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Candlewood Suites is one of two extended-stay brands within the IHG network of hotels. The other is Staybridge Suites. Of the two, Staybridge tends to have more amenities, although Candlewood Suites are no slouch. If you are looking for a longer stay for either business or vacation, Candlewood Suites can be a great budget option for lots of travelers.
Started in Wichita, Kansas, by Jack Deboer in 1995, the company and its portfolio have grown up to 2004 when IHG acquired it. Since then, even more, properties have been added. The Candlewood suites’ footprints is limited to North America with properties in the US, Canada, and Mexico. So far, at the time of writing, there are 361 Candlewood suites properties, and IHG plans to add a further 93.
Although not a traditional full-service hotel, Candlewood Suites can be a great option if you are looking for a longer stay, especially if you want to book it on points. Stays at Candlewood Suites can work out as an outstanding deal if you are smart with your booking strategy.
IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
You can earn IHG points for everyday spending as well as a host of other perks and benefits if you hold the IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card. Currently, the card comes with a generous welcome bonus of 140,000 Bonus points plus after you spend$3,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. The card carries a reasonable $89 annual fee. Features of the IHG Premier Card Include:
- Earn up to 26 points per $1 on stays at any IHG property.
- Receive a free night certificate every account opening anniversary, redeemable at properties costing up to 40,000 points per night.
- Earn 5 points per dollar on purchases at travel, dining, and gas stations.
- Earn 3 points per dollar on all other purchases.
- Receive complimentary Platinum Elite Status with IHG as long as your card is active.
- Receive a free reward night free when you redeem points for a stay of 3 nights or more.
- Receive a $100 Global Entry, TSA Pre✔®, NEXUS application fee statement credit once every 4 years.
- Receive a 20% discount when you use your card to purchase IHG points.
- IHG Rewards bonus points can be redeemed at hotels such as InterContinental(R), Crowne Plaza(R), Kimpton(R), EVEN(R) Hotels, Indigo(R) Hotels & Holiday Inn®.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- The card comes with an $89 annual fee.
IHG Rewards Traveler Club Credit Card
While the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card is the premium offering, the IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card is the no annual fee entry-level co-branded credit card from IHG. Although it is an entry-level card, the IHG Travelers Card still carries a generous welcome bonus. Currently, you will earn an 80,000-point welcome bonus after you spend $2,000 on your card in the first 3 months of account opening. Other features of the card include:
- Earn up to 17 points per dollar spent at stays at IHG properties.
- Earn 3 points per dollar on purchases at monthly bills, restaurants, and gas stations.
- Earn 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.
- Receive your fourth reward night free when you redeem a minimum of 3 nights.
- IHG Rewards bonus points can be redeemed at hotels such as InterContinental(R), Crowne Plaza(R), Kimpton(R), EVEN(R) Hotels, Indigo(R) Hotels & Holiday Inn(R)
- No foreign transaction fees.
- The card carries a $0 annual fee.
4th night free perk
One of the best perks of holding one of the IHG co-branded credit cards is the 4th-night free perk, which gives you every fourth night of an award stay for free. Considering that Candlewood Suites tend to be an extended stay type of brand, this perk can save you a ton of points and money.
Award stays at Candlewood suites typically cost anywhere between 10,000 and 15,000 points per night. If you were to stay 8 nights at 15,000 points, that would set you back a total of 120,000 points. However, since you would receive 2 free nights as part of the booking, you would only pay 90,000 points.
If you had no IHG points and opted to purchase them for your stay, you can be on to a winner. Taking advantage of one of the regular IHG promotions selling points for 0.5 cents per points purchasing 90,000 points would set you back $450. That would work out as $56.25 per night, which is incredible value. This is especially true if you consider that could be the cost per night for a family, which makes the 4th-night free perk a potential goldmine of value.
Candlewood Suites Overview
Candlewood suites tend to follow a similar format across the range of properties. Every room in h properties is a suite. The rooms are either a one-bedroom or two-bedroom suite (max of 4 people), with a lot of properties also offering studio suites. Each property features the following:
- A room with a spacious work area including a desk and comfortable chair.
- Each room has a fully fitted kitchen with full cooking facilities, including a fridge, oven, hob, cookware, glassware, cutlery, and utensils.
- Candlewood Suites are pet friendly, so it is a great place to bring your pet.
- 24 hours gym so you can fit a workout in any time of day.
- Free laundry services.
- Candlewood suites provide weekly housekeeping service.
Aside from the above, each Candlewood Suite also has a few interesting communal features, including:
- There is an Outdoor Grill and gazebo area to relax outdoors and have a cookout when the weather is fine.
- A lending locker with a wide range of eclectic items for your to borrow and use. Items you can borrow vary from a slow cooker or a blender to board games or books; there are many items to add value to your stay.
- Candlewood Cupboards, each property has a facility to purchase smaller snacks, drinks, and other lite bite essentials.
Candlewood Suites Anaheim – Resort Area
The Candlewood Suites Anaheim – Resort Area hotel is a great option if you take a family vacation and plan to visit Disneyland. The property has all the usual amenities and features you would associate with Candlewood suites. These include a superb outdoor grilling area with Weber grills that make the perfect location to relax and have a BBQ after a day out.
The hotel is centrally located; guests can simply stroll to Disneyland or the convention center. For those wanting to dive out or indulge in some shopping, the Anaheim GardenWalk is also within walking distance, making it an ideal location for an evening out.
Candlewood Suites New York City- Times Square
The next time you visit the big apple, how about a stay in the heart of New York at the Candlewood Suites New York City Times Square. The hotel is about as central as it is possible to get, located on Times Square. Whether you are spending an overnight trip to catch a Broadway show or exploring the big apple as a family for a few days, the Candlewood Suites New York City is the perfect base. The list of activities and attractions that are a stone’s throw within walking distance is enormous, from the empire state building and Broadway to big investment banks. Whatever your purpose, it is all there.
Due to the location, this Candlewood Suites lacks some of the outdoor facilities that other hotels have- but then who is going to NY to have a BBQ. The property has the usual amenities, including a Candlewood Cupboard for snacks and sundries, a 24-hour fitness center, and free laundry facilities.
Candlewood Suites Las Vegas – E Tropicana
The next time you are planning a trip to Las Vegas, keep the Candlewood Suites Las Vegas Tropicana hotel in mind. The property provides large living spaces with spacious suites, kitchens, and even an executive desk, although who wants to work when in Vegas. The hotel is located close to the center of the action on the Las Vegas strip but is also extremely close to the airport, the Harry Reid International Airport, which was formerly McCarran International Airport.
The hotel has all the usual features associated with Candlewood Suite properties, including a lending locker, lending library, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour fitness center. Guests can also benefit from complimentary free Wi-Fi and the usual Candlewood Cupboard for snacks and sundries.
Candlewood Suites Fairbanks
For your next trip to explore the wildernesses and wonderous nature of Alaska, how about a stay at the Candlewood Suites Fairbanks. The hotel is close to a wide range of activities and attractions, including the University of Alaska – Museum of the North, Denali National Park, and Pioneer Park. Getting to the hotel is relatively easy since it is very close to the Chena River & Fairbanks International Airport (FAI). The hotel is located close to extensive tracks that are great for biking hiking.
The hotel features all the usual amenities associated with Candlewood suites properties. Guests can take advantage of the Candlewood Gym, Complimentary Wi-Fi, and free 24-hour laundry service to clean up after a long day hiking in nature. You can stay fuelled up with snacks and treats using the Candlewood Cupboard. Finally, if you need a specific item, it is always worth checking out the lending locker.
Candlewood Suites Gonzales – Baton Rouge Area
Whether you want to visit Baton Rouge or New Orleans, the Candlewood Suites Gonzales is a great option. New Orleans French Quarter is just an hour away down the I10. Located very Close to I10, the hotel is ideal whether you are there on business at some of the industrial heartlands of Baton Rouge or want to stay a little out of town when visiting New Orleans. Or even more, ideally combining some business and pleasure.
The property is well equipped, with all the usual amenities associated with candlewood suites properties. Snacks and treats are taken care of at the Candlewood Cupboard, while the upgraded gym is excellent for a post-lunch workout. As usual, the hotel has complimentary laundry facilities. The property also features an outdoor gazebo with a BBQ area, so guests can while the evenings away with some outdoor cooking and dining
Candlewood Suites Houston Medical Center
The Candlewood Suites Houston Medical Center is perfect for any trip to Houston. Whether you are visiting the Medical Center or just plan on visiting all the different attractions in Space City. The property is ideally located with lots of attractions, just a short trip away. Whether it’s Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor Clinic, or Stella Link Shopping Center, everything is within easy reach. Also, the museum district is a few miles away, making the hotel ideal for family educational trips.
The Candlewood Suites Houston Medical Center features all the usual amenities, including a Candlewood Cupboard, a 24-hour gym, and complimentary laundry facilities. If you want to relax and enjoy the outdoors in the evening. The hotel also has a Gazebo area with BBQ for some alfresco outdoor dining.
Final Thoughts
Although not one of the more Famous IHG brands like holiday Inn or Crowne Plaza, and being an extended stay hotel, Candlewood Suites are often overlooked. This should not be so; the properties offer great amenities, especially for families. If you are a more independent-minded traveler, then staying at Candlewood suites is a great option. The properties have excellent facilities, are located in ideal locations, and best of all, are very reasonably priced, typically costing up to 15,000 points per night. These features combine to make Candlewood Suites outstanding value, especially if you hold one of the IHG co-branded credit cards and want to book on points since it effectively gives you a 25% discount on your bookings using the 4th-night free perk. So, the next time you are planning a business or family trip, make sure to see if you can take advantage of these excellent properties.
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