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When dreaming of luxurious hotels, IHG is probably not the first brand that comes to mind. But surprisingly to many, IHG actually operates some of the most exquisite properties in the world. Between its acquisition of the Kimpton brand of hotels and partnership with Six Senses, IHG added some world-class properties to its portfolio and unique experiences only Kimpton and Six Senses hotels can provide.
These are far from IHG's only upper-scale brand of properties, though. InterContinental, Regent Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, and Hotel Indigo each offer premium properties throughout the world. And even better, they are all bookable with points.
For this article, AwardWallet compiled data from 4,808 IHG award bookings for 9,190 free nights booked since January 1, 2022 to come up with this current list of the best IHG redemptions for luxury stays. To focus on luxury, we narrowed down the list to IHG properties that cost on average $300 per night.
Current IHG Card Offers
The easiest way to boost your IHG One Rewards balance and enjoy great perks when you stay with IHG is by signing up for one of the IHG credit cards.
- Earn 140,000 Bonus Points
- Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a reward night when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
- Earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier card member
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC
- Earn 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 5X points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants
- 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The earning for spending at IHG hotels breaks down as follows:
- Earn 10X points for being a IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card member
- Earn 6X points from IHG® with Platinum Elite Status, a benefit of having this card
- Earn 10X points from IHG® for being an IHG® Rewards Club Member (Being a cardholder is not required to earn this bonus for participating in the IHG® loyalty program)
- Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy a Reward Night after each account anniversary year at eligible IHG hotels worldwide. Plus, enjoy a reward night when you redeem points for a consecutive 4-night IHG® hotel stay.
- Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels and Resorts
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, select advertising, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier Business card member
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at hotels such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC
- Earn 26x total points per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 5X points per $1 spent on travel, dining, social media search engine advertising, and at office supply stores and gas stations
- 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The earning for spending at IHG hotels breaks down as follows:
- Earn 10X points for being a IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card member
- Earn 6X points from IHG® with Platinum Elite Status, a benefit of having this card
- Earn 10X points from IHG® for being an IHG® Rewards Club Member (Being a cardholder is not required to earn this bonus for participating in the IHG® loyalty program)
Helpful Posts:
- IHG One Rewards — A complete guide to the IHG One Rewards loyalty program.
- Buy IHG Points — This post has up-to-date info on any promotions currently available to buy points.
- Current IHG Promotions — Get the latest on IHG's regular promotions that make your stays even more rewarding.
- IHG Free Night — Have an IHG Anniversary Night Certificate? Here's everything you need to know to make the most of it.
- IHG Fourth Night Free — One of the best perks of being an IHG cardholder is getting a fourth night free whenever you redeem IHG points for four or more nights.
How to Use This Data to Score a Great Deal
For each IHG hotel, we have included data regarding the average cost per night when paying cash, the average number of points per night, and the cents per point (CPP) saved when redeeming your stay with IHG points.
Cents per point is a useful way to see how different redemptions stack up against one another. In simple terms, CPP boils down all the pricing information to how much you'll save from each point spent. To calculate CPP, first determine how much you're saving by spending IHG points instead of money. Then, simply divide by the number of points you need to redeem for a free night. You can learn more about calculating CPP in our post, how to calculate mile values.
Here at AwardWallet, we value IHG points at about 0.69¢ per point. Generally, the rule is to search for IHG redemptions that are worth at least 0.69¢ per point. Anything above that can be considered a decent value. Redemptions well above can be considered an excellent redemption. On the other end, redemptions less than 0.69¢ per point are probably not the best use of your IHG points and you may be better off just paying cash for your stay. Note the keyword “maybe,” as there are always exceptions.
You can stretch the value of your IHG points even further by taking advantage of IHG's fourth night free perk for qualifying IHG cardholders.
With all of this information in mind, it's time to check out the best IHG redemptions for luxury stays.
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort
Voted as one of the best resorts in Asia in 2019 by Condé Nast Traveler Readers, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is located in the most beautiful region of Vietnam. This 5-star beach resort is nestled within the Son Tra Peninsula Nature Reserve in Danang City and near the UNESCO sites of Hoi An Ancient Town and Hue Imperial City.
During times when you want to stay around the property, the hotel offers lots of spa options and even includes “the world’s finest pedicure” at the PEDI:MANI:CURE Studio by Bastien Gonzalez. Families can enjoy complimentary kid care at Planet Trekkers and babysitting for children three months and older.
It's clear that several AwardWallet users found mistake fares at this property. AwardWallet tracked 17 stays over 29 nights:
- $533 average cash price per night
- 18,262 average points per night — however, a typical points rate at this property is more like 90,000 points
- 2.92 cents per point
Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa
Located on 7 Mile Beach in the Grand Cayman, the Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa was the very first international destination of the Kimpton brand. Destination weddings are a specialty of the Seafire resort and various packages can accommodate the most luxe and elaborate of ceremonies.
If you're looking for a little break from the kids, Camp Seafire offers a range of indoor and outdoor activities for children ages 4-12. In-room supervision is also available for children younger than 4. Childcare is not included and will cost extra.
AwardWallet tracked 6 reservations over 28 nights.
- $1,113 average cost per night
- 55,000 average points per night
- 2.02 cents per point
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Sunset Cove Resort
This picturesque resort is located on Marco Island — roughly an hour south of Fort Myers — on the Southwest coast of Florida. This area is known for some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire United States. If you love golf, then you'll be right at home here. There are close to 30 golf courses within the vicinity of the resort — 10 of which are public. You can experience some great shopping and restaurants on both Marco Island and nearby Naples. But perhaps the most enticing activity in the area is the nearby Everglades National Park.
AwardWallet tracked 12 reservations over 45 nights.
- $493 average cost per night
- 28,000 average points per night
- 1.76 cents per point
InterContinental Bali Sanur Resort
The capital of Bali, Denpasar, is a bustling city that has been attracting tourists for decades. Located on the beach in the quieter southern part of Sanur, the Intercontinental Bali Sanur Resort is a fabulous resort with huge rooms and wonderful facilities. Discover the tastes of Indonesian and Southeast Asia cuisine at the delicious Layang Layang restaurant.
Swim some laps in the 50-meter-long infinity pool that is elevated up high for some beautiful sea views. The resort also provides yoga and cooking classes for those looking to learn like the locals. Outside of the resort are wonderful white-sand beaches where you can go snorkeling to see some of the most diverse and plentiful sea life in the world.
AwardWallet tracked 6 reservations over 21 nights.
- $359 average cost per night
- 24,333 average points per night
- 1.48 cents per point
Six Senses Laamu
Located in one of the most untouched and remote parts of the Maldives archipelago — the Laamu Atoll — the Six Senses Laamu is the stuff dreams are made of. With 97 private villas, consisting of a mix of both beach and over-water villas, this resort is sure to have something for everyone. Whether you feel like relaxing in your hammock overhanging the water or going on a snorkeling adventure, this resort offers a wide range of activities and leisure experiences to do on land or in the water.
Explore the island on land by going hiking or biking or explore the water with fishing and sailing activities. If after a long day of exploring you're looking to unwind, enjoy the spa which includes facials, massages, yoga, and cleansing rituals.
AwardWallet tracked 7 reservations over 33 nights.
- $1,141 average cost per night
- 94,030 average points per night
- 1.21 cents per point
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Tahoe Ridge Resort
Lake Tahoe is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the western United States. The Holiday Inn Club Vacations Tahoe Ridge Resort is set high up in the Sierra Nevada mountains — roughly a 20-minute drive to the shore of the lake itself. Popular in both the summer and winter, Lake Tahoe is a must for those who love skiing, hiking, and even whitewater rafting. If you're visiting in the winter, get your shred on at one of the 15 different ski resorts that the area has to offer. Summer presents an opportunity to hike one of over 100 scenic trails that are ranked amongst some of the best in the world. Adrenaline junkies will feel obligated to take a ride down the Truckee River — which offers Class II and Class III whitewater rafting opportunities.
AwardWallet tracked 9 reservations over 38 nights.
- $306 average cost per night
- 27,493 average points per night
- 1.11 cents per point
Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale
Situated roughly 45 minutes north of downtown Miami, the Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale is located right on a beautiful white-sand beach packed full of wonderful amenities. If you're traveling with your pooch, this resort is pet-friendly and caters to your pets. There is a heated pool with a poolside bar located on the rooftop of the resort — overlooking the ocean — as well as a second pool on the lobby level.
Enjoy a wonderful culinary experience at the La Fuga restaurant — an Italian restaurant infused with South Florida flavors that creates unique contemporary dishes. If you feel like trying out your luck, take the 30-minute drive to Holywood and hit up the tables at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
AwardWallet tracked 6 reservations over 15 nights.
- $365 average cost per night
- 34,533 average points per night
- 1.06 cents per point
Holiday Inn Resorts The Lodge at Big Bear Lake
One of the best family-friendly destinations on this list, The Lodge at Big Bear Lake has lots to offer for adults and children alike. The Snow Summit ski resort is known for its easier slopes that are perfect for kids and those just starting out. Great for any season, Big Bear Lake offers an abundance of outdoor activities in the summer as well such as hiking and camping in the San Bernardino National Forest. There are lots of cute boutique shops and tasty restaurants that line the street of the Big Bear Village.
AwardWallet tracked 20 reservations over 42 nights.
- $304 average cost per night
- 30,671 average points per night
- 0.99 cents per point
Crowne Plaza Key West-La Concha
Known for being the southernmost point of the continental United States, Key West is known for year-round sunshine and constant parties. The Crowne Plaza Key West-La Concha is located on Duval Street right in the heart of the Old Town — walking distance to popular destinations such as Hemingway House and Mallory Square. Duval Street is well known for its high-end restaurants, boutique shops, and hopping clubs.
AwardWallet tracked 17 reservations over 36 nights.
- $390 average cost per night
- 39,646 average points per night
- 0.98 cents per point
Holiday Inn Express Monterey-Cannery Row
Monterey is a city located along the gorgeous Pacific coast, just 2 hours south of San Francisco. The Holiday Inn Express Monterey-Cannery Row is a solid hotel in a location that is within walking distance of the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. This aquarium is a wonderful attraction for both adults and kids alike, offering touch pools and a three-story kelp forest. But a must-see of the area is the beautiful 17-Mile Drive — a picturesque road that runs from Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach and travels through an array of golf courses and scenic attractions.
AwardWallet tracked 11 reservations over 14 nights.
- $301 average cost per night
- 31,043 average points per night
- 0.97 cents per point
InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of the most popular destinations in all of Europe and for good reason. The InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam is a stunning 5-star hotel that typifies luxury. Located right in the heart of the city along the banks of the Amstel River, you are able to access so many of the popular attractions by foot or bicycle. The three most famous art museums in the city — the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, and Rijksmuseum — are only a 20-minute walk or 8-minute bike ride away. The hotel itself is proud to have the ‘largest, smallest rooms in Amsterdam' as well as a luxurious health and fitness center.
AwardWallet tracked 6 reservations over 12 nights.
- $480 average cost per night
- 51,667 average points per night
- 0.93 cents per point
Hotel Indigo Milan-Corso Monforte
Milan is considered by some as the fashion capital of the world, and the Hotel Indigo Milan-Corso Monforte is a perfect reflection of that. With its tasteful rooms and beautiful amenities, this is a wonderful little boutique hotel set in Milan's historical center. Just a 10-minute walk to the sensational Duomo of Milan, you are close to everything the city has to offer. Of course, you can't miss out on the delicious food during your stay — with the Restaurant Mezzo inside the hotel a chic option for a glamorous lunch or dinner opportunity.
AwardWallet tracked 8 reservations over 14 nights.
- $316 average cost per night
- 37,071 average points per night
- 0.85 cents per point
Holiday Inn Resorts Kandooma Maldives
The Holiday Inn Resorts Kandooma Maldives is a great vacation opportunity in the Maldives archipelago for both couples and families. Holiday Inn Resort might not stick out as a great luxury opportunity — especially when you consider the other options available. But AwardWallet Editor-in-Chief JT Genter had the pleasure of visiting five different Maldives resorts — and this is the only resort he returned to on his second trip!
This island resort offers all of the experiences you could want in the Maldives, including swimming, snorkeling, spa treatments, and wonderful restaurants. Breakfast is included every morning for all guests — which is a rare and valuable amenity for such an expensive destination.
AwardWallet tracked 6 reservations over 18 nights.
- $308 average cost per night
- 37.056 average points per night
- 0.83 cents per point
Six Senses Fiji
Not too dissimilar to the Maldives, Fiji is a popular exotic destination that most people would consider a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you make it to that side of the world, this resort is certainly worth a stay. The Six Senses Fiji is located on the sensational Malolo Island – surrounded by crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. The beauty of this resort is its traditional island style, with modern technologies and amenities.
With just 24 villas and suites, you can choose between 3- to 5-bedroom residences with your choice of a private pool or a beachfront room. Holding up to 12 guests, these residences are built to host large groups of people — so make sure to put together a group of friends or family before booking a stay here.
AwardWallet tracked 8 reservations over 24 nights.
- $756 average cost per night
- 92,583 average points per night
- 0.82 cents per point
Fall From Grace
The list looked a bit different the last time that we did a roundup of the best IHG luxury hotel redemptions. Here are four hotels that dropped off the list:
- InterContinental Maldives Maamunagua Resort previously offered an average of 1.9 cents per point over 13 reservations, averaging 88,845 points per night. Since the beginning of 2022, only one AwardWallet user has booked this hotel. They got a 1.15 cents per point redemption on a stay costing a whopping 120,000 points.
- Likewise, the InterContinental Bora Bora and Thalasso Spa previously offered a solid 1.24 cents per point over 8 reservations, averaging 73,750 points per night. Now that the price has increased to 120,000 points per night and there's almost never award availability, AwardWallet users haven't used their IHG points at this property.
- Hotel Indigo Barcelona – Plaza Catalunya used to be an excellent use of IHG points, averaging 1.5 cents per point. More recently, that value has been dramatically slashed. Since the start of 2022, AwardWallet users have booked 14 nights at this hotel for an average of just 0.58 cents per point.
- Holiday Inn Resorts Aruba-Beach Resort & Casino previously offered a solid 0.95 cents per point over 61 reservations, averaging 27,908 points per night. However, since the start of 2022, AwardWallet users have tracked 9 reservations at this hotel and only got 0.63 cents per point on average.
How IHG's Luxury Properties Compare to the Rest
As noted previously, AwardWallet compiled data from 4,808 award bookings for 9,198 free nights to make our list of luxurious IHG properties. In total, AwardWallet members redeemed more than 244 million IHG points for stays booked between January 1, 2022 and June 20, 2023.
The average across all IHG award bookings in this data set is as follows:
- 0.7 cents per point (CPP)
- 26,595 points — the average number of points per night
- $186 — average cost per night if paid in cash
As you can see, the average number of cents per point for IHG redemptions overall is lower than the cents per point for all of the luxury properties highlighted in this post. While many of these properties can be a great use of points, it's important to run the numbers for your stay. Not all luxury hotels provide as much value.
Another thing to note is that IHG uses dynamic award pricing, meaning the points required for a free night will fluctuate. Cash prices to book a room will also vary depending on the dates. Be sure to check how both numbers compare to the averages we've published in this post to decide whether it makes sense to redeem points.
Final Thoughts
IHG is often overlooked when considering high-end properties, but as you can see, they have plenty to offer in terms of luxury and extravagance. And by using IHG points, anyone can experience these world-class properties.
Which IHG property on the list would you like to visit?
- Earn 140,000 Bonus Points
- Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a reward night when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
- Earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier card member
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC
- Earn 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 5X points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants
- 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The earning for spending at IHG hotels breaks down as follows:
- Earn 10X points for being a IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card member
- Earn 6X points from IHG® with Platinum Elite Status, a benefit of having this card
- Earn 10X points from IHG® for being an IHG® Rewards Club Member (Being a cardholder is not required to earn this bonus for participating in the IHG® loyalty program)
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
I give another vote for the Intercontinental Sun Peninsula DaNang! I had a 5 night stay there in 2017. We had the Ambassador 2 for 1, and then 3 nights on points. The resort graciously allowed us to remain in the nicer room rather change to the base room that point stays are allotted. Just a beautiful resort. Great place for families or couples, especially honeymooners. The resort isn’t perfect as it is quite far for sightseeing, but the luxury and the fantastic rooms, more than make up for the extra travelling to get to the resort.
Now the Crowne Plaza in Key West is nice. The location is its biggest feature. But the rooms need a reno as they are a little worn down.
But the destination that I feel that we have received the biggest value is Japan. IHG has a partnership with ANA. The high end hotels are a really good value on points. The Intercontinental in Osaka used to the best hotel in Osaka, and still is very nice. But high end competitors have opened properties in Osaka. All the Intercontinentals in Tokyo are nice and all are a good value. The Crowne Plaza in Kyoto is the only IHG property in the city. If you get a renovated room, it is a nice property on points. The Crowne Plaza in Osaka is very nice and well located, also a good value on points or cash. Now the Crowne Plaza in Kanazawa is old and desperately needs a renovation, but the location is excellent.
The InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is my favorite hotel worldwide and it’s a great deal. I can’t wait until Vietnam reopens so I can stay there again.
I see there are also indicated some more reasonable priced hotels such as the Holiday Inn in Suva and the StayBrigde in Anchorage.
I think these two hotels represent a good opportunity of redemption more than the extra-luxury resorts.
IC Hayman Island is also a solid redemption offer – rooms can run to A$1,000 per night, so using points/free night certificates for a week there back in March was a big win, I think.
Heard a lot of good reviews about IC Danang, Vietnam. Decent points requirement but the country still not open yet.
I had a four-night stay there in 2016 and I’ve been dying to get back. It’s a beautiful property and so peaceful (I was there off-season). With both IHG credit cards, you can get the fourth night free and a points rebate, which makes it an even better deal.
Tengo agendado una estadia en el Intercontinental de bangkok y poder usar mi noche libre. Estoy ansioso por poder efectuarlo
Great info…hoping to try out the Kimpton Seafire!
Loved my stays at the Intercontinental Paris-Opera and Intercontinental Bangkok with the free nights on the IHG Chase credit cards – back when they didn’t have max point limitations on the free nights. Looking to go back to Bangkok next year if the pandemic rules are lifted in Thailand and the Intercontinental Bangkok points stays under the 40K max limit ?
I have stayed at some Intercontinental Hotels including that in Hong Kong. However now the free night stay is limited to 40k points or below. It makes the free night from credit card not as valuable.
Sydney InterContinental is simply stunning too. By the way, the photo of bedroom featured on top of the article is truly “iconic.”
The Davos hotel is no longer an IC but it is called AlpenGold. It is offered by IHG but I am unable to find any availability on awards. Can you give us some dates? Thanks
Thanks for the update. Unfortunately, I’m seeing the same availability issues. I checked on several of the dates that folks have booked for 2021, but none seem to have availability anymore. We’re working on ways to notify AW members when a hotel of interest may have award nights available. In the meantime, checking back occasionally is the best option.
Being able to signup for notification of award night availability for hotels of interest certainly sounds like fabulous addtional functionality!
Just finally closed this card because always having a hard time using the 40000 free night for hotels other than holiday inn’s in the United States
During my recent visit to Anchorage, points and free hotel nights were unavailable for all IHG properties.