Make the Most of Your Travels with IHG Rewards Club #IHGRewardsClub #anIHGhotel #TravelFirsts

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). The opinions and text are all mine.

Remember this post where I told you guys that I was heading to San Francisco to check out the Holiday Inn Express and Suites at Fisherman’s Wharf as part of the IHG Rewards Club Priceless Experiences? Well, I am back and the trip was awesome! When I checked into the hotel, the manager on duty welcomed me with a big smile and said he was expecting me. I thought it was just a hospitality joke, but no, he really was expecting me - and as an IHG Rewards Club Platinum Elite Member, he upgraded me to a Junior Suite! Originally, a friend was going to join me on this trip, but she had to cancel at the last minute, so I had this big, beautiful room all to myself!

Now, in case you're not familiar with the IHG Rewards Club program, here's an overview:

With more than 100 million members across the globe, IHG Rewards Club is the first and largest guest loyalty program in the hotel industry. IHG has more than 5,300 hotels worldwide, ranging from Holiday Inn Express and Suites to Crowne Plaza, Intercontinental – whatever your traveling style, whatever your traveling budget, they have such a wide range of properties that you are certain to find one that fits your needs for your next trip.

One of the awesome things about the IHG Rewards Club is that it isn't just about earning and redeeming points for hotel stays. It is a fully comprehensive rewards programs that also offers personal promotions to exclusive events and partner offerings so you can make the most of your stay – and continue to benefit afterwards! The program is so varied that you can even redeem your IHG Rewards Club points for airline miles, shop online catalogs using your points, and redeem points for gift cards!

They even have a partnership with GrubHub so that you can use the IHG Rewards Club app to order food to be delivered to your hotel room - and you will earn points for the order!

I had a local friend pick me up from the airport and help me check into my hotel, then we walked over to Pier 39 to have a late lunch and a few drinks and play catch up.

We hadn't seen each other in two years and since we've been friends for about 20 years now, we had a lot to talk about! There is a spot called Players Club, which is a big arcade for kids and grown ups, as well as a tiki style bar in the back called the Luau Lounge - that's where we went for cocktails and burgers. My friend is originally from Florida as well and this is where he goes when he misses home!

The Holiday Inn Express and Suites was so conveniently located in Fisherman's Wharf that we didn't need a car, a taxi or Uber - everything you could want to do is easily within walking distance. I mean, I could literally see Alcatraz from my hotel window!

There are so many things to do and see in the Fisherman's Wharf area, but as I was battling a migraine one day and it was raining, I stayed in most of my second day there and caught up on work in my hotel room after enjoying a great breakfast in the hotel lobby.

Unlike many hotels that offer a continental breakfast, the Holiday Inn Express and Suites has a full breakfast, including hot items like bacon, sausage, eggs, omelets - it was so nice to have a full breakfast without even leaving the hotel!

After getting some work done and my headache wasn't so bad, I took a walk down to Fisherman's Wharf to find something fun to do that wasn't too active, as I wasn't really feeling 100% yet.

I ended up finding a ton of street performers and they were so entertaining! Break dancing, playing music, blowing bubbles for the kids - it was such a fun environment and I had a great time!

I would up finding what seemed like a local's bar that evening, Jacks Cannery Bar. It was a cash only bar with over 60 beers and ciders - it was totally the kind of bar that I frequent at home and while it was on Cannery Row and totally touristy (I went back each night to try a new beer and met people from all over the world each time), it was totally a local's joint! On my last night there, a bartender bought me a shot. Ha ha!

Of course, my favorite part about being near Pier 39....is the sea lions. I had to visit them each day, and I also got some really cool photos even though it was a bit gloomy due to the rain.

Right now, IHG Rewards Club has teamed up with Mastercard to bring members the excitement of the unexpected with its Priceless Experiences promotion. Members have the opportunity to earn a Mastercard reward card up to $100 after two stays, and 4,000 bonus points after two more stays. The IHG Rewards Club Priceless Experiences promotion runs now through February 1st, 2018 – so hurry and take advantage while you still can! You can also share your #travelfirsts on Twitter or Instagram for an entry to win one of four curated trips to LA, NYC, Las Vegas or New Orleans! Find out more here!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). The opinions and text are all mine.