7 Unique Lodging Options Along the NY to LA Route That Accept Hotel Points
7 Unique Lodging Options Along the NY to LA Route That Accept Hotel Points - The Detroit Foundation Hotel Michigan A Former Fire Station Now Marriott Autograph Collection
Detroit has seen its share of reinventions, and the Detroit Foundation Hotel is a striking example in hospitality. This Marriott Autograph Collection property occupies the former city fire department headquarters, a solid structure dating back to 1929. The 2017 restoration managed to retain much of the building's original character, resulting in something quite different from your standard hotel experience. Spread over five floors in the heart of downtown, it positions itself as a boutique option, aiming for an upscale feel. They talk about blending modern luxury with the building's past life, and for the most part, they seem to pull it off. Inside, you will find expected amenities like air conditioning and WiFi, along with the usual flatscreen TVs and minibars. There is an on-site restaurant and bar that gets decent reviews. For those wanting to explore, it's not far from cultural spots such as the Detroit Institute of Arts and Belle Isle Park. If you are looking for lodging that avoids the usual chain hotel predictability and has a bit of local history woven in, this could be worth considering while in Detroit.
This Detroit hotel, part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, occupies a building with an interesting past. Originally Detroit's fire department headquarters, constructed back in 1929, the conversion to a hotel was completed in 2017. Walking through it, one notices remnants of its former function, like a preserved fire pole – a curious design feature bridging the building's history with its current purpose. They've clearly aimed to retain the industrial feel, with exposed brick and steel beams, seemingly respecting the city's architectural character, while ensuring modern safety standards.
Its location is in the Fort Wayne area, a place itself steeped in history, though perhaps less known for leisure travel. The proximity to the Detroit Riverwalk is a definite plus, providing access to the waterfront, and the Detroit Historical Museum is conveniently nearby for those interested in digging deeper into the city's story. The rooftop bar is mentioned as a feature. These elevated spaces often provide a unique vantage point, and a panoramic city view here would be a likely draw, particularly at sunset given Detroit’s skyline.
As part of the Autograph Collection, it's presented as an independent hotel within a larger chain, aiming for a distinctive identity rooted in its location. The inclusion of local artwork, particularly from Detroit-based artists, is a deliberate attempt to connect with and showcase the local creative scene. Their restaurant emphasizes local ingredients, which might indicate a genuine effort to reflect the regional food culture or simply a standard marketing approach.
While positioned as an upscale property, it appears to participate in the Marriott Bonvoy points system. This presents an interesting paradox – the possibility of experiencing a seemingly higher-end hotel through points redemption, potentially offering value to those mindful of travel expenses.
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- 7 Unique Lodging Options Along the NY to LA Route That Accept Hotel Points - The Detroit Foundation Hotel Michigan A Former Fire Station Now Marriott Autograph Collection
- 7 Unique Lodging Options Along the NY to LA Route That Accept Hotel Points - Drury Plaza Hotel St Louis At The Arch The 1920s Art Deco Federal Reserve Bank Building
- 7 Unique Lodging Options Along the NY to LA Route That Accept Hotel Points - Las Vegas Rio All Suite Hotel IHG Converting Classic Off Strip Property
- 7 Unique Lodging Options Along the NY to LA Route That Accept Hotel Points - Route 66 Casino Hotel Albuquerque Caesars Rewards Points For Native American Gaming
- 7 Unique Lodging Options Along the NY to LA Route That Accept Hotel Points - The TWA Hotel At JFK Queens New York A 1960s Aviation Icon
- 7 Unique Lodging Options Along the NY to LA Route That Accept Hotel Points - Chicago Athletic Association Michigan Avenue Hyatt Converting 1890s Sports Club
- 7 Unique Lodging Options Along the NY to LA Route That Accept Hotel Points - The Riviera Palm Springs Californias Mid Century Desert Oasis Now Part Of Hilton
7 Unique Lodging Options Along the NY to LA Route That Accept Hotel Points - Drury Plaza Hotel St Louis At The Arch The 1920s Art Deco Federal Reserve Bank Building
Housed within the former Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the Drury Plaza Hotel presents an intriguing option for overnight stays. The 1920s Art Deco design of the seven-story structure is a clear architectural departure from typical hotel layouts. Renovations have adapted the building for hospitality use, and features such as a rooftop terrace reportedly provide views of the Gateway Arch and the Mississippi. Located downtown, it offers proximity to St. Louis attractions like Busch Stadium. The combination of a repurposed historic building with standard hotel amenities positions this Drury Plaza as a lodging with some distinctive visual character for travelers passing through.
St. Louis presents an interesting lodging prospect within the Drury Plaza Hotel, housed in what was once the city's Federal Reserve Bank. Erected in the early 1920s, the structure exemplifies the Art Deco movement prevalent at the time, a style noted for its geometric ornamentation and machine-age aesthetic. Entering the building, one can observe remnants of its past financial function subtly integrated into the hotel's design. Original marble features and the intricate detailing of the ceilings hint at its former identity, a deliberate nod to history rather than a complete erasure of it.
A key feature is the rooftop terrace. Positioned in the urban landscape, it provides a vantage point for viewing the Gateway Arch. This structure, a significant element of the city’s skyline and a national monument, becomes a visual backdrop. The location of the hotel places it in proximity to downtown St. Louis points of interest, including Citygarden, a space merging urban park design with sculptural installations, and the Old Courthouse, a site associated with legal history.
Drury Hotels, as a chain, are known for including certain complimentary services, such as breakfast and evening food offerings. For travelers considering lodging costs, these inclusions could be a factor. Online reviews suggest a general level of satisfaction among past guests, placing it consistently among the higher-ranked hotels in St. Louis. Amenities include an indoor pool with an artificial waterfall feature. Such an element appears designed to create a sense of fabricated natural environment within an urban hotel setting.
As part of the Drury Rewards program, stays here
7 Unique Lodging Options Along the NY to LA Route That Accept Hotel Points - Las Vegas Rio All Suite Hotel IHG Converting Classic Off Strip Property
The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is in the midst of a significant overhaul, with operations now under Dreamscape Companies since late 2023. This long-standing property, notable for its all-suite setup away from the Strip's central commotion, is undertaking a multi-phase renovation. Initial work has focused on refreshing around 1,500 suites within the Ipanema Tower and introducing new food and drink options. Having been around for 35 years, and reportedly showing its age, the Rio appears to be aiming for a refresh to regain its standing. Further changes are anticipated, including a planned tie-up with Hyatt, which suggests more extensive rebranding and upgrades are in store for the casino, dining, and general hotel experience. Located just off the main Strip, the Rio has always offered a slightly different Vegas experience, and these renovations could redefine what that off-strip stay might become.
will be considered within this point system. This aspect could be attractive for those focused on maximizing travel rewards. The former Federal Reserve structure, repurposed into the Drury Plaza, offers a distinct accommodation in St. Louis. Originally constructed in the 1920s, its Art Deco design provides a tangible link to a specific period of architectural aesthetics. The conversion to a hotel introduces a juxtaposition of historical preservation with contemporary hospitality needs. Features like the rooftop terrace leverage the building's height and urban setting to offer views of the Gateway Arch, a prominent landmark in the city's skyline.
The Rio All-Suite Hotel in Las Vegas presents another facet of lodging, moving away from the repurposing of historical structures and towards reinvention of a contemporary, albeit established, property. Situated just off the central Strip, the Rio has operated as an all-suite hotel for over three decades, a design emphasizing larger room dimensions rather than simply more rooms per square footage. This pre-existing architectural decision to prioritize suite configurations marks it as different from many standard hotel models that focus on maximizing the number of smaller, more conventional rooms.
Currently undergoing a transformation under IHG, this property represents a shift in operational management and branding for an existing structure. The undertaking involves significant renovations across its facilities, from guest suites to dining and public spaces. The scale is considerable, impacting thousands of suites and multiple dining venues within a large complex. Positioned off-strip, it operates within a different set of competitive dynamics compared to hotels directly on Las Vegas Boulevard. This location choice historically has allowed for a different value proposition, potentially balancing accessibility to the city’s attractions with a slightly removed environment. The ongoing renovations might suggest an effort to recalibrate this positioning, aiming to modernize its appeal while retaining the core characteristic of suite-style lodging and leveraging its off-strip location.
7 Unique Lodging Options Along the NY to LA Route That Accept Hotel Points - Route 66 Casino Hotel Albuquerque Caesars Rewards Points For Native American Gaming
Further west, Albuquerque provides a stop at the Route 66 Casino Hotel, an establishment with a distinct focus on entertainment. This Native American-owned property, located off Interstate 40, embraces the theme of the famous highway. The casino itself is a large draw, with 50,000 square feet of gaming space featuring numerous slot machines and table games.
Venturing further west along Route 66, the Albuquerque area presents a different type of lodging option: the Route 66 Casino Hotel. This establishment taps into the Caesars Rewards program, a detail that may intrigue those familiar with the mechanics of points accumulation within the gaming and hospitality sector. It’s interesting to consider how established rewards systems intersect with Native American gaming operations, potentially creating unique avenues for points accrual and redemption. Thematically, the casino leans into the Route 66 narrative, a concept that itself is a curated slice of Americana, albeit one heavily romanticized. Located a bit outside of Albuquerque proper, it offers a distinct proposition compared to downtown hotels, likely drawing a different clientele, perhaps those for whom the gaming aspect is a primary draw or those simply seeking a more isolated experience off the interstate. It’s noteworthy that this is designated as a smokefree casino, a detail that contrasts with the typical perception of such venues and might be seen as a deliberate design choice given current trends in public health considerations, though perhaps limiting to some traditional gaming patrons. The location also opens up possibilities for combining gaming activities with exploration of the surrounding natural landscape, given the proximity to the Sandia Mountains, a juxtaposition of manufactured entertainment with the more enduring appeal of geographical features.
7 Unique Lodging Options Along the NY to LA Route That Accept Hotel Points - The TWA Hotel At JFK Queens New York A 1960s Aviation Icon
For those passing through New York's JFK Airport, the TWA Hotel presents itself as a lodging option steeped in aviation nostalgia. Opened inside the restored TWA Flight Center in 2019, the property leverages the building's iconic 1960s design by Eero Saarinen as its core appeal. While the 512 rooms are fitted with period-inspired decor, the extent to which it truly transports guests back to the jet age may vary. The convenience of being directly at Terminal 5 and on airport grounds is undeniable. Features
Located right at JFK Airport in Queens, the TWA Hotel occupies the former Trans World Airlines terminal, an architectural piece from the 1960s aviation boom. This isn't just another airport hotel; it's the actual, preserved TWA Flight Center, originally built in 1962. Designed by Eero Saarinen, the building itself is a notable example of mid-century modernism, characterized by its sweeping lines and futuristic aesthetic. They've converted the old terminal into a hotel, with guest rooms and amenities now inhabiting spaces that once served as passenger areas for a major airline.
Staying here offers a peculiar kind of immersion into aviation history. The rooms are designed with a retro 1960s feel, aiming to recreate the atmosphere of that era. One gets views directly of the active runways at JFK, an unusual backdrop for hotel lodging. Beyond the rooms, there are restaurants and event spaces incorporated into the original terminal structure, and a rooftop pool allows for plane spotting. The entire concept seems geared towards capitalizing on the nostalgia associated with early jet travel, perhaps more so than just providing standard accommodation.
The claim of being the only on-airport hotel at JFK is technically correct, placing it directly within the airport grounds. For anyone with flight connections, particularly those using Terminal 5, the convenience is undeniable. The appeal seems to be in the combination of architectural preservation and a themed experience. Whether it truly captures the 'glamour' of 1960s aviation, as often advertised, is subjective and perhaps more marketing than reality. However, for those interested in the aesthetics and history of mid-20th century air travel, it’s certainly a unique option, quite unlike typical airport hotels that prioritize generic functionality.
7 Unique Lodging Options Along the NY to LA Route That Accept Hotel Points - Chicago Athletic Association Michigan Avenue Hyatt Converting 1890s Sports Club
The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, positioned along Michigan Avenue, stands as a notable example of adaptive reuse, transforming from a 19th-century athletic club into a hotel. Once a domain of exclusive membership since the 1890s, this building now operates as a publicly accessible hotel, although it retains visual cues from its past incarnation. The architecture, reportedly drawing inspiration from Venice's Doge's Palace, adds a layer of visual interest, setting it apart from more conventional hotel designs. Within its walls, you'll find a substantial number of rooms, around 240, which aim to integrate contemporary features within a framework of historical aesthetics. The offerings include multiple dining venues and a fitness area, as one might expect, but it's the rooftop space that is emphasized, promising views overlooking Millennium Park and Lake Michigan. Being part of the Hyatt chain means it participates in their points program, providing an option for those looking to use points for accommodation. Its location in downtown Chicago places it within reach of city attractions, positioning it as a potential stop on a cross-country itinerary for those prioritizing architectural novelty and point redemption.
Chicago’s Athletic Association building, now operating under the Hyatt banner, presents a curious case of architectural and functional repurposing. Originally established in the 1890s as a private men's club dedicated to athletics, this structure on Michigan Avenue stands as a testament to a bygone era of exclusive social organizations. The building
7 Unique Lodging Options Along the NY to LA Route That Accept Hotel Points - The Riviera Palm Springs Californias Mid Century Desert Oasis Now Part Of Hilton
The Riviera Palm Springs, a celebrated mid-century modern hotel originally built in 1951, has recently returned to its historic name after a stint as a Margaritaville Resort and is now part of the Hilton portfolio. This iconic property showcases the architectural charm of its era while offering modern amenities, including 398 guest rooms, two resort pools, and the expansive Sante Spa, the largest in Palm Springs. With lushly landscaped grounds and multiple dining options, the Riviera aims to provide a serene desert oasis experience just minutes from downtown Palm Springs. This transition not only highlights the hotel's rich history but also aligns with Hilton's strategy to enhance its presence in sought-after travel destinations. For those traveling along the NY to LA route, the Riviera serves as a notable lodging choice that accepts hotel points, blending classic design with contemporary comfort.
Palm Springs in California also enters the scene with the Riviera Palm Springs, now under the Hilton umbrella. This property, another claiming a mid-century modern design pedigree, has recently reverted to its original moniker after a stint as a Margaritaville resort. Apparently, recapturing its historical essence is the current direction. Built in the 1950s, it embodies the aesthetic of that era, a style that seems to cycle back into favor periodically. With close to 400 rooms, several dining options, and a spa described as sizable, it appears equipped for resort-style stays. Its location just outside Palm Springs proper suggests a balance between accessibility to the town and a degree of separation. The desert climate of Palm Springs, characterized by abundant sunshine, is likely a significant draw for visitors seeking a break from less temperate zones, especially those traveling during colder months. As part of the Hilton group's Curio Collection, it opens up possibilities for using Hilton Honors points, potentially making a stay here accessible through loyalty programs, which adds another layer to the economics of travel.