While we’re writing more about travel this week, we’re not necessarily suggesting people do travel (though if you do, please be considerate and smart). But we also recognize that many folks need a break, whether that’s because they have been homeschooling for months, or living in a small apartment, or otherwise need a reset.
We’ve been receiving numerous questions and requests for help with domestic travel in the US, which makes sense — many people want to stay close, and international travel will likely be fairly complicated for awhile. Many people have asked about road trips and National Parks specifically, so our colleague Jimmy helped me put together a list of hotels that might fit the bill.
We decided to start with Hilton, both because they have a broad domestic footprint in the U.S., and because all the card perks make it so easy to rack up Hilton points right now.
While these aren’t always the most traditionally aspirational properties, for many folks luxury looks a bit different this year anyway. We have marked the properties that count as “resorts” for the purposes of the Aspire credit, though using that at a local restaurant is still our recommendation.
We’ve included the price ranges in Hilton Honors points, but for many of these hotels you’ll really want to look at the paid rates. Properties in ski destinations, for example, are often great jumping off points for summer and fall hiking, and rates are just a fraction of what they’d be in-season.
And of course, before making any plans, and again before embarking on your trip, you’ll want to check the local and state health guidelines, and be familiar with any tourism restrictions.
It’s also worth noting that if you live in a region of the country that is taking pandemic precautions seriously, you may want to stay in that region — and vice versa. Absent a coordinated federal response, the approaches vary wildly by state and sometimes county, which absolutely makes travel more complicated.
In this post:
National Parks
Outdoor-focused trips like visiting State and National Parks will likely be popular this summer (as long as people are recreating responsibly). Be sure to check out this OMAAT reader’s guide on how to save money on visiting US National Parks, and check the individual park pages for tips on planning your itinerary, as not all facilities are open.
Acadia National Park
Hampton Inn Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor, Maine
Hilton Honors points per night: 67k – 80k
Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park
I’m biased, but this is my favorite group of national parks, and Moab makes a great home base.
Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton
Moab, Utah
Hilton Honors points per night: 61k – 70k
Homewood Suites Moab
Moab, Utah
Hilton Honors points per night: 44k – 53k
Hampton Inn Moab
Moab, Utah
Hilton Honors points per night: 39k – 44k
Grand Canyon National Park
Embassy Suites Hilton Flagstaff
Flagstaff, Arizona
Hilton Honors points per night: 48k – 50k
DoubleTree Flagstaff
Flagstaff, Arizona
Hilton Honors points per night: 40k
Hilton Garden Inn Flagstaff
Flagstaff, Arizona
Hilton Honors points per night: 27k – 45k
Hampton Inn & Suites Flagstaff
Flagstaff, Arizona
Hilton Honors points per night: 26k – 40k
Grand Teton National Park
Homewood Suites by Hilton Jackson Hole
Jackson, Wyoming
Hilton Honors points per night: 70k
Hampton Inn Jackson Hole
Jackson, Wyoming
Hilton Honors points per night: 70k
Glacier National Park
Hampton Inn Suites Whitefish
Whitefish, Montana
Hilton Honors points per night: 60k
Hilton Garden Inn Kalispell
Kalispell, Montana
Hilton Honors points per night: 50k
Hampton Inn Kalispell
Kalispell, Montana
Hilton Honors points per night: 50k
Homewood Suites Kalispell
Kalispell, Montana
Hilton Honors points per night: 49k – 60k
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Hampton Inn Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hilton Honors points per night: 43k
The Park Vista, A DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hilton Honors points per night: 42k – 47k
Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hilton Honors points per night: 30k – 50k
Hampton Inn Gatlinburg Historic Nature Trail
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hilton Honors points per night: 30k – 43k
Hot Springs National Park
Embassy Suites by Hilton Hot Springs Hotel & Spa
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hilton Honors points per night: 37k – 41k
Shenandoah National Park
The Virginian Lynchburg, Curio Collection by Hilton
Lynchburg, Virginia
Hilton Honors points per night: 35k – 60k
Hampton Inn Front Royal
Front Royal, Virginia
Hilton Honors points per night: 28k
Zion National Park
Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection by Hilton
Springdale, Utah
Hilton Honors points per night: 80k
Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale/Zion National Park
Springdale, Utah
Hilton Honors points per night: 30k – 41k
Beach Destinations
Alabama
The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Hilton Honors points per night: 60k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Island House Hotel Orange Beach, A DoubleTree by Hilton
Orange Beach, Alabama
Hilton Honors points per night: 59k – 70k
Hampton Inn & Suites Orange Beach/Gulf Front
Orange Beach, Alabama
Hilton Honors points per night: 52k – 60k
California
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Santa Barbara, California
Hilton Honors points per night: 80k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Resort
Oxnard, California
Hilton Honors points per night: 48k – 70k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel
Huntington Beach, California
Hilton Honors points per night: 67k – 80k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, A Hilton Resort and Spa
Carlsbad, California
Hilton Honors points per night: 53k – 70k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton
Coronado, California
Hilton Honors points per night: 95k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Florida
Hilton Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach, Florida
Hilton Honors points per night: 63k – 80k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Embassy Suites by Hilton Destin Miramar Beach
Destin, Florida
Hilton Honors points per night: 60k
Home2 Suites by Hilton Destin
Destin, Florida
Hilton Honors points per night: 42k – 60k
Hampton Inn & Suites Destin
Destin, Florida
Hilton Honors points per night: 42k – 60k
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
Miramar Beach, Florida
Hilton Honors points per night: 70k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Hampton Inn & Suites Panama City Beach-Beachfront
Panama City Beach, Florida
Hilton Honors points per night: 60k
Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort
Clearwater, Florida
Hilton Honors points per night: 54k – 60k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Hampton Inn & Suites Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach, Florida
Hilton Honors points per night: 45k – 60k
Casa Marina Key West, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Key West, Florida
Hilton Honors points per night: 73k – 87k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
The Reach Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton
Key West, Florida
Hilton Honors points per night: 67k – 80k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Hilton Bentley Miami/South Beach
Miami Beach, Florida
Hilton Honors points per night: 69k – 81k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, Curio Collection by Hilton
Hollywood, Florida
Hilton Honors points per night: 70k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hilton Honors points per night: 66k – 83k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront
Melbourne, Florida
Hilton Honors points per night: 46k – 50k
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Melbourne Beach Oceanfront
Melbourne, Florida
Hilton Honors points per night: 45k – 50k
Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort
St. Augustine, Florida
Hilton Honors points per night: 60k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Maryland
Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites
Ocean City, Maryland
Hilton Honors points per night: 90k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
DoubleTree by Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront
Ocean City, Maryland
Hilton Honors points per night: 70k
South Carolina
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Hilton Honors points per night: 60k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Embassy Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Hilton Honors points per night: 60k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Hilton Honors points per night: 50k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Texas
Hilton Galveston Island Resort
Galveston, Texas
Hilton Honors points per night: 46k – 60k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Homewood Suites by Hilton Galveston
Galveston, Texas
Hilton Honors points per night: 36k – 50k
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Galveston Beach
Galveston, Texas
Hilton Honors points per night: 31k – 60k
Virginia
Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Hilton Honors points per night: 70k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
DoubleTree by Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront South
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Hilton Honors points per night: 70k
Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Hilton Honors points per night: 70k
Hampton Inn Virginia Beach-Oceanfront North
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Hilton Honors points per night: 70k
Hampton Inn Virginia Beach-Oceanfront South
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Hilton Honors points per night: 70k
City Locations
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills, California
Hilton Honors points per night: 95k
Waldorf Astoria Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Hilton Honors points per night: 95k
Conrad New York Midtown
New York, New York
Hilton Honors points per night: 95k
Waldorf Astoria Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Hilton Honors points per night: 80k
Conrad Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Hilton Honors points per night: 57k
Conrad Washington, DC.
Washington, DC.
Hilton Honors points per night: 55k – 65k
Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hilton Honors points per night: 55k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
New Orleans, Louisiana
Hilton Honors points per night: 49k
Conrad Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Hilton Honors points per night: 47k
Other Destinations
Family/Golf/Hiking Trips
El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort
Tucson, Arizona
Hilton Honors points per night: 44k – 50k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale, Curio Collection by Hilton
Carefree, Arizona
Hilton Honors points per night: 47k – 57k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock
Sedona, Arizona
Hilton Honors points per night: 65k – 68k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
Waldorf Astoria Park City
Park City, Utah
Hilton Honors points per night: 81k – 89k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Durango
Durango, Colorado
Hilton Honors points per night: 46k – 52k
Homewood Suites by Hilton Durango
Durango, Colorado
Hilton Honors points per night: 41k – 47k
Hotel Don Fernando de Taos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Taos, New Mexico
Hilton Honors points per night: 26k – 39k
Niagara Falls
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Niagara Falls New York
Niagara Falls, New York
Hilton Honors points per night: 50k
Hampton Inn Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, New York
Hilton Honors points per night: 33k – 50k
Wine Country
Embassy Suites by Hilton Napa Valley
Napa, California
Hilton Honors points per night: 56k – 70k
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sonoma Wine Country
Rohnert Park, California
Hilton Honors points per night: 50k
Designated resort for Hilton Aspire resort credit
If this is helpful, we can do something similar for other chains as well (though as Steph and I discussed on the Happy Hour last Thursday, for many of these destinations you’re likely better off renting a house or camping). And if you have tips on either these Hilton properties, or others that might make good road-trip stops for fellow readers, please share in the comments!
I am at the Diplomat now. It reopened June 2021. It's beautiful, but yes food prices are outrageous even for a resort. Don't know if I will return, but it is a lovely stay.
Great and useful article - thank you!
We also need same for other regions, such APAC, Europe, Middle East, etc. as a handy reference for upcoming travel.
I know that everybody seems to love the Aspire card, but I was content with my no AF Honors card. I'm primarily a Marriott person, so never really felt like I'd do much business with Hilton. Undeniably, Aspire carries so much potential. I kept looking at it and looking at it, and eventually decided to take the plunge when offered an upgrade to my Honors card. As a new Aspire cardholder, I appreciate having such...
I know that everybody seems to love the Aspire card, but I was content with my no AF Honors card. I'm primarily a Marriott person, so never really felt like I'd do much business with Hilton. Undeniably, Aspire carries so much potential. I kept looking at it and looking at it, and eventually decided to take the plunge when offered an upgrade to my Honors card. As a new Aspire cardholder, I appreciate having such a valuable resource. Thank you for sharing your research!
Lots of great and good hotels on this list. Beware the Diplomat. Not only is the price for everything in the hotel ridiculous (and I say this as someone who lives in one of the most expensive places in the country) but when my conference was cancelled AND they closed the hotel entirely they tried to charge me a two night cancellation fee of over $800. I had to do a chargeback to get my...
Lots of great and good hotels on this list. Beware the Diplomat. Not only is the price for everything in the hotel ridiculous (and I say this as someone who lives in one of the most expensive places in the country) but when my conference was cancelled AND they closed the hotel entirely they tried to charge me a two night cancellation fee of over $800. I had to do a chargeback to get my money back. Lets recap. My conference is cancelled. The hotel closed entirely due to COVID and they cancelled my reservation. And they charged me a cancellation fee. Sorry, can't recommend them.
This list just makes me realize how worthless Hilton points are.
How can they be worthless when I'm staying right now at no cost?
Great list! At 60k a night, please add Bakers Cay Resort in Key Largo. They have a small beach and lots of activities included in rate like bicyles, fishing poles and kayaks.
I feel like one is missing: Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort
Hilton Anatole Dallas. A Hotel-museum-waterpark, amazing property with a huge art collection you can admire while taking a long walk. The water park (lazy river, adults pool, activity center) is a solid option for the summer. All this a few blocks from downtown Dallas
Nice writeup, I’m looking to do a tour of arizona and may look into these.
Great list, very timely for our planning, thank you. I'd love to see a Hyatt list, particularly since they have an exceptional promotion running on dollar spend.
@Tiffany it should be Capitol Reef National Park, not Coral Reef :)
@echino: "You have a picture titled “Mooney Falls, Grand Canyon”. It’s not in the Grand Canyon. It’s in the Havasupai Reservation and it’s practically impossible to get a permit from the tribe to visit."
The location of Mooney Falls within the Havasupai Reservation does not negate the fact that the falls themselves are within the geography of the Grand Canyon - the canyon is far larger than the national park of the same name.
Your...
@echino: "You have a picture titled “Mooney Falls, Grand Canyon”. It’s not in the Grand Canyon. It’s in the Havasupai Reservation and it’s practically impossible to get a permit from the tribe to visit."
The location of Mooney Falls within the Havasupai Reservation does not negate the fact that the falls themselves are within the geography of the Grand Canyon - the canyon is far larger than the national park of the same name.
Your correction here to the caption was not necessary, because the caption is not inaccurate.
After Ben’s Deliverance-like escapade in Arid-zona, I’m surprised to see a list encompassing some of those territories. I can’t shake the sense that even road getaways will seem like wishful thinking in a month.
@ Rik -- Fair! But if someone is in Phoenix or Las Vegas, getting some space for a few days might be super welcomed. I know my mom and sister (in Scottsdale) just want to be outside and away from people as much as possible right now, which is hard given that summer in Phoenix is so hot, and structured around mainly indoor activities.
People are going to have a range of needs and wants right now, so tried to go broad.
Can we get lists for Marriott, Hyatt and IHG please?
Oh my, Tiffany! Fun List (although Arizona ones are not very inviting right now )
But you missed one great Florida Beach Hotel, so add it, and make your list an even 80! ;-)
The DoubleTree North Reddington Beach, Florida - St Pete/Tampa area. Great location on the beach, wonderful people, Mango's restaurant, and Tikki Bar. Newly renovated, we visited twice now and used our AmEx HH Aspire $250 resort credit, plus 2 $40 credits on 2 different AmEx EveryDay cards :-)
You have a picture titled "Mooney Falls, Grand Canyon". It's not in the Grand Canyon. It's in the Havasupai Reservation and it's practically impossible to get a permit from the tribe to visit.