18 boutique hotels join Preferred Hotels & Resorts
When you're a points and miles seeker, it's all too easy to skip over hotels and resorts that aren't part of your preferred loyalty program. But, you run the risk of missing out on boutique properties that are special because of their history, architecture, service or unique "personality."
That's the case with member properties of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. It calls itself "the world's largest independent hotel brand," and its footprint spans the globe, from the Banyon Tree Tamouda Bay in Morrocco to The Kitano Hotel Tokyo to Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key, Florida.
The brand is growing and just welcomed 18 new member properties. Some of them are quite interesting. Here's a look at the top picks that are now part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and its iPrefer loyalty program.
Clambakes and whale-watching in Massachusetts
One of the newest additions to the brand is the 25-acre oceanfront Chatham Bars Inn on Massachusetts' Cape Cod. The property, built in 1914, was originally a hunting lodge.
Today, 217 rooms and suites -- including 12 adults-only spa suites -- are arranged in 30 cottage-style buildings across the property. The decor is decidedly New England, as are the dining experiences, which include fun clambakes.
In addition to the beach, the hotel has a pool, tennis, croquet, water sports and bike rentals, shuttle boats to offshore nature preserves and cooking classes. Whale-watching and fishing excursions are also available.
A dude ranch in Santa Barbara wine country
Is a luxury dude ranch more your style? Look to California's Santa Ynez Valley and the Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort. Just 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara, the property offers 50 miles of riding trails, two 18-hole golf courses, tennis, a spa, a pool and a 100-acre spring-fed lake.
All guest rooms, suites and cottages feature Western decor and wood-burning fireplaces. The nightly rate includes breakfast, dinner and select alcoholic beverages. Other packages include a certain number of activities per day.
Just beyond the ranch is the Danish village of Solvang and more than 100 vineyards and wineries to explore.
A refined outpost near Disney World
Another enticing option -- especially for families -- is the yet-to-open ette hotel in Orlando... just outside Disney World's Animal Kingdom. With just 126 rooms and suites, this intimate destination gives guests exactly the peace and quiet they crave after a busy day pounding the pavement at the theme parks.
Plenty to look forward to when the world reopens
And, while Americans can't travel to many international destinations right now, Preferred Hotels and Resorts has some interesting new-to-them options, including:
- Lago Resort Menorca Suites del Lago in Menorca, Spain (opening May 2021)
- Casa di Langa in Piedmont, Italy -- a 39-room sustainable hotel (opening spring 2021)
- Hotel Metropolitan Premier Taipei (set to open in Sept. 2021)
- Hacienda de Abajo in La Palma, Spain (32 rooms in a 17th-century building)
Learn more about Preferred Hotels and Resorts' iPrefer loyalty program.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Unlimited up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Housing payments may include transaction fees, depending on the payment method
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 3 months + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.