Lately I keep hearing the same thing from my clients and other travellers: Accor just isn't worth it anymore. Whether or not you agree, it's a good moment to look at the alternatives. If most of your travel is around Australia, there's one program I'd put at the top of the list, and it's one a lot of people haven't heard of: EVT Stays.
What is EVT Stays?
EVT Stays (previously Priority Guest Rewards) is the free loyalty program for EVT's hotels. This includes QT Hotels, Rydges, Atura and the Independent Collection by EVT, across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
It's a much smaller network than the big global chains. But if you mostly travel around Australia, that doesn't matter. You'll find EVT hotels in the capital cities and in plenty of regional spots too, which is exactly where a lot of us end up staying.
Why I love it
I've been a member for several years, and it's become my go-to whenever I'm travelling around Australia.
The hotels. QT is my favourite. Every QT has its own personality, with bold design, great bars and restaurants that locals actually want to eat at. QT Perth is unbelievably good! And QT Melbourne has a dog-cierge called Russell (after its Russell St location), what’s not to love? The newly renovated Rydges hotels have been a lovely surprise too. Rydges Melbourne is a great example, and it's nothing like the Rydges you might remember. The interior design features many Melbourne artisans including Robert Gordon.
The dining discount. I earned Black status several years ago, and my favourite perk is 50% off food and drinks in the hotel restaurants and bars. That adds up very quickly, (for me, anyway!) especially at QT, where the restaurants are destinations in their own right. A dinner and a couple of cocktails at half price can be worth more than the room discount! You’ll also get 10-15% off and potentially room upgrades and late checkout too.
How the tiers work
It's free to join, and everyone starts at Silver. From there, you move up based on how often you stay in a 12-month period. Find all of the details here.
Black is now by invitation, based on how often you stay. You don't need it to get good value, though. A couple of stays a year will get you to Gold, and even Silver members get member rates when booking direct.
Is EVT Stays right for you?
It's a great fit if you travel around Australia or New Zealand a few times a year, for work or for weekends away. It's also ideal if you love a good hotel restaurant and bar, and if you'd rather stay somewhere with character than a cookie-cutter chain hotel.
If most of your travel is overseas, a global program will probably suit you better. But for Australian stays, EVT is the premium choice in my book.
A few tips to get the most from it:
Always book direct through QT, Rydges or EVT Stays so your stay counts.
Make the most of the hotel restaurants and bars, especially as your tier goes up.
Keep an eye out for EVT flash sales, which can make a weekend away surprisingly affordable. They also often have bonus offers, for example $40 per night F&B credit.
Want help planning your next trip? Get in touch and I'll help you find the best stay and the best value.