6 Luxury Hotels In Europe With Unexpected Loyalty Program Perks

Summer travel to Europe is hot (both literally and figuratively), leading hotel rates to skyrocket in some places. That's why it can be especially fruitful to take advantage of loyalty points during your travels. It's not just the familiar brand names that participate in these programs though.

All over the world, travelers can use their miles and points to stay in traditional hotels, safari camps , glamping tents, treehouses, manor houses and even on Richard Branson's Necker Island. The latter can be booked via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (750,000 miles for three, all-inclusive nights). And there are often credit card transfer bonuses that can bring that cost down even more.

According to Deloitte's 2026 Summer Travel Survey , July kicks off the busiest month for summer travel, and the budget for longer, marquee trips has risen to $4,049 (a 17% increase compared to last year). That means that the benefits you can unlock by being a loyalty program member can be especially valuable.

It's not too late to plan travel. Hotels.com found that the newest sweet spot for booking travel is 8-14 days before a trip to uncover deals on inventory that has not sold with last-minute planners saving an "average of 23% compared to travelers who booked four months or more in advance." This is not always the case for those that are booking a bucket list trip, but is worth considering for late planners.

These six top-tier hotels in Europe have news to share for summer 2026. And their under-the-radar loyalty affiliation may be just the nudge you need to explore them for yourself.

Mount Juliet Estate, Kilkenny Ireland

Fresh from a total renovation in time for summer visitors, this 1757-built manor house and its sibling hotel building closer to the golf course now blend more modern comforts discreetly into the original historic design.

Mount Juliet Estate sits on 500 rolling acres, but feels like it is a world away from civilization (even though lively Kilkenny is a short, free shuttle down the street). Here, nature envelops the grounds, complete with horse stables, lush gardens, stream and lake for catch-and-release fishing, and a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course that has hosted five Irish Opens and most of the top names in the sport.

The manor house is historically protected, which means the renovation was carefully overseen. Designers maintained or upgraded as many original pieces as possible, like fireplaces, cornice work and windows. They also scoured antique shops and auctions to find reproductions pieces that would complete the authentic Irish country estate experience.

The result is an elegant estate where guests can have a refined Irish breakfast, enjoy afternoon tea or cocktails come sunset. There's even a resident storyteller that visits with guests to share some of the property's history. It fits right in line with Expedia Group's latest trend report that coined the term "salvaged stays," referring to people that "check into hotels that combine historical architecture with modern amenities."

Mount Juliet Estate is a perfect example of that dating back almost three centuries. Today, Michelin-starred Lady Helen's wine-paired, multi-course meals are a tough reservation to get many evenings, but luckily there is a casual clubhouse restaurant as well as fine steaks and seafood facing the golf course at The Hound.

Guests have a roster of activities at their fingertips: archery, tennis, hiking trails, an indoor pool and fitness center, spa treatments and picnics that can be arranged anywhere on the grounds.

The rooms, each named for notable past guests, show great attention to detail with floral fabrics, pillowtop beds, the latest USB ports and Bulgari toiletries in bathrooms.

There are several notable Irish castle and manor estate properties around the country, but few give you the chance to earn or redeem points for your visit.

Loyalty program: Mount Juliet Estate is part of Marriott Bonvoy's Autograph Collection, known for boutique hotels representative of the destination. But, this property actually belongs to a small subset of Autograph Collection properties that are classified within Marriott's luxury tier as a result of the its range of offerings and past guest feedback.

Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik

This seafront hotel has a top-notch location across from Lokrum Island and just steps from the famous Old Town fortress. You may recognize the hotel from the E1 Series, the world's first all-electric race boat championship, which it sponsored and often appeared in the background on shore. Hotel Excelsior is actually two adjoining buildings, one historic and the other modern, providing guests with a variety of room types and styles.

It has hosted a long roster of well-known guests, Queen Elizabeth II and Morgan Freeman among them. You can peruse the guest list yourself on a celebrity wall in the sea-facing lounge and bar.

Any room with a balcony facing the Adriatic Sea is worth splurge while Terrace rooms on the ground floor have walk-out patios that are extremely popular with guests. No matter the room type, everyone gets a sea view from the breakfast terrace each morning.

Most beaches in the area are pebbly, but the hotel's stone beach comes complete with lounge chairs, umbrellas and a ladder that leads directly into the turquoise water. Inside is one of the largest indoor hotel pools in the city with hydrotherapy areas, whirlpools, sauna and steam room. A spa menu completes the picture.

At Sensus, the hotel's fine dining restaurant (the terrace is used during summer months) highlights Mediterranean cuisine paired with Croatian wines. But, the real experience for the season is dining at Prora beneath the stone arches at the water's edge with a menu of fresh seafood.

Loyalty program: Interestingly, it belongs to two loyalty programs: Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH Club) and Mr & Mrs Smith (World of Hyatt). Both programs require direct bookings to take advantage of the relevant perks, but these can be substantial.

All guests at Adriatic Luxury Hotels (ALH) already receive breakfast as part of the room rate, but both programs include space-available elite member upgrades plus the opportunity to accrue or redeem points here. New for this year is the return of Villa Argentina, a fully renovated waterfront hotel next door. Rumor has it that it will soon join a top-tier luxury hotel loyalty program, shared with the likes of some of the world's finest hotels.

Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik

At first glance, it seems that the city lacks many loyalty program options, but that's not true. On the other side of Dubrovnik's Old Town is Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik, literally carved into a cliff and perched over Miramare Bay's rocky shore.

Depending on your reason for exploring the city, this can prove a fantastic alternative for its nearly private beach and sandy cove (something rare in town), reachable via a dedicated glass elevator. The walk to the historic walled city is downhill and an easy taxi ride back up.

The vibe here is notably more beach-focused and casual with a range of room types, many of which have stunning Adriatic views from small balconies. This makes it a favorite for families.

When it comes to fine dining, its signature Vapor restaurant (recommended by the Michelin Guide) has undergone a redesign of its interiors and the menu. Spice Lounge is the place to be once the sun sets with live musicians (think saxophonists and singers) perform as guests tipple at the edge of the view.

Loyalty program: Hotel Bellevue belongs to Mr & Mrs Smith and SLH, giving travelers the option to choose their preferred program. For example, World of Hyatt elite status members can benefit from a notable room upgrade thanks to Mr & Mrs Smith if booked directly.

Many Adriatic Luxury Hotels participate in one of the two (or both) loyalty programs, including Hotel Kompas on the other side of town with a lively beachfront restaurant of its own.

The Landmark London

This is an exciting time for the hotel, which was originally built to host guests arriving at the railroad station across the street. The Landmark London is more than halfway through a renovation project that started with its famous palm tree-lined atrium and dining rooms before turning to guest rooms, suites, the spa and gym. All of this is ongoing with the spa and gym set to open this summer.

The biggest news of late is the newly unveiled suite design, which elevates the interiors to a more contemporary look. Think Italian parquet floors with handmade Portuguese area rugs, plush beds with the latest power ports and wireless charging, electric fireplaces and trendy sofas with a softer color palette for fabrics.

Among the 48 suites, they include a mix of one-bedroom, junior and family options. Several have doors that separate the living and sleeping areas.

Guests can choose between a city or atrium view with the latter often being the more popular choice. The central lobby space is a social scene abuzz with people enjoying formal afternoon tea, clinking glasses at the Champagne bar (rotating themes and partnerships add variety for locals) or tucking into meals at the dining room. Brides are a common scene as they snap photos on the dramatic staircase after tying the knot at the nearby city hall office.

Loyalty program: As a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, this luxury hotel participates in Leaders Club, the free loyalty program of this consortium of high-end hotels. As such, guests that belong to the program and book directly are eligible for some valuable perks.

This includes free breakfast for two each morning, early check-in and late checkout considerations, a welcome gift, and space-available room upgrades. And these perks are available to all members, not just those with top elite status, who can earn or redeem points for a stay.

In fact, so popular is this hotel that it won the Leaders Club Hotel of the Year for 2025, which is awarded to the property that has the highest Leaders Club revenue. Perhaps it isn't such a well-kept secret after all?

Lesante Cape, Zakynthos, Greece

This is one of a trio of Lesante resorts on the Greek island of Zakynthos and is built to resemble one of the traditional villages there. As you wander the grounds of this The Leading Hotels of the World member, flower-lined pathways lead you past various gardens, swimming pools and even its own vineyard.

Make your way down to the shoreline where a private pier is decked out with umbrellas and lounge chairs where you can take a dip into the sea at any moment. Pools feature separate areas for families and adults, and all have access to Greek and Mediterranean menus using local produce.

At the special Greek evening, guests dine beneath strands of lights as if they were at a family party. There will be Zorba dancing, ouzo "cheersing," plate smashing and a lot of singing. There's also a farm-to-table experience where family-style meals are served next to the gardens where much of it is sourced.

In addition to the spa and private fleet of yachts that guests can rent to sail around the islands, Lesante Cape has onsite activities like cooking classes and wine tastings once you tire of swimming in your private plunge, the main pools or the sea.

Loyalty program: All guests here are treated to breakfast as part of the rate (otherwise a free perk of belonging to Leaders Club), but members are still eligible for benefits like space-available room upgrades, late checkout considerations, and the ability to earn or redeem their points.

Six Senses London

The wellness aspect of a city-center Six Senses is not forgotten in London. Guests check in with a glass of homemade kombucha and immediately gain access to a daily roster of activities from guided meditation to fitness classes.

They also enjoy full access to the spa and health club, both designed for local membership. The wood and leather-coated gym here is straight out of a movie and features all the latest equipment, including a boxing room.

More than a dozen treatment rooms at Six Senses London showcase the range of services from traditional massage to flotation pods and quartz crystal beds. The onsite team can conduct an assessment to make nutrition and sleep recommendations for your body type, too. The indoor pool and onsite alchemy bar, where elixirs and tinctures are designed for specifically what ails you, round out the experience.

Loyalty program: This luxury resort brand works with the IHG One Rewards program allowing guests to earn and redeem points for a stay. Elite status perks include potential room upgrades and late checkout.

Part private local members' club (known as Six Senses Place) and part hotel, all overnight guests enjoy access to the members-only areas of the property. When was the last time a loyalty program could unlock that type of high-brow access for you?

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This article was originally published on Forbes.com