I've gifted awards within these hotel chains:
- Hilton - very easy, lets you issue award cert in another's name
- Marriott - allows combination of points with recipient; I suppose it allows gift of entire night though I have yet to do that
- Hyatt - allows combination of points with recipient or award booking in their name. You cannot transfer FFNs.
- Starwood - allows booking for another person, but you remain as primary with guarantee to your credit card. Thus, you get the no show fee should they fail to check in. You cannot transfer promotional award nights.