[ { "post_id": "470", "post_category_id": "2", "post_title": "Sebel to open in the Heart of Sydney", "post_content_short": "THE SEBEL recently announced its latest property in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, which is  is open for bookings now.\n

\n\tThe newly curated premium hotel is currently undergoing a multi-million-dollar refurbishment, the current Mercure branded property and\n\tpromising to bring a new essence of style and sophistication to the city.\n\n

\n\tLocated on Philip Street, the 86-room Sebel Sydney Martin Place's luxurious, modern interior will offer a tranquil retreat with an essence\n\tof opulence. \n\n

\n\tThe location is very central, within easy walking distance of the Sydney Tower Eys, the Domain, QVB, The Strand Arcade and of course Martin\n\tPlace.\n\n

\n\tThis year, The Sebel is proudly celebrating its 60th anniversary in Australia and New Zealand and now has 34 properties across Australasia.\n\n

\n\tBoth the Sebel and Mercure are brands of Accor.  The property will participate in the  Accor\n\tLive Limitless<\/a> (or Accor ALL) loyalty program and the perks specific to\n\tthe APAC region<\/a>.\n\n

\n\tFor more information or to make a booking, contact our associated Travel Agency Rewarding\n\tTravel<\/strong><\/a><\/em>,\n\tto learn what complimentary perks are available when you book.  Rewarding Travel is an Accor Step agency.\n", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.pointsnplaces.com\/media\/website_posts\/470\/accor-logo.webp", "post_content_type": "none", "post_content_url": null, "post_date": "2024-01-10 13:30:00" }, { "post_id": "440", "post_category_id": "2", "post_title": "New study ranks 2023's best luxury hotel brands in the world", "post_content_short": "Mandarin Oriental (one of my personal favourite brands) was recently named the best luxury hotel brand in the world.Source: LTI — Luxury Travel Intelligence.
\n
\nOur congratulations to Mandarin Oriental  and all the nominees!<\/em>
\n
\nThere are rankings of the best hotels in the world, but this list, released by the members-only group LTI – Luxury Travel Intelligence,\nranks hotel brands rather than individual properties. The ranking analyses many hotels within a brand in “granular detail,” using more than\n100 “touch points” to evaluate “a brand’s ability to deliver,” ranging from its ethos to staff, according to a press release.
\n
\nWhen announcing the rankings, LTI noted that "Mandarin Oriental has always performed well in LTI's ratings. This year, they have\nimproved further across all our touch points, placing them at No1.
\n
\nIt is an engaging brand with a loyal and growing following, who appreciate its commitment to excellence"   (including us - it\nis a long-term favourite<\/em>),  "...the\nmuch-anticipated opening of their London Mayfair property<\/strong> could be a pivotal moment for them."
\n
\nLuxury Travel Intelligence memberships cost $700 per year and grant access to the group’s travel research. It doesn’t sell advertising,\nand research is independent and funded by subscriptions, according to its website.
\n\t\n

The best luxury hotel brands<\/strong>\n

\n\tMandarin Oriental was recently named the best luxury hotel brand in the world by LTI — Luxury Travel Intelligence. There are other\n\trankings of the best\n\thotels in the world<\/a>,\n\thowever,this list, released by the members-only group LTI – Luxury Travel Intelligence, ranks hotel brands rather than individual\n\tproperties.<\/strong>\n\tThe ranking analyzes many hotels within a brand in “granular detail,” using more than 100 “touch points” to evaluate “a brand’s ability to\n\tdeliver,” ranging from its ethos to staff, according to a press release. Luxury Travel Intelligence<\/a> memberships cost US$700 per year and grant access to the group’s travel research. It doesn’t sell advertising, and research is independent and funded by\n\tsubscriptions, according to its website.
\n\t
\n\t
\n\t2023's best luxury hotel brands<\/strong>\n

Here are this year’s results, reflected as percentages, with last year’s positions in brackets:\n
    \n\t
  1. \n\t\tMandarin Oriental<\/strong><\/a>    81.4%\n\t\t(2)\n\t<\/li>\n\t
  2. \n\t\tOetker Collection<\/a><\/strong>    \n\t\t81.3% (6)\n\t<\/li>\n\t
  3. \n\t\tAuberge<\/a><\/strong>                    79.6%\n\t\t(4)\n\t<\/li>\n\t
  4. \n\t\tSix Senses<\/a><\/strong>                79.0%\n\t\t(1)\n\t<\/li>\n\t
  5. \n\t\tAman<\/strong>  <\/a>                      \n\t\t78.8% (5)\n\t<\/li>\n\t
  6. \n\t\tBelmond<\/a><\/strong>                  \n\t\t76.3% (8)\n\t<\/li>\n\t
  7. \n\t\tFour Seasons<\/strong><\/a>          \n\t\t76.1% (9)\n\t<\/li>\n\t
  8. \n\t\tOne&Only<\/a><\/strong>                \n\t\t75.1% (7)\n\t<\/li>\n\t
  9. \n\t\tRocco Forte<\/a><\/strong>              73.8%\n\t\t(11)\n\t<\/li>\n\t
  10. \n\t\tRosewood<\/a><\/strong>                \n\t\t72.1% (3)\n\t<\/li>\n\t
  11. \n\t\tPeninsula<\/a><\/strong>                  69.8%\n\t\t(New Entry)\n\t<\/li>\n\t
  12. \n\t\tRaffles<\/a><\/strong>                      68.5%\n\t\t(New Entry)\n\t<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \nMandarin Oriental took the top spot for the first time, — topping Oetker Collection by a very narrow margin, despite Ortker's  ranking\nrising by 4 places. Oetker Collection operates 12 hotels across the globe, including the icons     Le\nBristol <\/a>in\nParis, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc<\/a> in\nAntibes, France, and The Lanesborough<\/a>, London.
    \n
    \nIn 2022, Six Senses was ranked No. 1, followed by Mandarin Oriental (No. 2) and Rosewood (No. 3). So two of last years leaders have fallen a\nsurprising number of spots - Six Senses has dropped 3 places and Rosewood has dropped 7 positions.
    \n
    \nAuberge Resorts Collection — ranked third on the list — operates hotels like     Mauna\nLani<\/a> in\nHawaii, The Lodge at Blue Sky <\/a>in Park City, Utah, and The\nVanderbilt<\/a> in\nNewport, Rhode Island. Those are just three of the 27 hotels and resorts under the Auberge brand.
    \n
    \nTwo well-known brands are new to the list this year: Peninsula Hotels and Raffles Hotels & Resorts.
    \n
    \n
    \nOther recognized brands<\/strong>
    \n
    \nLTI also highlighted other brands that it said “rated sufficiently” enough to be monitored. The brands are: 1 Hotels, Alila<\/strong>,\nAnantara, Banyan Tree<\/strong>, Como<\/strong>, Dorchester Collection<\/strong>, Firmdale, Jumeirah<\/strong>,\nLeela, Oberoi, Park Hyatt, Ritz-Carlton, Shangri-La, Soho House, Red Carnation<\/strong>, St. Regis, Taj, The Luxury Collection and\nViceroy.
    \n
    \nAdditionally, brands that have fewer than 10 properties — the minimum required to make the list — but were rated highly are: Airelles,\nAlthoff Collection, Bulgari, Capella<\/strong>, Cheval Blanc, JK Place, La Reserve<\/strong>, Maybourne, Montage, Nikki Beach,\nPendry, Soneva<\/strong>, Ultima Collection and Virgin Limited Edition.
    \n
    \nOur associated Travel Agency - Rewarding Travel has a preferred relationship status <\/em>with 10 of the top 12 brands and over half\nof the brands that rated special mentions. To see what makes them so special and how we can make your stay even more luxe at no\nadditional cost,<\/strong>\n    contact Rewarding Travel<\/strong><\/a> to discuss your preferences.
    \n
    \n
    \nThe scoring system<\/strong>
    \n
    \nLuxury Travel Intelligence uses an algorithm to assess hotel brands, which has a maximum of 4,663 points, said Crompton.
    \n
    \nThis year, it measured 130 “touch points,” evaluating factors like in-room dining, guests’ pre-arrival process and a brand’s social media\nengagement, Crompton told CNBC Travel. The group uses a points-based system to remove “inevitable emotiveness and personal opinion” from the\nranking, he said.
    \n
    \nCrompton also noted that brands’ investments — either in new hotels or in the renovation of existing ones — was a major factor this year.
    \n
    \nCrompton did not reveal how touch points are weighted, but said that “each year we tweak the touch points and the weighting.”\n

    <\/h1>\n.", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.pointsnplaces.com\/media\/website_posts\/440\/Depositphotos_63143099_S.jpg", "post_content_type": "none", "post_content_url": null, "post_date": "2023-11-08 22:43:00" }, { "post_id": "431", "post_category_id": "2", "post_title": "Raffles London now open for bookings !", "post_content_short": "The much anticipated opening of Raffles London at the OWO has arrived!
    \n
    \nRaffles London is located in what was the Old War Office building, known today as The OWO. It was once home to legends such as Sir Winston\nChurchill and Lord Haldane. It was also made famous by Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond 007 novels.
    \n
    \nImagine staying in a building once occupied by these people, who are such a part of British history and culture.
    \n
    \nLocated in the heart of Whitehall, near the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the building has been meticulously restored and is now home to\nRaffles London at The OWO<\/em>.
    \n
    \nThe 120 spacious rooms and suites offer an experience of refined contemporary elegance and beauty, tall windows and timber-paneled walls\nprovide a remarkable essence of place.
    \n
    \nAs you would expect from Raffles, gastronomy is well catered for with 9 restaurants and 3 bars offering a range of option, including a\nsignature restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco..,
    \n
    \nThe Pillar Wellbeing centre provides spa and wellness services and has a 20m indoor pool - a rarity in London.
    \n
    \nRaffles London at the OWO partcipates in the     Accor Live Limitless (ALL) loyalty program<\/a>. 
    \n
    \nI say, is that an Aston Martin parked out front?", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.pointsnplaces.com\/media\/website_posts\/431\/The-OWO_Raffles_London-min.jpg", "post_content_type": "none", "post_content_url": null, "post_date": "2023-10-15 23:30:00" }, { "post_id": "402", "post_category_id": "2", "post_title": "Dis-loyalty program to be launched by an Accor division", "post_content_short": "Ennismore, a group that that encompasses several hotel brands such as SO\/, The Hoxton and Mondrian <\/strong>will launch it's\nown membership program on July 27, 2023.
    \n
    \nUsing "Dis-loyalty" as the program name seems to be a counter-intuitive marketing tactic.<\/em>
    \n
    \nA     "teaser"\nvideo<\/a>\nhas been released and the only details so far are that "Ennismore is excited to announce Dis-loyalty – a new travel and food membership\nthat beats boring and brings together 10 brands from our lifestyle collective… stay tuned for more…"
    \n
    \n    Ennismore<\/a> and Accor entered a joint venture in 2021 to create a new autonomous\nentity, with Accor holding a majority shareholding. 
    \n
    \nIn 2022, Ennismore expanded across the lifestyle and leisure segments with the additions of Rixos, the luxury all-inclusive brand, and Paris\nSociety, a leading operator of luxury restaurants & entertainment venues (including Maison Russe in Paris)., creating three new distinct\nbusiness units.
    \n
    \nHow this new program will sit against Accor's overall loyalty\/lifestyle program     Accor\nLive Limitless<\/a>\nwill be intriguing.  I guess we will learn more in a week's time<\/em>.
    \n
    \n(Pictured is the lobby of SO\/ in Paris)
    ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.pointsnplaces.com\/media\/website_posts\/402\/Hotel-lobby-SO-in-Paris.jpg", "post_content_type": "none", "post_content_url": null, "post_date": "2023-07-22 13:00:00" }, { "post_id": "379", "post_category_id": "2", "post_title": "Link your Qatar Airlines and Accor ALL accounts before June 10 - receive bonus points for both", "post_content_short": "\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
    <\/a>\n\t\t<\/td>\n\t<\/tr>\n\t
    \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\tIn September 2022, Accor Hotels improved its partnership with Qatar Airways. Since then, members have been able to double dip on Accor hotel\n\t\t\t\t\t\tstays and Qatar Airways flights. To do this, you need to link your ALL account with your Qatar Airways Privilege Club account.\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYou can do that with Accor Hotels<\/a> or Qatar\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAirways<\/a>.
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\tEven better, if you haven't already done this, members now can earn a bonus through June 10, 2023 just for linking their accounts.<\/strong>
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\tIf you already took advantage of the     ALL and Flying Blue\n\t\t\t\t\t\tpartnership<\/a> or\n\t\t\t\t\t\tthe ALL and Qantas partnership<\/a>, you'll need to choose\n\t\t\t\t\t\twhich airline you want to double dip with. You can link your ALL account to just one airline at a time. If you linked your ALL account to\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFlying Blue or Qantas in the past 12 months, you need to wait until the end of 12 months before you can link to Qatar Airways.
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\tThis promotion is available to members who have not linked their ALL and Qatar accounts before May 10, 2023<\/strong>. If that is\n\t\t\t\t\t\tyou, link your ALL and Qatar Airways accounts before June 10, 2023<\/strong>. After doing so, complete an eligible stay\n\t\t\t\t\t\tand\/or flight before August 31, 2023<\/strong> to earn bonus points and Avios. Members will receive 500\n\t\t\t\t\t\tbonus ALL Reward points<\/strong> on\n\t\t\t\t\t\tthe stay and 1,000 bonus Avios<\/strong> on the flight.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Terms & Conditions<\/u><\/strong>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t