Studio vs One-Bedroom: The Point Math That Surprises Members

One-bedrooms cost more points than studios but include a full kitchen and a separate bedroom. Here's when the upgrade is worth it.

The Headline Math

A one-bedroom villa typically costs 50–70% more points per night than a studio at the same resort and view category. At Saratoga Springs in Choice Season, a studio is about 13 points/night and a one-bedroom is about 22 — a 70% premium. Across a 7-night stay, that's 63 extra points or roughly $750–$1,300 of value.

What Extra Points Actually Buy

One-bedroom villas include a full kitchen (not just a kitchenette), a separate bedroom with a king bed, a living room with a sleeper sofa, a washer/dryer, and a whirlpool tub. Square footage roughly doubles. Sleep capacity rises from 4 to 5 in most layouts. For families or couples wanting space, the upgrade is meaningful.

When the Upgrade Pays Off

If you'd otherwise eat 1–2 meals/day at quick service restaurants, the kitchen alone can save $50–$100/day on food costs. For trips longer than 5 nights, washer/dryer access saves the equivalent of one suitcase per person. For families with a toddler, the separate bedroom enables nap time without lights-out for adults. Each of these benefits offsets some of the point premium.

When Studios Win

Couples on park-heavy trips spend almost no time in the room. Two adults in a studio is comfortable; the kitchenette handles breakfast and snacks. The 50–70% point premium for a one-bedroom buys space you won't be in. Budget-focused trips and shorter stays (3–4 nights) almost always favor the studio.

The Two Studios vs One One-Bedroom Trick

For a group of 4 adults, two studios often costs slightly less than one two-bedroom but more than one one-bedroom. Mathematically the one-bedroom is rarely the right pick for adult groups — either two studios (privacy + lowest cost) or a two-bedroom (shared space + similar cost) usually wins. Run the math for your specific resort.

Lock-Off Two-Bedrooms

At most resorts, a two-bedroom villa is structurally a studio + a one-bedroom locked together. The same combined space books for fewer points as one two-bedroom than as a studio + one-bedroom booked separately. If you need 2BR-equivalent space, book the actual 2BR — it's almost always cheaper in points than the sum of its parts.