NEWS & OFFERS: Buy Gold status in Accor + discounts and perks, W Maldives and Avios extra earnings

W Maldives to be completely refurbished

W Hotels can often be quite dark in their decor, which can be off-putting for those of us past our 20s (I remember being in a lift in one and not being able to read any of the floor numbers because it was so dark!). However, recently, W announced a new signature style that will be lighter and more appealing to a broader audience.

W Maldives will be the next hotel to receive a makeover to a brighter look and could be a great use of Marriott Bonvoy points as it is definitely not cheap!

“We are not simply unveiling a completely renovated resort; we are redefining our signature, liberated approach to destination-driven luxury with this newly reimagined hotel,” said George Fleck, Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader, W Hotels. “W Maldives has been transformed for both global travelers and locals alike, offering meaningful experiences and a deep dive into the cultural richness of these islands. We’ve created a haven that reflects the dynamic energy of this world-class, coveted destination while setting a new standard for W Hotels Escapes globally.”

The changes are evident the moment guests touch down by seaplane, greeted by the signature Arrival Jetty with a hidden bar with uninterrupted views of the house reef. Next the brand’s signature Living Room welcomes guests into an open-air sanctuary, where soaring ceilings, bold colors, and natural textures frame the ocean views.

The 77 villas have been transformed taking inspiration from local nature. Overwater villas take style from the patterns of whale sharks, while beach villas channel the textures of mangroves.

Dining at W Maldives has also been redesigned. At FISH, the resort’s signature fine dining restaurant, guests can indulge in a sustainable ocean-to-table concept. FIRE presents a relaxed beachside smokehouse, while KITCHEN, the all-day dining venue, fuels guests with a daily breakfast spread and international favorites. Throughout the year, W Maldives will host exclusive pop-ups, featuring world-renowned chefs. SIP is W Maldives’ overwater Latin American-inspired bar with sunset views.

“The reimagined W Maldives embraces the deep cultural heritage of the Maldives, blending it with the resort’s modern design to create an immersive, elevated experience,” says Amila Handunwala, General Manager, W Maldives. “Our goal is to offer guests a unique opportunity to connect with the traditions of the Maldives, from its rich history and cultural rituals to its natural beauty, while enjoying the bold, creative energy that W Hotels is known for. Every detail has been thoughtfully designed to reflect the soul of the destination, inviting guests to explore, discover, and unwind in a truly exceptional setting.”

You can find more information and prices at www.wmaldives.com.

Buy Gold for Accor + discounts and perks

For many years, the Ibis Business paid card was a great way to get Gold status in Accor. Unfortunately, that card was killed off, and the new alternative is not usually quite as good. However, it does have some benefits that can make sense to pay the fee for, especially when there is a promotion on membership as there is at the moment. You will need to do the maths if you have a trip planned or use Accor a lot as you get 10% off anyway for being a normal ALL Accor member. 

Here is what the paid membership gives you:

ALL PLUS Voyageur provides a 20% discount across 10 Luxury & Premium hotel brands and 15% discount in 9 Midscale & Economy brands.

ALL PLUS Voyageur provides a 20% discount across 10 Luxury & Premium hotel brands and 15% discount in 9 Midscale & Economy brands.

• Luxury (3) : Sofitel, SO/, Sofitel LEGEND
• Premium (7) : MGallery, 21C Museums Hotels, Mondrian, Pullman, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, The Sebel
• Midscale (4) : Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, Tribe
• Economy (5) : ibis Styles, ibis, Adagio Access, greet, ibis budget

ALL PLUS includes booking priority unlocking a room up to 2 days prior to arrival, even if the hotel is fully booked.

Normally it also gives you 20 nights credits towards your status, which is equivalent to silver. However, for the offer period you will now get 30 nights credit which gives you Gold. This means you also get the benefits of silver plus:

• Complimentary room upgrades (subject to availability).
• Early check-in or late check-out.

The usual cost of ALL Voyageur is £169 and the Gold offer runs until 30 March 2025. 

You can buy the membership and find out more here.

Avios extra earnings

I do all my online shopping through avios.com (same as the BA store and also available as an app) and a lot of my travel bookings too. There are plenty of hotels like Marriott and Hilton that you can book through the Avios portal for significant amounts of Avios as well as the benefits of booking direct with the hotel. The portal simply directs you to the hotel’s normal website. Just remember, if you need to change something on the booking, that will invalidate the Avios, so it is better to cancel and rebook if you can. 

I also recommend linking all your credit cards to the in-store option as there are many bars, restaurants and shops that now offer Avios. I stupidly didn’t and found out that I paid with the wrong card at the weekend, somewhere that now gives Avios. Doh! I have now made sure all my cards are registered!

At the moment there are some extra Avios available on the following brands. These offers don’t give a time on the promotion so don’t wait if you need to buy something.

• If you are looking for Mother’s Day or any occasion flowers, there is a whopping 17 Avios per £1 with M&S Flowers
• Hilton 6 Avios per £1
• Hotels.com 8 Avios per £1
• Harvey Nicholls 6 Avios £1 online (although can be as high as 12 Avios per £1)
• Selfridges 12 Avios per £1
• Look Fantastic 7 Avios per £1
• Apple 5 Avios per £1 (check the T&C as some products can be excluded)
• Molton Brown 10 Avios per £1
• Confused.com car insurance 4000 Avios
• Uswitch home insurance  4000 Avios
• Nespresso 6 Avios per £1