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Via a conversation Greg had today with Hilton’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mark Weinstein, we learned further details about how Hilton will be integrating its partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) into the Hilton Honors program. I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive as to how they’d go about that, but for the most part it’s very good news.
The not-quite-amazing news is that Hilton only expects around 100 properties to go online this year. That’s less than 20% of the SLH portfolio which means that opportunities to book SLH stays via Hilton will be limited initially. However, they’re apparently working hard to get that up and running and so hopefully more SLH locations will be added rapidly after that. From what I can remember of Hyatt’s integration of SLH a few years back, that was a similar situation where a chunk of hotels were initially bookable via Hyatt and then they continued adding more at a fast clip.
The good news relates to how the properties will actually be integrated into the Hilton Honors program. For starters, Hilton has confirmed that SLH properties will be bookable with points and that it will follow a similar pricing structure to Hilton’s own brands (i.e. standard room award nights will top out at ~150,000 points per night). Not only that, but when booking with points you’ll be able to take advantage of the 5th night free benefit if you have Silver status or above. If you have Hilton free night certificates, you’ll be able to redeem those for SLH stays too.
In terms of elite benefits, this will work differently to SLH’s setup with Hyatt. When they were partnering with Hyatt, having Globalist status didn’t get you any benefits on SLH stays, but simply booking via Hyatt did get you complimentary breakfast for two people and eligibility for a room upgrade (among a handful of other minor benefits). With Hilton, there’ll be no standard Hilton/SLH benefits that everyone will be entitled to. Instead, benefits are due to be similar to those you’d receive at hotels within Hilton’s portfolio. For example, those with Hilton Gold or Diamond status will most likely be offered free breakfast or food credits.
We’re still awaiting word as to some of the other intricacies of the integration (e.g. what other MyWay benefits you’ll get at SLH properties, points earning on paid stays, etc.), but overall it’s great news that the integration should be streamlined so that booking a stay at SLH via Hilton will be like booking a stay at any of Hilton’s other brands.
Expect the first SLH properties to become bookable through Hilton by mid-summer at the earliest.
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So happy to hear. Especially Cellars at Hoenhort. Like Greg- I stayed one night in Cape Town in the beginning of my stay and then booked two more nights at the end! What a great property! Maybe time to get a Hilton card. But which one?
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[…] There’s news about Hilton’s partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which was announced in February and is now nearing its initial integration. The highlights:– The maximum point rate for award nights at SLH properties will be 150,000 points– Fifth night free bookings will work at SLH properties– Free night certificates will work at SLH properties– Bookings will be available this summerIt’s interesting news today because it might affect your plans for earning free night certificates immediately, it definitely affected mine. […]
When booking the SLH with points, will the points cover all applicable Taxes? Im getting conflicting answers from Hilton
Yes, it should. Hilton waives resort fees on award stays and there shouldn’t be any taxes charged either.
Hilton FNCs getting even better! I guess this is why AMEX killed the value on the Hilton Business card.
Just got the Hilton Aspire card today since it’s the last day for the 175k SUB. Player2 referred me so she gets 10k MR bonus and 14x on restaurants (4+10) on her AMEX Gold for 3 months.
I’ve got 5th night free award reservations at WA Pedregal Cabo (first half 2024) and Conrad Bora Bora (2nd half of 2024) so that should be $400 credit back against the $550 AF. At a minimum, it should ensure true “Free Breakfast. I have some positioning flights to book so that should be another $200 credit back.
Signed up today for Hilton’s 2X Points promo which should be 44x for Diamond elite for upcoming incidentals, meals. Have July trip to Italy booked so looking closer at Hilton there (holding up for Hyatt Mr & Mrs Smith roll out).
This SLH news with a FNC and 175k+ points on the way is making for a good day.
Guess Cabo and Bora Bora may not count as “resorts”
We’ve stayed at both Pedregal and Conrad Bora Bora on points and used the Aspire for incidentals. They do indeed count as resorts. And both stays were spectacular.
We’ve stayed at Pedregal a few times and will be there again in a month. They provide free breakfast… basically can order anything on the menu at no charge. In addition, they have upgraded us each time as well. Oh, they also have chips/guac and coronaritas delivered to the room each afternoon.
Thanks Jamie. Seems no matter what review I read, the service is considered excellent.
My recent understanding is the “hot” Mexican breakfast is $20 on top of the free continental breakfast. Thought I saw a tequila welcome tray (nice).
You’re right on the breakfast upcharge. It’s either 20 or 25pp.
I am new to the points travel game, when you stay at a SLH are you still responsible for the taxes ? My crew has Pedregal on our radar and also a new place in Turks and Caicos. Thanks in advance for your response. Im getting conflicting answers from Hilton Customer service.
I just looked at old invoice and it is $20 more for the breakfast buffet but it’s well worth it. And, I see no taxes when using points/free night certificates.
I’m curious how a Hilton Diamond member will be treated at an SLH property, during a stay later this year…if they booked their room with Hyatt points before the split. I’m assuming no recognition? Or could we link Hilton member # somehow?
If you’d booked with Hyatt points, I’d doubt you’d be able to associate a Hilton Honors account with the stay, but perhaps we’ll be pleasantly surprised.
150k for a standard room is a good news?!
I don’t expect all SLH properties will be charging 150k for a standard room. However, for high end properties with expensive cash rates, that seems fair considering Hilton’s pricing setup. I think many of us thought that Hilton would make SLH redemptions uncapped price-wise when booking with points, a little like how Six Senses bookings with IHG can be absurdly high. Being able to book with a free night certificate will often be the better option for those most expensive properties though.
Hilton slowly becoming the new Hyatt in terms of offerings? Gotta admit, FNC with aspire (and other benefits), FNF benefit and expanded SLH footprint is making Hilton pretty compelling!
Somewhat related: has there been any news on the Hyatt/Mr & Mrs Smith integration? That’s what I’m looking forward to! Hard to get excited about SLH/Hilton when the award prices are going to laughable (laugh so you don’t cry) compared the previous Hyatt award pricing.
Sad state of affairs! After the terrible news on the rollout of the Hyatt/MMS integration, this Hilton/SLH partnership is looking much better. Epic fail Hyatt! Good job in not being as terrible as the competition Hilton.