a “Road to Raicilla” program featuring guided experiences across land and sea, allowing guests to learn about the spirit’s production and cultural significance. Raicilla carries historical importance in Mexico as an ancestral spirit, and the limited release stems from owner Larissa Carrillo Solís’s personal tribute to her father. For Four Seasons Rewards members redeeming points at Naviva, this exclusive programming adds depth to the stay beyond accommodation, transforming a resort night into a curated cultural and culinary experience.

This model—where loyalty redemptions unlock experiences unavailable through standard purchases—represents a growing trend in luxury hospitality and justifies higher point valuations for premium properties.

Hyatt Enters Southern Africa with Victoria Falls Property

Hyatt will open the Grand Hyatt Victoria Falls in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, in 2027, positioning itself as the closest hotel to the entrance of Victoria Falls National Park. The property will feature 245 rooms, a spa, and three restaurants.

Victoria Falls represents one of the world’s most iconic natural attractions and has historically been underserved by luxury international chains. The arrival of a World of Hyatt property there—particularly one positioned at the gateway to the national park—creates a compelling redemption opportunity for Globalist members and others accumulating Hyatt points. Award travelers seeking to visit Victoria Falls will have a branded chain option that may offer better point valuations and elite perks than independent properties in the region.

What This Expansion Means for Award Travelers

These four announcements—Marriott’s two all-inclusive properties, the Waldorf Astoria’s event programming, Naviva’s exclusive experience, and Hyatt’s Victoria Falls entry—collectively demonstrate that loyalty programs are expanding capacity and creating reasons to redeem in destinations that previously lacked premium-branded options.

For Marriott Bonvoy members, the Tanzania and Jamaica openings will provide award redemption opportunities in two high-demand vacation markets. For Hilton Honors members, the Waldorf Astoria’s continued prominence and event programming reinforce its positioning as a redemption target. For Hyatt Globalists and Four Seasons Rewards members, the Victoria Falls property and Naviva’s partnerships demonstrate that premium stays are being bundled with experiences that increase their award value.

The common thread: loyalty portfolios are diversifying geographically and experientially, which benefits travelers who hold points across multiple programs and are willing to redeem in emerging-market or experiential-focused properties rather than concentrating their points on traditional city-center luxury hotels.