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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.

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How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards

How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (January 2025)

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

There are two dedicated Hilton Honors debit cards. These are especially attractive when spending abroad due to the 0% or 0.5% FX fee, depending on card.

You also receive FREE Hilton Honors status for as long as you hold the debit cards – Gold status with the Plus card and Silver status with the basic card. This is a great reason to apply even if you rarely use it.

We reviewed the Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card here and the Hilton Honors Debit Card here.

You can apply for either card here.

NEW: Hilton Honors Plus Debit

10,000 bonus points, Hilton Gold status and NO FX fees Read our full review

NEW: Hilton Honors Debit

2,500 bonus points, Hilton Silver status and 0.5% FX fees Read our full review

There is another way of getting Hilton Honors status, and earning Hilton Honors points, from a payment card.

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

50,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Hilton Honors points indirectly with:

and for small business owners:

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

Comments (64)

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

  • Tariq says:
    22 Mar22 March 04:59

    I cancelled the IHG credit card many moons ago, but checking points rates logged in vs not logged in this morning, I can see the -20% rates available to me. Others are likely to have the same luck.

    • Si says:
      22 Mar22 March 05:32

      Same. I’ve just been through my pending rewards stays and where there is still availability, I’ve generally managed to shave a few 1000 points from each night.

      Good old Creation. Forgot to tell it’s parents we’ve split up so I still receive presents 🙂

    • DevonDiamond says:
      22 Mar22 March 15:23

      Last had it in erm 2016/7?

  • MKB says:
    22 Mar22 March 05:29

    I have the IHG credit card, I’m signed up for “IHG Rewards Club Credit Card Offers and Promotions” but not “Partner Offers and Promotions”. I wasn’t emailed, so appreciated this article.

    Incidentally, clicking on Comments in the email directed me to the Amex Preferred Gold article, not this one.

  • Andrew J says:
    22 Mar22 March 06:18

    Do we need to use the IHG credit card to guarantee the stay or will an Amex be fine do we think?

  • Chris says:
    22 Mar22 March 07:04

    I have the IHG Premium card but unlike others, I’m not seeing the -20% reward pricing when logged into my account. Does anyone know how I can fix this?

    • Claire says:
      22 Mar22 March 07:09

      I’m the same. Looking at my 02 booking even with a 20% off it only takes it down to rate I already paid though

      • Andrew J says:
        22 Mar22 March 07:13

        That’s because the rates will have increased since you booked.

    • Gary says:
      22 Mar22 March 07:43

      Same here

      • Rob says:
        22 Mar22 March 08:53

        Are you spending on the card? Are you looking for rooms before mid May?

        • Chris says:
          22 Mar22 March 10:07

          Hi Rob,

          Yes, I’m spending on my Premium IHG card. My Creation card year ends in August and I’ve spent £12k so far.

          There is no difference in reward pricing when logged into my IHG account vs searching logged out for stays before 25 May. Any tips on what to do? I’d like to book some stay using this offer in early May.

  • NorthernLass says:
    22 Mar22 March 07:17

    Lol. My first thought was will IHG even know who hasn’t got the cc any more?
    Hilton island looks intriguing – hopefully not quite Maldives prices as I don’t think it will be able to truly compete.

    • Entitled says:
      22 Mar22 March 09:26

      Even at Maldives prices it can be reached in half the time, on a wider variety of airlines (with greater reward availablity given it is a hub?), and presumably doesn’t require a sea plane transfer.

      If the resort itself matches up I can see this proving very popular.

    • yorkieflyer says:
      22 Mar22 March 20:49

      Just imagine all the ghastly folk you would meet there!

  • NorthernLass says:
    22 Mar22 March 07:39

    Also, slightly off topic, would a points plus cash booking count towards the current £50 off £200 spend offer?

  • KJ says:
    22 Mar22 March 07:50

    I have the IHG Premium credit card but there’s no -20% reward pricing when I’m logged in either. How would IHG know if I have the (Creation) card or not?

    • Rob says:
      22 Mar22 March 08:53

      If you’re not spending on the card, they don’t know.

      • KJ says:
        22 Mar22 March 08:58

        I am spending on my Creation card! The last time was just 3 weeks ago. I def can’t see the -20% pricing when I log in and try to book for mid May

  • Sarah says:
    22 Mar22 March 07:59

    Thanks for this. Just saved 49K points over Easter holidays.

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

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