It’s a common misconception that trendy, boutique hotels don’t live in the points, miles and loyalty ecosystem. However, there are actually hundreds — and hundreds! — of incredible, independent hotels that are the opposite of cookie-cutter (think: small room counts, art-filled lobbies and a distinct sense of place).
A lot of these stylish, boutique hotels enter the points world through curated hotel collections that participate in loyalty programs, giving hotels a wider reach of potential guests without having to adhere to strict brand standards that change the spirit of the property.
One of the pioneers in this space is Design Hotels, a collection of hundreds of independently-owned hotels and resorts dotting the globe, each with its own identity, personality and approach to hospitality.
“Every hotel is picked for its originality [and] the vision that’s behind it,” Stijn Oyen, managing director at Design Hotels, told TPG, adding that each property has “a strong point of view and cultural connection.”
And it’s not necessarily easy to make the cut for this collection: According to Oyen, only about 5% of the hotels that apply to join Design Hotels are accepted in an effort to “stay true to the original roots and values of what makes a design hotel.”
Then there’s the loyalty twist: Marriott actually owns Design Hotels, and many (but not all) of the collection’s properties participate in Marriott Bonvoy.
Here’s a quick guide to everything you need to know about Design Hotels, plus a few standout properties where you can earn and burn Marriott Bonvoy points.
What is Design Hotels?
Founded in the early 1990s, Design Hotels was created to bring together independently owned, design-forward hotels that shared a commitment to originality, creativity and local culture.
Today, that collection is more than 300 members strong, with new properties regularly joining. What differentiates the collection is the individuality of each property — each one has its own unique point of view, rather than a prescribed set of standards travelers will see at more traditional hotel brands.
“We’re set up around design,” Oyen explained. “It’s about the vision. It’s about being independent with a voice.”
Design Hotels became part of Marriott’s portfolio following the hotel giant’s acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2016, giving Marriott a majority stake in the company. By 2021, Marriott had acquired full ownership of Design Hotels, though the collection continues to operate as a separate entity, with member hotels retaining their individual identities and independence.
What makes a Design Hotel?
The company describes its properties as “design-driven hotels that function as social hubs and spaces for purposeful experiences.”
But what does that actually mean? To start, getting into the collection isn’t easy, and Design Hotels is looking for one distinguishing factor before choosing a new member: “the originality in its concept.”
According to Oyen, only about 5% of applicants pass the test. Hotels are also evaluated on everything from design and sustainability to cultural programming and the property’s connection to its local community.
“It’s a strong, strong sense of place,” Oyen explained, adding that beyond their physical design, the hotels should have vibrant public spaces that attract locals and feel like an extension of the neighborhoods they call home.
It’s also about the people. According to Oyen, about 60% of Design Hotels owners are first-time hoteliers, bringing fresh perspectives and new approaches to hospitality. The company calls the creative minds behind its properties “Originals,” describing them as “the engines behind pioneering design and revolutionary hospitality,” according to the brand’s website.
Without rigid brand standards dictating every detail, these hoteliers have the freedom to pursue projects that seasoned hospitality pros might consider too risky. That might be as simple as removing TVs from guest rooms or as dramatic as building a hotel accessible only by cable car, like Vigilius Mountain Resort in Italy’s Dolomites.
How does Design Hotels work with Marriott Bonvoy?
For Marriott Bonvoy members, Design Hotels offers a truly independent, boutique-like stay while still allowing them to earn and burn points. Something that, frankly, a lot of people don’t realize is available to them in the loyalty world.
Just don’t forget: Not all Design Hotels participate in Marriott Bonvoy. To see a full list of the 120-plus participating hotels, visit Marriott’s dedicated Design Hotels landing page.
For Design Hotels the relationship with Marriott is a win-win situation: Hotels gain access to nearly 300 million loyalty members while maintaining their “complete independence.”
But because these properties operate differently from traditional Marriott hotels, Bonvoy elite members shouldn’t expect all their usual perks to apply.
Here’s what members can expect based on their status.
| elite status | points bonus | welcome gift | room upgrades | late checkout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Elite | yes | — | — | priority, subject to availability |
| Gold Elite | yes | points | subject to availability | 2 p.m., subject to availability |
| Platinum Elite | yes | points | subject to availability | 4 p.m., subject to availability |
| Titanium Elite | yes | points | subject to availability | 4 p.m., subject to availability |
| Ambassador Elite | yes | points | subject to availability | 4 p.m., subject to availability |
The following Marriott Bonvoy benefits are excluded at Design Hotels:
- Guaranteed lounge access
- Alternative welcome gift options
- Nightly upgrade awards
- Member rates
- Gift shop discount
- Mobile check-in and key
- Mobile chat
- Your24
- Ultimate reservation guarantee
- 48-hour guarantee
- Guaranteed room type
Design Hotels on our must-visit list
Villa Sahrai — Casablanca, Morocco
Set near the beach in Casablanca, Villa Sahrai pays respect to “Casablanca’s Art Deco tradition” across its 56 rooms and public spaces. Be sure to take advantage of the spa and its Moroccan hammam before settling down for food at one of two restaurants or a nightcap at the bar.
How to book:Cash rates from around $160 per night or 34,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Vigilius Mountain Resort — Lana, Italy
To get to Vigilius Mountain Resort, guests must ascend a private cable car that travels between the mountain hotel and the village it soars above. But once up at the top, guests are treated to beautiful Dolomite views, architecture that incorporates nature and wellness experiences around every stylish corner.
How to book:Cash rates from about $341 per night or 47,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Austin Poper Hotel — Austin, Texas
At The Austin Proper Hotel, patterns, textures and colors combine in unexpected and beautiful ways from the moment guests step inside until their head hits the pillow. The hotel is as cool as Austin itself, but also full of surprises: You can grab classic Tex-Mex to eat or opt for a French Japanese tasting menu or soak up the sun at the rooftop pool before a lymphatic drain at the Verbena Spa.
How to book: Cash rates from $350 or 54,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Genji Kyoto — Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is no stranger to incredible hotels, but Genji Kyoto offers an intimate experience with just 20 rooms that feel distinctly Japanese and totally sleek and fresh. As serene as they come, spend a day getting lost in Kyoto’s ancient history before heading to the rooftop bar and garden to unwind.
Condesa DF — Mexico City, Mexico
Condesa is one of Mexico City’s trendiest neighborhoods, so it only makes sense to stay in a hotel that also fits the description. At this hotel, enjoy rooftop sushi or French-Mexican fusion food; relax in the hydrotherapy pool or kick back on the patio and watch the city’s cosmopolitan set roam the area.
How to book: Cash rates from $339 per night or 42,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Bottom line
As major hotel companies continue to expand their portfolios beyond traditional hotels, from independent boutique properties to outdoor-focused experiences, collections like Design Hotels are helping diversify what travelers can experience with points and miles.
For Marriott Bonvoy members, that means more opportunities to stay somewhere truly unique without giving up the ability to earn and redeem points. And while the elite benefits might look a little different, the chance to experience a hotel with its own distinct personality might just be worth the trade-off.
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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Source: thepointsguy.com
