Verified Accor HERA Preferred Partner

Accor HERA Preferred Partner

Book Accor’s luxury & lifestyle hotels — Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel Legend, Faena, Orient Express, Banyan Tree and more — through Stars Desk and enjoy daily breakfast for two, a one-category room upgrade, a USD 100 property credit, and VIP recognition, all at the same public rates.

Accor HERA Preferred Partner at a Glance

What it is
Accor’s invitation-only preferred partner program for luxury travel advisors, covering Accor’s Luxury & Lifestyle hotels worldwide.
Booked through
Stars Desk, a verified Accor HERA travel advisor based in New York, USA.
Core benefits
Daily breakfast for two, one-category room upgrade, USD 100 property credit, early check-in / late check-out, and a VIP welcome amenity — subject to availability.
Cost
No fee. You pay the same publicly available rate as booking direct, with HERA benefits added.
Formerly known as
Accor STEP — HERA is the current name of the program (which is why this page lives at /accor-step).

By booking through a verified Accor HERA travel advisor like Stars Desk, you gain daily complimentary breakfast for two, room upgrades upon arrival (subject to availability), early check-in, late check-out, and a personalized welcome amenity at each property. Contact us today to plan your next Accor HERA getaway.

What Is Accor HERA?

Accor HERA is Accor Hotels’ invitation-only preferred partner program, created to offer discerning travelers enhanced benefits, personalized service, and exclusive recognition across Accor’s Luxury & Lifestyle brands. It is available only through accredited luxury travel advisors such as Stars Desk.

Membership is not open to the public and cannot be joined directly. Access is granted automatically when you book through an accredited Accor HERA advisor — you pay the same public rates available online, with elevated perks layered on top.

Only advisor program for Fairmont & Raffles: Accor HERA is the only travel-advisor program for Fairmont and Raffles hotels — these brands are not bookable through Virtuoso or American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts.

Note on the name: Accor HERA is the program previously known as Accor STEP. If you have searched for “Accor STEP,” “Accor Preferred,” or “Accor Preferred by HERA,” this is the same program. It applies to Accor’s Luxury & Lifestyle collection (Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, MGallery and more) — not the economy brands.

Accor HERA Exclusive Benefits

  • Daily complimentary breakfast for two per room (conditions apply at check-in)
  • USD 100 property credit, once per stay — usable on any eligible hotel charge
  • One-category room upgrade at check-in (subject to availability)
  • Early check-in & late check-out (subject to availability)
  • VIP welcome amenity personalized by the property
  • Promotions and added value available only to Preferred Partners

*Benefits are subject to availability and conditions defined at check-in, and may vary by property or room type. Some brands (e.g. Raffles, Fairmont, Banyan Tree, MGallery, Sofitel) require a minimum 2-night stay for HERA benefits.

HERA Booking vs. Public Booking

When you book through an Accor HERA travel advisor like Stars Desk, you receive the same best available rates found on Accor’s website — plus complimentary perks that standard booking channels do not include.

BenefitBooking via Stars DeskPublic Booking
Room upgrade on arrival*Included (subject to availability)Not guaranteed
Daily breakfast for twoComplimentaryAdditional charge
Property creditUSD 100, once per stayNot included
VIP welcome amenityIncludedNot included
VIP recognition & priority serviceIncludedNot included
Early check-in & late check-out*Included (subject to availability)Not guaranteed
Nightly rateSame publicly available rateSame publicly available rate

How to Book Accor HERA Rates

No membership fees, no hidden costs — just the best publicly available rates plus all the exclusive HERA benefits. Your Stars Desk advisor manages every detail.

  1. Choose your destinationPick your Accor hotel and travel dates.
  2. Contact Stars DeskShare your dates, room preference, and any special requests.
  3. Receive confirmationYour booking is secured with all HERA perks applied.
  4. Enjoy your stayArrive as a VIP with upgrades, credit, and exclusive benefits.

The Accor HERA Portfolio

Accor HERA spans Accor’s Luxury & Lifestyle collection — over 300 participating hotels and resorts worldwide. A representative selection by category:

Legendary & Iconic

Raffles, Orient Express, Faena, Sofitel Legend, Emblems — Raffles Singapore, Le Royal Monceau–Raffles Paris, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.

Premium & Resort

Fairmont, Sofitel, Banyan Tree, Angsana, Garrya — Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Monte Carlo, Banyan Tree Phuket.

Lifestyle

MGallery, Delano, Hyde, Mondrian, SLS, SO/, 25hours, The Hoxton, Rixos, Morgans Originals, Paris Society, 21c Museum Hotels.

Accor HERA vs. Virtuoso vs. Amex FHR

See how Accor HERA compares with Virtuoso and American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR). Booking through a trusted advisor like Stars Desk ensures exclusive perks and personalized service across participating Accor properties.

FeatureAccor HERAVirtuosoAmex FHR
Room upgradeOn arrival, based on availabilityOften included, variesOn arrival, based on availability
Daily breakfastFor two per roomUsually includedFor two per room
Hotel / resort creditUSD 100 per staySometimes includedTypically USD 100–200
VIP recognitionEnhanced, tailored serviceYesYes
Early / late check-outSubject to availabilityVaries by propertySubject to availability
Booking channelAccor HERA advisor (Stars Desk)Virtuoso-affiliated advisorAmex Platinum / Centurion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Accor HERA?
Accor HERA is Accor’s invitation-only preferred partner program for select luxury travel agencies. It offers exclusive amenities, elevated recognition, and personalized service across Accor’s Luxury & Lifestyle brands — including Raffles, Fairmont, and Sofitel Legend — at no additional cost.
Is Accor HERA the same as Accor STEP?
Yes. HERA is the current name of the program previously known as Accor STEP. Searches for “Accor STEP,” “Accor Preferred,” or “Accor Preferred by HERA” all refer to the same preferred partner program, which Stars Desk is accredited to book.
Who qualifies for Accor HERA benefits?
Guests automatically qualify when booking through an accredited HERA travel advisor such as Stars Desk. No membership is required — benefits are applied on eligible bookings made through a recognized partner.
Are HERA rates higher than booking directly?
No. When you book through Stars Desk, you pay the same publicly available flexible rate found on Accor’s website, with the added value of exclusive HERA benefits and VIP privileges.
What benefits are included with HERA bookings?
Typical benefits include:
  • Daily complimentary breakfast for two
  • One-category room upgrade at check-in (subject to availability)
  • Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability)
  • VIP welcome amenity and personalized recognition
  • USD 100 property credit per stay
How do I book an Accor HERA stay?
Contact Stars Desk with your preferred destination, travel dates, and hotel choice. As a recognized HERA partner, we secure your booking with all applicable privileges and coordinate any special arrangements.

Request Your Accor Stay