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In my humble opinion, spring is the sweetest time of the year. You’re in between the cold and hot months, flowers are starting to bloom and there’s an overall feeling of hope and freshness that comes as the days get longer and the sun gets brighter.
It’s also a great time to travel.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.For me, spring is the chance to use all the points and miles I earned from the holidays for a trip to somewhere beautiful, inspiring or lively. While there are tons of awe-inspiring locales to visit from late March to the end of May or early June, I tend to look for places that reflect the spirit of the season, like Paris and Amsterdam. Or, I head to destinations that allow me to connect with nature, such as national parks and desert landscapes where you can hike before the summer heat sets in.
For many places, spring falls during a shoulder season, meaning you may find opportunities to save big on some trips. Don’t forget, though, that it’s also the prime time to visit other locations like theme parks and beaches as families and college students set out on spring break.
Whether you have your spring travels already planned out or are looking for some inspiration, we’ve got you covered. Here are 12 hotels to check into this spring.
Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C.
(Photo courtesy of Mandarin Oriental)
In the nation’s capital, spring is a very special time thanks to a few thousand cherry trees on the National Mall that turn the area pink every year. For a chance to experience the blooms yourself, pay attention to the National Park Service’s “Bloom Watch” to get an updated timeline of when the beautiful trees are expected to reach peak. Then, book a room at the Mandarin Oriental, which is about as close as a hotel can get to the Sakura action. In fact, the hotel’s Cherry Blossom Views package comes with views of the Tidal Basin, where many of the trees are located, and a cherry blossom-themed afternoon tea service in your room or suite.
How to book: Cash rates for the Cherry Blossom Views package start at $660 per night.
Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris
The Suite Saphir at Prince de Galles features two furnished terraces that overlook Avenue George V. (Photo courtesy of Marriott)
Paris is perfect nearly every season, but the city is extra magical in spring. Spend your days getting lost on quaint streets, sipping espresso at crowded cafes and admiring the flowers at Tuileries Garden. To really enjoy this time of year, book a room at the Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris, with 1920s art deco glamor throughout. It’s easy to embrace Paris in spring at the hotel, as a handful of rooms offer balconies and the Le Patio courtyard bar showcases a stunning collection of mosaics and greenery.
How to book: Paris is expensive — and the Prince de Galles is no exception. A top-tier Category 8 Marriott hotel, this property participates in the Marriott Bonvoy program, so award nights will cost between 70,000 and 100,000 points per night. Cash rates for this upscale Paris hotel start around $480 per night.
The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
(Photo courtesy of Waldorf Astoria)
As someone who really, really loves New Orleans, I can say with firsthand experience that spring is an amazing time to visit the Big Easy without having to deal with its intense summer heat. During your trip, indulge in scrumptious Cajun food, take a ghost tour and check into The Roosevelt, a gold-clad Waldorf Astoria hotel that will transport you to a much more glamorous time. On the roof, enjoy a cocktail and a dip in the pool (if it’s warm enough), and be sure to stop by The Sazerac Bar, which pays tribute to what some maintain was America’s first cocktail, invented right in the city’s French Quarter.
How to book: Standard award nights at The Roosevelt will set you back 70,000 Hilton Honors points per night, while nightly cash rates start around $300. With the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, you could score a free night at this iconic NOLA hotel by earning 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points (plus a Free Night Reward) after you spend $2,000 in purchases with the card in the first three months of membership.
The Cape, A Thompson Hotel — Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
(Photo courtesy of Hyatt)
Spring is a great time to travel outside the country, especially to places like Cabo San Lucas, where you can relax while enjoying gorgeous ocean views, hop on a boat to see jaw-dropping rock structures and leave behind the stress that accumulated like snow in winter. At The Cape, part of Hyatt’s Thompson brand, you can enjoy spring on a pristine stretch of sand or in its design-forward rooms, some with bathtubs that are perhaps more amazing than the ocean itself.
How to book: At this Category 6 Hyatt resort, where nightly room rates start at $513, you’ll find standard award nights for 21,000 to 29,000 World of Hyatt points per night. If you apply for a World of Hyatt Credit Card, you could get a free night by earning 30,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first three months of having an account. With the card, you can earn an additional 30,000 bonus points by accruing two bonus points per dollar spent on up to $15,000 in purchases in the first six months.
SpringHill Suites Springdale Zion National Park — Springdale, Utah
(Photo by Summer Hull/The Points Guy)
A visit to a national park is always a good idea — and a trip to Zion that includes a stay at this charming SpringHill Suites property is even better. As TPG’s own Summer Hull put it, this may just be the best SpringHill Suites location on Earth thanks to its proximity to the park, free and delicious breakfast offerings, comfortable suites and lack of a resort fee. If you do decide to check out Zion in spring, be sure to reference our handy visitor’s guide to make the most of your time there.
How to book: Free nights in a standard suite at this Category 6 Marriott property cost 40,000 to 60,000 Bonvoy points per night. Cash rates can be found for as low as $115, but expect to pay more than $400 per night during the busy spring season.
JW Marriott Hotel Cairo
(Photo courtesy of Marriott International Hotels)
Egypt has been on my bucket list for years. The country’s cooler temperatures in spring make the season one of the best times to visit, though you may occasionally encounter some wind storms. After a busy day of learning about Egypt’s ancient history while exploring awe-inspiring sites like the Great Pyramids of Giza, retreat to the amenity-packed JW Marriott Hotel Cairo. This property boasts human-made beaches, a water park, 14 eateries, a spa and a golf course, among other options. Plus, it’s a great launching pad for a trip throughout the country, though you could easily base yourself at this Marriott Bonvoy oasis for your entire vacation.
How to book: Expect to pay $150 to $200 per night for a standard room or use between 20,000 and 30,000 Bonvoy points per night for an award night at this Category 4 Marriott property. With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, you could stay for free for a few nights thanks to the card’s bonus offer of 100,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first three months of having the card.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley — Calistoga, California
(Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley)
In Napa, wine is life, and the newly opened Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley takes that to the next level. At this luxury resort set in the middle of a working winery, you can take in spring’s gifts in the rolling hills before hitting the spa for a treatment that infuses grapes grown right on the property into the mix. The grape-to-glass concept is a fundamental part of staying here, so join a wine tasting, meet the winemakers and simply kick back and unwind while thanking mother nature for her grapes — maybe her greatest gift.
How to book: Since this Four Seasons outpost is not part of a loyalty program, you’ll want to book directly through the hotel. Rates for standard vineyard rooms start at $1,200 per night.
ndaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht
(Photo courtesy of Hyatt)
If Dutch tulips are calling your name this spring, chances are you’ll spend some time in Amsterdam before heading out to the Netherlands’ world-famous tulip fields. At the funky Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht, you’ll find a hotel almost as colorful as the country’s flowers. The design aesthetic is both modern and amusing, featuring quirky details like bright chairs that feel like tulips themselves. Set in Amsterdam’s central Grachtengordel neighborhood, this hotel boasts proximity to many of the city’s main attractions. When you’re not out enjoying the area, take in top-notch canal views while sipping a drink at the property’s award-winning cocktail bar.
How to book: This Andaz outpost, which is a Category 6 Hyatt hotel, can be reserved for 21,000 to 29,000 World of Hyatt points per night. Cash rates for a spring stay start around $419 per night.
Park Hyatt Sydney
(Photo courtesy of Hyatt)
OK, let’s flip spring on its head — literally. Spring in the Northern Hemisphere starts in March, but for our friends Down Under, it’s actually fall. If you’ve ever wanted to experience Australia when it is a bit more affordable, yet still offers mostly fair weather, its autumn is the season to visit. You can easily spend the bulk of your time exploring the city on foot, though you may find it hard to pull yourself away from your room if you stay at the Park Hyatt Sydney. Many of the hotel’s rooms and suites feature breathtaking views of the Sydney Opera House and/or Sydney Harbour. You can also enjoy views of the city’s famous landmark as you enjoy a glass of local wine at The Dining Room or sunbathe by the rooftop pool.
How to book: The Park Hyatt Sydney is a Category 7 Hyatt property, so you’ll find standard award nights cost between 25,000 and 35,000 points per night. Unfortunately, rooms with premium views are rarely available to book with points, but if you have elite status, you can always hope for an upgrade. Should you decide to pay with cash, you’ll find room rates that start at $842 a night.
Roku Kyoto, LXR Hotels & Resorts
(Photo courtesy of LXR Kyoto/Hilton Hotels)
In Kyoto, Japan, spring is a very special time to visit, as the city comes to life with festivals and its world-famous cherry blossom season after winter. A great new resort to call home in Kyoto during the season is Roku Kyoto. Part of Hilton’s LXR Hotels & Resorts brand, the Kyoto outpost combines the best of a modern hotel with Japanese traditions via amenities like a thermal pool that uses water from a local hot spring. Plus, its minimalist design and overall ambiance perfectly embody all that makes Kyoto a destination that’s regularly touted as one of the most amazing cities in the world.
How to book: Nightly rates at Roku Kyoto will set you back at least $799. If you wish to use points to pay for your stay, you can redeem 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night for a standard deluxe king room.
Blackberry Farm — Walland, Tennessee
(Photo courtesy of Blackberry Farm)
A luxury resort, culinary institution and wellness destination tucked within the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Blackberry Farm is a magical place to spend a few days in spring. Here, you can expect to eat some of the best meals of your life — which the nightly rate covers — from a “rare collection of artisans” who specialize in one product, like cheese or wine, and make it perfectly. Additionally, you can learn all about produce at the on-site Farmstead Field School. Outside of eating and drinking, you’ll have ample opportunities for outdoor adventures like horseback riding and fly-fishing. And when the day is done, you can tuck yourself into a comfortable bed in a plush room knowing that tomorrow you get to wake up and do it all over again.
How to book: Rates for rooms with double occupancy start at $745 per night. Note that each stay must be at least three nights long.
Featured image courtesy of Mandarin Oriental.
Title: The 11 best hotels for a spring vacation, from Dutch tulips to Washington, DC’s cherry blossoms
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/guide/best-hotels-for-a-spring-vacation/
Published Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2022 15:30:19 +0000
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