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13 Incredible Hotels To Book with AmEx Fine Hotels & Resorts for VIP Perks
The FHR program is all about making your hotel stay more luxurious. At these hotels, you really get VIP status.
Sally French is co-host of the Smart Travel podcast and a writer on NerdWallet's travel team. Before joining NerdWallet as a travel rewards expert in 2020, she wrote about travel and credit cards for The New York Times and its sibling site, Wirecutter.
Outside of work, she loves fitness, and she competes in both powerlifting and weightlifting (she can deadlift more than triple bodyweight). Naturally, her travels always involve a fitness component, including a week of cycling up the coastline of Vietnam and a camping trip to the Arctic Circle, where she biked over the sea ice. Other adventures have included hiking 25 miles in one day through Italy's Cinque Terre and climbing the 1,260 steps to Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi, Thailand.
Ramsey is a freelance travel journalist covering business travel, loyalty programs and luxury travel. His work has appeared in Travel+Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Reader's Digest, AFAR, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, Frommers.com, Fodors.com, Business Traveler, Fortune, Airways, TravelAge West, MSN.com, Bustle.com and AAA magazines. As someone who flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has been to 173 countries, he is well-versed in the intricacies of credit cards and how to maximize the associated perks and services.
Giselle M. Cancio is a former editor for the travel rewards team at NerdWallet. She has traveled to over 30 states and 20 countries, redeeming points and miles for almost a decade. She has over eight years of experience in journalism and content development across many topics.
She has juggled many roles in her career: writer, editor, social media manager, producer, on-camera host, videographer and photographer. She has been published in several media outlets and was selected to report from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
She frequents national parks and is on her way to checking all 30 Major League Baseball parks off her list. When she's not on a plane or planning her next trip, she's crafting, reading, playing board games, watching sports or trying new recipes.
She is based in Miami.
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When you pay with an affiliated AmEx card, you are eligible to earn 5x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent, while enjoying premium on-property benefits like daily breakfast for two, guaranteed late checkout, room upgrades (when available) and a $100 experience credit.
While booking through FHR doesn’t always guarantee the lowest rate, the extra perks can often outweigh the cost difference — especially if you're strategic. Even authorized users of qualifying cards are eligible for these benefits. Here’s a look at some of the most stunning global hotels where booking through FHR can take your trip to the next level.
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Africa
Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara
(Photo courtesy of Anantara)
Set along the banks of the Zambezi River, this hotel — which is part of the Discovery loyalty program — offers prime access to Victoria Falls, one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders. As a hotel guest, you get unlimited, complimentary entry to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, just steps from your room.
Why book with FHR:
$100 credit usable at the riverside spa, restaurants, or on unique experiences like river cruises.
Free-roaming zebras and giraffes add to the safari-meets-luxury vibe.
The original flagship Banyan Tree resort, this Phuket paradise features serene villas, many with private plunge pools, floating bedrooms and Thai-style interiors.
Why book with FHR:
$100 property credit for spa or dining.
Spacious villas (some with three bedrooms).
Authentic Thai wellness experiences.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay; Bali, Indonesia
(Photo courtesy of Four Seasons)
Inspired by a traditional Balinese village, this resort offers oceanfront villas, each with luxurious outdoor living spaces and private pools.
Why book with FHR:
$100 food and beverage credit.
Exceptional dining at Jala and Telu, a zero-waste bar with beach trash-inspired decor.
Lush tropical design with unbeatable sunset views.
An architectural marvel shaped like a scimitar, Raffles Doha shares Katara Towers with its sibling Fairmont hotel and is part of the Accor Live Limitless program.
Why book with FHR:
$100 dining credit (perfect for afternoon tea or rooftop cocktails).
Free one-way airport transfer.
Gourmet dining at Alba and panoramic skyline views.
Europe
Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel; Rome, Italy
(Photo courtesy of Anantara)
Overlooking Piazza della Repubblica, this hotel sits atop ancient Roman ruins and offers easy access to the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain.
Why book with FHR:
$100 dining credit at rooftop SEEN by Olivier.
Complimentary access to on-site Roman ruins.
Starred in films like "House of Gucci" and "Ocean’s Twelve."
Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus; Istanbul, Turkey
(Photo courtesy of Mandarin Oriental)
Located away from Istanbul’s hectic city center, this Bosphorus-front hotel offers tranquility with access to parks, forests, and upscale neighborhoods.
Why book with FHR:
$100 credit valid at on-site restaurants, including Hakkasan.
Luxurious spa with Turkish hammam experiences.
Stylish, waterfront elegance.
Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid; Spain
(Photo courtesy of Mandarin Oriental)
A stunning blend of classic grandeur and modern design, this hotel is a short walk from Madrid’s top art museums, nestled within the Golden Triangle of Art.
Why book with FHR:
$100 property credit.
Michelin-starred dining at Deessa.
Historic building originally opened by César Ritz.
The Reserve from Savoy Signature; Madeira, Portugal
The Reserve in Madeira, Portugal. (Photo courtesy of Savoy Signature)
Part of the Savoy Palace complex, The Reserve is an upscale, boutique-style "hotel within a hotel" offering expansive views of the Atlantic.
Why book with FHR:
$100 spa or dining credit.
Rooftop infinity pool and bar.
Modern design and exclusivity in a laid-back island setting.
North America
The Seabird Ocean Resort and Spa; Oceanside, California
Rooms at The Seabird offer views of both the pool and the beach. (Photo by Sally French/NerdWallet).
Perched on the Southern California coast, The Seabird brings boutique luxury to Oceanside's emerging beach scene. Adjacent to its sister property, Mission Pacific Hotel (also available through FHR), this oceanfront resort combines laid-back surf culture with upscale amenities. All guests can enjoy complimentary surfboard rentals and a charming library, making it easy to embrace the coastal lifestyle.
And since The Seabird is part of the World of Hyatt, you can also earn Hyatt points during your stay.
Why book with FHR:
$125 property credit (higher than the standard $100 at most FHR properties).
Daily breakfast for two.
Complimentary surfboard rentals and access to the library.
Prime Oceanside location with sister property benefits next door.
Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village; Los Angeles, California
The indoor pool at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. (Photo by Sally French)
A haven for wellness seekers, this L.A.-area Four Seasons offers more than just massages — think art therapy, sound baths and nutrition coaching.
Why book with FHR:
$100 experience credit.
Spa, healthy dining, and immersive wellness courses.
The 3,700-volume library at Hotel Emma in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Sally French/NerdWallet)
Housed in the former Pearl Brewery, Hotel Emma is Texas' only AAA Five Diamond hotel and the only Michelin Two Key hotel in San Antonio. The 146-room property preserves the building's industrial heritage, with repurposed brewery machinery transformed into design elements throughout (you can even sit inside a former beer tank at the bar).
Other excellent hotel features include a library (where guests are served complimentary pastries and tea in the mornings) and a rooftop pool.
The hotel is named for Emma Koehler, who kept the brewery operating through Prohibition by diversifying into auto repair, ice cream production and dry cleaning. Located in the vibrant Pearl District along the San Antonio River Walk, the hotel sits within a walkable culinary and cultural village featuring restaurants, the Culinary Institute of America and weekly farmers markets.
Why book with FHR:
$100 credit usable at award-winning restaurant Supper, Sternewirth bar or Larder marketplace.
Complimentary welcome cocktail in the hotel's library featuring 3,700 books.
Rooftop pool with views of the River Walk and access to the Pearl District's culinary scene.
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando; Florida
The porte-cochere leading to the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. (Photo by Sally French)
The Mandarin Oriental, Boston is a luxurious urban sanctuary in the heart of Back Bay, offering direct access to high-end shopping on Newbury Street and cultural landmarks like the Boston Symphony Hall. Inside, rooms feature Asian-inspired décor, oversized marble bathrooms with soaking tubs, and soundproof windows for peaceful city stays. Guests can unwind in the lavish spa — the only Forbes Five-Star spa in Massachusetts — or savor modern French cuisine at Ramsay’s Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay. It also offers what are called "wellness journeys" with activities like sound healing, massages, postural therapy and holistic facials.
Why book with FHR:
$100 spa or dining credit.
Wellness cuisine and exclusive spa access.
A luxury escape in the heart of Back Bay.
How to get the most value from AmEx Fine Hotels + Resorts
When you reserve a hotel through the AmEx Fine Hotels and Resorts booking platform and pay for the stay using the appropriate credit card, members receive a host of benefits. It starts with earning 5x Membership Rewards points for each dollar spent. Plus, you’ll unlock:
Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout.
Noon check-in, when available.
Room upgrade, when available.
$100 experience credit, valid toward spa treatments, dining, or other services.
Before you book, compare prices with the hotel’s website — the AmEx rate might be slightly higher, but the added benefits often deliver tremendous overall value.
Whether you're planning a romantic European getaway, a wildlife adventure in Africa, or a wellness retreat stateside, booking with AmEx Fine Hotels + Resorts can supercharge your stay with perks that easily cover the difference in price.
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