Hilton news: new Conrad Singapore opens, LivSmart Studios becomes the 22nd brand

News in brief:

Conrad Singapore Orchard hotel now open

Hilton has opened the Conrad Singapore Orchard hotel. The website is here.

Set on Orchard Road, this is a full top-to-toe refurbishment of the old Regent Singapore. IHG is probably jealous that, having bought Regent, it missed out on the chance to retain what looks like a lovely property.

The 10 restaurants and bars, including Michelin-starred restaurant Summer Palace, have been open since last year but you can now stay the night too. A picture of the lobby is below.

There are 445 ‘newly imagined’ guest rooms which take their design cue from the nearby Botanical Garden. To quote:

“Floor-to-ceiling windows, complemented by plantation shutters, invite nature from the outdoors in. The spaces have been designed using serene, natural tones in sand, cream, and muted greens, accented by signature palm motifs and potted tropical trees.”

There is also an outdoor pool and an Executive Lounge.

According to the website, there is an extra incentive to book. You will earn an additional 5,000 Hilton Honors Points per stay if you book by 30th April. Your stay can be at any point up to 30th June.

Hilton launches its latest brand – LivSmart Studios

Hilton has launched its 22nd brand – LivSmart Studios.

(The chain really needs to pull its finger out. Just 22 brands? Come on! Marriott is now at 31 and Accor is at 42.)

It is aimed at the long stay market, and at a lower price point than existing Hilton long stay brands. We don’t see any of Hilton’s long stay brands in the UK, and given that features of LivSmart include ‘outdoor patios with grills’ and ‘a communal fire pit’ I doubt we can expect LivSmart either.

All suites will have a fully equipped kitchen including a full size fridge, dishwasher, microwave and two ring cooking surface.

Weirdly, the lobby is described as ‘hyper functional’. The brand standard is that there must be a clear line of sight from the front desk to the fitness and guest laundry areas (no idea why!). All sites will feature a ‘simple retail market’.

The first one will open in Kokomo, Indiana if you are passing through at any point.

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

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 30th April 2025, the annual fee on the basic Hilton Honors debit card is halved from £60 to £30. The sign-up bonus is also easier to earn – you need to spend £1,000 either in the UK or abroad within three months. The usual bonus rule requires you to spend the full £1,000 outside the UK.

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.

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 Hilton Honors points indirectly with:

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

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

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 Hilton Honors 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.