Hilton opening a private island resort in Abu Dhabi

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We don’t normally write about new hotels which won’t open in the current year, but this one is different. And 2023 isn’t that far away ……

Hilton’s luxury brand LXR Hotels & Resorts has signed a deal to open a private island resort in Abu Dhabi, complete with a golf course. An image is below.

LXR Hotels & Resorts is, effectively, Curio Collection for very high end properties. Hilton imposes far fewer ‘brand standards’ than it would with a Conrad or Waldorf Astoria.

Al Nawras private island resort Hilton LXR Abu Dhabi

The all-villa resort will include 80 beach and water villas plus a 450 square-metre two-bedroom royal villa. The property will surround its own golf course.

Facilities will include an upscale gym, fitness studio, tennis and paddle courts, a private marina, beach club and spa. There will be three swimming pools to choose from, including two outdoor pools and one indoor. Children will have their own playground, dedicated swimming pool, splash pad and kids’ club.

Can Hilton successfully recreate the feel of a Maldives resort in the Middle East? Will guests actually want to be on their own island? Let’s see. With only 80 villas it certainly won’t be overcrowded.

How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (March 2023)

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

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

30,000 points and unbeatable travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Did you know that the Virgin Atlantic credit cards are a great way of earning Hilton Honors points? Two Virgin Points can be converted into three Hilton Honors points. The Virgin Atlantic cards are the only Visa or Mastercard products in the UK which can indirectly earn Hilton Honors points. You can apply here.

You can also earn Hilton Honors points indirectly with:

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 (40,000 bonus Amex points)

Until 30th March 2023, the sign up bonus on American Express Business Platinum is increased to 120,000 Membership Rewards points – click here. The bonus on American Express Business Gold is increased to 60,000 Membership Rewards points – click here. T&C apply, see the application forms for details.

The conversion rate from American Express to Hilton points is 1:2.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Hilton Honors 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.)

Category

Hilton Honors

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

MKB says:

22 Mar22 March 15:28

The notification of the IHG Rewards 20%-off promotion just arrived by email, so only 12 hours behind HfP!
- MKB says:
  
  22 Mar22 March 15:51
  
  The wording of the email is:
  
  “Just for you! Your IHG® Rewards Club Credit Card gives you early access to this exclusive offer. ”
  
  “Enjoy a 20% discount on Reward Nights when you book 3 or fewer consecutive Reward Nights by 5 April and stay by 25 May 2022.”
  
  So it appears to suggest that the offer will be available to all members after the exclusive early access, and that there is a three-night limit, but whether that is per booking or overall is unclear.
where2travel says:

22 Mar22 March 16:11

Got the email too, but still not seeing any rates with the 20% reduction (despite being logged in). Definitely looking within the booking period dates. Are there any restrictions on destination or hotels?
- Ceri Chaplin says:
  
  22 Mar22 March 16:51
  
  I’ve got the email and was looking to rebook a reward night that I already have booked but there is no 20% decrease showing and the hotel that I am looking at is charging 23,000 now for the same night which when I booked was 18,000?! Any idea what is going on?
  - Will says:
    
    22 Mar22 March 20:27
    
    Welcome to dynamic pricing 🙂
    
    I’ve got a booking for an event this year at 22k points a night and it’s over 100k a night now.
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    22 Mar22 March 22:03
    
    It’s dynamic. Pricing changes with the cash rate. Therefore as time goes on it gets more expensive!
    - Ceri Chaplin says:
      
      23 Mar23 March 05:48
      
      Ah yes that makes sense!
Gary says:

22 Mar22 March 16:59

Not working on my account. Spent 50 mins on the phone with the IHG (non) service centre and they know nothing about it. Keep trying to tell me that 20% will be refunded to my credit card within 90 days. They haven’t a clue!
- Rob says:
  
  22 Mar22 March 18:05
  
  Not working for my wife despite getting the email – although she did cancel her card 3 years ago 🙂
  - Gary says:
    
    23 Mar23 March 06:31
    
    Ha. Well I guess she can’t complain! However, I DO have the card. Typical IHG… held together by sticky tape, at best
  - Chris says:
    
    23 Mar23 March 13:39
    
    Hi Rob. Have you managed to get anywhere with this? It won’t work for me either, the rates are still the same and I’m looking at a stay at the beginning of May. Cheers!
    - Rob says:
      
      23 Mar23 March 14:49
      
      There is a 3 day maximum to get the discount.
      
      Still doesn’t work for my wife but can’t really complain ….
      - Chris G says:
        
        23 Mar23 March 20:06
        
        Still not working for me. Been trying for two nights in Cardiff. 69k whether I’m logged in or not. Strange as I had the email from them advertising this, and my card is very much active, but this offer just won’t work!
Saddle Point says:

22 Mar22 March 19:48

I still have the Hilton branded Barclaycard, I considered closing it a few years ago at it was barely used but now it’s my main card after I’ve hit my BA Amex spend target. Although I’ve probably only earnt enough Hilton points for a keyring!