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Hyatt took another blow on the partnership front this week, as Hilton is now poised to be the new exclusive partner with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, a platform of 560 independent luxury hotels around the world.
The partnership is a major boost to Hilton’s luxury network, which currently relies on brands like Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and LXR Hotels & Resorts, which is a soft brand of independent-style hotels that tap into the Hilton booking and loyalty systems.
SLH has been a Hyatt partner since 2018 and was a major boost for Hyatt in Europe, where it had a smaller footprint — especially prior to the Apple Leisure Group takeover. This is the second blow to Hyatt on the partnership front in less than a year, as MGM Hotels & Resorts ditched the hotel company last year in favor of a partnership with Marriott slated to begin early this year.
“We’re thrilled to begin this win-win relationship with Hilton as it brings exciting possibilities for both brands,” Shaun Leleu, chairman of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, said in a statement. “Hilton customers, including Hilton Honors members, gain access to our unrivalled collection of exceptional boutique hotels, while our properties enjoy amplified reach to a loyal and discerning audience. It’s a game changer for independently owned hotels on a global scale.”
Hyatt did not respond to TPG’s request for comment in time for publication, but World of Hyatt members aren’t entirely out of luck on the bespoke luxury hotel front: The company acquired the Mr & Mrs Smith booking platform of luxury hotels last year.
The SLH-Hilton partnership, which will fully roll out in the coming months, means all Hilton Honors members will be able to book a stay at a participating SLH property and earn and redeem Hilton Honors points. Participating SLH properties will appear on Hilton’s booking channels, meaning even non-Hilton Honors members who book direct can still opt for a stay at an SLH-partnered hotel.
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Given the release’s use of “participating,” it appears not every SLH property will take part in the Hilton partnership (similar to how it worked with Hyatt).
“This relationship with Small Luxury Hotels of the World will grant Hilton customers and Hilton Honors members access to a community of high-end boutique hotels in exciting new luxury travel destinations, giving them more ways to dream, book, and earn and redeem points with Hilton,” Chris Silcock, Hilton’s president of global brands and commercial services, said in a statement.
Hilton’s luxury push
The SLH partnership announcement arrived the same day Hilton reported a $1.15 billion profit for all of 2023, including $150 million for the last three months of the year. Eyes are still on what’s happening at the company and its push further into the luxury and lifestyle space.
Reports emerged this week Hilton is considering an acquisition of Graduate Hotels, a smaller chain of lifestyle hotels in college towns or cities with a significant higher education presence. But the company is also reportedly considering an acquisition of NoMad Hotels, a two-property brand that could unlock the door for Hilton’s ambition to operate in the luxury lifestyle hotel sector.
Given SLH has a significant mix of traditional luxury hotels, it’s likely Hilton would still be considering an additional brand play in order to better compete in the luxury lifestyle sector currently dominated by players like Marriott’s Edition and Hyatt’s Alila.
This story will be updated following this morning’s Hilton earnings call.
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