For years, Greece has been on many travelers' ‘want to go' lists, and Paros, one of the Cyclades islands nestled in the heart of the Aegean Sea, has been quietly working its way up the list of the most beautiful and authentic destinations to escape the more popular Santorini and Mykonos islands. For now, World of Hyatt members finally have an incentive to book that trip the new Parian Chronicle Hotel Paros is now open, and the Destination by Hyatt brand has a new home on a Greek island.

Award nights can be reserved now, and the points pricing for the lower levels puts this among the more accessible luxury Greece redemption programs currently offered in any hotel loyalty program.

The actual appearance of the Property

The Parian Chronicle Hotel Paros is set in the village of Kampos, Paros, and its concept is based on one of the island's most fascinating things the ancient Parian Chronicle, a marble inscription that tells about important events in Greek history and mythology. The hotel's design is not a simple Mediterranean hotel with blue domes and white walls, but is more oriented toward the authentic architecture and materials of the Cyclades, such as stone, wood, linen and the island's most famous material, marble.

It's a property of 50 rooms that strikes a perfect balance of modernity and heritage in its location. The hotel is adults-only (they will not accept children under 13) and is a conscious decision to maintain the calm and relaxing ambience that the hotel is undoubtedly built with.

Thirty-nine of those 50 rooms have private plunge pools, and the other 11 have private outdoor jacuzzis. The rooms vary in size from about 323 to 452 square feet, and are compact for some standards, but this is in tune with the Cycladic architectural style, particularly provided they lead, either directly or through large terraces or patios, to the sea views. The philosophy here is private outdoor living, and not big, open interiors.

The Dining and Experience Approach

The main restaurant of the hotel, NAAO, is designed around seasonal and locally-sourced products of farmers and producers from the Paros region. The breakfast is served in a traditional "Peskesi" basket, which signifies the actual ways in which people eat in the island and not what a resort might serve on a generic menu. Lunch and dinner menus highlight dishes that are easy to share inspired by Parian culinary traditions.

In addition to the food, Hyatt is marketing this property as a “gateway” to the island rather than a property to keep guests locked in for all their time. For those who wish to delve deeper into the essence of Paros, guests can enjoy curated local experiences, including swimming in secret beaches, visiting wineries and artisan workshops, meeting local producers and more.

It's the right way to cater to the Destination by Hyatt brand positioning, which is specifically built on properties that are truly part of the place, not just part of the real estate.

How the Points Redemption Works

The Parian Chronicle Hotel Paros is a 6-star hotel on the World of Hyatt award chart, where the price of the standard award night is between 20,000 and 40,000 points per night, depending on the date. That range is based on the seasonal demand of that property, so that a visit to Paros in peak summer will gain more points than a visit in shoulder season (May or October).

Here is a quick rundown on what you should be aware of before booking:

• Standard award pricing: 20,000-40,000 World of Hyatt points per night (Category 6)
• Guests are welcome to enjoy what amounts to an all-inclusive experience at an average of $475 per night, which includes accommodation, meals, and activities.
• The redemption is valued at about 2.4 cents per point against a $475 cash rate, fairly compared to the standard valuation of 1.4 cents per point for World of Hyatt.
• Peak season pricing: The 40,000-point rate will probably be charged during peak seasons, such as summer, while spring and fall dates are best for points-to-value.

It's one of the more interesting luxury Greece redemptions in the Hyatt portfolio at its floor price of 20,000 points, especially with the volume of cash rates the quality properties are getting at this price level during the summer. The way to stay out of peak season cash rates for a 39 room property with a private plunge pool is just what makes members feel at a discount when they add up their Hyatt points with a particular travel in mind.

What makes Paros a good choice to consider over other typical Greece destinations

While there is nothing wrong with Santorini or Mykonos, both of these islands have become very crowded these days, and come with a price tag. With its beautiful whitewashed architecture, its crystal clear waters, its wonderful food and its rich history, Paros offers much of what draws people to the Cyclades, but in a more relaxed way and with a local culture not entirely molded by mass tourism.

The island is readily accessible from Athens by ferry or by direct flight and its size is not too large to explore without the logistical hurdles of some larger tourist destinations. If you're looking for a place that offers the quintessential Greek island experience without the crowds at every restaurant and beach, then Paros is becoming a popular choice among travelers who have already visited Santorini.

It's not just a small, independent property or a hotel that is tied to the Mr & Mrs Smith partnership; it's a complete Destination by Hyatt that offers full points earning and redemption, which really enhances the island's accessibility for World of Hyatt loyalists.

Make Points for a Greece Trip

There are several ways to earn World of Hyatt points, and it's possible for most travellers to put points toward a Paros redemption. The World of Hyatt Credit Card also has a decent welcome bonus with a generous amount of point currency to earn at Hyatt, and Chase Ultimate Rewards 1:1 transfers to Hyatt properties, making the World of Hyatt holders of Chase Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve very well positioned to earn a large amount of points they can use on a flexible point currency. In addition to dining programs and other partnerships that enable casual earners to accumulate balances over time, Hyatt is involved with several other programs.

At the 20,000-point rate, a four-night getaway to the Parian Chronicle Hotel Paros would cost 80,000 points, which could be won in one big welcome bonus or over a longer period of time by playing day-to-day.

The Bottom Line

The Parian Chronicle Hotel Paros is Destination by Hyatt on one of the most attractive islands of Greece, offering 50 rooms (39 of which have private plunge pools), local cuisine at NAAO restaurant and a selection of curated island experiences that go beyond a classic resort stay. World of Hyatt members can reserve a standard award night for as few as 20,000 points (or up to 40,000 points during the off-season) for rates beginning at approximately $475 per night. 

On the lower end of the points spectrum, the redemption value well exceeds the standard Hyatt point valuation, making this one of the more lucrative luxury Mediterranean redemption options for the program. Greece was on your list of places to visit and you've got some Hyatt points to spend, so Paros is a very good place to go next.