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5 Fantastic Starwood Hotels in Central & South America

  • Million Mile Secrets

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    UPDATE:   The Starwood American Express credit card offers in this post are no longer available, but check Hot Deals for the latest offers!

    Starwood has interesting hotels all over the world, including Central and South America.  And you can book award stays with Starwood points!

    The sign-up bonus on the Starwood Preferred Guest Card from American Express card (personal and small business) has increased to 30,000 Starwood points after meeting minimum spending requirements.

    One of the Hotels on the List Is Near Mysterious Machu Picchu!

    I’ll show you 5 top hotels for award stays with Starwood points!

    Top 5 Starwood Hotels Series Index

    About the AMEX Starwood Card

    Link:   Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

    Link:   Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express

    Link:   My Review of the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

    Starwood hotels include Aloft, Element, Four Points, Le Meridien, Sheraton, St Regis, The Luxury Collection, Westin and W brand hotels.

    The sign-up bonus on the AMEX Starwood card (personal and small business) is usually 25,000 Starwood points after after meeting minimum spending requirements.

    But for a limited time, you can earn 30,000 Starwood points.  That’s a big deal because with 5,000 extra Starwood points you can get:

    30,000 Starwood points is more than enough to get started with award stays at Starwood hotels!  Or treat yourself to a luxury night at a top-tier hotel!

    Here’s how to redeem Starwood points for award stays.

    5 Starwood Hotels in Central and South America That Make Great Award Stays

    Note:  The prices in these examples are based on travel in October 2015.

    I like using Hotel Hustle to find hotels because it shows you how many points you’ll need for your specific travel dates, and show you if award nights are available!

    Another option is AwardMapper.  It shows similar information, but it’s not specific to travel dates and won’t search for available award rooms.

    I haven’t personally stayed at these hotels, but they have great reviews and I’ve added them to my wish list!

    1.    The Westin Playa Bonita Panama

    The Westin Playa Bonita Panama is located ~20 minutes outside of Panama City, on Playa Bonita beach.
    The Westin Playa Bonita Panama Has 3 Pools, Beach Access, 6 Restaurants, and a Kids Club!

    A Category 4 hotel, a night here costs ~$144 or 10,000 Starwood points.

    There’s plenty to do here!  Choose from 3 pools (or the beach), 6 restaurants, and lots of places to soak up the sun.

    The hotel also has a kids club and a spa, so you can stay busy or relax while you’re here.

    2.    Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco

    A Category 4 hotel, Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco is a great base for exploring Peru.

    The Charm of the Palacio del Inka Begins the Moment You Walk In!

    You’ll be directly across from the Koricancha (important Inca ruins), and less than a mile from an array of museums, markets, and restaurants.

    Machu Picchu is ~45 miles away, and accessible by train from Cusco.  

    This Hotel Costs ~$275 a Night, or 10,000 Starwood Points

    A 3-night stay here costs ~$825, or 30,000 Starwood points. 

    Peru has a rich culture and history, so there is plenty to do (and eat!).  Guests love this hotel!

    3.    Sheraton Iguazu Resort & Spa, Argentina

    The Sheraton Iguazu Resort & Spa is special because it’s located inside of a national park in Argentina!

    Emily and I stayed at this hotel, and it’s 1 of our most memorable hotel experiences!

    The Sheraton Iguazu Resort & Spa Is Located Right Next to Iguazu Falls!

    You can see Iguazu Falls from the lobby, swimming pool, and even some rooms.

    Because of its jungle location, you might see monkeys, toucans, and other wildlife right outside your window!  Hiking, boat rides, and waterfall viewings are a 10-minute walk away.

    Rooms Start at ~$264 a Night, or 16,000 Starwood Points

    A Category 5 hotel, the nightly rate in October is ~$264, or 16,000 Starwood points.  You’ll have a private balcony, and a buffet breakfast is included in the room rate.

    Iguazu Falls is a ~1 hour flight from Buenos Aires, and is on the Argentina-Brazil border.  This hotel is prime for adventure!

    4.    W Santiago

    Located in Chile’s capital, the W Santiago is in El Golf, a neighborhood known for its shopping and nightlife.

    Walk to Shopping and Cafes, and Enjoy Views of the Andes Mountains from the W Santiago

    While you’re out and about in Santiago, check out the art museums and the fish market, or dine on steaks with wine from nearby vineyards.

    A Wonderful Room Costs ~$275 or 16,000 Starwood Points

    The nightly rate at this Category 5 hotel is ~$275 or 16,000 Starwood points.

    You can also take a bus to Valparaiso, a town near the ocean, for a day trip to the beach!

    5.   Park Tower, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Buenos Aires

    I’ve been wanting to go to Buenos Aires for a long time.  I probably won’t tango, but I’d definitely love to try their world-renowned steak!

    And if (no, when!) I go, I’ll consider using Cash & Points to stay at the Park Tower, a Luxury Collection Hotel.  It’s a Starwood Category 5 hotel, which means it costs 16,000 Starwood points per night if you only use points.

    Park Tower Is Located in the Heart of Vibrant Buenos Aires, With Unlimited Shops, Cafes, and Culture All Around

    There are 2 swimming pools, a gym, and a restaurant within the hotel.

    A Night at Park Tower Is ~$269 or 16,000 Starwood Points

    The nightly rate in October is ~$269 or 16,000 Starwood points.

    With nearly all 4 or 5-star reviews, guests love the location and service here!

    Bottom Line

    There are several unique Starwood hotels in Central and South America where you can get award nights with Starwood points.

    Stay at hotels like Park Tower in Buenos Aires, the W Santiago, or the Sheraton Iguazu Resort & Spa (which is 1 of my most memorable hotel stays!).

    Through September 14, 2015, you can earn 30,000 Starwood points when you open an AMEX Starwood card (personal and small business).  That’s valuable because Starwood points can be used for memorable award stays, and they’re hard to earn.

    In past years, this bonus has only been offered for a few weeks each summer, so it’s unlikely to get any higher than this!

    Which Starwood hotels would you add to my list?

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    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)