Design Hotels / Starwood partnership now live with full earn and burn details

Two weeks ago I wrote about the new partnership to be launched between Design Hotels (in which Starwood is the majority, but a passive, investor) and Starwood Preferred Guest.

The plan was to allow any of the 288 hotels in the Design Hotels portfolio to choose to be promoted by spg.com, in return for paying a revenue share to Starwood and giving benefits to Starwood Preferred Guest members.

The new SPG / Design Hotels website is now live.

Only five hotels have signed up in this initial phase, although the plan is to add more as rapidy as possible.  These are:

• Grammercy Park Hotel, New York
• Ten Bompas Hotel, Johannesburg
• C-Hotel and Spa, Cassago Brianza (Italy)
• Nira Montana, La Thuile (Italy)
• Kruisherenhotel, Maastricht

Redeeming

You cannot redeem SPG points for stays at these hotels at the present time.  Redemptions will be available from next year.

Earning and stay benefits

You must book through the Starwood / Design Hotels subsite in order to earn SPG points.  Any rooms booked via the Design Hotels website will not qualify.

The earning rates are (click here for full details):

• 2 points per $1 spent, plus status bonus for Gold and Platinum members
• Stay credit towards status renewal or progression
• Free internet and bottled water

You will NOT receive an upgrade or late check-out.  This may prove to be an issue for some status members.

To be honest, launching with just five hotels is a weak showing given that there are 288 Design Hotels properties out there.  I think that Starwood has rushed out this launch because, with the company in the middle of takeover speculation, it wants to force the highest possible price from its suitors.

A similar argument could be made about Starwood agreeing to accept the SLS Hotel Las Vegas into the Tribute portfolio which was also announced this week.  The deal adds 0.5% to the Starwood room bank but, frankly, the hotel has exceptionally poor reviews and there is little Starwood can do to fix the tiny rooms or the vacant lots which surround it.

Long term, I am positive about the Design Hotels deal and believe that it can only be a plus for SPG, even if adding another brand will make the company even more of a headache for a trade acquirer.

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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)

There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express

20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

• American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy points is 2:3.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Marriott Bonvoy points.