Sonesta Hotels: What to Know Before You Book

A generous loyalty program and pet-friendly policies make this growing hotel chain worth a look.

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

Updated · 4 min read
Profile photo of Carissa Rawson
Written by Carissa Rawson
Profile photo of Meg Lee
Edited by Meg Lee
Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

Ever stayed at a Sonesta Hotel? With locations scattered around the world, these properties offer a variety of experiences, from high-end vacations to budget stays. Although not as popular as competitors like Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton, Sonesta Hotels have a lot to offer an interested traveler.

Here's a look at who owns Sonesta Hotels, their amenities and Sonesta’s Travel Pass loyalty program.

Sonesta Hotels locations

Sonesta has more than 1,000 hotels spread across eight countries and three continents. Sonesta Hotel locations include North America, South America and the Middle East.

  • U.S.

  • Canada.

  • Chile.

  • Colombia.

  • Ecuador.

  • Egypt.

  • Peru.

  • Sint Maarten.

While Sonesta’s global footprint isn’t on par with brands such as Marriott, the company is expanding. So, how many Sonesta hotels are there? In 2020, Sonesta included 80 hotels worldwide. Today, major growth has seen the company spread to 1,200 properties.

Sonesta Hotels brands

Each Sonesta hotel brand has its own distinctive flavor; currently, there are seven different Sonesta brands, including:

  1. Royal Sonesta.

  2. Sonesta Hotels and Resorts.

  3. Sonesta Select.

  4. Sonesta ES Suites.

  5. Sonesta Simply Suites.

  6. Sonesta Cruise River Nile Collection.

  7. Sonesta Posadas Del Inca.

These brands run the gamut in terms of affordability and luxury. If you’re looking for high-end luxury, you may want to consider Royal Sonesta, Sonesta Hotels & Resorts, or Sonesta Select properties.

If you’re looking for room to spread out, Sonesta ES Suites or Sonesta Simply Suites may be more your style.

Sonesta Amenities

Like other hotel chains, the amenities you’ll receive will depend on where you’re staying. For example, at a Sonesta ES Suites property, you can expect amenities similar to staying in a home.

At the Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue, meanwhile, you can find the largest single-level pool in Hawaii, along with four pools and a spa.

PAWS: Paws Are Welcome at Sonesta

Are Sonesta hotels pet friendly? The short answer: Yes, Sonesta hotels are pet friendly, no matter the brand. The long answer: The cost will depend on which Sonesta hotel you’re booking; prices vary based on your location.

Even so, among all Sonesta hotels, there is one amenity you can always expect: room for your furry friend. Here’s how those costs will vary:

  • Royal Sonesta, Sonesta Hotels & Resorts and Sonesta Select. Minimum $75 fee per stay.

  • Sonesta ES Suites and Sonesta Simply Suites. $75 for stays up to seven nights and $25 per week thereafter.

These pet fees apply no matter the breed or weight of your dog; you can also bring up to two pets for your stay.

Additional pet-related amenities will vary based on the brand. Those staying at higher-end Sonesta properties will receive dog beds, bowls and treats. Other guests can expect bowls, treats and waterproof feeding mats. Where possible, Sonesta hotels will have pet-friendly walking and potty areas.

Sonesta Travel Pass

Hotel loyalty programs are a must-do for the savvy traveler. Why? Because these free programs provide customers with the ability to earn elite status, reward points and other benefits with their chosen hotel programs.

Sonesta International Hotels corporation’s Travel Pass is no exception. Enrolling is free and easy; you’ll simply need to enter your name and email address in order to join.

🤓Nerdy Tip

If you have elite status with another program, you can email Travel Pass customer care to have your status matched.

Elite status

Sonesta’s Travel Pass program has three levels of membership:

Elite status level

Required nights (per calendar year)

Member

0-6.

Preferred

6-11.

Elite

12+.

The benefits you’ll receive are somewhat comparable with other hotel loyalty programs, though the requirements to achieve top-tier elite status with Sonesta are far more lax. Sonesta will gladly match your elite status with other programs, unlike other chains, which may either deny your request or require you to complete a status match challenge.

Along with a 5% discount on room rates, elite members with Sonesta can expect a variety of perks, including complimentary room upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, complimentary premium internet and the ability to earn reward points for free reward nights.

Redeeming points for free nights

There are 11 different tiers of Sonesta hotels; the amount of points you’ll need to redeem for a night will be based on each hotel’s tier.

Sonesta Travel Pass members will earn a minimum of 10 points per dollar spent on hotels (except at Sonesta Simply Suites, where members will earn 5 points per dollar).

Reward rooms start at 10,000 points per night. These Tier 1 hotels are all located within the U.S.; otherwise, you can expect to pay in increments until Tier 11. Tier 11 hotels cost 50,000 points per night.

Sonesta Hotels, recapped

Sonesta is a rapidly growing hotel brand with a geographic footprint spanning eight different countries. Although that may seem small when compared with other hotel chains, it’s worth noting that Sonesta has expanded its presence from under 100 properties to 1,200 since 2020.

Even though it’s still relatively small, it’s worth enrolling in Sonesta’s Travel Pass program to earn rewards for redemptions. Along with a generous elite status match option, customers can expect room upgrades, club lounge access and late check-out as elite-tier members.

Finally, those with pets will want to give Sonesta a second — and even third — glance. With an expansive pet policy valid at all Sonesta hotels worldwide, those who are traveling with furry family members would do well to check out these properties. Although it isn’t free to have a pet stay with you at a Sonesta hotel, the ability to bring up to two animals without breed restrictions is highly valuable.


How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:

Hotel Cards from Our Partners
IHG® One Rewards Premier Credit Card

on Chase's website

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-26x

Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

140,000

Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Points
World Of Hyatt Credit Card

on Chase's website

World of Hyatt Credit Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-9x

Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member. Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airlines tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships.

Points

Intro offer

Up to 90,000 Points

Earn 5 free nights at any Category 1 - 4 Hyatt hotel or resort after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.* These nights could be worth up to 90,000 points.

Points
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card

on Chase's website

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
4.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

2x-17x

Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card. 2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

125,000

Our best points offer! Earn 125,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card!

Points
See more hotel cards
MORE LIKE THISTravel
Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.