World's Largest Alliance of Independent Luxury Hotel Brands Launches Industry-First Guest Loyalty Program

IRVING, Texas, March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Experience life as a maharajah in India, explore Dublin's cultural heritage and the legacy of its theater greats or regale your colleagues with tales of dinner with a winemaker at the New Orleans Food & Wine Experience. And just when it seems they cannot be impressed any further, tell them these experiences were accomplished in between business meetings.  Today the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands, officially launches GHA Discovery, expanding many of the Omni Hotels & Resorts' Select Guest loyalty program benefits globally.

The new GHA Discovery program – the first-ever uniting independent luxury hotel brands – was created to deliver recognition and experience-based rewards across 12 brands and nearly 300 hotels globally, turning a business trip or weekend getaway into a one-of-a-kind adventure. With a heightened level of personalized service, not points, the program also provides access to more than 1,000 exceptional Local Experiences – designed by the local hotel associates to provide exclusive access to off-the-beaten path activities around the world. Loyalty program members staying at an Omni will also receive equivalent level Select Guest loyalty program benefits.

Beyond the Local Experiences, members will enjoy numerous benefits during their hotel stays:

GOLD (From enrollment to nine nights)

• Membership profile of preferences
• Choice of Gold Level Local Experience after first stay at a GHA brand
• Choice of complimentary newspaper
• Complimentary Internet access
• Complimentary bottled water
• Omni's Select Guest benefits also provide complimentary pressing of two items, morning beverage of choice delivered to the guest room and shoe shine along with the ability to earn free nights for stays to be redeemed at any Omni Hotel or Resort

PLATINUM (10 to 29 nights)

Gold Level privileges, plus:

• Choice of Platinum Level Local Experience
• Upgrade to next room category at check-in
• Late check-out until 3pm
• Guaranteed room availability 48-hours prior to arrival
• Local amenity
• Omni's Select Guest benefits also provide exclusive concierge services, administrative business assistance and a sweet, local favorite prepared by the chef and delivered at evening turndown

BLACK (30 or more nights)

Platinum Level privileges, plus:

• Choice of Black Level Local Experience
• Double upgrade at check-in
• Early check-in beginning at 9am and late check-out until 6pm
• Guaranteed room availability 24 hours prior to arrival
• Personal choice of local amenity
• Local brand benefits (such as access to Executive Lounges, laundry service and more)
• Omni's Select Guest benefits also provide upgrade to a suite when redeeming free nights at any Omni Hotel or Resort.

Local Experiences vary by membership level – the higher the membership level, the more exclusive the reward. After just one qualifying stay at a GHA hotel, Gold Level members can learn to play traditional "Boduberu" drums in the Maldives or take a sunset drive through a nature reserve in Namibia. Platinum Level members can take in a rugby match in New Zealand or rehearse for Carnival at a celebrated samba school in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Guests who reach the Black Level membership can enjoy access to a private cruise along the Potomac in a former Presidential yacht in Washington, D.C., a helicopter tour over the Los Angeles skyline or develop their own customized ringtone at Microsoft Studios in Seattle.

"As a GHA founding member, we are very pleased to see this program come to fruition," said Mike Deitemeyer, president of Omni Hotels & Resorts. "GHA Discovery gives us the opportunity to provide international travelers and our Select Guest loyalty program members peace of mind by helping them select accommodations that meet the service standards they are accustomed to receiving with Omni while also enjoying access to incredible local experiences worth talking about when they return home."

Based on the airline alliance model, GHA is the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands. Five years of technological development, collaboration, research and strategy went into creating GHA Discovery. Each member brand utilizes a consistent reservations and customer database platform enabling guests' membership status and personal preferences to be recognized at all hotels – regardless of the brand.  

"GHA Discovery was built with the philosophy that recognition and authentic, local experiences – and not just collecting points – are the true pillars of a rewarding hotel loyalty program," said Chris Hartley, CEO of the Global Hotel Alliance. "Whether taking advantage of spare time on a business trip or exploring a destination through a local's eyes on a weekend, the guest experience begins with personal recognition at the front desk of our hotel brands and is made richer with adventures that are not easily accessible to the general public."

GHA is currently comprised of Anantara, Doyle Collection, First, Kempinski, Leela, Mirvac, Marco Polo, Omni, Pan Pacific, PARKROYAL, Shaza and Tivoli hotels and resorts, encompassing nearly 300 luxury hotels with over 65,000 rooms across 48 different countries. Guests may book a reservation with any of the 12 participating hotel brands at one centralized website at gha.com and learn more about GHA Discovery and the Local Experiences at ghadiscovery.com.

About Omni Hotels & Resorts

Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences that take guests on "A Total Departure" to 50 distinct luxury hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America.  From exceptional golf and spa retreats to dynamic business settings, each Omni showcases the local flavor of the destination while featuring four-diamond services, signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique wellness options.  Known for its award-winning, personalized service, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every customer interaction, with a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program and the company's "Power of One" associate empowerment program.  The brand is frequently recognized by top consumer research organizations such as J.D. Power and Associates, which ranked Omni as "Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Upscale Hotel Chains" in its 2010 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study(SM). To get additional information or book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.

SOURCE Omni Hotels & Resorts