5 Great SPG Moment Packages for the Photographer – With Hotels!

Here is a roundup of 5 great SPG Moment packages available for the photographer. Actually, anyone could benefit from the potential value with these packages but they would have extra interest for those interested in photography.

5 Great SPG Moment Packages for the Photographer – With Hotels!

Read More: SPG Moments Auctions – What They Are and What To Know

I had previously talked about two of them but 3 new ones popped up so I figured it was a good time to roll them all into one post! Here is the information on all of them!

TAKE A PHOTOGRAPHY MASTER CLASS FOR BEGINNERS IN VALLETTA

Link: Photography Master Class for Beginners in Malta

Here is what this package includes:

• One-night stay at the Westin Executive Club Room in The Westin Dragonara Resort, including access to the Executive Club Lounge, checking in 1 June 2018 and checking out 2 June 2018
• Complimentary buffet breakfast
• Airport transfers for
• Six-hour private photography session with a professional photographer
• Experience is for two people

Here are the details for the auction:

• End Date: 25 May 2018 – 07:00 AM EDT
• Starting Bid: 6,000 Starpoints
• Bid Increment: 500 Starpoints
• Current High Bid: 6,000 Starpoints

This is a nice little package for anyone that may want to visit Malta. It is only for a single night stay at this resort, but you could always add a couple of nights on with points. Plus, you may luck out and they will let you stay in the same room! 🙂

DISCOVER THE MEDITERRANEAN WITH A PHOTOGRAPHY MASTER CLASS + CITY TOUR & STAY AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, HERZLIYA

Link: Mediterranean Photography Master Class

Here is what this package includes:

• 90-minute photography Master Class with professional photographer Liron Almog Photo opportunity with Liron
• Your choice of either a guided tour of Herzliya or tour of Tel Aviv
  • Both accompanied by Liron Almog Sailboat ride along the Mediterranean coast
• Two-night stay in an Executive Suite at The Ritz-Carlton, Herzliya (Check in July 12, 2018 – Check out July 14, 2018)
• Daily breakfast at the award-winning Herbert Samuel Restaurant
• Experience is for two people

Here are the details of the auction:

• End Date: 31 May 2018 – 11:00 AM EDT
• Starting Bid: 10,000 Starpoints
• Bid Increment: 500 Starpoints
• Current High Bid: 10,000 Starpoints

The Ritz-Carlton Herzilya is a property that would normally require 50,000 points per night for a standard room, so 100,000 points for this stay (which translates to 33,333 Starpoints). But, this package is for the Executive Suite which is not accessible with points and goes for $630 per night (you can pay $600 and 100,000 points for that room, though).

Once you pack in the photography aspects, you could have a package that could definitely be worth close to $2,000 for the two day package. Not a bad deal! Plus, Israel is a fantastic place to visit, even in the summer! 🙂

LEARN TO TAKE STUNNING PICTURES WITH A PHOTOGRAPHY MASTER CLASS + TWO-NIGHT STAY AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, MOSCOW

Link: Photography Master Class in Moscow

Here is what this package includes:

• 4-hour photography Master Class in Moscow with photographer Sasha Levin
• Walking tour of historic Moscow with Sasha
• Access to an exhibit tour at the Lumiere Center of Photography
• Two-night weekend stay in September at The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow in a Superior room
• Experience is for two people

Here are the details of the auction:

• End Date: 31 May 2018 – 11:30 AM EDT
• Starting Bid: 10,000 Starpoints
• Bid Increment:500 Starpoints
• Current High Bid: 10,000 Starpoints

One of the nice aspects of this package (in addition to the wonderful chance to get a great class taking photographs around with the intriguing architecture of Moscow) is that it can be used on any weekend in September, so you are not stuck on an exact set of dates.

The hotel, the Ritz-Carlton Moscow is a Tier 2 property that would require 40,000 points per night for a basic room or $770 for the two nights if you paid with cash. So, for 80,000 points for two nights, that would translate to 26,666 Starpoints for the two nights.

This could be a nice deal if you either already have a visa for Russia or you don’t need one.

SEE THE WORLD THROUGH A NEW LENS! PHOTOGRAPHY MASTER CLASS + STAY AT THE RITZ-CARLTON RAS AL-KHAIMAH, AL WADI DESERT

Link: See the World Through a New Lens – Master Class in the Al Wadi Desert

What Is Included:

• Photography Master Class in the Al Wadi Desert with UAE based photographer Paul Macleod
• Private and fully customizable photography lesson that includes landscape, lighting, wildlife and sunset photography
• Private session with a Royal Shaheen falcon handler
• Single-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al-Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert in a luxury tented pool villa (Dates subject to availability)
• Dinner for two at Farmhouse (Half board menu provided)
• Buffet breakfast at the hotel
• Valet parking included
• Buggy and driver transportation provided for the duration of your stay
• Experience is for two people
• Valid for June 4 – December 20, 2018

Auction Details:

• End Date:1 Jun 2018 – 12:00 PM EDT
• Starting Bid: 15,000 Starpoints
• Bid Increment: 500 Starpoints
• Current High Bid: 15,500 Starpoints (at the time of this post’s writing)

Anaylsis

This property by itself goes for 50,000 Marriott Reward points (so 16,666 Starpoints when transferred from your SPG account to Marriott at 3:1). That means the current bid is just below what you would pay for a night at this property. But, if you are a photography fan, this would be a really nice package to get. Not only would you get a Master Class lesson (customizable since it is just for the two of you) in areas that include landscape, lighting, wildlife, and sunset photography, you would also get your dinner and buffet breakfast as well as other perks.

One of the unique things about this package is the ability to select your night of stay from June 4 – December 20. Normally, these experiences are for specific dates but this package lets you select your dates. At the rate of 16,666 Starpoints, it could be a nice deal to book another night or two at this property to go along with this.

ENJOY THE MAGIC OF MADRID BEHIND THE LENS OF A CAMERA AND RELAX AT THE WESTIN PALACE, MADRID

Link: Madrid Photo Package

Here is everything this package includes:

• A two-night stay in standard newly restored room with breakfast included at The Westin Palace, Madrid, checking in Friday, 20 July 2018, and checking out Sunday, 22 July 2018
• Three-hour morning tour visiting the three most relevant photo exhibitions of PhotoEspaña, accompanied by an expert curator
• Then a five-hour evening Madrid photography tour with an expert photographer, includes a stop at a typical bar to enjoy tapas and drinks
• Transportation included
• Experience is for two people

The cash price for this room and breakfast on a similar weekend is $750. If you actually do want to take advantage of the photography tour as well, figure a bit more for this 5 hour tour plus a 3 hour tour of the photo exhibitions.

Throw in the transportation and you have a package that could be worth about $1,000 for the two people.

Bidding Details:

• End Date: 12 Jul 2018 – 07:00 AM EDT
• Starting Bid: 20,000 Starpoints
• Bid Increment: 500 Starpoints
• Current High Bid: 20,000 Starpoints

Takeaway

There you have it! SPG/Marriott seem to really be getting into providing photographers with special experiences and with these 5 packages, you have just that.

If you are short of SPG points, remember that you can buy them right now at a nice discount!