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18 boutique hotels join Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Andrea M. Rotondo
Andrea M. Rotondo
Director of content operations
Andrea M. Rotondo, TPG's director of content operations, has traveled to 43 countries using points and miles. She's a luxury, small-ship cruise expert and can share the not-to-be-missed spots in her adopted home state of Florida. She will also talk all day long about her ancestral homeland: Italy.
Feb. 06, 2021
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3 min read
Beach,Chair,On,Cape,Cod,Beach,At,Sunset,,Cape,Cod,
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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.

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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.

Featured image by Shutterstock
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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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.
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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

American Express® Gold Card

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.