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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.

Hilton Sa Torre Mallorca review windmill

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.

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 (December 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 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.

The Platinum Card from American Express

Huge 80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large 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 (124)

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

  • Sandra says:

    Bits. Although it might have already been posted and I missed it. BA Edinburgh to Palma seasonal flight has had its operational day changed from Friday to Saturday (at least it has in June). Thankfully the change for me only involved cancelling an overnight in a hotel but might be problematic for others. Hope no changes to the Manchester ones as family joining us from there. Excellent rewards deal by the way with bacon rolls, coffee and drinks on the flight. Not quite the same as the majority on here aspire to but a great deal for 5 of us to get to the sun together and means the villa can can be in the luxury bracket when mum pays. Simple pleasures.
    Thanks Rob for all the helpful information.

    • Rob says:

      Oddly BA used to run a charter for Barrhead Travel on Saturdays. Not sure what is happening to that.

      • Sandra says:

        No sign of that on their website at the moment. Packages showing Easyjet as the airline. Flights various but no BA.

  • Jovanna says:

    I checked in to the Kimpton Fitzroy yesterday on my IHG CC free night. The pre-authorisation on my Amex card triggered the Small Shop email / notification. Made for an interesting night!

    Using different cards, the offer triggered in Burr & Co, Palm Court and Fitz’s. Also received a £15 ‘Raid the Bar’ voucher, which was used in Palm Court.

    • Craig says:

      I have three nights there in May, one free night and 2 on points. How is it? The Daily Fail’s recent review was pretty poor.

      • Jovanna says:

        It felt more like an Intercontinental than a Kimpton. I’ve done a number of Kimptons in the US.

        No complaints. Everything was new. The staff were helpful. Rooms were ‘compact’ but quiet and comfortable. Amenities were nice.

        Remembervthe ‘Social Hour’ between 5pm and 6pm on the first floor – free wine and fizz. Remember to look at the T&Cs on the Raid the Bar voucher. There are some restrictions. Would visit again.

  • Tony says:

    Great shame about the Hilton Sa Torre. Have stayed there a few times & they always looked after us well as a family (50% off second room, always interconnected etc). Also produced bountiful hauls of HH points, especially with the triple summer bonuses. Place was showing some signs of wear on our last visit however, especially around the guest rooms.

  • Mike Buckley says:

    It is normal for an airline to recognise one union per work group and Virgin already recognises BALPA as the union that represents pilots. The one third of pilots who are members of the PPU are those who left BALPA some years ago after ‘falling out’ with BALPA after a particularly acrimonious dispute between Virgin and the union.

  • Dan says:

    OT: I’m pretty sure I saw a few comments yesterday from people that have had their points from the recent Marriott 29 Ways promotion? Anyone else?

    • Alan says:

      Yep quite a lot have (see FT too), but by no means universal and still well within the timescale in the T&Cs, so should hopefully still post fine for those that haven’t yet received them.

      • Liz says:

        None for our 2 accounts yet

        • David Dunphy says:

          None on our accounts at the moment either. Should be another couple of weeks I think before chasing it up. That plus the Starwood data loss could make it very difficult to get through to the customer service team.

    • Tilly says:

      Some but not all have posted for me.

  • RussellH says:

    OT: Marriott / Starwood.

    In August I booked three night at the Sheraton Towers Hong Kong using Starpoints and cash.

    We have been considering reducing the number of nights on the booking, but checking online the booking no. has changed, and it is now described as an “EALS rate program” booking and no longer any mention of it being points and cash. The cash price has not changed.

    I phoned two Marriott call centres yesterday. Neither knew what EALS was; both insisted that it was a cash only booking, so that if I part cancelled there were no points to refund.
    I told the second agent about the original confirmation e-mail which states that it is points and cash; he says he has raised an issue with the hotel and has asked for copies of the original e-mails.
    Anyone else had a similar experience?
    Thanks

  • Nick says:

    Is it now a prerequisite with BAOB to enter your VAT number to join? My company has been a member pretty much since the program started, and we’re not VAT registered.

    When signing in there is indeed a request for, “To complete our records, please provide the information below = VAT No.”, and I simply click on “No Thanks, I will provide this information later”. It’s never been a problem, but I can obviously see it being so if it’s now definitely required in the sign up process to join.

    • Rob says:

      I believe so. There was a big issue when they started it, because it excludes charities as well as smaller SMEs or those who operate in non-VAT sectors.

    • Alan says:

      Has been a requirement for a 12-18 months or so? Have certainly been getting that box for ages and I remember discussion on here about it when they brought in the requirement for new members.

      • Lady London says:

        They never used to have the box till about 2 years ago. Before that if you could not complete the vat field at signup then no signup.

        So the box is an improvement. BTW the other OW bus progs do not seem to require same.

        Lastly remember min 2 people in co. have to fly OB before co.pts may be used. Favours couples with own business and presumably British Airways intends to exclude sole practitioners.

  • Doodles says:

    OT, it’s my birthday today and despite joining BAEC in 2010, I have never received any kind of birthday offer from them, until this year when they offered me 2018 avios for nothing. Have a good day, everyone.

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