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Few Spanish cities encapsulate the vibe of summer quite like Barcelona, with its long stretches of sandy beaches, vast gardens, and plenty of spots to grab a gelato. The Catalan capital is also famous for hosting architectural wonders by Antoni Gaudi including La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell. From storied fortresses and cathedrals to vibrant neighborhoods inspired by Catalan Modernism, Barcelona is an ideal antidote to our everyday Covid blues.

If you’ve spent the past year stocking up points in your favorite currency, why not redeem them on a trip to Barcelona? Here are a few properties that are great options for redeeming your points in BCN, and we think you should check them out.

Marriott

W Barcelona

An iconic contributor to the Barcelona beach skyline, the W Barcelona offers unparalleled access to the waterfront along the Barceloneta Boardwalk. This 5-star luxury property is a wonderful option for those who want to catch some serious rays while in Barcelona, but it isn’t far from the bustling downtown. Enjoy panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea as well as the city, and don’t forget to visit the ECLIPSE rooftop bar during your stay.

A night at this Category 8 property costs between 70,000 – 100,000 Marriott Rewards Points, depending on Marriott’s dynamic pricing model and demand.

W Barcelona

W Barcelona | Photo Courtesy from Marriott

Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection

This repurposed historical building is the former headquarters of the Association of Cotton House Manufacturers, but now it stands as an elegant boutique hotel right in the heart of Barcelona. The Cotton House Hotel features architectural artifacts including a critically acclaimed spiral staircase, a glass conservatory, and a relaxing terrace. Explore the nearby parks and beaches, then return to your little oasis when you’re ready for some peace and quiet.

This Category 7 property costs between 50,000 – 70,000 Marriott Rewards Points per night, depending on Marriott’s dynamic pricing model and demand.

Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection

Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection | Photo Courtesy from Marriott

Cards to Help You Earn Marriott Points

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

One of the quickest ways to earn Marriott points is to open a line of credit with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card from Chase. Not only do cardholders have the opportunity to earn more Bonus Points on everyday spending, but they also earn automatic Silver Elite status simply by being cardholders. Cardholders earn 6X points per $1USD spent on purchases at Marriott Properties and 2X points per $1USD spent on all other purchases.

With all of these benefits, this card is well worth the $95 annual fee; however, there is another way to skip the annual fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

If you want extra benefits without the annual fee, apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold credit card from Chase. You’ll still have access to complimentary Silver Elite Status and earn 3X points per $1USD spent on purchases at Marriott properties. You’ll also earn 2X points per $1USD spent on travel purchases and 1X points per $1USD on all other purchases.

If you want a quick path to Silver Elite and a decent earning potential without committing to an annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold could be the right pick for you.

Hilton

Alexandra Barcelona Hotel, Curio Collection

Fans of Gaudi and architectural modernism will find a great home base at the Alexandra Barcelona Hotel. This property is located within minutes of modernist creations such as Casa Batllo and Casa Mila, and just two kilometers from La Sagrada Familia. Featuring style elements like 19th-century mosaic flooring, this trendy locale is ideal for visitors who are looking for an authentic immersion into Catalan design.

A night at this property costs between 52,000 – 95,000 Hilton Honors Points, depending on the room tier.

Alexandra Barcelona Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton

Alexandra Barcelona Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton | Photo Courtesy from Hilton

Cards to Help You Earn Hilton Points

Hilton has a long-standing partnership with American Express and offers four different co-branded cards: three personal cards and one business card. Here, we’ll mention the perks of our favorite personal card as well as the business card.

Hilton Honors Business Card

Perfect for business owners on the go, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (rates & fees) is a card with decent earning potential and plenty of travel benefits. While it comes with a $95 annual fee, cardholders earn 12X Bonus Points per $1USD spent on Hilton purchases, 6X Bonus Points per $1USD on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, and on car rentals booked directly through select car rental agencies, and 3X Bonus Points per $1USD spent on all other eligible purchases.

In addition, this card is an excellent way to jump straight to Gold Status; a $95 annual fee is a pretty small price to pay considering that benefit. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to upgrade to Diamond Status depending on how much you’re planning on using the card, which is a definite bonus.

Hilton Honors Aspire

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is our favorite credit card in the collection, and it comes with a hefty $550 annual fee. At first glance, it might not seem worth it to splurge on a high-fee card when the Bonus Points earning potential is only marginally better than the other three cards in the collection. However, when weighing the annual fee against the additional benefits, it might be a good deal if you’re looking to skyrocket your status.

Cardholders earn 14X Bonus Points per $1USD spent on Hilton purchases, 7X Bonus Points per $1USD spent on purchases at US restaurants, flights booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, and cars booked directly through select car rental agencies, and 3X Bonus Points per $1USD spent on all other eligible purchases. Note that the value of the accompanying travel benefits surpasses the annual fee, so as long as you’re planning on using the benefits, this card is well worth it.

IHG

Kimpton Vividora Hotel

The first Kimpton property in Spain, IHG’s Kimpton Vividora Hotel is situated atop the enchanting Gothic Quarter in Barcelona. This property is located along a quiet, pedestrian walkway and lends access to some Barcelona’s favorite shopping areas, winding alleyways, cozy eateries, quirky candy shops, and the stunning Gothic Cathedral. Inside this pet-friendly facility, you’ll find homey touches, pleasant Earth-toned decor, and lovely balcony views of your neighborhood skyline.

Rewards members can purchase a night at this property from 38,000 IHG Rewards points.

Kimpton Vividora Barcelona Hotel

Super Room Balcony Gothic Quarter Views at Kimpton Vividora Barcelona Hotel | Photo Credit from Kimpton Vividora Barcelona

InterContinental Barcelona

The InterContinental Barcelona is on schedule to open to the public by late July this year and is accepting reservations for late summer. This is an excellent choice for a relaxing getaway in Barcelona’s Montjuic district, featuring an outdoor pool with a stunning panoramic view of downtown Barcelona, the under-construction La Sagrada Familia in the distance, and the rolling hills that surround the city. Don’t forget to take a stroll around the hill to explore the nearby gardens, or head to the beach instead.

A night at this property starts at 41,000 IHG Rewards Points.

Intercontinental Barcelona

Intercontinental Barcelona | Photo Courtesy from IHG

Cards to Help You Earn IHG Points

IHG One Rewards Premier Card

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase is the premium card in the IHG collection.

This card comes with an $99 annual fee, but it includes automatic Platinum Elite Member status and up to 25X points per $1USD spent at IHG properties, which include existing reward benefits from your status.

IHG One Rewards Traveler Card

Of course, the Premier level card doesn’t suit everyone. If you are an IHG Rewards member interested in opening an IHG line of credit but don’t want to bother with any annual fees, then signing up for the IHG One Rewards Traveler Card from Chase could be a better move.

This card does come with the opportunity to bump up to Gold Elite, which is a nice perk for members with Club Member status. Additionally, you can earn up to 15X points per USD spent at IHG properties worldwide when combined with your status.

Hyatt

Claris Hotel & Spa

A proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Claris Hotel & Spa is a former palace that now functions as a hotel, spa, and gallery. Its in-house collection of paintings and sculptures is impressive enough, but this property also hosts its own on-site museum. Each room is decorated with different artistic touches that span from portrait to mosaic to mural; with design elements so intriguing that one might find it difficult to leave the property at all. But Barcelona is famous for its captivating design, and this property is just one of many interesting architectural wonders to explore during your stay.

A night at this member-only property costs 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

barcelona - Claris-Hotel-and-Spa

Claris Hotel & Spa | Photo Courtesy from Hyatt

Cards to Help You Earn World of Hyatt Points

If you’re looking to maximize your earning potential with World of Hyatt, the best way to do that is by – you guessed it – opening up a line of credit.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card holders earn 9X Total Points per $1USD spent at Hyatt properties, 2X Bonus Points on transportation, restaurants, flights purchased directly through the airline, and fitness club memberships, and 1X Bonus Points per $1USD spent on all other purchases.

Chase Travel Portal

The above properties are wonderful options for hotels in Barcelona, but they aren’t so exciting if you haven’t stocked up on a bunch of points in exactly the right currency. If you don’t have a stash of brand-specific points lying around, there is another option.

Many credit cards offer their own rewards programs that include the opportunity to redeem points on travel. If you’ve been stockpiling credit card rewards instead of brand-specific hotel rewards, a trip to Barcelona could be a great way to redeem them.

For example, you could use your stash of Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to book your hotel. When Chase points are redeemed on travel purchases through the Ultimate Rewards Portal, they are worth 50% more than other select categories. That bonus is a great incentive to use them on a trip to Barcelona! Here are a couple of excellent properties in Barcelona that can be booked using Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Hotel Casa Fuster

Featuring an incredibly cool and castle-like facade, the Hotel Casa Fuster is a great Barcelona home base. Located in the Gracia neighborhood, gaudi favorites like Casa Mila and Casa Batllo are just steps away. With luxury touches and cathedral-like archways, this property is a wonderful place to redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for a top-tier getaway.

A night at this property ranges between just over 14,000 – 61,000 Ultimate Rewards Points, depending on which room you would like.

hotels in barcelona - Hotel Casa Fuster

Photo Courtesy from Hotel Casa Fuster

Hotel Vilamari

For a basic yet stylish accommodation that is easier on the points, check out the Hotel Vilamari. Located in Sant Antoni, this property is an easy stroll to the beautiful gardens of Parc de Montjuic. This trendy property features marble showers, sunny terraces, and cozy dining spaces — everything you need for a relaxing trip to buzzing Barcelona.

A room at this property costs just over 5,000 Ultimate Rewards Points, and a Family Room costs just over 10,500 Ultimate Rewards Points per night.

hotels barcelona - Hotel Vilamari

Photo Courtesy from Hotel Vilamari

Cards to Help You Earn Ultimate Rewards Points

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

A consistent favorite of the Chase collection is the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, offering unparalleled opportunities to earn Ultimate Rewards points and benefit from travel perks. Its hefty $550 annual fee is offset by an annual $300 travel credit, plus built-in insurance and protections for when you’re on the go.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

If a $550 annual fee just doesn’t sound like a good time, apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card instead. With a $95 annual fee and an impressive bonus offer, this card is ideal for any applicant. You’ll still enjoy some travel benefits as well as the ability to earn bonus points on dining, streaming services and online grocery orders (excluding Target and Walmart), which can be redeemed through the Travel Portal.

Final Thoughts

Sunny Barcelona is a wonderful place to visit for folks who enjoy architecture, art, design, beaches, parks, gardens, and of course, paella. Whether you have a stash of hotel-specific rewards points or you’ve been saving up with your credit card, we recommend redeeming them on an unforgettable trip to Barcelona this summer.