Mark Ostermann at Travel on Points has unearthed an incredible deal: Calala Island, a Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) property in Nicaragua that is bookable with Hilton Honors points and free night certificates, is offering a 10th anniversary promotion whereby every booking made before May 10, 2026 for a minimum of 4 nights that is completed by June 10, 2027 will receive a payment of $2,510 per cabana by wire transfer within 28 days of receiving complete payment information following check-out. Mark says that he has confirmed that award stays count. While you’ll need a lot of Hilton points to burn (or a few free night certificates), this could be a terrific rebate if you were already thinking about staying.
The Deal
- Calala Island (an SLH property) is offering a $2,510 payment when you book a minimum 4-night stay by May 10, 2026 and complete your stay by June 10, 2027. Award stays reportedly count.
- Direct link to this deal
Key Terms
- Must book by May 10, 2026
- Must complete stay by June 10, 2027
- Credit is non-transferable.
- Standard Calala Island booking and cancellation policies apply.
- Payment will be sent within 28 days after completed payment/check-out
Quick Thoughts
Here is the full text of the message you see when clicking through the link to the offer:
A Decade of Calala Island
A message from the owners of Calala Island.
Ten years ago, we opened the doors to a small island with a big heart – with a dream to share the untouched beauty of Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast and to build something meaningful for the people and communities around us.
What began as a vision of true barefoot luxury has grown into something deeper – a way of life rooted in authenticity, conservation, and community. From the start, we have believed that true hospitality goes beyond the tangible; it is about respect for the land, its people, and the spirit that makes this place so special.
Over the past decade, Calala Island has become home not only to esteemed guests from around the world, but to a team whose warmth and dedication embody the very essence of the Island. Our Foundation continues to support local communities, protect endangered species such as the Hawksbill turtle, and champion sustainable practices that ensure this paradise will be shared for generations to come.
As we celebrate our tenth anniversary, we want to mark the occasion with gratitude. Every booking made before 10 May 2026 will receive a u$2,510 payment. It’s a small gesture of our appreciation to the extraordinary guests who continue to shape Calala’s story.
We look forward to welcoming you soon – to raise a glass, share a memory, and begin the next decade together.
*Minimum stay of four (4) nights applies. Bookings must be confirmed by 10 May 2026, for travel completed by 10 June 2027. A payment of US $2,510 per cabana, per stay will be sent by wire transfer within 28 days of receiving complete payment information following check-out. Offer valid from 3 Feb 2026. Credit is non-transferable. Standard Calala Island booking and cancellation policies apply.
Travel on Points says that award stays / free night certificate stays will count, and the promotion should be applied automatically.
Keep in mind that Hilton doesn’t offer an online tool to apply multiple free night certificates to a single booking, though I believe phone agents can do so. If I had multiple free night certificates, I would probably try calling Hilton to see whether they can be used under a single booking confirmation just to make sure that you meet the 4-night stay requirement, though I suppose that even if you booked the nights separate you could probably get the hotel to combine them into one at the desk.
If you’re flush with Hilton points and you were already considering this property, this seems like an awesome rebate. That said, it may not be worth the points for everyone. Standard rooms at this property typically cost 240,000 points per night, so a 4-night stay would cost you 960,000 points. If you were buying those points on sale at 0.5c per point, that’s $4800 worth of points, and you’d get the $2,510 rebate for a net cost of ~$2300. That’s an incredible deal compared to nightly cash rates (I just checked a random 4-night stretch in May 2026 that would be $4,400 per night or more than $17,000 for a 4-night stay at cash rates). And it’s a bit better if you book a 5-night stay, since the 5th night is free with Hilton Silver status or higher. But whether it is a deal for you comes down to how you feel about paying a net $2300 for four or five nights.
I’ve seen some people gush about this property, and others feel lukewarm about it (it is worth seeking out reviews before making any decisions). Be aware that to get to this property, you need to fly into Managua, then overnight, then take a domestic flight, a taxi, and a 2hr riverboat, but the transfers within Nicaragua are included. And you’ll find mixed reviews on all of that — One Mile at a Time called it crazy, but Derrick Dye at Travel on Points was very happy with the overall experience. Your mileage may vary. With only four rooms, it is no doubt a very exclusive experience. Some will no doubt be happy with the splurge.
And this is a creative incentive. I can’t think of a time when I’ve seen a hotel offer a cash rebate by wire transfer after a completed stay. That’s certainly different than offering an on-property credit. The fact that it applies to award stays is especially unique.
If you’re interested, remember that you can use a flexible date search on the Hilton website to find standard award availability.
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Just felt the need to comment as we’re on our last day on the island now. Greg and co, you should go sometime (especially if you can get this offer)
The boat ride was definitely adventurous, but well worth it. I have heard that March/April is the calmest time of the year and we did get a calm day, so that helped for sure.
I do think 3 nights felt like plenty, to us (used a FNC and 300k pts). Though we also tend to not stay in one place for long on trips.
Slightly disappointed that Island Hopping is out now (islands are now inhabited) and the sand bar got taken out by a hurricane. Also, we’re just a bit early for the turtles it seems. But still a phenomenal bucket list trip and I’m so glad we did it before Hilton moved caps up and while FNCs are still so generous.
Just booked for early December! My husband & I are pretty adventurous & will be empty nesters in August. Thanks for all the info. I was trying to search for availability before I had to buy additional points to have enough. It would give me an error code. But worked fine once I got enough points. 5 nights booked! Can’t wait!
To clarify, there’s no need to register for this promotion or enter any sort of promo code. It should all be automatic for anyone booking now?
I booked and then emailed them to confirm the promotion. Also, it looks like there are only morning flights from Managua to Bluefields now.
Did anyone book this deal?
My first thought seeing this is this is how a horror movie would start.
Nick, the Derrick Dye at Travel on Points link takes me to the OMAAT post. I think this is the post you meant to link from Derrick: https://travel-on-points.com/review-calala-island-a-nicaribbean-luxury-property/
Thanks for this article, as this sounds like a great opportunity to me!
I just got back from Calala on Feb 6th and, in my opinion, this is an INSANE deal! Six total units, but each is a stand alone house with your own private beach area. Layer in the fact that it is all-inclusive for less than $500/night for two people?
There is no AC, but there are ocean breezes. They have tiny bugs (like mosquitos), but provide custom made bug spray that smells great and is easy to reapply. Food was fantastic and the bar had a decent selection. The trip from MGA to the island (and back) is an adventure, so if you don’t see travel that way, this place won’t be a good fit. Oh – and apparently the helicopter they offer as an alternative is $18k round trip and has been used four times in 10 years.
Lastly, during my stay none of the eight other couples we interacted with (as folks checked in/out over my six nights) paid for their stay. Three were on points and the rest had purchased a week via auction (mostly from the UK). I cannot find any evidence online of anyone paying to stay at this property and then reviewing it, so it sure feels like this is a bit of a points farm where the displayed room rate is mostly artificial. I’d pay the $500/night via this promotion in a heartbeat, but there is no well Calala is worth the “retail” price of $4500/night.
Is this world not crazy? I’ve checked cash rates and mostly they are US$ 5,000+/night for two people. Do they have golden tables, platinum plates, unlimited caviar and bird’s milk in addition to the most expensive Champagne? Relax! Even this is a good deal!
Recently I’ve got a hospital bill just for myself for $250,000 for two weeks! (insurance fought with them and paid $153K and $4.5K on me as a leftover to max 6K out of pocket) They have no shame to charge $8K+/night for shitty room with another stranger next to you (just behind curtain) suffering from stomach cancer (do you know what is smell if bag size doesn’t match? Brrrrrr!). Service? You may wait for a nurse forever! Food? I’ve lost 20+Lbs! Worst thing? Due to a surgeon’s fault my wound was reinfected and I was on antibiotics for about 50 days and my wound still (from Dec 10th) leaking and causing pain (while another was healed in one month). Two days ago I was released from rehab. Do you think this is the end? On Jan 7th, I almost died and got in the same hospital (I would call it hell). 26 hours in the ER, no food. They found huge clots in my lungs (most likely as a result of previous surgery and high leg position after) and in 6 hours I was on table and they got into my lungs via leg vein, working heart and removed clots. They told me that I’ll be impressed when I see what they took out of me. I think they did as they took pictures and told me that I’m really lucky. They did a great job and I thank them a lot. Second hospital bill (for 10 days) is not ready (another quarter of million?), but another 6K out of my pocket for this year already known.
(FMLA insurance and DOL not paying me disability for a month now – is another story)
Why did I write it? I WANT MY CASHBACK TOO! 🙂 I believe that there is at least one medical malpractice lawyer here from New York (or someone, who knows them).
I wish you all to visit beautiful places chosen by your desire and budget and stay away from American hospitals. That one is advertising itself as one of 25 Best in America in 2025.
Glad you are feeling better. Shame about US medical bills and the thousands who do not have cover/can’t pay and just stick their slow decline to death to bad luck.
Something doesn’t seem right. Like, when it sounds too good to be true, if often is. I’d be careful with this. Perhaps, it works out. Or, they’re struggling down in Nicaragua and this is a cash-injection for them, before cashing-out. Who knows. Use points, if you can.
What!!?
I have an existing 5-night points booking that I was already stoked for. Now you are telling me I’m also going to get $2,510 when I check out?
Not unless you booked it since February 3rd. This just started last week per the terms. But if you’re still within the cancellation window, maybe you can cancel and rebook. I don’t know how they’re handling that.
Ahh! I booked it last year for only 480,000 for 5 nights before the deval. So now I have to weigh up whether it is worth it to cancel, hope that it goes back into inventory and re-book it straight away at the new increased rate.
If I do that, then I better do it in the middle of the night when everyone with their maxmypoints alerts is sleeping!
How do I change my original comment to remove the month of my booking.
I’ve edited both comments to remove a mention of month. If that’s not what you wanted, let me know.
We did 5 nights and loved it so much we extended an additional night. Didn’t need to think about a thing. It’s definitely barefoot luxury. Service was so good – where else does the staff see your wineglass getting low and the bartender comes out into the water and fills your glass? One night we were the only guests on the island. Yeah, it’s an adventure to get there. And I can see how it’s not for everyone. We absolutely loved it and I’m considering booking this!
At first I thought it was a one month window: May till June, but it’s actually until June 2027!
Just booked a 5 night points stay in May.
I have about a week to decide if I actually want to go. I can cancel without penalty before then.
“riverboat”. Not quite. Check out Lucky’s post on this. No AC is a deal breaker.
I only have 2 certificates sadly.
You get $2510 back for visiting. Consider this: $2400 buys you 480,000 Hilton points right now (= 2 nights on points). Net: your 2 FNCs get you 4 nights at Calala + $110.