IHG just released its latest list of PointBreaks hotels for July 27 – October 31, 2015 — andall included properties are bookable starting today, July 27.
PointBreaks are reduced award redemptions at IHG hotels (Intercontinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, etc.) that require just 5,000 Rewards Club points for a free night, and change every few months. While many of the participating properties are in fairly mundane destinations, there are always a few worth checking out, and others that can be useful depending on your travel plans.
Depending on where you redeem them, 5,000 points per night can be an exceptional value, especially for Intercontinental properties (which normally require between 30,000 and 50,000 points per night) and Crowne Plazas (which usually require 20,000-50,000 points, depending on the category). Like most times, the US locations on this list are pretty lackluster, but there are some intriguing international PointBreaks properties being offered.
InterContinental Mendoza Hotel, Argentina: Located in the heart of the Argentina wine country, this property features 204 guest rooms and suites, an indoor lap pool and a luxury spa. Rooms here normally go for 25,000 points per night or start at around $110 per night.
Holiday Inn Zilina, Slovakia: Located in the heart of the old town, this property offers 133 modern guest rooms and was recently renovated last year. There is also an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam baths, and a fitness center. Rooms here normally go for 15,000 points per night, or start at around €80 ($90) per night.
Hotel Indigo Atlanta Airport, College Park, GA: If need to book a hotel for an overnight around the Atlanta Airport, you can’t beat the Hotel Indigo in the College Park neighborhood for 5,000 points per night. Rooms here normally go for 20,000 points per night, or start at around $120 per night.
If you need IHG Rewards points quickly in order to book PointBreaks award nights, IHG is a 1:1 transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards, so you can transfer points from cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferredor Ink Plus to top up your account. Chase is also currently offering 60,000 bonus points when you sign up for the IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card and spend $1,000 in the first three months.
As a reminder, IHG recently added a new rule that IHG Rewards Club members may only book two PointBreaks reservations at each hotel offered in a given period. However, there is no limit to how many nights can be booked at the discounted rate for each of those two reservations. That said, award space is limited at IHG hotels, and the best PointBreaks properties tend to go quickly.
Are you planning on booking any of these hotels for 5,000 points? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
These days, it’s hard for brands to distinguish themselves from the sea of others just like them. Today, TPG Associate Editor Emily McNutt digs into five brands that go far above and beyond, adding unique touches to enhance your travel experience.
Of the hundreds of hotels in New York, what makes the W New York Times Square different from the Andaz Wall Street? What makes dining at ABC Kitchen different from finding a place on Stone Street in the Financial District? It’s all in the details for consumers of all kinds – from those eating at three-star Michelin restaurants to those dining on a budget. Whether it’s stellar service that one-ups the competition or unique amenities that can’t be found anywhere else, there are ways brands can set themselves apart from the rest.
There are plenty of examples to choose from, but a handful really stand out — here are five brands that go the extra mile:
If you’re traveling alone for business – or even on a leisure trip and missing the family pet – Kimpton Hotels offers a tiny creature to join you on your stay. The “Guppy Love” program gives guests the option for a companion in the form of a goldfish. The program started in 2001 and has been a huge success for the boutique hotel chain, which is based in San Francisco and has properties throughout the the US. Upon request, a goldfish will be delivered to your room, on-site meeting room or banquet hall. An employee will take care of the upkeep of the goldfish (i.e., feeding and caring for it), so all you have to do is make sure the “amenity” is serving its relaxing purpose just by being there.
Have you ever had that one meal at a hotel’s restaurant that just stuck with you? When you went home, it’s all you could think about and you wanted one more taste. Well, IHG does something just for you. In 2011, the hotel chain announced that it would be launching the InterContinental Kitchen Cookbook iPad App, which allows readers to recreate and share simple local recipes from many of its properties across the globe.
Because IHG has so many properties both domestically and internationally, there are a number of options for you to create the meals you had on vacation from your own kitchen. The free app adds three new recipes each month, so there’s always something new to cook. It’s a nice touch for guests to feel like they’re still sitting poolside in the sun at the InterContinental Bali Resort.
What’s a better time to drive a Porsche than when you’re on vacation? At the Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, located about 25 miles north of San Diego in Rancho Santa Fe, California, you can do just that. In 2013, the resort announced that it would be partnering with the nearby Porsche of San Diego for a test drive program that allows guests to test drive one of its luxury cars for the day throughout their stay – a 911 convertible, Panamera Hybrid or Cayenne GTS. And if it’s a good fit, the on-site Porsche-certified concierge will consult with you so you can take home your own. If anything, it’s a great perk to be able to take out a Porsche for the day and drive along the California coast, even if you do have to turn it back in at the end of the day.
The program is a great way to give guests the opportunity to take part in the full luxury experience that the resort offers. The resort itself is Southern California’s only Relais & Châteaux property and is considered one of the region’s most highly desired luxury resorts. Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to book so you earn 2x points on travel.
We often associate end-of-meal gifts from a restaurant with Andes Chocolate Mints and fortune cookies from Chinese restaurants. However, the London-based Mexican eatery, Wahaca, is upping the game. After each meal, the chain, which has locations throughout London, Cardiff, Bristol, Manchester and Liverpool, gives customers a pack of chilli seeds to plant when they get home, giving them the option of having the same spicy and tasty food they had while dining out.
The parting gift from the restaurant to its customers after the meal is a great touch that will keep diners happy even as they’re paying the bill. There has been a Reddit thread about the seeds, and the restaurant has promoted it by featuring a video with the Wahaca Chilli Expert himself who tells customers how to best grow their chillies at home.
When you leave home for a vacation, you pack your bags and don’t even think about what’s on the to-do list when you return home or the food that might expire in your refrigerator while you’re gone. Of course, the massive things that always loom when returning home are the burden of laundry and restocking a refrigerator. But, the luxury travel site, Black Tomato, which specializes in creating custom-designed travel itineraries and experiences for its customers, is doing something about that.
If you book through Black Tomato, you will receive a voucher for both take-out food and a laundry service for when you return home. That will not only be enough to make you want to continue traveling, but also to book with Black Tomato for future vacations. Unfortunately though, they can’t help you with that lingering jet lag.
Bottom Line
Whether it be that a brand offers you something while you’re there, like an in-house pet goldfish, or something for when you leave, like laundry and takeout credit, it’s the little things that leave a lasting impression in the eyes of the consumer. With these added benefits, there’s hope that even more brands will hop on board and do something that will put them ahead of the competition as far as going the extra mile.
Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $625 in travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Named a 'Best Credit Card' for Travel Rewards by MONEY Magazine
2X points on travel and dining at restaurants & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Earn 5,000 bonus points after you add the first authorized user and make a purchase in the first 3 months from account opening
$0 foreign transaction fees, plus chip-enabled for enhanced security and wider acceptance when used at a chip card reader
1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs at full value — that means 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points equal 1,000 partner miles/points
Travel and shop with confidence with premium Travel and Purchase Protection Benefits, including Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Purchase Protection and more
Introductory Annual Fee of $0 the first year, then $95
Intro APR
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Balance Transfer
Credit Rating
N/A
16.24%-23.24% Variable
Introductory Annual Fee of $0 the first year, then $95
Weddings already soak up a good chunk of savings, and then comes the honeymoon. But planning the part devoted solely to you and your other half shouldn’t be as stressful as the big day itself — the good news is you can still snag your dream locale or hotel without digging too deep into your wallet. Here are 10 ideas for value-orientated honeymoon hotspots as far-flung as Bora Bora and Morocco.
Sitting in the historic Montserrat neighborhood, InterContinental Buenos Aires is within walking distance of San Telmo and Florida Avenue, but still feels like a luxurious little oasis within this bustling South American city. Sleep in one of eight elegant suites with sweeping views over BA’s skyscrapers, and step out in the evenings for dinner and drinks at the winter garden-style Terraza del Virrey for fine dining Argentinian-style.
Not only is Buenos Aires chock-full of culture — nicknamed the “Paris of South America” for its architecture and European vibes — the city is also an affordable destination with an exchange rate of $1 to 15.53 Pesos. Americans also don’t have to worry about getting visas since Argentina recently made its temporary visa waiver permanent.
Rates from $205 or 30,000 points per night in December. Fly into Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE). For more info on how to get there for less, check out this post: How to Book Award Travel to Buenos Aires.
Hyatt’s boutique Centric brand launched in Hawaii in mid-December with the opening of Hyatt Centric Waikiki in the old Waikiki Trade Center. For couples after a contemporary spot, Hyatt Centric is perfect. The pet-friendly hotel — so even Fido can tag along on the honeymoon! — will feature 230 minimalist chic rooms outfitted with deep-soaking tubs, smart TVs and panoramic views of the city, mountains or Pacific Ocean. Room service can send up island-inspired tapas or you can escape from your suite for a drink at the lobby bar or outdoor fire pit.
Rates for stays starting February 1 start at $279 or 20,000 Hyatt Gold Passport Points per night. Fly into Honolulu International Airport (HNL). For more honeymoon destination ideas in the Hawaiian Islands, see 6 Incredible Days in Kauai on Points & Miles.
It’s no secret that Eastern Europe is a less trodden on (and much cheaper) option than classic Western European destinations like London. Arguably one of the most romantic cities in the region, Budapest looks just as stunning in daylight as it does when its bridges are lit up at night. Part of the EU but with a currency all of its own — and an intriguing exchange rate of $1 to 294 Hungarian Forint — Budapest is the perfect balance of European charm and Old World glamour, with hotels like the recently opened Ritz-Carlton (formerly Le Meridien Budapest), set in a 20th century building overlooking St. Stephen’s Basilica and Erzsébet Square. If you really want to take in picture-perfect views, book the 1,080-square-foot corner Chairman Suite with panoramic skyline shots and a terrace overlooking the city.
Rates at the Tier 3 hotel start at $287 or 50,000 points per night in December. Fly into Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD).
Pair your dream safari with a stay in Cape Town taking advantage not only of the city’s natural beauty — from landmark Table Mountain to the African penguins at Boulders Beach — but also making the most of the favorable exchange rate of $1 to 13.98 South African Rand. If you and your other half want to stay away from the crowds, opt for a boutique beauty like award-winning Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, perched above the Atlantic with views over the Twelve Apostles mountain range (hence the name).
Set on the scenic stretch of Victoria Road, this hotel is the ultimate for couples who are looking for a bit of R&R following all that wedding day prep. Spend the day cozying up in hammocks in the garden or swimming in an infinity pool jutting out over the sea before indulging in couples’ spa treatments in one of the outdoor gazebos sitting on the mountainside.
Rates from $340 per night in December. Fly into Cape Town International Airport (CPT).
Couples after a Mediterranean escape that’s not one of the obvious options like Mallorca or Monaco will love the new (and serene) Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay in Morocco. Nestled between the Rif Mountains and Mediterranean Sea just 45 minutes from Tangier, this 92 all-pool villa property is your very own oasis near the iconic blue mountain village of Chefchaouen.
You really can’t go wrong with any of the rooms, since each of the Moroccan-style villas offer views of the sea, gardens or lagoon. Plus, you’ll get your very own private pool — and at a price point that won’t kill your budget — for the ultimate romantic hideaway that’s made even better with a dining experience on the sand for two, complete with a personal butler manning your Bedouin tent-style dinner.
Rates from $424 per night in December. Fly into Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG).
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.The new Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay is a secluded piece of paradise not far from bustling cities like Tangier. Image courtesy of Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay.
A wine-focused honeymoon trip through France can add up fast. Instead, opt for another European wine capital where your dollar will take you a lot farther — and where the experience is just as luxurious — in Porto. The 82-room wine hotel, The Yeatman, has teamed up with some of Portugal’s top wine producers to curate a cellar of some of the country’s best bottles, as well as a wine-centric program of dinners and tastings. Toast to your new union from the panoramic infinity pool overlooking the city and River Douro before experiencing wine in a different way at the Vinothérapie Spa with a grape extract barrel bath or crushed Cabernet exfoliating scrub for two.
Part of the Amex FHR program, rates at this property start at $198 per night in December. Fly into Porto Airport (OPO).
As with any major city, you can snag swanky hotels at wallet-friendly rates if you know where to look. Paris, one of the world’s honeymoon capitals, has its fair share of points hotels that includes a few five-star properties. One of our favorite best-value points hotels in Paris is the 153-room Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, located near the haute shopping area of Rue Saint-Honoré, just a short stroll from the Champs-Élysées. Go all-out with dinner at The Chef’s Table overlooking Jean-François Rouquette’s restaurant Pur’, with a gastronomic pairing menu that spans seafood like line-caught sea bass and abalone with seaweed butter.
Rates at the Category 7 hotel start at $730 or 30,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points per night in December. Fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) or Paris Orly Airport (ORY).
In the past, we’ve rated Panama as a top-notch Spring Break locale for its untouched beaches, surf and snorkel spots, and natural beauty from rainforests to volcanoes — not to mention that the local currency there is linked with the US dollar, so no need to worry about exchange rates. While you can snag budget stays for under $50 a night — and gourmet meals for under $20 — don’t think luxury is out of the question.
Honeymooners can stay on the Pacific at The Westin Playa Bonita, located just a 20-minute drive from Panama City and the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks. Admire ocean views from the porcelain bathtub or toast with a glass of Champagne out on the balcony with views of both the Pacific and rainforest in the distance. If you want to take your Panamanian retreat to a whole other level, The Westin recently opened the ultimate VIP escape in the form of a 25,000-square-foot six-suite villa, Casa Naga, complete with private plunge pools, an indoor koi pond and 24/7 onsite staff.
Rates at the SPG Category 4 hotel start at $144 or 10,000 Starpoints per night in December. Fly into Tocumen International Airport (PTY).
A romantic retreat in Tuscany doesn’t have to be devoted to secluded villa stays with private chef-cooked meals, although frankly that’s not a bad way to spend a honeymoon in Italy. Get the same feel at a more affordable rate by staying in the Tuscan countryside on the sprawling 1,500-acre piece of land in Serchio Valley housing the Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa. Here, you’re just close enough to day trip to towns like Pisa and Lucca, but still tucked away enough to feel like you and your other half are the only ones in the region. Bike around Lucca’s medieval walls or go spelunking in the Grotta del Vento, or Wind Cave in the Apuan Alps. Couples who’d rather focus more on the food scene here can head to the local market with your private chef for the day, who will help craft a romantic menu that evening with ingredients you find together.
Rates at the Category 6 hotel start at 125 euros (~$132) or 30,000 Marriott Rewards points per night in December. Fly into Pisa International Airport (PSA) or Florence Airport (FLR).
The value here is really all about the experience. A bucket list destination for honeymooners, The St. Regis is one of the top spots to stay in Bora Bora. The private island resort spans 44 acres with views of Mount Otemanu, and villas sitting beachside and right on top of the water. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, couples can also fête their recent nuptials with one of the romantic offers running through June 2017, such as a canoe breakfast for two topped off by a bottle of rosé Champagne.
Rates at the SPG Category 7 hotel start at $755 per night in December. Fly into Bora Bora Airport (BOB).
Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $625 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Named Best Credit Card for Flexible Travel Redemption - Kiplinger's Personal Finance, July 2016
2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Earn 5,000 bonus points after you add the first authorized user and make a purchase in the first 3 months from account opening
No foreign transaction fees
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $625 toward travel
No blackout dates or travel restrictions - as long as there's a seat on the flight, you can book it through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Intro APR
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Foreign Transaction Fee
Credit Rating
N/A
16.24%-23.24% Variable
Introductory Annual Fee of $0 the first year, then $95
