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Historic IHG Hotels That You Can Book with Points

Feb. 05, 2016
4 min read
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Historic IHG Hotels That You Can Book with Points
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While many hotels affiliated with major loyalty programs can seem cookie-cutter, not all properties were cast from the same mold. TPG Senior Points & Miles Contributor Jason Steele takes a look at some historic properties within the IHG brand, all of which can be booked using points.

Today I'll continue my series of posts on unique properties that belong to a hotel loyalty program with a look at some options for IHG Rewards Club members. As before, I consider a hotel to be "historic" if it has unique architecture that dates from before the Second World War or if it occupies a historic building that was not originally designed to be a hotel.

Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) operates Intercontinental, Crowne Plaza, Indigo and other brands that include some classic and historic properties. You can earn points toward redemptions with the IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card — which is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 70,000 points after you spend $2,000 in the first three months — or by transferring Ultimate Rewards points.

Candlewood Suites Terre Haute, Indiana (1912)

The Candlewood Suites Terre Haute was formerly a newspaper building.
<a href="https://runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net/us/originals/2016/01/candlewood-suites-terre-haute-2533212984-2x1.jpg"></a> The Candlewood Suites Terre Haute was formerly a newspaper building.

Reward Category: 2 (15,000 IHG Rewards Club points per night)

The Candlewood Suites Terre Haute was once the headquarters of the local newspaper, the Tribune-Star, until 2007. After that date, the building was converted into a Candlewood Suites hotel, though it still features the original wrought-iron staircases.

Holiday Inn Resort Deadwood Mountain Grand, South Dakota (1906)

The decor at the Deadwood Mountain Grand reflects the hotel's past as a mining plant.
<a href="https://runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net/us/originals/2016/01/DDWRT_2242289550_483903734_P.jpg"></a> The decor at the Deadwood Mountain Grand reflects the history of the former mining plant.

Reward Category: 4 (25,000 IHG Rewards Club points per night)

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The 98-room hotel opened in 2013 as part of the refurbished Homestake Mine Slime Plant, which currently includes the hotel, a casino, an entertainment venue and a restaurant. The plant was originally built to process the remaining gold from the ore slurry, and the city's Historic Preservation Commission funded the restoration of the building's façade.

Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station, Indiana (1888)

The Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station.
<a href="https://runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net/us/originals/2016/08/crowne-plaza-indianapolis-4126724750-2x1.jpg"></a> The Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station.

Reward Category: 5 (30,000 IHG Rewards Club points per night)

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Crowne Plaza at Historic Union Station is housed with America's first "union station" and is recognized as one of the finest Romanesque Revival structures in America. The hotel is popular for its Pullman train-car rooms, which were rolled into Union Station on the original tracks before the renovation in 1986.

Hotel Indigo Baltimore - Mt. Vernon, Maryland (1907)

<a href="https://runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net/us/originals/2016/08/hotel-indigo-baltimore-3983439419-2x1.jpg"></a> The Hotel Indigo Baltimore Downtown, located in a former YMCA building.

Reward Category: 5 (30,000 IHG Rewards Club points per night)

This hotel once housed Baltimore's first YMCA — the designation still exists in the stone work above the front entrance. The property is a five-minute walk from the Mt. Vernon Place Historic District.

Hotel Indigo Newark Downtown, New Jersey (1912)

A view of lower Manhattan from the Hotel Indigo Newark Downtown.
<a href="https://runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net/us/originals/2016/08/hotel-indigo-newark-3353277448-2x1.jpg"></a> A view of lower Manhattan from the Hotel Indigo Newark Downtown.

Reward Category: 5 (30,000 IHG Rewards Club points per night)

The boutique hotel celebrates Newark's history of innovation through its decor — there's even an Edison Room named for the inventor of the lightbulb, who had a workspace in the building at one point.

Staybridge Suites Savannah Historic District, Georgia (1851)

The lobby at the Staybridge Suites Savannah Historic District.
<a href="https://runway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net/us/originals/2016/08/staybridge-suites-savannah-2533007792-2x1.jpg"></a> The lobby at the Staybridge Suites Savannah Historic District.

Reward Category: 5 (30,000 IHG Rewards Club points per night)

Previously known as The Padelford Building and used as a warehouse for shipping, the property has had several incarnations. Since the 1800s, the building has served as the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association (1900-1914) and the H.J. Heinz Pickle Company Warehouse (1915-1942). The building opened as the Staybridge Suites Savannah Historic District in 2006.

What's your favorite historic IHG property? Share in the comments below!

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  • 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.
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  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 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

    $325
  • Recommended 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.

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.