Hotels
The 16 Best Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in the U.S. [2024]
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is one of the most renowned international luxury hotel brands in the world. With such an incredible brand value, Four Seasons has always been and continues to be a favorite luxury brand for the world’s…
Hotel Policy Changes Related to COVID-19 [Updated: April 2024]
The travel industry has been heavily impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Initially, travel came almost to a complete standstill. Then, there was a slow reopening of some countries, and now we find ourselves in a complicated recovery period. Throughout…
List of Pet-Friendly IHG Brands in 2023 [Policies, Deposits, Size Allowances]
Here at Upgraded Points, we love animals just as much as we love traveling — and we have a pretty good feeling that our readers do, too. So when we hit the road with our families, sometimes we like to…
Candlewood Suites Hotels: 12 Most Popular Hotel Locations [2023 Guide]
Consider Jack DeBoer the king of extended hotel stays. In 1995, 20 years after founding the Residence Inn brand — the first extended-stay hotel brand in the U.S., now owned by Marriott — he launched Candlewood Suites as a means…
How to Get Hotel Elite Status With Wyndham Rewards [2024]
You have to love the diverse selection of accommodations offered by Wyndham. If you’re searching for budget accommodations, mid-level value, luxury properties, or even a vacation rental condo, you’ll find all those choices and more in the brand’s portfolio. This…
Best Western Plus Hotels: 11 Most Popular Locations and 14 Best Redemptions [2023 Guide]
Based out of Phoenix, Best Western occupies a unique position in the hotel industry as a privately-owned hotel company and nonprofit organization — an interesting departure from Hilton, Marriott, and other publicly listed competitors. Even so, Best Western remains one…
The 15 Best Cheap Hotels in San Diego, California [2023]
San Diego is the second-largest city in California and home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo and the 1,200-acre urban cultural center called Balboa Park. With a laid-back California vibe and a host of attractions like art galleries, museums, gardens,…
Travelodge Hotels by Wyndham: 13 Most Popular Hotel Locations [2023 Guide]
Travelodge by Wyndham, commonly referred to simply as Travelodge, is one of 5 value brands in Wyndham’s vast hotel portfolio. Along with Days Inn, Howard Johnson, and Super 8, Travelodge by Wyndham is a no-frills economy hotel chain known for…
Ventana Big Sur, an Alila Resort in Big Sur, California – Review
Ventana Big Sur, an Alila Resort is one of the most exclusive hotels in the world thanks to its luxurious and rustic accommodations coupled with its awe-inspiring scenery that can’t be replicated anywhere else. Located in Big Sur, California, Ventana…
Staybridge Suites: 15 Most Popular Hotel Locations [2023 Guide]
While Staybridge Suites may not be the most glamorous brand within the IHG Hotels & Resorts family, it’s an essential option for travelers looking to check in for an extended period of time without breaking the bank. Staybridge Suites is…
The 15 Best Resorts and Hotel Packages in the U.S. [Includes All-Inclusive Options]
Whether you are looking to enjoy a traditional ranch-style stay, a luxury beach vacation, or even an adults-only resort for just the 2 of you, there are some unique and rather wonderful resorts to be found all across America. While…
Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts: 10 Most Popular Locations and 10 Best Redemptions [2023 Guide]
Hilton and Marriott Bonvoy may earn the lion’s share of the business hotel chain spotlight, but following close behind them is IHG Hotels & Resorts with Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, which has amassed a loyal following of travelers who appreciate…
14 Best Ways To Earn Lots of Choice Privileges Points [2024]
Choice Hotels is one of the largest hotel chains. Still, with a focus almost exclusively on value accommodations, you rarely see its properties in travel magazines, blogs, and the like. Unfortunately, many associate getting “excellent value” with booking ultra-luxe hotels,…
List of Pet-Friendly Hilton Brands in 2023 [Policies, Deposits, Size Allowances]
With many families hitting the open road in lieu of overseas vacations this year, bringing along a fluffy, 4-legged family member is something that is becoming increasingly common. If you are a fan of Hilton properties, you will be happy…
Curio Collection by Hilton Hotels: 9 Most Popular Locations & 13 Best Redemptions [2023 Guide]
Curio Collection by Hilton, also known as Curio Collection, is arguably one of the most important brands in Hilton’s entire portfolio. It holds an essential position as a boutique offering with the robust strengths of the Hilton operating model without…
The 15 Best All-inclusive Resorts and Hotel Packages in Mexico [2023]
With miles upon miles of tropical beaches, year-round sunshine, and some of the best all-inclusive resorts in the world, Mexico is an excellent choice for those looking to vacation in style. From the nightclubs of Cancún to the old town…
Home2 Suites by Hilton: 10 Most Popular Hotel Locations [2023 Guide]
If you’ve ever stayed at a Hampton by Hilton and thought, “I wish this place was better equipped for longer stays,” it might be time to take a look at Home2 Suites by Hilton. Think of Home2 Suites as a…
The 10 Best San Francisco Hotels to Book With Points [for Max Value]
Known for Alcatraz, cable cars, Chinatown, the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Mission, the Presidio, Russian Hill, Victorian houses, world-class restaurants and bars, and “Karl” (the year-round fog), San Francisco is one is the U.S.’s iconic…
Canopy by Hilton Hotels: The 10 Best Points Redemptions [2023 Guide]
For decades, Hilton hotels dominated the hospitality industry with their signature, dependable designs, and simple, straightforward amenities. No matter where in the world you went, you knew what to expect at a Hilton. Recently, however, consumer interest began to shift…
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts: 12 Most Popular Hotel Locations & 10 Best Redemptions [2023 Guide]
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, formerly of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, is a premium hotel chain owned and operated by Marriott International. The brand oversees nearly 500 hotels in over 70 countries around the world, though most are located in the…
Marriott Vacation Club Resorts: 10 Most Popular Locations [2023 Guide]
For some travelers, there’s a particular magic around returning to the same place year after year. You get that feeling of returning home without committing to buying a second home. We’re referring, of course, to timeshares — condo-style vacation accommodations…