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The Hotel Collection

The Hotel Collection is a program launched by Travel, offering eligible cardmembers access to over 1,300 hand-picked upscale hotels and resorts in desirable destinations worldwide, with enhanced benefits such as room upgrades, a $100 credit for eligible on-property experiences like dining or services, and flexible arrival and departure times when booking stays of two or more consecutive nights through AmexTravel.com. This program distinguishes itself from American Express's more exclusive Fine Hotels + Resorts by focusing on a broader range of mid-to-high-end properties from trusted brands including , , and , emphasizing value-driven perks for and travelers without requiring the ultra-luxury tier. Benefits, which provide an average total value of $150 per stay based on 2024 data, are subject to availability and may include a 12 p.m. , a one-category upgrade (excluding suites or ), late check-out, and the aforementioned , redeemable for qualifying charges at the . Eligibility for The Hotel Collection extends to holders of select American Express cards, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express, American Express® Gold Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, and American Express® Business Gold Card, among others like Centurion and certain corporate variants, allowing basic and authorized users to book and enjoy the perks when paying with the eligible card. Bookings must be made directly via the American Express Travel portal to activate benefits, and the program supports payment with Membership Rewards points or the card itself, enhancing its appeal for rewards maximization. As of 2025, the collection continues to expand, with over 400 properties recently added across The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels + Resorts programs to bolster the global footprint across more than 30 countries.

Overview

Founding and Corporate Identity

The Hotel Collection traces its origins to 1994, when it was founded as Paramount Hotels by Michael Purtill, the former managing director of Principal Hotels, with its headquarters based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, United Kingdom. Initially comprising a small portfolio of four properties, including Shrigley Hall in Cheshire and the Angel Hotel in Cardiff, the group quickly expanded through strategic acquisitions, establishing itself as a mid-market operator of 4-star hotels targeted at the UK domestic and business travel sectors. Over the subsequent decades, the company evolved under various ownership structures while maintaining a focus on upscale, accessible hospitality tailored to regional locations. At its peak under the Puma Hotels banner—prior to the 2014 rebranding—it encompassed 21 hotels, many equipped with integrated and facilities offering services such as spas, gyms, and pools to complement guest experiences. The core centered on providing comfortable accommodations, and event spaces, and amenities, positioning the properties as versatile venues for travelers, corporate events, and weddings without the premium pricing of luxury chains. The group's corporate identity underwent significant changes through a series of ownership transitions. Originally backed by Alchemy Partners, Paramount Hotels was acquired in 2004 by Dawnay Shore Hotels for £215 million, which later restructured as Puma Hotels Ltd. In June 2014, Puma Hotels rebranded to The Hotel Collection to emphasize the unique character of its individual properties, only months before US-based Lone Star Funds purchased the portfolio for £323 million amid financial . By 2015, following the acquisition, The Hotel Collection was integrated into Lone Star's newly formed Amaris platform, which combined it with other assets totaling 89 hotels; the brand effectively became defunct as its properties were progressively divested to various buyers over the ensuing years.

Scope and Operations

The Hotel Collection operated exclusively within the , focusing its portfolio on 21 four-star mid-market hotels distributed across , , and in diverse settings ranging from countryside estates and historic towns to coastal resorts and urban centers. These properties collectively offered over 2,800 ensuite bedrooms, catering to travelers, guests, and event attendees. In addition to hotel management, the group oversaw 18 associated and clubs, many of which featured , gyms, pools, and dedicated event spaces for activities and social gatherings. services included comfortable in standard rooms and suites, on-site dining through restaurants and bars emphasizing regional , and meeting facilities with more than 220 versatile rooms accommodating up to 650 delegates, packages with customizable venues, and programs such as treatments, classes, and relaxation therapies. All properties provided complimentary to support both professional and personal needs. From 2007 to 2012, operations were managed under a with Barceló Hotels & Resorts, which signed a 45-year with Dawnay Shore Hotels , the then-owner of the former Paramount Hotels chain, to oversee the 21 properties without pursuing international expansion; the was terminated early in 2012. Revenue was generated primarily through room bookings, leisure facility usage, and corporate events, reflecting the group's emphasis on domestic mid-market .

History

Launch and Early Development (2010s)

The Hotel Collection was launched by Travel in the mid- as a curated selection of upscale hotels offering enhanced benefits to eligible cardmembers, positioned as a more accessible alternative to the luxury Fine Hotels + Resorts program. By 2015, it was featured as a key perk for cards like the Gold Card, providing benefits such as room upgrades and a $100 property credit for stays of two or more nights booked through AmexTravel.com. Early focus was on building a portfolio of mid-to-high-end properties from major brands like , , and , targeting business and leisure travelers seeking value-added experiences without ultra-luxury pricing. The program quickly grew to include hundreds of properties worldwide, emphasizing flexible check-in/out times and on-site credits to differentiate from standard bookings.

Expansion and Partnerships (2020–2023)

Entering the 2020s, The Hotel Collection expanded amid the recovery from the , adding properties to support increased domestic and travel demand. By 2023, the had surpassed 700 hotels in its curated list, with introductions in select markets like the highlighting its global appeal. Partnerships with trusted hotel brands were strengthened, enabling seamless integration of benefits like 12 p.m. and late check-out, subject to availability. The program's emphasis on redeemable credits for dining, , and other experiences averaged $150 in value per stay, based on internal data, appealing to rewards-savvy cardholders using Membership Rewards points. This period saw enhancements to eligibility, extending perks to holders of , , and variants of cards.

Recent Developments (2024–2025)

In 2024, updated The Hotel Collection benefits, formalizing the average $150 value per stay and expanding the property credit's applicability. As of 2025, the program added over 400 new hotels and resorts, increasing its total to more than 1,300 across over 80 countries and enhancing its footprint in desirable destinations. Concurrently, tied card benefits evolved, including a $600 annual hotel credit for Platinum Card members on and The Hotel Collection bookings starting September 2025, further boosting its value for frequent . These updates reflect ongoing curation by Amex Travel to meet evolving preferences for premium, value-driven stays.

Properties

Key Hotel Properties

The Hotel Collection's portfolio peaked at 21 four-star hotels across the , with the majority located in , alongside select properties in and . These establishments emphasized upscale accommodations, extensive event and conference facilities, on-site restaurants, and strategic proximity to cultural and natural attractions, catering to leisure and business travelers alike. Among the core properties was Shrigley Hall Hotel & Golf Club in , , a stately country house hotel set amid 262 acres of grounds, featuring an 18-hole championship golf course and panoramic views of the countryside. The Imperial Hotel in , , stood as a prominent Victorian seafront built in 1867, offering 180 rooms with modern amenities alongside its historic , multiple function rooms, and direct access to the promenade and beach. The Old Ship Hotel in , , one of the oldest hotels in the city dating to 1559, provided 154 Georgian-style rooms, many with sea views, and was ideally situated near the Royal Pavilion and Pier for seaside exploration. In , the Carlton Hotel in occupied a central location on North Bridge, featuring 211 contemporary rooms, a rooftop with city vistas, and easy access to the Royal Mile and . The Hydro Hotel in , , a Victorian-era property originally developed as a site in 1890, included 73 rooms blending traditional design with modern comforts, an indoor pool, and proximity to scenic trails in the . Key English hotels further included the in , a modern conference-oriented property with 108 rooms, 26 meeting spaces accommodating up to 800 guests, and a focus on business events near the . The Angel Hotel in , , a historic 1883 building opposite , offered 102 elegant rooms, fine dining at its brasserie, and central positioning for accessing Welsh landmarks like the . Additional notable properties encompassed the Lodore Falls Hotel in , overlooking with 140 rooms, a private lakeside setting, and walking access to the fells; the Oxford Hotel in Wolvercote, , emphasizing business facilities with proximity to University; and Walton Hall Hotel in , a converted 19th-century on 45 acres, known for its 115 rooms and rural charm near . By 2014, as part of portfolio rationalization following acquisition by , The Hotel Collection disposed of four assets: the Palace Hotel in , ; the Marine Hotel in Troon, ; the Park Hotel in ; and the Basingstoke Country Hotel in .

Health and Leisure Facilities

The Hotel Collection operated 18 integrated health and leisure clubs attached to its properties across the , providing guests and members with a range of wellness amenities including fully equipped gyms, indoor swimming pools, spas, saunas, steam rooms, and specialized treatments such as massages and sessions. These facilities were designed to complement the group's mid-market offerings, emphasizing relaxation and as core components of the guest experience while drawing on the historic charm of select venues. Notable examples highlighted the diversity of these clubs. At Shrigley Hall Hotel & Spa in , the facilities included an 18-hole , a comprehensive with rooms for massages and facials, a suite equipped with and resistance machines, and an indoor , all integrated to appeal to both seekers and active travelers. The Hydro Hotel in featured historic wellness amenities rooted in its early 20th-century heritage, offering an indoor , , , and focused on restorative treatments like and relaxation therapies. Similarly, the Imperial Hotel in maintained a dedicated center with an indoor heated , services including massages, and options, enhancing the seaside resort's appeal for family and group stays. These clubs played a key role in the group's by generating supplementary revenue streams beyond accommodation, primarily through annual memberships for local users, single-day passes for non-guests, and complimentary or inclusive access for occupants, which helped diversify income and boost occupancy during off-peak periods. This approach positioned the and facilities as a competitive in the mid-market segment, where integrated options attracted repeat visitors and corporate clients seeking value-added amenities without . The clubs remained fully operational through the group's peak until its dissolution in 2015, when the 21 hotels—including those with attached leisure facilities—were acquired by Amaris Hospitality as part of a broader expansion and rebranding initiative. Post-acquisition, several clubs continued under new ownership, with some sold or restructured separately to maintain independent viability; by 2018, all remaining properties had been sold off, ending operations under the original brand.

Awards and Recognition

Brand-Level Awards

No brand-level awards specifically for The Hotel Collection program by American Express have been documented in publicly available sources as of 2025.

Property-Specific Accolades

Properties included in The Hotel Collection, such as those from brands like , , and , have received various individual awards and recognitions for their service, amenities, and locations. These accolades are typically bestowed upon the hotels themselves rather than the program.

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