In 2019, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) acquired Six Senses. This was an exciting development, given that Six Senses is an awesome luxury hotel brand, and it’s always good to see more opportunities to earn and redeem points, and to take advantage of elite perks.
Unfortunately the integration of Six Senses into the IHG One Rewards program has left a bit to be desired, and hasn’t been quite as seamless or comprehensive as I would have hoped. Still, the number of Six Senses properties participating in the program continues to grow, and I do think there’s potentially some value for loyalty program members. In this post I wanted to take a look at the current state of things.
In this post:
Basics of the Six Senses luxury hotel brand
Six Senses is a luxury hotel brand that currently has 26 open properties, with many more in the pipeline. Six Senses has a unique portfolio with destinations ranging from Bhutan, to Crans-Montana, to Douro Valley, to Fiji, to Ibiza, to Kyoto, to the Maldives.
It’s one of the luxury hotel brands that’s most specifically leisure oriented, which I appreciate. For example, while Ritz-Carlton and Park Hyatt have resorts, they’re primarily business oriented hotels in cities, while Six Senses has a different focus.
Six Senses properties tend to be boutique, have a sense of place, and also have a heavy focus on wellness. The properties aren’t at all cookie cutter, unlike what you might find with some other brands.
What’s most exciting about the Six Senses brand is how fast it’s growing, as there’s an impressive number of properties in development.
Six Senses & IHG One Rewards details
With Six Senses being owned by IHG, the brand does participate in the IHG One Rewards loyalty program… sort of. This means that members can earn and redeem points, and can also take advantage of elite benefits, when staying at Six Senses properties.
The catch is that this only applies at participating Six Senses properties, and not at all of the resorts. That’s rather frustrating, as there are some Six Senses properties that simply refuse to participate in IHG One Rewards. So let’s go over all those details.
Six Senses properties participating in IHG One Rewards
As it stands, the following 15 Six Senses properties participate in the IHG One Rewards program:
- Six Senses Bhutan (Bhutan)
- Six Senses Courchevel Residences (France)
- Six Senses Crans-Montana (Switzerland)
- Six Senses Fiji (Fiji)
- Six Senses Ibiza (Spain)
- Six Senses Kanuhura (Maldives)
- Six Senses Kaplankaya (Turkey)
- Six Senses Laamu (Maldives)
- Six Senses La Sagesse (Grenada)
- Six Senses Ninh Van Bay (Vietnam)
- Six Senses Rome (Italy)
- Six Senses Shaharut (Israel)
- Six Senses Uluwatu Bali (Indonesia)
- Six Senses Yao Noi (Thailand)
- Six Senses Zil Pasyon (Seychelles)
Interestingly it appears that most of the newly opened properties do participate in IHG One Rewards, while some of the legacy properties aren’t joining.
Earning IHG points at Six Senses properties
IHG One Rewards members can earn 10x IHG points per eligible dollar spent at participating Six Senses properties:
- This doesn’t include elite bonuses, which range from 20-100%
- If you pay with the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (review) or IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (review), you can earn 10x bonus points points per dollar spent
- Stays at Six Senses properties should qualify toward any IHG global promotions
Personally I value IHG points at 0.5 cents each. As an IHG Platinum member paying with a co-branded credit card I’m earning a minimum of 26x points per dollar spent (not factoring in any further promotions), so that’s a nice return for luxury hotel spending.
Redeeming IHG points at Six Senses properties
When it comes to redeeming IHG One Rewards points at participating Six Senses properties, there are a few things to note upfront:
- Nowadays IHG has dynamic award pricing across the board, meaning that the number of points required for a free night redemption will vary day-to-day, primarily based on the cash rate
- IHG’s loyalty program doesn’t offer last room availability for awards, so award room availability may be a subset of standard room availability
- The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card offer an awesome fourth night free benefit on awards, and this applies to Six Senses properties as well; this is really the way to stretch your IHG points the furthest for Six Senses redemptions
I’ve just done some random searches for a few Six Senses properties, so let’s take a look at the results (as a reminder, I value IHG points at 0.5 cents each).
For example, picking a four day period in early September at the Six Senses Ibiza:
- The cost is 150,000 IHG points per night, so with a fourth night free you’d be looking at 112,500 IHG points per night ($562.50 per night, based on my valuation of points)
- The cash rate is $1,479.13 per night
That’s just one example, but in general I’m consistently finding that IHG points can be redeemed for Six Senses stays at the rate of somewhere between 0.5 and 1.0 cents per point compared to the cash rate, before factoring in a potential fourth night free (which really takes the redemption value to the next level):
- If the rate is closer to 0.5 cents per point it could be worth paying cash so that you can earn points and also take advantage of Virtuoso perks
- When you’re getting closer to 1.0 cents of value per point the value is potentially huge, given that you could buy points at a discount and then redeem them for Six Senses stays
IHG elite benefits at Six Senses properties
What kind of elite benefits should be expected at Six Senses properties? Since Six Senses is a premium brand, many of the perks are offered as part of the InterContinental Ambassador, InterContinental Royal Ambassador, and Kimpton Inner Circle program. These benefits include the following (even award nights booked directly with IHG are eligible for these perks):
- Complimentary breakfast for two in the main restaurant per day
- Signature amenity of either a complimentary 50-minute Six Senses Spa massage for two or local experience once per stay; the amenity varies by resort, is subject to availability and confirmed on arrival
- Complimentary one category room upgrade (subject to availability, excluding residences and two bedroom or greater suites/villas)
- Extended check-out of 4PM subject to availability, guaranteed for Royal Ambassador & Kimpton Inner Circle members
- Early check-in of 10AM subject to availability, guaranteed for Royal Ambassador & Kimpton Inner Circle members; in circumstances where the room is not available at 10AM, the member may be checked into another available room until the original booked room becomes available
- Complimentary internet access
- A wellness platter welcome amenity on day of arrival
If you’re going to stay at a Six Senses property it’s totally worth joining the InterContinental Ambassador program for $200 per year, as the perks will quickly pay for that fee.
Frustratingly, you’ll probably be disappointed by elite recognition if you’re an IHG One Rewards Platinum or IHG One Rewards Diamond member. For example, the complimentary breakfast perk for Diamond members doesn’t apply at Six Senses. For that matter, while the IHG One Rewards Milestone Rewards perks can be valuable, you can’t use confirmed suite upgrades at Six Senses properties.
Six Senses makes me want to like IHG, but…
I think the Six Senses hotel brand is really cool. I love luxury leisure properties, the Six Senses portfolio is growing fast, and Six Senses has some unique locations you won’t find with most other hotel brands.
Six Senses really makes me want to get more engaged in the IHG One Rewards program, but then the execution is just such a missed opportunity:
- Not all Six Senses properties are participating in IHG One Rewards, which kind of ruins the consistency of it
- IHG One Rewards elite perks are largely specifically excluded at Six Senses properties, like free breakfast and confirmed upgrades
- IHG One Rewards’ redemption rates at Six Senses properties are just much more expensive than what you’ll find with similar luxury brands at other hotel groups
Maybe IHG’s acquisition of Six Senses was just about IHG seeing potential in growing the Six Senses brand independently, and it wasn’t part of a bigger play. Fair enough, if so. But I also really think IHG is missing out on a huge halo effect that could happen if Six Senses were actually properly integrated into the IHG One Rewards program.
Maybe I’d want to stay at some InterContinental, and Kimpton, and Regent properties more, if I saw it as part of a larger strategy with IHG, based on what a great brand Six Senses is. But based on the current execution, that’s just not the case. Heck, IHG executives say the company wants to grow credit card revenue, and perhaps more aspirational redemption opportunities could encourage that kind of behavior.
Sure, if I stay at a participating Six Senses property, I’ll put my IHG One Rewards number on the reservation, and will earn points. But based on the current partnership, the Six Senses brand doesn’t really make me want to be more loyal to IHG One Rewards, and similarly, IHG One Rewards doesn’t make me more likely to stay at a Six Senses. That just seems like a missed opportunity, in my opinion.
Bottom line
IHG owns Six Senses, which is an aspirational luxury hotel group that’s growing at a fast pace. Unfortunately for loyalty program members, this acquisition isn’t as exciting as it could have been.
Select Six Senses properties participate in IHG One Rewards, allowing you to earn and redeem points, and take advantage of select elite perks. However, between many properties not participating, some IHG One Rewards perks not applying at Six Senses, and IHG’s generally high redemption rates at luxury properties, there’s just not all that much to get excited about here.
At first the integration of Six Senses into IHG One Rewards was gradual, and I was expecting that we’d see more. However, it seems that this is the “finished product” at this point. It’s absolutely worth earning IHG points if you happen to stay at a Six Senses property, but I’m not sure the current arrangement will move the needle much for most consumers.
What do you make of the Six Senses & IHG One Rewards situation?
I think it worths a lot because you can find some really good deals with points at Six Senses, just need to do a good research and be patient, as always in any reward program. You can get some reservations with points around 50% cheaper that paid rate. I did. And about the status recognition I disagree with you. I been in two Six Senses and been recognized as Diamond member in both. I got...
I think it worths a lot because you can find some really good deals with points at Six Senses, just need to do a good research and be patient, as always in any reward program. You can get some reservations with points around 50% cheaper that paid rate. I did. And about the status recognition I disagree with you. I been in two Six Senses and been recognized as Diamond member in both. I got villa upgrades in both and some extra amenities for being diamond. I think free breakfast doesnt apply because all Six Senses already have it included for every guest. In my experience you cant make a reservation without breakfast. So this is maybe a thing you miss as benefit, but in any case you already have it.
Im a big fan of Six Senses and I hope more of them join IHG Rewards, Cambodia, Oman and Con Dao are the ones I would love to see joining it.
I feel the same way about engaging with IHG rewards. I really want to sign up for their credit cards and go for it but the redemption rates at Six Senses are astronomical compared to Hilton and Marriott.
I remember when award nights at Laamu in the Maldives were available for 100k/night but now they seem to be about double that most of the time.
Frustrating when Six Senses Ko Yao Noi require 2 night minimum but recent reviews say services are great but propety sorely need to keep up with times and isn't worth the high rates they ask for.
Guess I could just use my flex night at Bali since they allow one night booking.