For eight consecutive years Priority Club Rewards, soon to be rebranded as IHG Rewards Club in July, has been voted by GT readers as the Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World. Clearly the choice of our discerning readers, I am embarrassed to say my very first stay with InterContinental was just last week.

When I pulled into the large driveway of the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City off Avenue of the Stars, there seemed to be half a dozen bellmen awaiting my arrival. The grandness of the lobby was not lost on me even in the speed of my check-in. In the early evening of my arrival, it was abuzz with the conversations of business people sitting at the bar, at tables and on plush sofas. A very sophisticated vibe, it seemed as if important business deals and relationships were being formed at that very moment.

My impression that this was a “power business hotel” continued when I arrived at my suite on the 14^th floor. The spacious living area felt like an ideal spot to hold brief meetings before the start of the business day or entertain a colleague for a drink before heading out to dinner. The bathroom and large balcony were both accessible from this room and the bedroom, making it possible to maintain the privacy of your bedroom while entertaining.

The bedroom and bathroom were all one would expect and more. The ultra-comfortable bed and black-out drapes made for a very restful night’s sleep. The bathroom was equipped with 3.4-ounce bottles of bath products, as well as the extras like shaving cream, razors, toothbrush and toothpaste … often forgotten in even the nicest hotels.

Still working on the East Coast time zone, I entered the gym at 5:30 a.m. to find many other business people well into their workouts. The spacious facility had plenty of machines and overlooked the outdoor pool and cityscape beyond.     

After traveling on business to a variety of leisure destinations, it was incredibly refreshing to be surrounded by other focused business travelers. While I am certain the location of this property would also be excellent for exploring Los Angeles on vacation, I found the service and design to perfectly match the needs of the business traveler.

As I look forward to my next trip to Dubai in June, I am excited to be staying at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. If this property is anything like the Century City, I know I will be in for a treat!

— Danielle Hudena, executive vice president