Ascend Hotels not Available on Points
 

I travel to Spain multiple years and every Ascend hotel I come across is never available on points whether it’s summer, spring or winter.

Kalma Sitges Hotel
Sercotel Europa San Sebastian

is there a brand restriction in not aware of?

I had a similar question for the Hotel Aquarius Venice. It is bookable for cash/points in 2025, but no 2026 dates have been loaded. Apparently this hotel was slow to add dates when the award booking window expanded, but it is odd there is nothing after December 31, although maybe it is a different issue.
https://www.choicehotels.com/italy/v...d-hotels/it069

Apparently, the Choice Ascends in Spain (the Sercotel chain) does NOT accept free point stays - never, ever.

That was the case when I stayed at one in Barcelona in Nov '24. However, points were awarded consistent with the Choice promotion that was current at the time.