IHG Rewards Club’s top-tier Category 9 features some of the most iconic properties worldwide, several calibers above other chain hotels. If you’re looking to get maximum value out of 50,000 IHG Rewards Club points or an annual free night certificate from the IHG Rewards Club Visa, you’ll find it here.
Aside from offering superior accommodations in unbeatable locations, many of these properties are priced outside of our normal budget, making it very easy to get 1 cent per point or more in value. Without further ado, here are the best IHG Rewards Club Redemptions for Category 9:
North America
West Coast
Intercontinental Monterey (Monterey, CA)
Source: Hotel website
Distinctions:
- Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013
- Tripadvisor #3 hotel in Monterey
Accommodations: Standard rooms offer 450 sqft of space, marble bath with separate shower and tub, 37 inch LCD tv. These standard rooms offer views of Cannery Row, though most other rooms at this resort offer ocean views.
Location: The hotel has the absolute best location in Monterey, right on Cannery Row next to the famed Monterey Bay Aquarium. You can walk to the area’s galleries, head off on the Coastal Recreation Trail, or catch a whale watching tour off Fisherman’s Wharf during the proper season.
If you’re a Golf fan, there are several courses a mile away, with the famous Pebble Beach Golf Resort 7 miles from the hotel. The 17-mile Drive, which features the most underwhelming scenery I’ve ever encountered, is 4 miles away. The resort is a short 5-mile drive from the Monterey Regional Airport. You can also fly into San Jose (SJC) 75 miles away.
Honorable Mention: Intercontinental San Francisco Mark Hopkins
East Coast
Intercontinental New York Times Square (New York City, NY)
Source: Hotel website
Distinctions:
- Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013
Accommodations: A standard award gets you into a Deluxe room on a “higher floor,” with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the city, and a spa-inspired bathroom with walk-in shower. The hotel website describes the space as mirroring a “Manhattan apartment.” I guess at 350 sqft that’s an accurate assessment?
Location: The Intercontinental is located right on Times Square, within walking distance of the theatre district, a variety of dining and shopping establishments. Not everyone likes being in the midst of a tourist trap, but it is central and a great base from which to explore the city.
Honorable Mention: N/A
Caribbean
Intercontinental San Juan Resort & Casino (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Source: Hotel website
Distinctions:
- Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013
- Tripadvisor #3 Hotel in Isla Verde
Accommodations: The Intercontinental San Juan Resort & Casino isn’t always a good redemption, especially when rates plummet to $150 per night. At other times, they average $200 per night, making 50,000 points a bargain. At the standard level, guests can redeem a Superior room with a balcony, offering panoramic views of the city or lagoon.
Location: The hotel is conveniently located just 3 miles from the airport, inhabiting “two miles of the best beach” in the city. If the beach doesn’t suit you and you prefer to stay on the premises, the on-site casino is sure to keep you entertained.
Honorable Mention: N/A
Europe
Western Europe
Intercontinental London Westminster (London, England)
Source: Hotel website
Distinctions:
- Business Traveller Awards 2013: Best New Business Hotel in the World
- Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice 2014: #24 Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the United Kingdom
- Tripadvisor #30 Hotel in London
Accommodations: With regular rates of over $500 per night, a standard redemption is a great value at the Intercontinental London Westminster. Guests get a 270 sqft classic room with a King bed, outfitted in egyptian cotton linens. The room boasts a massive tv and media hub that can be used to connect your digital library to the tv. Guests get complimentary wifi and mineral water.
Location: If you’re looking for a luxury hotel close to the main tourist attractions, the Intercontinental Westminster is the perfect base. The hotel inhabits Queen Anne’s Chambers, a historic building. Guests staying here are within walking distance of St. James Park, Westminster Abbey, Big Bun, the Churchill War Rooms, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye.
Honorable Mention: Intercontinental Park Lane
Mediterranean
Intercontinental Paris Le Grand (Paris, France)
Source: Hotel website
Distinctions:
- Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013
Accommodations: It’s tough to believe that people regularly pay $700 per night for a 236 sqft Classic room during high season, getting the rest of us great value out of our 50,000 point redemption. However, the rate is fitting for a historic hotel like the LeGrand, which has been around since 1862 and has hosted royals, dignitaries, and celebrities alike.
Location: The Intercontinental Paris Le Grand is located in the 9th arrondissement, across from the Paris Opera House and within walking distance from tourist attractions like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower.
Honorable Mention: Intercontinental Istanbul
Asia
Intercontinental Tokyo Strings (Tokyo, Japan)
Source: Hotel website
Distinctions:
- Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice 2014: #19 Top 25 Hotels in Japan
- Traveler’s Choice 2014: #22 Top 25 Luxury Hotels in Japan
- Tripadvisor #6 Hotel in Minato
Accommodations: For 50,000 points per night you get a 258 sqft Classic room located on floors 27-32. Rooms feature modern decor and large windows overlooking the city.
Location: The hotel is located in downtown Shinagawa, close to the Tsukiji Fish Market and within walking distance of a bullet train station, making it easy to travel to Narita Airport quickly.
Honorable Mention:
Pacific
Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa (Bora Bora, French Polynesia)
Source: Hotel website
Distinctions:
- Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice 2014: #8 Top 24 Hotels in the South Pacific
- Traveler’s Choice 2014: #15 Top 24 Hotels for Romance
- Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice 2014: #25 Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the South Pacific
- Tripadvisor #3 Hotel in Bora Bora
Accommodations: Not only is this a highly acclaimed property with regular rates of $750+ per night, but it’s perhaps the only resort where you can get an overwater villa for a standard award redemption. For 50,000 points per night, you get a 1,075 sqft Emerald Overwater Villa with a shaded terrace and direct lagoon access. The villa features a separate bedroom and living area, spacious bathroom, and two flat screen tv’s,
Location: The resort is located in Bora Bora, one of the more pricy islands of French Polynesia. The resort overlooks a beautiful lagoon, perfect for snorkeling and paddle boarding. Bring your own snorkel set and enjoy the amazing sealife without breaking the bank.
Honorable Mention:
Do you agree with the properties featured on this list? Please comment below.
These properties are all dream locations! I just got approved for my IHG card last week and still can’t believe I can look forward to one of these spots for free after yearly renewal.
Congrats! You’re definitely in for a treat every year that certificate comes in.
Good selection.
Personally I would avoid using points in IC Strings in Tokyo. First, because it usually goes for a bit less than 300$/night which means you get less than 0.6 cents/point in value (compared to 600$+ in Paris or London). Second, because the other two IC’s in the city, which some say are even better overall, are offering rooms for 45K (ANA) and 35K (Tokyo Bay). Third, because, as far as I’ve heard, IC Strings gives no real AMB benefits on reward nights.
Thanks for the tip. Personally, I’d rather take the $300 savings than worry about point valuations, esp since I’m now earning points essentially at a profit.
I have stayed at both London and Paris, in London as an ambassador member we were upgraded to a suite and treated as if we paid full price £800 a night,
For the suite we were in with club access, in Paris we were treated poorly, no acknowledgement of membership status on arrival, put in a twin room with beds pushed together, there was peeling paint and graffiti in the room, when we complained we were told they were full and tough basically, in the morning I asked for the manager, we were refunded our concierge parking fee €45 and refunded the points for the night stay, we were offered lunch on the house but didn’t have time.
I’m glad the hotel tried to make things right. I’ve actually considered getting Ambassador membership, so this is insightful.
The Intercontinental in San Juan is a dump and should be bulldozed into the ground. I stayed there about 2-3 years ago, and unless there were major – and i mean major – renovations, I would stay away. The pool, however, was a saving grace. Very nice pool. Someplace to escape the hell hole of the hotel!
Intercon Bora Bora has ZERO availability for rewards nights booking for the entirety of 2015