Hilton and Small Luxury Hotels of the World today announced that they have signed an exclusive strategic partnership that will soon roll out.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) is a collection of 564 independent hotels, many of which are based in Europe. Some of these, not all, will become available for bookings through Hilton (both paid and awards). SLH’s current partnership with Hyatt will soon end.

You can access Hilton here and SLH here.

UPDATE: The Hilton’s earnings call indicated that all SLH hotels would become part of this partnership.

UPDATE: Hilton’s Email to Honors Members:

SLH’s Coverage:

Not all these SLH hotels will become available through Hilton’s channels.

SLH’s Own Guest Loyalty Program:

SLH has its own Club with two elite tiers of Inspired and Indulged.

Base Level Benefits (Intrigued)

Inspired Benefits (Tier 2)

Indulged Benefits (Tier 3)

SLH & Hyatt Issues

• Only a selection of SLH’s hotels are available for bookings.
• The pricing on Hyatt’s website is way off what is available on SLH’s own webpage or OTAs.
• Limited elite benefits.

Hilton’s Announcement:

Hilton Partners with Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ To Dramatically Expand Global Luxury Portfolio

MCLEAN, Va., and LONDON – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) and Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) today announced an exclusive strategic partnership that will welcome Hilton guests to hundreds of independently minded luxury hotels in the most sought-after destinations around the world. The partnership will dramatically expand the luxury experiences offered by Hilton as unique SLH properties join the unparalleled hotels of the growing Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and LXR Hotels & Resorts brands.

Through this exclusive partnership, which will ramp up in the months ahead, all of Hilton’s customers, including the more than 180 million members of Hilton Honors, will soon be able to dream, book and earn and redeem Points for stays at participating properties in the SLH community of 560 luxury boutique hotels spanning 90 countries. These locations are highly complementary to Hilton’s vast network of hotels and will give guests access to additional luxury accommodations in hundreds of new destinations.

“Hilton guests are among the most sophisticated travelers in the world, and we are always looking for amazing new experiences to share with them,” said Chris Silcock, president, Global Brands and Commercial Services, Hilton. “This relationship with Small Luxury Hotels of the World will grant Hilton customers and Hilton Honors members access to a community of high-end boutique hotels in exciting new luxury travel destinations, giving them more ways to dream, book, and earn and redeem points with Hilton.”

Participating SLH hotels will be bookable on all Hilton channels, giving the hotels exposure to a broad audience while allowing them to retain the independent spirit that makes each property unique.

“We’re thrilled to begin this win-win relationship with Hilton as it brings exciting possibilities for both brands,” said Shaun Leleu, chairman, Small Luxury Hotels of the World. “Hilton customers, including Hilton Honors members, gain access to our unrivalled collection of exceptional boutique hotels, while our properties enjoy amplified reach to a loyal and discerning audience. It’s a game changer for independently owned hotels on a global scale.”

More details of this new relationship will be announced soon.

SLH Pricing Comparison:

Conclusion

It was clear after Hyatt purchased Mr & Mrs Smith’s booking platform, which then was partnered with IHG, that their partnership with SLH would soon end, and here we are.

The main issue I have had with SLH in general and their partnership with Hyatt has been that these hotels are way overpriced on Hyatt’s platform compared to SLH’s website and various OTAs.

In essence, SLH has no control over what prices their loosely affiliated hotels offer to various OTAs, which often heavily discount them. You could always find these hotels for 30% to 50% less outside of Hyatt’s booking channels, where only Best Flexible Rate types have been available.

Some of these hotels, however, have been relatively good deal using points. It remains to be seen what level of point pricing we’ll have when some of them are Honors participating.