The Complete Guide to Accor STEP

Accor is a Europe-based hotel chain with more than 5,000 properties in over 110 countries. While a majority of its hotels and resorts are located in Europe and Asia, there is a strong North American presence found in the luxury Fairmont hotel brand.

If you have an upcoming stay at one of the more upscale brands in its portfolio, it’s in your best interest to know about Accor STEP, a preferred partner program. By booking your stay through an authorized travel advisor, you’ll benefit from an elevated experience at the same cost as if you were to book it yourself.

What Is Accor STEP?

Accor STEP is Accor’s preferred partner program. “STEP” stands for “Special Travel Experience Program”, and with it, you can receive elite-like benefits at participating Accor properties without having to work towards status.

You won’t be able to make a booking through Accor STEP on your own. Instead, you’ll have to book through an authorized travel advisor who can inform you whether or not your desired Accor hotel participates in the program, and what the additional benefits are.

While not all Accor hotels have opted in to STEP, quite a few have. In Canada, all of the Fairmont hotels, such as the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, as well as the Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile, can be booked through Accor STEP.

Of the 45 brands that fall under Accor’s umbrella, there are just 11 that have properties in STEP: Fairmont, Sofitel, Raffles, SO/, MGallery, Pullman, Mövenpick, Swissôtel, Rixos, SLS, and 21C. These different brands fall under the Luxury, Premium, and Lifestyle by Ennismore collections.

You’ll be able to find a strong footprint of Fairmont, Pullman, and Sofitel properties in many countries around the world, which you can mostly book through Accor STEP. Other brands, such as Raffles, have relatively fewer properties, while others, such as SO/, only have a handful of properties that participate.

Within each brand, not every hotel is available with STEP benefits, but your travel advisor will be happy to let you know if the rate is available for your requested destination.

Your best bet is to send in a booking request and see if your stay can be elevated through STEP.