Where to Go in 2026: Hotel Picks for The 17 Best Destinations

Stop wasting points and second-guessing hotel choices — where to go in 2026 (and exactly how to book)

If you’re juggling loyalty balances, unclear cancellation rules and conflicting hotel reviews, you’re not alone. In 2026 the biggest friction travellers face is knowing which hotel type to pick for the right occasion — and how to pay less using points and miles. Below you’ll find a concise playbook that pairs The Points Guy’s top 17 destinations for 2026 with the best hotel types (boutique, family, budget, luxury) and proven points-and-miles booking strategies you can use right now.

Quick summary: Four rules to book smarter in 2026

1. Match hotel type to trip purpose — boutique for local character, family hotels where kids’ facilities matter, budget for short stays, luxury when reward value is highest.
2. Use program strengths — transfer-friendly bank points for boutique and luxury, chain points for family perks and free breakfasts, airline miles for long-haul premium cabins.
3. Time your redemptions — take advantage of shoulder-season award windows and any late-2025 adjustments to dynamic award pricing that created new off-peak opportunities.
4. Always confirm total cost — taxes, resort fees and surcharges can make a seemingly cheap award expensive. Compare cash + points versus paid rates and use flexible cancellation.

“Your points are only as valuable as the trip you actually take.” — Practical booking mindset for 2026

2026 trends that change the way we use points

• Dynamic award pricing is the baseline: Many chains widened flexible pricing in late 2025 — so expect variability but also opportunities in shoulder months and weekday stays.
• Points pooling and household accounts: More programs now let you combine balances — ideal for families pooling for a luxury week.
• Sustainability and experience add-ons: Expect hotel partner portals to offer points-redemptions for carbon offsets, local experiences and longer-stay credits.
• Bleisure and flexible work rooms: Hotels are packaging longer-stay discounts and work-friendly perks that can be unlocked via loyalty status or points packages.

How this guide is structured

For each destination below you’ll find:

• a short reason to go in 2026;
• recommended hotel types (boutique, family, budget, luxury);
• practical points-and-miles booking strategies (what to use and when).

The 17 destinations (paired with hotel types + booking plays)

1. Lisbon, Portugal

Why go: Lisbon’s neighbourhood renaissance continues in 2026 with new boutique conversions and rebuilt riverfront hotels.

• Boutique: Small Pousadas and design-led hotels in Chiado. Book with Amex Membership Rewards transfers to boutique-friendly chains or straight cash via Amex FHR for breakfast and late check-out.
• Family: Choose riverside chain properties with interconnecting rooms. Use Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors redemptions and leverage free kids’ breakfasts and rollaway policies.
• Budget: Book independent guesthouses via chain partner marketplaces or use points-based portals (Chase/Capital One) for predictable pricing.
• Luxury: Reserve with World of Hyatt or Marriott luxury brands; consider points + cash during shoulder months to stretch value.

Booking tip: Lisbon’s weekend demand spikes; target midweek nights and use transferable bank points to jump on flexible award inventory.

2. Tokyo, Japan

Why go: Tokyo’s 2026 calendar remains dense with festivals and reopened cultural venues — perfect for immersive stays.

• Boutique: Stay in Shibuya/Shinjuku ryokan-style boutique hotels. Use Amex or Chase transfers to local Hyatt/Marriott luxury properties for comp upgrades.
• Family: Book larger suites in international chains near Ueno; use IHG One Rewards or Hilton Honors for predictable family-friendly rooms.
• Budget: Capsule hotels and business hotels remain excellent value — paid cash booking is often cheaper than points here.
• Luxury: Use JPY-pegged award windows to score suites with Hyatt/Marriott during off-peak; transfer bank points to get premium rooms.

Booking tip: For Tokyo, combine airline award availability with hotel redemptions: fly on Avios or ANA miles and use hotel points for shorter stays.

3. Mexico City, Mexico

Why go: A booming culinary scene and restored colonial boutique hotels make CDMX a 2026 must.

• Boutique: Centro Histórico boutique hotels — book via Amex FHR or use transferable points to boutique-friendly chains.
• Family: Choose modern Hyatt/Marriott properties in Polanco with free breakfasts and kid amenities.
• Budget: Design hostels and smaller chains are cheap; pay cash and save points for splurge nights.
• Luxury: Book luxury suites with Hyatt or Marriott; consider using points for premium weekend nights when value is highest.

Booking tip: Use local culinary guides and points pooling with family members for a single larger redemption — great for longer stays in luxury condos and suites.

4. Reykjavik, Iceland

Why go: Iceland remains a top experiential pick — geothermal spas, glacier access and strong winter light viewing in 2026.

• Boutique: Small guesthouses near the old harbour. Many are independent — use transferable bank points for partner hotel bookings or FHR for perks.
• Family: Choose self-catering apartments or family rooms; book refundable paid rates and apply loyalty benefits for longer stays.
• Budget: Guesthouses and hostels are an economical base for day trips; cash bookings often beat point redemptions.
• Luxury: Reserve high-end hotels outside Reykjavik that include excursions — use Hilton or Marriott luxury brands with points if available.

Booking tip: In Iceland, excursions add huge value — use hotel concierge bookings (often included in luxury packages) or redeem points for experience credits.

5. London, United Kingdom

Why go: London’s mix of established luxury and new boutique openings makes it a flexible play for points redemptions in 2026.

• Boutique: Soho and Shoreditch boutiques — book cash through card portals or use Amex FHR for guaranteed benefits.
• Family: Family suites in chain hotels near South Bank and Westminster. Use Marriott/Hilton for free breakfast and rollaway perks.
• Budget: Business hotels near tube stations are cheap; use loyalty discounts or book through airline portals for package savings.
• Luxury: Peak value often appears when redeeming points at 5-star brands midweek; use transferable points to secure suites or points+cash offers.

Booking tip: London taxes and surcharges vary by borough — always confirm the final payable in cash vs taxes on awards before first night.

6. New Orleans, USA

Why go: Live music, food and culture — and a resurging boutique hotel scene in the Marigny and Warehouse Districts.

• Boutique: Historic French Quarter properties — book with Amex/Chase portals or FHR for complimentary extras.
• Family: Choose riverfront hotels with suites and parking; use chain points (Marriott/Hilton) for family upgrades and free breakfasts.
• Budget: Off-season deals and weekday stays are the best time to use cash bookings; save points for a single luxury weekend.
• Luxury: Use loyalty points for weekend packages that include dining credits — especially valuable with limited-time promotions in 2026.

Booking tip: New Orleans events sell hotels fast — redeem points early or take advantage of last-minute paid rates if award availability is scarce. See guidance on volunteer-run events and local planning when scheduling around festivals.

7. Amalfi Coast (Positano), Italy

Why go: The Amalfi Coast is back on the radar as small luxury hotels reopen and soft-launch boutique villas appear.

• Boutique: Cliffside guesthouses and villas — often independent; use transferable bank points via FHR-style bookings or card portals for benefits.
• Family: Book multi-bedroom villa rentals — cash is often necessary; use points for flights or to offset luxury hotel nights.
• Budget: Positano is expensive — look at nearby Sorrento for cheaper chain options and redeem chain points.
• Luxury: Use Marriott, Hyatt or small luxury brand redemptions where available; prioritize award nights in shoulder season for maximum value.

Booking tip: Combine cash for local villas with award flights and airport transfers booked with miles to keep overall trip cost manageable.

8. Cape Town, South Africa

Why go: Cape Town’s outdoor experiences and boutique wine region stays continue to attract 2026 travellers.

• Boutique: Vineyard guesthouses and historic properties — use Amex to book experiences or transfer points to partner hotels.
• Family: Self-catering suites near beaches; use chain points to secure larger rooms and child-friendly amenities.
• Budget: Guesthouses and small B&Bs are excellent value — often paid cash bookings are cheaper than points.
• Luxury: Beachfront luxury hotels offer high points value; use Marriott/Hyatt redemptions in off-peak shoulder months.

Booking tip: For long-haul trips like Cape Town, use premium cabin redemptions with transferable points to maximize comfort; save hotel points for scenic luxury properties.

9. Vancouver, Canada

Why go: In 2026 Vancouver continues to be a top choice for outdoor-access boutique hotels and family-friendly downtown chains.

• Boutique: Gastown and Yaletown properties — book via hotel loyalty or transferable points for weekend packages.
• Family: Chain hotels with suites near Stanley Park — redeem Marriott/Hilton for predictable room types.
• Budget: Book business hotels during off-peak; using hotel points can be less efficient here so consider cash.
• Luxury: Waterfront luxury hotels can offer excellent suite redemptions midweek; transfer bank points to hotel programs for peak nights.

Booking tip: Vancouver’s event calendar affects prices; scan hotel points calendars for weekdays or use flexible bank point transfers when award space appears. Tools for realtime offers and alerts are evolving—see work on coupon personalisation and alerts for ideas on when to act.

10. Kyoto, Japan

Why go: Kyoto’s restored machiya inns and cultural immersion stays remain an essential 2026 pick.

• Boutique: Traditional machiya ryokans — usually independent; consider FHR or cash to support small owners and get breakfast included.
• Family: Larger suites at central hotels. Use chain points where available to guarantee connecting rooms.
• Budget: Business hotels and guesthouses are efficient; cash bookings often win for short city stays.
• Luxury: High-end ryokans can deliver better value for cash than points — use points for the international leg instead.

Booking tip: For cultural boutique stays, prioritize refundable cash rates and use points for flights or future stays where program redemptions are more valuable.

11. Cartagena, Colombia

Why go: Cartagena’s old city boutique hotels and vibrant culinary scene make it a 2026 hotspot.

• Boutique: Historic walled-city hotels — book via Amex FHR or local luxury partners for breakfast and transfer benefits.
• Family: Pool-equipped hotels in Bocagrande for kid-friendly stays; use chain points to lock in amenities.
• Budget: Guesthouses inside the walls are affordable — pay cash to support small operations.
• Luxury: Boutique luxury hotels often limit award inventory; book early or use transferable points via partner channels.

Booking tip: Boutique hotels in Cartagena rarely show on big-brand award calendars — reserve paid rooms with flexible cancellation and ply points elsewhere.

12. Barcelona, Spain

Why go: Barcelona continues to balance classic culture with a wave of new boutique openings and sustainability-focused stays in 2026.

• Boutique: Eixample and Gothic quarter design hotels — use Amex/Chase portals for perks and flexible payment.
• Family: Chain hotels near the beach with family rooms — redeem Hilton or Marriott for kid-friendly service.
• Budget: Catalan guesthouses and business hotels give high value for cash stays.
• Luxury: Book luxury urban hotels with points during low-season months when award cost falls.

Booking tip: Use points strategically—save them for nights at high-demand, high-price properties and pay cash for budget-friendly neighborhoods.

13. Athens, Greece

Why go: Athens is benefiting from a boutique hotel boom in historic buildings and improved transit to nearby islands.

• Boutique: Plaka and Monastiraki converted neoclassical hotels — book via FHR or direct with concierge credits for experiences.
• Family: Hotels near Syntagma and Acropolis with larger suites; use chain points (Marriott/Hilton) for consistent family amenities.
• Budget: Athens hostels are cheap — spend points where they earn the biggest discounts.
• Luxury: Boutique luxury hotels with views of the Acropolis can represent strong points value during shoulder months.

Booking tip: Combine a points-paid city stay with cash island-side accommodations to maximize the value of each program.

14. Sydney, Australia

Why go: Sydney’s harbourfront hotels remain desirable — 2026 brings renewed flight connectivity making points redemptions more valuable.

• Boutique: Surry Hills and The Rocks host unique design hotels; book via FHR or use transferable points to secure upgrades.
• Family: Waterfront chain hotels with suites and breakfast policies — redeem Hilton/Marriott for family-friendly benefits.
• Budget: Business hotels and serviced apartments work for longer stays; compare cash vs points carefully.
• Luxury: Use bank-point transfers to Hyatt/Marriott for premium harbourfront suites in shoulder-season redemptions.

Booking tip: With long flights, prioritize spending points on premium cabins and use hotel points for a single special night in Sydney.

15. Edinburgh, Scotland

Why go: Edinburgh’s boutique hotels and castle-view luxury stays make it a 2026 favourite — ideal for short cultural breaks.

• Boutique: Old-town inns and converted townhouses — book early and use FHR for a better cancellation window.
• Family: Hotels with connecting rooms and breakfast included — redeem points with chains in central locations.
• Budget: University-area hostels and business hotels provide inexpensive options.
• Luxury: Castle-adjacent properties often have limited award inventory — use points or pay cash in shoulder season.

Booking tip: Edinburgh festival seasons drive rates — avoid those dates for award redemptions or book months ahead.

16. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Why go: Buenos Aires’ boutique palaces and vibrant culture continue to offer strong value in 2026.

• Boutique: Palermo and Recoleta boutique hotels — independent properties often provide better local experiences; consider cash or FHR bookings.
• Family: Chain hotels with family rooms and included breakfasts — use chain points for comfort and predictability.
• Budget: Guesthouses provide excellent value — save points for luxury splurges.
• Luxury: Redeem points for high-end hotels during low-season windows for great value.

Booking tip: Currency fluctuations can make paid stays attractive — always compare final cash price vs points cost in the program’s valuation.

17. Hoi An, Vietnam

Why go: Hoi An’s boutique riverside hotels and restored heritage houses make it a top experiential destination for 2026.

• Boutique: Riverside boutique hotels and restored homes — often independent, so book via FHR-style programs or pay cash.
• Family: Resorts nearby with kids’ programs — use points for poolside suites in shoulder months.
• Budget: Guesthouses and homestays are very affordable — preserve points for more expensive legs of the trip.
• Luxury: Reserve beachfront resorts with chain redemptions during off-peak periods for the best value.

Booking tip: Southeast Asian boutique hotels sometimes accept point transfers from local partner programs — check partnerships before transferring bank points.

Advanced points-and-miles strategies that work across all destinations

• Split stays: Combine a points-paid luxury night with budget or boutique cash nights to maximise value and experiences; for guidance on mixing direct and OTA bookings, read more about Direct Booking vs OTAs.
• Use transfer partners: Transferable currencies (Amex MR, Chase UR, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou) let you chase the best redemption across programs—see tactics in the Conversion-First playbook for how to spot availability and portals.
• Leverage status and suite upgrades: Use elite benefits to get breakfasts, upgrades and late checkouts that increase the real value of an award night—boutique hosts are experimenting with hybrid open-house booking flows that can help here (Showcase to Stay).
• Monitor dynamic pricing: Set alerts and watch for drops in award cost during shoulder-season or mid-week changes. Broader market context from the Economic Outlook 2026 can help you spot windows.
• Protect yourself: Prioritise refundable awards or free-cancellation paid rates during uncertain travel windows.

Actionable checklist before you book

1. Check cash vs points total (include taxes, resort fees and local surcharges).
2. Confirm cancellation and change rules for awards and paid rates.
3. See if hotel offers transferable credits or third-party experience redemptions you can use with points.
4. Consider splitting nights between cash and points to maximise perks (e.g., one points night at a luxury hotel for late checkout, rest on cash cheaper nights).
5. Use small transfers (often 1–2k points) first to test availability changes before committing large transfers.

Final takeaways for 2026

In 2026, the smartest travellers are flexible with dates, clear about trip purpose and strategic about where they spend points versus cash. Boutique stays deliver local flavour — often best paid or booked through premium card portals — while family travel tends to be most efficient using chain loyalty. Save transferable points for luxury nights where award value is high, and use chain points for consistency and family benefits.

Ready to convert points into the trip you keep talking about? Start by picking your destination from the list above, choose the hotel type that matches your trip purpose, then follow the booking checklist. If you want help planning a points-maximised itinerary for one of these 17 destinations, subscribe to our weekly deal alerts and get a tailored recommendation with the best current award windows and promos.

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