Hotels

Six Senses is one of the world’s most luxurious hotel brands. It was founded in 1995 by Sonu Shivdasani, who is most well-known for the ultra-luxe Soneva properties. Today, the brand has 21 properties in 17 countries. Its hotels occupy…

Earlier this year, my wife and I took the kids to Orlando for a little bit of theme park fun before continuing our trip up north to New England to see my family. Although we spent over a week in…

Best Western Rewards isn’t frequently covered or considered as a major hotel loyalty program. Despite not offering lavish luxury accommodations, the value-focused traveler should be interested in utilizing this chain’s loyalty program. Although the Phoenix-based company has several thousand properties…

Mexico is a favorite travel destination because of its warm weather, great beaches, and proximity to much of the U.S., among other things. It’s great to be able to leave your home in the morning and be on a beach…

Viceroy is one of the most exclusive luxury hotel brands in the world. Its portfolio of hotels isn’t nearly as expansive as the big hotel chains, and it strives to be the anti-chain hotel brand. Viceroy has been obsessed with…

Banyan Tree is surely one of the most recognizable hospitality brands in the world, especially if you’ve been to Asia. This relatively new hotel brand, with its roots dating back to 1994 in Singapore, pioneered one of the most innovative…

Hawaii is a dream destination for many travelers, but it can be very expensive. Thankfully, we know a thing or 2 about getting great hotel deals here at Upgraded Points, so we’ve compiled this list of the 10 best Hawaii…

Savannah, Georgia is a city known for its historic charm and southern hospitality. Located along the banks of the Savannah River that separates Georgia from South Carolina, this city makes a great place for a weekend getaway. I spent 2…

One of Marriott International’s newest brands is Tribute Portfolio, which has now become known as the upscale to upper-upscale soft brand catering to travelers seeking an independent boutique experience. This brand was launched in April 2015 by Starwood Hotels and…

Courtyard by Marriott is probably one of the most well-known midscale brands out there, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a traveler who hasn’t stayed at a Courtyard location at least once. With over 1,200 hotels worldwide, it’s also the…

Choice Hotels often go overlooked in the points and miles world, with popular chains like Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, and Hilton getting most of the limelight. But, Choice is actually one of the largest hotel chains in the world with over 7,000…

As one of Marriott’s newest brands, Autograph Collection consists of properties that don’t always get the attention they deserve, especially in contrast to mega-names like The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis. This brand consists of a large collection of independent, boutique…

As part of a recent family vacation to Orlando, I decided to book a couple of nights at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. After a couple of days at the theme parks in the infamous Florida summer heat, my wife…

Renaissance Hotels is one of Marriott Bonvoy’s 30+ brands — and as a premium brand offering full-service amenities, there’s a lot to love about this brand. In particular, we love Renaissance Hotels because there are many opportunities to redeem points…

Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s charming beach towns. If you enjoy white sand beaches, a charming small-town feel, gastronomy, and Mexican culture, this city should definitely be on your wish list. In addition to having beautiful beaches, fantastic marine…

Vacation ownership is a way of buying into a vacation commitment. Often called a timeshare, it involves prepaying for your vacations and locking in today’s rates with a specific hotel brand for years to come. While that might not appeal…

Punta Cana isn’t quite as popular as Cancún or Cabo, but the Dominican Republic’s easternmost city is famed for its 20-mile stretch of white sand beaches, clear waters, and delightful people. And although Punta Cana has plenty to do, including zip-lining,…

The World of Hyatt program is a favorite among many travelers thanks to its excellent redemption options and fantastic elite member benefits. One of the other great things about the World of Hyatt program is that you can book suites…

Dazzler by Wyndham is a small brand that’s only found in 4 countries in South America, so it might not be that familiar to you. Since it’s part of the Wyndham family of brands, you can earn and use Wyndham…

Often referred to as the birthplace of America, Philadelphia has tons of fun things to do for both kids and adults. It makes a great road trip stop or a weekend getaway, so my family and I decided to hop…

San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are 2 of Mexico’s most frequented beach towns, especially by the wealthy. If you’re staying at a luxury resort in Los Cabos, there’s a decent chance you’ll spot a celebrity, depending on…