Best Hotels to Book in Madrid With Points

One of the things helping me get out of my midwinter slump has been looking forward to summer, and with that, the possibility of being able to travel again. Even though it isn’t possible to know exactly how things will develop in the coming months, we can still begin to make plans such that we’re ready when the time comes.

Spain is an exciting country to visit because all different kinds of travelers can find an adventure that suits them. Thru-hikers enjoy conquering the Camino de Santiago, skiers hit the slopes in the Pyrenees, beachgoers find plenty of space along ample coastline, and the foodies find Spanish food is always excellent. One logical place to begin your adventure in Spain is the bustling capital city, full of incredible museums, parks, restaurants, places to shop, and impressive architecture.

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

Marriott

Circulo Gran Via, Autograph Collection

Always a crowd favorite, the Circulo Gran Via is a centrally-located, adults-only property in the heart of Madrid. This historical building used to be the location of The Circle of Trade and Industrial Union of Madrid, but today it stands as a luxury boutique hotel that offers guests prime access to some key Madrid favorites.

The main stretch of Gran Via plays host to restaurants, theaters and shopping centers, and Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol are both within a ten-minute walk from the property. If you have a stash of Marriott points lying around, Circulo Gran Via is a great place to redeem them.

This is a Category 7 property worth between 50,000 – 70,000 points per night, depending on Marriott’s dynamic pricing model.

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

DoubleTree by Hilton Madrid-Prado

This property isn’t open for guests until after May 2021, but it’s a perfect choice for a summer holiday in Madrid. The DoubleTree Madrid-Prado is centrally located and within walking distance to the Prado Museum, El Retiro Park, and the Atacho rail lines. Several other Madrid attractions, such as the Royal Palace, are located just a couple of kilometers away. This stylish space features minimalist touches and a comfortable workspace, making it perfect for an easygoing vacation or work-away paid for by your Hilton HHonors points.

A stay at this property costs between roughly 40,000 – 80,000 points per night, depending on the room tier and demand.

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.

This card is an excellent way to jump straight to Gold Status; a $95 annual fee is a pretty small price to pay for 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 Aspire credit card by American Express is our favorite credit card in the collection, and it comes with a hefty $450 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. 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

InterContinental Madrid

Located along Paseo de la Castellana, the InterContinental Madrid opens the gateway for guests to explore Madrid’s high-end shopping districts as well as several museums such as Museu Lazaro Galdiano and The Robot Museum. Enjoy fine dining on-site or check out one of the many lovely restaurants in the area. This is a great way to redeem your IHG Rewards points for either a relaxing holiday or a beautiful home base for remote work. Make sure your booking includes a Sunday morning so that you don’t miss the Sunday brunch served in the lobby!

Rates at this property start at 40,000 IHG Points per night.

Cards to Help You Earn IHG Points

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit 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 26X 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 Credit Card from Chase could be a better move.

This no annual fee card comes 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

Urso Hotel & Spa

A proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Urso Hotel & Spa is housed in a former palace but has been revamped with all of the modern conveniences and style of today. Visitors who are interested in art and food should find themselves most welcome at this property, located near to the Golden Triangle as well as the Salesas district and its delectable dining. Back at the hotel, enjoy a relaxing spa treatment or simply unwind in your comfortable room, conveniently purchased with your stash of World of Hyatt points.

A night at this Category 6 property starts at 25,000 World of Hyatt Points.

Totem Madrid

Also a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and part of the World of Hyatt family, the Totem Madrid welcomes visitors to the Salamanca district near the center of town. Salamanca suits guests who enjoy visiting galleries, exploring museums, and discovering the latest trends wherever they are. Navigate your way down the Golden Mile, the fashion hotspot that put Salamanca on the map, and indulge in some of the most exclusive shopping around. Redeem your World of Hyatt points on a charming, minimalist room in one of Madrid’s trendiest neighborhoods.

A night at this Category 5 property starts at 20,000 points.

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 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 Madrid, 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 Madrid 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 Madrid! Here are a couple of excellent properties in Madrid that can be booked using Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Hotel Atlantico Madrid

The Hotel Atlantico is a Gran Via treasure, housed in a building that was originally commissioned for residence and designed by famous architect Don Joaquín Saldaña nearly a century ago. Its prime location on Gran Via makes it a direct portal to Madrid’s buzzing nightlife, vibrant theater scene, and opportunities for shopping and dining. Make sure to speak to reception for curated recommendations on activities and tours, and don’t miss the on-site rooftop bar and its stunning view of the Gran Via skyline. For a fresh, welcoming introduction to Madrid, redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points at Hotel Atlantico.

A stay at this property starts at roughly 5,000 Ultimate Rewards Points per night.

Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII

One of my favorite things to do while traveling through major cities is checking out the urban green spaces. Parks and gardens surrounded by city skylines are a staple for my travel vibe, and Madrid plays host to quite a few urban greens. Stretching several city blocks long is the stunning El Retiro Park, the largest park in Madrid. Directly adjacent to the park stands the Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII, which is a beautiful luxury hotel housed in — you guessed it — an old palace. The hotel’s storied facade and stunning interior complement its contemporary decor, welcoming guests for a quiet retreat or work-away. Just minutes from some of Madrid’s favorite museums and sights, this is an ideal property for a Chase Ultimate Rewards travel redemption.

A night at this property starts at roughly 6,000 Ultimate Rewards per night.

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.

Cardholders enjoy 3X points per $1USD spent on travel and dining, and 1X points on everything else. Currently, new cardholders can earn a 50,000 point sign-up bonus after spending $4,000 within the first three months of the account — that’s a bonus of $900 if redeemed through the Travel Portal!

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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

Whether you are redeeming points with a specific hotel brand or you’d rather branch out and redeem points from a travel credit card, there are plenty of opportunities to use your points for a stay in vibrant Madrid. If you haven’t stockpiled any points yet, this trip could be an ideal way to start earning! Either way, a summer holiday in beautiful Madrid presents a perfect possibility to melt away the last of our COVID blues.