NEW YORK — Passport holders looking for fresh places to bed down have 18 new excuses to plan a trip, according to a press release by Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Between April 1 and June 30, 2025, the self-described “largest independent hotel brand” expanded its portfolio with addresses that range from a soon-to-debut Austin inn to a medieval castle in the Austrian Alps—each promising plenty of local color for travelers who would rather skip cookie-cutter chains.
Eighteen new reasons to roam
Preferred Hotels & Resorts now represents over 600 properties across 80 countries, with the latest additions adding fresh options on four continents. The April-to-June lineup is also tied to an I Prefer Hotel Rewards promotion: members who reserve any of the new outposts can bank 2,500 bonus points on qualifying stays booked by September 30 and completed between July 3 and December 31, 2025.
Headliners you’ll want on your radar
• Amara Singapore, Singapore — This 389-room stopover in Tanjong Pagar’s business district has just emerged from a top-to-toe makeover that folds neighborhood heritage motifs into modern lines. Expect filtered-water taps in rooms, curated lighting, and on-site cultural immersions such as hawker-stall walks and cooking workshops.
• Castello di Velona Resort Thermal SPA & Winery, Montalcino, Italy — Housed in a restored fortress and overlooking cypress-dotted Val d’Orcia hills, the 45-key retreat treats guests to in-room thermal baths fed by the estate’s own spring, a 1,500-square-meter wellness complex, and private Brunello tastings in the property’s vineyard.
• Green Pastures, Austin, Texas — Opening fall 2025 on seven oak-shaded acres in the creative Bouldin Creek enclave, the 63-room inn revives a 1895 homestead. Two eateries—Mattie’s for refined Southern plates and Henry’s for laid-back bar fare—complement an outdoor pool, fitness studio, and resident peacocks.
• Himalayas Hotel Shanghai, Shanghai, China — Occupying prime real estate in Pudong, this 412-room high-rise caps the mixed-use Shanghai Himalayas Center. Direct links to Shanghai New International Expo Center and Century Park make it a business-plus-leisure option, while jade-themed atriums and a Michelin-starred Shanghainese restaurant soften the corporate edges.
• Imlauer Hotel Schloss Pichlarn, Aigen im Ennstal, Austria — The 110-key castle-hotel sits under the Grimming peak and pairs alpine-Mediterranean dining with an 18-hole championship golf course. The top-tier Private Spa Suite comes with its own sauna and heated loungers.
More fresh addresses are joining the portfolio
Beyond the five spotlighted hotels, thirteen additional properties signed on during the quarter:
- Cala Luna Hotel Boutique & Villas — Santa Cruz, Costa Rica
- Cala del Porto Punta Ala — Castiglione della Pescaia, Italy
- El Santuario Resort & Spa — Valle de Bravo, Mexico
- EPIC SANA Algarve — Algarve, Portugal
- Keswick Hall — Charlottesville, Virginia
- Kivotos Mykonos — Mykonos Island, Greece
- Kivotos Santorini — Santorini, Greece
- Poblado Plaza Hotel — Medellín, Colombia
- Royal Hideaway Corales Villas — Tenerife, Spain
- Savona 18 Suites — Milan, Italy
- The Charleston Place — Charleston, South Carolina
- The Editory Riverside Hotel — Lisbon, Portugal
- Valtur Cervinia Cristallo Ski Resort — Cervinia, Italy
All but a handful fall under the brand’s Lifestyle or L.V.X. collections, categories that aim to balance a sense of place with upscale perks such as personalized concierge service, destination-specific excursions, or design-driven common spaces.
How to collect those 2,500 bonus points
I Prefer Hotel Rewards is free to join and already has 6 million members worldwide. To earn the one-time 2,500-point windfall, travelers must book a qualifying rate at any of the 18 newcomers by September 30 and travel between July 3 and December 31, 2025. Points can be swapped for cash-value Reward Certificates, room upgrades, or amenity discounts, depending on status tier. Reservations can be made on PreferredHotels.com, via the I Prefer mobile app, or through travel advisors using the “PH” and “PV” GDS chain codes.
The loyalty nuts and bolts
• Enrollment: Complimentary at IPrefer.com/enroll.
• Earning: Members accrue points on eligible room rates and earn bonus points during targeted promos.
• Redemption: Points convert to Reward Certificates that function like cash toward room rates, dining, or spa treatments.
• Status: Ranks go from Insider to Titanium, unlocking perks such as early check-in, late checkout, or welcome amenities.
• App: Available on both Apple and Android for booking, certificate redemption, and account management.
• Current membership tally: 5 million, per the program’s background note in the release.
Standout experiences for the curious traveler
One thread ties the diverse properties together: location-centric programming. Think truffle hunting in Tuscany, resident-led heritage walks in Singapore, and guided yoga under Austrian peaks. For city breaks, shoppers can browse Lisbon’s riverside design markets or Medellín’s creative quarter, while skiers eye Cervinia’s newly minted Cristallo slopes come winter 2025.
Tips for Travelers
- Book early: The bonus-point window closes on September 30, and peak festive-season dates will fill up quickly.
- Compare collections: Legend Collection hotels, such as Keswick Hall, often include complimentary experiences—like golf sessions or vineyard tastings—that may help offset higher nightly rates.
- Mind the opening dates: Green Pastures in Austin and Valtur Cervinia Cristallo Ski Resort will not accept guests until fall 2025; ensure your travel dates align accordingly.
- Check participation: While most of the 18 newcomers honor I Prefer benefits, verify that your chosen rate and room type are eligible before locking in plans.
- Leverage chain codes: Agents booking through GDS should use “PH” or “PV” to surface the correct rates and promos.
Is the 2,500-point bonus stackable with other offers?
No. The press release specifies that the bonus is a stand-alone promotion applied once per member, per stay, on eligible bookings at the 18 new hotels.
What is the cash value of 2,500 points?
Preferred Hotels doesn’t publish a fixed conversion chart, but points typically translate into Reward Certificates starting at USD 25; check the app for real-time values.
Can existing reservations be modified to meet the qualification requirements?
Only if the rate is rebooked within the promotional window (by September 30) and meets all published terms.
Is membership really free?
Yes—sign-up requires only a name and email address. No credit-card details are collected during enrollment.
Which property is best for families?
Royal Hideaway Corales Villas in Tenerife offers private, multi-bedroom villas with kitchenettes, plus on-site kids’ programming, making it a strong pick for multigenerational trips.
Looking ahead
Preferred Hotels & Resorts hinted that additional sign-ups are in the pipeline for late 2025, signaling that the boutique-minded travel trend is alive and well. For now, the 18 recent recruits already stretch from the jungles of Costa Rica to the skyscraper canyons of Shanghai—ample fodder for any traveler plotting the next stamp in a battered passport.
— Source: Preferred Hotels & Resorts press release
