My 4 favorite things about the InterContinental in Slovenia — and how to use IHG One Rewards points to stay there
Slovenia is a mostly undiscovered gem that can offer a respite from the summer crowds in popular cities like Rome and Paris. It's also much cheaper than many parts of Europe, as I discovered during a recent trip to the charming capital city of Ljubljana.
In fact, Ljubljana made our list of 13 underrated travel destinations for 2025, and it was also one of TPG's best places to visit in 2025. I found it to be one of the most beautiful places I've been in Europe.
While you can pay as much as $1,000 a night for a great hotel in many European capitals, that's not the case in many secondary destinations ... like Slovenia.
You can book the InterContinental in Ljubljana for as little as $164 or 31,000 IHG One Rewards points per night. That's a screaming deal for peak summer dates.
Here are my four favorite things about the InterContinental in Slovenia and how to use IHG One Rewards points to stay there.
Related: The best IHG hotels in the world
The InterContinental is a great value with IHG One Rewards
As I mentioned, you can book the InterContinental Ljubljana for as little as 31,000 IHG One Rewards points per night in peak season, but I see off-peak rates as low as 29,000 points per night. Even in the peak summer season, point prices rarely go above 65,000 points.
Cash rates are very reasonable too, with prices as low as $144 per night.
This could be a great use of a free night award worth up to 40,000 points that comes with the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees).
I ended up paying just under $250 per night since I booked pretty last-minute. That's still a steal for a top-rated European hotel in July. Best of all, I earned a whopping 10,240 IHG One Rewards points for my stay, plus a 600-point welcome bonus and another 3,065 points for using my IHG card for the charges. Those 13,905 IHG One Rewards points are worth about $70 according to TPG's August 2025 valuations. Not too shabby!
The hotel is in a central location in a beautiful city
When it opened in 2019, the InterContinental was huge news in the points and miles space. It opened up a jewel of a city to those with IHG One Rewards points.
This modern hotel is housed in a glass-walled skyscraper with 165 rooms and suites.
It's just a short walk from the train station and a 10-minute walk to the historic Old Town (worth the trip on its own).
It's one of the tallest buildings in the country and is visible from the nearby hilltop Ljubljana Castle.
The hotel has a contemporary design and nearly floor-to-ceiling glass windows for great views of the city.
It's also an easy day trip from the hotel to gorgeous Lake Bled. I used a local tour company called Luxury Slovenia to arrange a visit.
Rooms at the InterContinental Ljubljana are chic
I wasn't upgraded to a suite at the hotel despite having IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, but I had a nice, large room.
I have Platinum status just for holding the IHG One Rewards Select Credit Card (which is no longer open to new applicants).
The card includes a handful of nice perks, but best of all, it gives you Platinum Elite status and a free night award to use at lower-category properties (worth up to 40,000 points).
The information for the IHG One Rewards Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: InterContinental brand evolution part of IHG's broader luxury liftoff
I had Room 1206 at the hotel. It was a good-sized bedroom with a small bench at the foot of the bed, a separate seating area and a desk.
The rooms feature gray carpets splashed with gold and blues. Design touches included dark wood accents, rich brown curtains, copper-colored pillows and plenty of creature comforts. I had a welcome amenity of a delicious chocolate cake-like treat.
There was a well-stocked minibar in a small fridge and Nespresso-like coffee pods and a tea kettle.
A large closet, with amenities like a robe, slippers and an ironing board, took up much of the wall at the entryway.
A large bathroom featured lots of marble, a shower with both wand and rainfall showerheads, a separate water closet and a nice soaking tub. Byredo amenities raised the luxe stakes.
InterContinental Ljubljana has high-quality dining and amenities
The InterContinental Ljubljana has great amenities and dining, too. The B-Restaurant occupies much of the 20th floor and offers a large terrace and sweeping views of the capital city.
In the mornings, a breakfast buffet with a great selection of hot and cold food is served, and waiters deliver made-to-order eggs and hot and cold coffee drinks. Breakfast is $28 if you book in advance.
Dinner is served in the same space, with the lights of the city adding a special charm.
I had a multiple-course dinner including soup, salad and steak for about $73, and the food was fantastic. I wasn't surprised to learn that chef Komnen Bakic had earned B-Restaurant a Michelin plate.
Another highlight was the 18th-floor gym and spa. The gym featured a ton of great, modern Matrix equipment, including treadmills and stationary bicycles.
The spa featured a zero-edge indoor pool, a hot tub, a steam room and two saunas. It got a bit hectic with children on summer holiday, but otherwise, it was a great way to relax in the evening.
The Serenity Spa offers a range of treatments, including massages.
Related: Top InterContinental hotels around the world
Checking out
I was sad to leave the InterContinental Ljubljana and the wonderful country of Slovenia. I'm eager to go back and explore even more of the city and the country.
The InterContinental offers incredible value using points or cash, and thus, I recommend it strongly to those looking to use their IHG points.
Excellent service, modern and stylish rooms, plentiful amenities, and very reasonable rates make it a no-brainer for anyone looking to spend some time in another (less crowded and expensive) European capital.
Related reading:
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.