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Hilton Sa Torre Mallorca and Hotel des Indes leaving Hilton and Marriott to go independent

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Two interesting branded hotels which we have reviewed in the last couple of years have both announced that they are leaving their respective brands.

This is probably not a total coincidence.  When we review an existing hotel – as opposed to a new opening – it is usually because it offers something ‘different’ from the usual chain experience and we want to share it with you.   Such hotels often end up deciding that it is too hard trying to be a square peg in a round ‘branded’ hole and that it is easier to do their own thing.

We reviewed Hilton Sa Torre in Mallorca here.  It is fair to say that not many Hilton hotels have their own 15th century windmill and 19th century chapel.  The history of the Sa Torre estate dates back even further to the end of the 14th century.  Hilton Sa Torre (click here for the hotel website) is leaving Hilton on 31st December.  I don’t know what will happen to it in January.

Hilton Sa Torre Mallorca review windmill

In the Netherlands, Hotel des Indes in The Hague – part of Marriott’s The Luxury Collection – is leaving Marriott tomorrowWe reviewed the Hotel des Indes here after I bought a night in the Presidential Suite in a charity raffle.

Review Hotel des Indes The Hague Den Haag

The hotel, which has also been an InterContinental and a Le Meridien in the recent past, is apparently joining Leading Hotels of the World.   The hotel is the yellow building in the picture above, and the interior design is equally eclectic.


How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards

How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (April 2024)

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 sign-up bonus 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.

The Platinum Card from American Express

40,000 bonus points and a huge range of valuable benefits – for a fee Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

and for small business owners:

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

(Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)

Comments (125)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Benylin says:

    OT: Pegasus flight from STN to SAW. Seat selection costs money, do you know if it ever becomes free? (E.g. 24hrs before flight?) Or is it just decided upon check-in.

    • Shoestring says:

      Doubt it. With Ryanair it pays to check in last minute, when you stand the best chance of not getting a middle.

      • Shoestring says:

        Big Brother Google Ad is watching – so we mention Pegasus & immediately one of the HfP ads changes to Pegasus – Cyprus £93.99, Tel Aviv & Dubai £110.99!

  • MD says:

    OT as Bits.

    Currently stuck in the Eurostar lounge in Brussels as the whole service is suspended! Thank goodness for platinum Amex… Apparently some problem with a broken down TGV near Lille. Originally the 1856 was delayed 45 to 60 minutes by this. Now they’ve just announced the entire service is suspended. No further information, ridiculous really.

    Obviously can’t be the first time this has happened. Would appreciate any advice from wise HFPers (not really expecting any timely advice, just posting this as I don’t have anything better to do whilst waiting!).

    I guess it’s a hotel in Brussels for the night and try to get home tomorrow, send the bill to Eurostar. Shame I needed to be in work tomorrow morning at 0800 but hey ho.

    Can’t remember for the life of me which credit card I booked this on. Platinum insurance not good for delays IIRC in any case. Guess that will give me something to occupy myself with 🙄

    • Alan says:

      Yes sadly if not booked on Plat then no delay cover – it can be quite decent if it is though.

  • Victor says:

    Re: Shop Small.
    Has anyone found a small merchant selling things like theatre vouchers?
    I’ve found some more unusual places this year (garden centre for Xmas tree, plenty of butchers) and hoping to find a few more gems.

    Quite surprised there isn’t a forum about it somewhere given what a deal it is.

  • RussC says:

    OT. Just heard from BA re a MAN/LHR/AUS/AUS/LHR/MAN itinerary that from April 1st they are cancelling the BA1388 12.10 flight. This means there is a 4 hour gap from around 10.00am till 2pm for a MAN connection. I flew the 1388 10days ago and it was rammed. This flight collects a lot of long haul connection passengers (as witnessed by the numbers around the carousel at Manchesters ‘delightful’ T3). Poor show BA!

    • Anna says:

      Every time we connect to or from LHR it’s rammed! They just don’t seem bothered about getting business from northerners at all. My long haul flight next August has now been moved to a departure time 75 mins later than it was originally, but due to the pitiful number of connecting flights we’re still going to have to leave MAN on the first shuttle at 7 am.

      Waiting at the luggage carousel at T3 is like jostling for space in someone’s garage!

  • TM says:

    OT – I booked the Ritz Carlton Geneva with Marriott points, it says “your reward certificate will be sent to the hotel’

    What does this mean?

    • Alan says:

      It just means you successfully have a reward certificate attached to the reservation (they’ll electronically send it to the hotel). Marriott alllows for ‘points advance’ bookings, so you can have a reservation that is unpaid – nearer the time the hotel would be chasing you for payment! If you pay for it with points this generates a reward certificate that gets attached to the reservation. I think other chains (eg. Hilton) have a similar system but don’t allow reservations without attached certificates.

      It has proved useful with the travel package fiasco when trying to work out if the call centre have done things correctly or not!

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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