Fan Club
Preferred Hotels & Resorts boosts I Prefer loyalty programme
Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, is celebrating the highly anticipated return of travel by making a series of valuable updates to its I Prefer Hotel Rewards loyalty programme
From a new flexible member rate and an Elite Platinum offer to the brand’s first-ever I Prefer e-gift cards and more than 25 new participating hotels worldwide, these programme enhancements demonstrate Preferred’s unwavering commitment to offer best-in-class independent hotel experiences to its loyal and discerning I Prefer members as they ask, “Where Next?” following an extended period at home.
“Listening to and engaging with our loyal I Prefer members throughout this pandemic has been a top priority, and through these candid dialogues, we have learned that they want greater flexibility and more diverse offers as travel restrictions are lifted,” Jeri Salazar, Vice President of Loyalty for Preferred Hotels & Resorts, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“We are confident that the decisions we’ve made to enhance the programme will provide travellers with a less restrictive, more valuable way to book authentic, one-of-a-kind independent hotel experiences whenever they decide to travel next.”
Flexible member rate
Recognising the importance of member-only value and flexibility, Preferred Hotels & Resorts is doubling down through a new flexible member rate that offers access to savings of 10 per cent or higher on top of the best available rate when they book stays at more than 300 participating hotels.
The new flexible rate is also fully cancellable up through day of arrival, providing travellers with the peace of mind needed if travel plans get disrupted.
Bookings must contain a valid I Prefer member number and be made through PreferredHotels.com, IPrefer.com, the I Prefer app, the GDS, participating hotels’ websites, or the Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ global reservations team.
The new rate is available now for travel through December 31.
Elite Platinum offer
In addition to everyday Elite member benefits – which include complimentary room category upgrades, early check-in and late check-out, VIP welcome amenities, free internet, and 50 per cent bonus points earning per eligible stay – the newly launched Elite Platinum offer features daily breakfast for two and a resort credit of $100 per stay that can be used toward on-property expenditures.
Available for travel now through December 31, this unique benefit is valid exclusively to I Prefer Elite members for stays at more than 170 participating properties worldwide such as JA Manafaru (Maldives); The Upper House (Hong Kong); Grand Hotel Tremezzo (Lake Como, Italy); Finca Cortesin (Casares, Spain); Shutters on the Beach (Santa Monica, California); and Grand Velas Riviera Maya (Mexico).
Members can access this benefit by visiting PreferredHotels.com/eliteplatinum or contacting I Prefer member services at +1 636 736 4397.
I Prefer e-gift cards
For the first time ever, Preferred Hotels & Resorts is offering I Prefer e-gift cards, which are available for a limited period now through June 27 as part of the company’s International Pineapple Week celebrations.
The I Prefer e-gift cards may be purchased exclusively online now in denominations of $100 and $250 with no expiration date, which can be used towards future stays at participating hotels and resorts in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
As an additional gesture of hospitality, every purchase comes with 20 per cent more value in the form of a $20 or $50 bonus card, respectively. To purchase I Prefer e-gift cards, see participating hotels, and read terms and conditions, visit shop.preferredhotels.com/giftcards through June 27.
Newest hotel options for I Prefer travels
With a portfolio of more than 700 distinctive hotels and resorts worldwide, I Prefer offers the benefits of a robust points-based loyalty programme with access to authentic hotel experiences to suit every travel need.
More than 25 new properties have recently joined Preferred’s prestigious loyalty programme, including Biltmore Hotel (Coral Gables, Florida); Montage Healdsburg (Sonoma County, California); The Social House (Nairobi, Kenya); Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay (Fnideq, Morocco); La Villa Haussmann (Paris, France); Brenton Hotel (Newport, Rhode Island); Palmaia, The House of AiA (Riviera Maya, Mexico); Bluedoors York Luxury Suites (Medellin, Colombia); Rancho Santana (Rancho Santana, Nicaragua); Middle Eight (London, United Kingdom); Hayfield Manor (Cork, Ireland); Deltapark Vitalresort (Gwatt, Switzerland); JA Oasis Beach Tower (Dubai, United Arab Emirates), and Noku Maldives (Noonu Atoll, Maldives).
Protecting loyalty status, points
Preferred Hotels & Resorts is also extending the points expiration date for all I Prefer members globally through December 31.
In March, Preferred was among the first travel companies globally to announce its plan to protect the hard-earned benefits of its loyalty members by announcing that all I Prefer Elite members globally will maintain their status through June 30, regardless of their travel activity this year.
With more than 3.5 million travellers currently enrolled in membership, I Prefer is complimentary to join. Travellers who would like to take advantage of these exclusive promotions are invited to enrol in the program via IPrefer.com/enroll.
Featured
‘Unlimited Play – Eat. Sip. Repeat.’: New Premium All-Inclusive at The Standard, Maldives
The Standard, Maldives, the stylish and unconventional resort in Raa Atoll, announces the launch of its most generous offering yet: the Premium All-Inclusive package, timed to complement its highly anticipated Festive 2025 programme. Titled “Unlimited Play – Eat. Sip. Repeat,” the package is designed to provide guests with a hassle-free, elevated island experience, ensuring every moment is infused with fun and luxury without reaching for the wallet. The move reinforces The Standard’s commitment to offering unscripted fun and memorable stays in the Maldives.
The Premium All-Inclusive
The Premium All-Inclusive package covers all daily meals across four dining venues, including the signature specialty restaurants. At the heart of the offering is the unlimited premium beverage programme: guests can enjoy free-flowing Champagne; choose from over 50 premium wines, prosecco, and sparkling selections from around the world; and access top-shelf spirits with crafted cocktails and mocktails available all day and into the late-night hours at Todis and by the pool.
Beyond dining, the package includes further inclusions. Every villa receives a daily replenished, fully stocked mini bar featuring two bottles of premium wine, two spirits, and four beers. For stays of six nights or more, the Ultimate Indulgence is unlocked, granting each adult a complimentary 45-minute spa treatment—either a restorative massage or a DIY hammam experience. In addition, guests receive one complimentary Adventure Time excursion per stay, selecting from a sunset fishing trip, a lucky dolphin cruise, or a romantic sunset cruise.
Festive Season 2025
As the year draws to a close, The Standard, Maldives invites guests to join the Festive 2025 celebrations, an immersive programme that transforms the island into a lively setting of parties and bespoke gastronomy. From Christmas Eve through the New Year, the resort’s playful spirit will feature uniquely Standard activities, decorations, and a curated line-up of entertainment for guests of all ages.
Highlights of the Festive 2025 calendar include exclusive themed beach parties, culinary journeys crafted by international chefs, and dedicated events for families. The celebrations will culminate in a high-energy New Year’s Eve gala with performances, fireworks over the lagoon, and dancing to ring in 2026 in The Standard’s signature style.
“At The Standard, we believe true luxury means freedom; freedom to play, indulge, and live in the moment without a second thought. Our new Premium All-Inclusive is all about that: seamless, generous, and fun. From Champagne breakfasts to late-night cocktails, it’s the easiest decision guests will ever make on holiday,” said Justin Swart, General Manager, The Standard, Maldives.
The Standard, Maldives aims to offer a celebratory experience this year by coupling the convenience of the Premium All-Inclusive with its Festive 2025 programming, setting the stage for a holiday season where preferences are catered to from the first welcome bubbles to the last dance of the New Year.
Celebration
Villa Park sets holiday line-up with sunset welcome, Santa visit and NYE gala
Villa Park has announced its Festive 2025–2026 programme, running from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026. The schedule moves from lagoon-side mornings to music-led evenings on the beach, beginning with a sunset welcome and continuing with beach barbecues, creative workshops, Christmas Eve dinner, Santa’s visit on 25 December, and a New Year’s Eve gala with a midnight countdown. The season concludes with programmes on New Year’s Day and Orthodox Christmas.
Daytime activities include chef demonstrations, shoreline art sessions, and live music. Evenings feature romantic tables, treetop dining for two, and simple set-ups that highlight the island setting. The programme is designed for couples, friends, and families to join as they wish.
Family programming centres on Park Players, presented as the Maldives’ largest kids’ club, with letters to Santa, gingerbread crafts, ocean-themed art, movement classes, story time, and film nights. Group sizes are kept small to ensure attentive supervision.
Villa Park’s family offering has been recognised beyond the festive season, with the resort named among the Best Resorts for Families in the Maldives at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, a reader-voted accolade reflecting guest feedback on space, programming, and flexible pacing.
Throughout the calendar, private experiences sit alongside larger celebrations, including candlelit beach dining, treetop tastings, floating breakfasts, and open-air cinema for two. Guests can set their own rhythm, whether opting for lively beach gatherings or quiet evenings under lanterns and palms, from sunrise through to the New Year countdown and beyond.
Celebration
Mindful festive escape: Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa focuses on connection and renewal
This festive season, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa will welcome guests to a celebration of warmth, wonder and mindful connection. From 19 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, the resort will transform into a serene island sanctuary where nature, gastronomy and meaningful experiences come together in harmony.
Situated in one of the most untouched atolls of the Maldives, Huvadhu Atoll, Hadahaa embodies a refined simplicity that showcases the beauty of the natural world. Throughout the festive period, guests are invited to slow down, reconnect and rediscover the joy of being fully present, surrounded by turquoise waters, lush island greenery and Maldivian hospitality.
“The festive season at Hadahaa is more than a celebration — it’s a homecoming,” said Anshul Sharma, General Manager of Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa. “It’s a time to reflect, to celebrate togetherness and to embrace the island’s timeless rhythm where nature and joy coexist effortlessly.”
Highlights of the Festive Season:
- Holiday splendour and timeless traditions – From the twinkling lights of the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony to the New Year’s Eve Countdown by the Beach, each event is shaped by the understated elegance that defines Park Hyatt. Familiar festive traditions are reinterpreted with authentic island touches, creating celebrations that feel both comforting and renewed.
- Beneath the holiday surface – Adventure enthusiasts will be able to join Festive Snorkelling and Diving excursions, Turtle Quests and an Exclusive Christmas Night Dive. Each marine experience offers a deeper connection to the ocean’s vibrant ecosystem, enhanced by the festive spirit of exploration.
- Season of renewal – Guests can restore body and mind with holistic spa journeys at The Vidhun Spa, featuring Ayurveda-inspired treatments, island botanicals and festive rituals designed to support inner balance. The resort will also host Dr Jyoti Kodwani, founder of The Sacred Chakras, for a month-long Festive Wellness Residency offering transformative healing therapies.
- Festive flavours and family moments – From Barefoot BBQs by the Bay to elevated treehouse dining beneath the stars, dining experiences are designed to become lasting memories. Younger guests can take part in creative workshops, treasure hunts and Santa’s seaside arrival, ensuring special moments for families and guests of all ages.
This year, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa’s festive programme captures the essence of renewal and joy, celebrating life’s simplest pleasures with a blend of sophistication and soul.
-
News1 week agoThe Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort unveils festive season programme with beachside Christmas, Gatsby-themed New Year
-
Action5 days agoSheraton Maldives partners with tennis pro Jackson Withrow, yoga expert Dawn Sim for guest experiences
-
News1 week agoKuda Villingili Maldives welcomes New Year with music, memories, magic ‘Through the Decades’
-
Featured1 week agoAlila Kothaifaru Maldives aligns festive events with World of Care commitments
-
Awards1 week agoIfuru Island Maldives claims five major titles at the 2025 World Luxury Awards
-
News1 week agoBestbuy Maldives, IREKS launch baking demonstration series with Master Baker Steven Selvamuthu
-
Awards1 week agoGrand Park Kodhipparu celebrates trio of honours at 2025 World Luxury Awards
-
News1 week agoSAii Lagoon Maldives brings Retro Tropicana vibes to festive season


