The Leading Hotels of the World

The Leading Hotels of the World was established in 1928 by a group of influential and forward-thinking European hoteliers who recognized an opportunity to market their distinctive independent properties to affluent American travelers. The organization was initially known as "Luxury Hotels of Europe and Egypt" and launched with 38 founding member hotels, including some of the world's most legendary properties: Hotel Negresco in Nice (France), the Mena House in Cairo (Egypt), King David Hotel in Jerusalem (Israel), Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo (Monaco), and Montreux Palace in Montreux (Switzerland). These pioneering hoteliers opened an office in New York City named Hotel Representative, Inc. (HRI) to serve as their American marketing and reservations arm, targeting the growing market of luxury travelers from the United States who were beginning to venture abroad in greater numbers. What started as a reservations service for independent hotels has evolved into a full-service organization that includes sales, marketing, advertising, public relations, and financial services. By the end of the 1960s, HRI had grown to represent 70 member hotels – all of which were still located in Europe. Early in 1971, the board of directors and management decided to expand the scope of the organization to include new members from around the globe, meeting the demands of increased numbers of international luxury travelers. The organization was rebranded from "The Leading Hotels of Europe" to "The Leading Hotels of the World" to reflect this global expansion. By the end of the 1980s, there were 235 Leading Hotels of the World, serviced through offices in the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Latin America. Today, the company remains 100% owned by its members (currently more than 60 member hotels through entities such as Hotel Representative AG and LHW Services GmbH), putting it somewhere between a cooperative and company with services for hire – fundamentally different from hotel chains like Marriott, Four Seasons, or Hilton that may manage or own their properties.

The Leading Hotels of the World is not a hotel chain but rather a marketing organization and collection of independent luxury hotels. This fundamental difference shapes every aspect of what makes LHW properties special. Each hotel is independently owned and operated, which means they maintain complete autonomy over their operations, design, service philosophy, and guest experience. Leading Hotels recognizes that the strength and attractiveness of each hotel lies in its "uniqueness," its ties with the destination, and its ability to renew itself while staying true to its character. Members are united in their excellence and authenticity rather than conforming to a standardized brand template. The organization encompasses more than 400 remarkable hotels and resorts in over 80 countries across four continents, each embodying the very essence of their destination. These properties include distinctive accommodations such as historic palaces and castles, mountain hideaways, beachfront retreats, safari camps, and private islands – properties that tell their own special story through varied styles of architecture and design and distinct cultural experiences enhanced by passionate people. While major hotel chains create predictable experiences through standardization, LHW's collection is for curious travelers looking for their next discovery. The organization provides integrated services to support its member hotels including quality control through Leading Quality Assurance (LQA), which conducts anonymous hotel inspections evaluating properties against over 800 stringent criteria covering service, facilities, and guest experience. These meticulous criteria are periodically reviewed and revised to adapt to the changing landscape and guest expectations, ensuring consistent excellence while preserving each property's unique identity. Properties must meet rigorous standards to join and maintain membership, offering extraordinary hospitality that can delight demanding travelers who expect the high quality levels associated with the Leading Hotels brand.

As of 2011, the organization is led by Andrea Kracht, proprietor of the iconic Baur au Lac in Zurich, Switzerland, who serves as chairman of Hotel Representative AG, and Theodore (Ted) Teng, who serves as president and chief executive officer. Under their leadership, Leading Hotels serves as the benchmark for the luxury hospitality industry worldwide. The company maintains its headquarters in New York City at 485 Lexington Avenue and operates a global network of offices in approximately 24 cities around the world to support its member hotels and serve international clientele. This structure allows LHW to provide localized expertise and service while maintaining global standards. The organization continues its founding mission of connecting discerning travelers with remarkable independent properties that cannot be experienced through traditional hotel chains. Ted Teng has emphasized that while the organization drives direct occupancy to member hotels, the true value of membership extends far beyond bookings – members benefit from being part of a broader global network that elevates the entire independent luxury hospitality sector. The cooperative ownership structure ensures that member hotels have a voice in the organization's direction and that decisions are made to benefit the collective while respecting individual property autonomy. This unique governance model has allowed Leading Hotels to adapt and thrive for nearly a century while maintaining its core values of independence, excellence, and authentic luxury experiences rooted in their destinations.

Booking through WhataHotel grants you access to exclusive Leaders Club benefits at no additional cost – our rates match Leading Hotels' best available flexible rates. You'll receive complimentary daily continental breakfast for two guests each day of your stay (served in the hotel's main restaurant or via in-room dining, saving $50-$100 daily depending on the property), a property credit typically valued at $100 USD per stay that can be used for hotel or resort amenities such as dining, spa treatments, or activities (credit amount varies by property), priority for complimentary room upgrade to the next eligible category upon arrival based on availability at check-in (properties may exclude certain premium room types, and some properties may offer enhanced views rather than larger rooms), early check-in and late checkout considerations based on availability, complimentary high-speed in-room Wi-Fi throughout your stay (when a property includes Wi-Fi in a mandatory resort fee, you'll receive a daily credit equal to the Wi-Fi cost), and VIP recognition with personalized welcome amenities upon arrival. All eligible bookings earn Leaders Club points at a rate of 1 point per $1 USD spent on qualifying room rates, which can be redeemed for future award stays at LHW properties (redemptions begin at 4,000 points with dynamic pricing varying by property, season, and demand). If you book multiple rooms on the same reservation with identical dates, you can earn points on up to three rooms per stay, though only the Leaders Club member's room will receive the on-property benefits like breakfast and upgrades. These benefits apply to bookings made through WhataHotel's partnership with Leading Hotels, and your Leaders Club membership number will be automatically included with your reservation to ensure you receive all applicable perks and points.

Leaders Club is the guest loyalty program of The Leading Hotels of the World, designed to reward travelers who appreciate authentic independent luxury experiences. The program is free to join and members start enjoying benefits and earning reward points with their first stay – there are no annual fees or costs associated with membership. The program offers two membership tiers: Club membership (the base level that all members receive upon joining) and Sterling membership (earned after spending at least $5,000 USD on room rates at LHW properties per calendar year, or granted complimentarily to American Express Platinum Card and Business Platinum Card holders who enroll). All members receive the core benefits of daily breakfast for two, upgrade priority, early check-in and late checkout considerations, complimentary Wi-Fi, and points earning on stays. Sterling members receive enhanced benefits including five pre-arrival upgrade confirmations per year (compared to one annual pre-arrival upgrade for base members unlocked after the first paid stay), a 5% bonus on points earned per eligible stay, and priority treatment for special requests. Pre-arrival upgrades allow you to request a confirmed room upgrade when you make your reservation (subject to availability confirmation at least three days before check-in), while the standard upgrade priority means the hotel will attempt to upgrade you at check-in if space permits. Members earn 1 point per $1 USD spent on qualifying room rates, though importantly you do not earn points for additional on-property spending such as dining, spa treatments, or activities – only the base room rate qualifies. Points can be redeemed for free nights starting at 4,000 points, with redemption values using dynamic pricing that fluctuates based on property, season, and demand. Leaders Club is also a transfer partner of Citi ThankYou Rewards at a 5:1 ratio, allowing you to transfer Citi points to Leaders Club for award stays.

The Leading Hotels of the World portfolio includes some of the world's most legendary and prestigious properties. Historic European landmarks include the Ritz Paris (France's most iconic luxury hotel reopened after extensive restoration), Hotel Negresco in Nice (one of the 1928 founding members, Belle Époque masterpiece on the Promenade des Anglais), Baur au Lac in Zurich (Switzerland's premier luxury hotel owned by LHW chairman Andrea Kracht), Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo (Monaco's legendary palace hotel overlooking the casino square), Villa d'Este on Lake Como (16th-century cardinal's residence transformed into Italy's most romantic hotel), Le Sirenuse in Positano (former palazzo on the Amalfi Coast), and Hotel Hassler in Rome (perched atop the Spanish Steps with panoramic city views). Legendary city palaces include Ashford Castle in Ireland (800-year-old castle on 350 acres in County Mayo, consistently ranked among the world's best), The Hay-Adams in Washington DC (overlooking the White House with presidential views), The Setai Miami Beach (Art Deco masterpiece combining Asian aesthetics with Miami glamour), and Grand Hotel Stockholm (Sweden's address of prestige since 1874 facing the Royal Palace). Mountain retreats feature Victoria-Jungfrau in Interlaken (Switzerland's grand dame with views of the Jungfrau massif), while beach properties include Grace Bay Club in Turks & Caicos (Caribbean's finest all-suite resort) and Sandy Lane in Barbados (West Indies' most exclusive resort hosting royalty and celebrities). Cultural landmarks include Imperial Hotel Tokyo (Japan's historic grande dame since 1890 designed by Frank Lloyd Wright), Palace Hotel Tokyo (contemporary luxury in the Imperial Palace gardens), and King David Hotel Jerusalem (1931 landmark and one of the original 1928 founding members). Each property maintains its distinctive character while meeting LHW's exacting standards for luxury and service excellence.

Leaders Club exists in a competitive landscape alongside other luxury hotel programs, each offering different value propositions. Many Leading Hotels properties also participate in Virtuoso, a network of luxury travel advisors that provides similar benefits (breakfast, upgrades, early check-in/late checkout) plus typically a $100 property credit and sometimes additional amenities like spa credits or welcome gifts. American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) offers guaranteed 4pm late checkout and $100+ experience credits at many LHW properties, though FHR benefits cannot be combined with Leaders Club benefits – cardholders must choose which program to use for each booking. The advantage of Leaders Club over these competing programs is the ability to earn points toward free nights at independent luxury hotels that don't otherwise have loyalty programs, plus the convenience of having your loyalty number automatically attached to your reservation ensuring consistent recognition across all LHW properties worldwide. Sterling members receive five confirmed pre-arrival upgrades annually, which can provide exceptional value at ultra-luxury properties where suite upgrades might otherwise cost hundreds or thousands of dollars per night. However, the points-earning structure is less generous than major hotel chains since you only earn on room rates (not on-property spend), and redemption values use dynamic pricing rather than fixed award charts. For travelers who prefer independent luxury properties over chain hotels and stay at LHW properties multiple times per year, Leaders Club provides meaningful value through breakfast savings, upgrade opportunities, and the ability to accrue points toward future stays at some of the world's finest hotels. The program is particularly valuable for those who can achieve Sterling status (through spending or Amex Platinum enrollment) to maximize the upgrade benefits and points bonuses.

Bookings through WhataHotel are made at Leading Hotels' best available flexible rate and are fully prepaid, including a $10.95 booking fee. To receive Leaders Club benefits and points, reservations must be made through eligible booking channels – this includes bookings through WhataHotel's partnership with Leading Hotels, the LHW website, LHW's Worldwide Reservations and Service Centers, or qualified bookings made by accredited travel professionals with your Leaders Club number included at the time of booking. Reservations made directly with hotels by phone or through online travel agencies typically do not qualify for Leaders Club benefits or points earning. There is no minimum stay requirement for benefits. Property credits and upgrade availability vary by individual hotel and season – some properties may offer different credit amounts or have restrictions on which room categories are eligible for upgrades. Points from eligible stays may take up to 10 business days to post to your Leaders Club account. If you believe you did not receive the correct points for a qualifying stay, contact LHW customer care with a copy of your hotel invoice for adjustment. After you complete your first paid qualifying stay as a Leaders Club member, you will unlock one pre-arrival upgrade that can be used for any future stay. After that, base members receive one additional pre-arrival upgrade in January of each membership year, while Sterling members receive five pre-arrival upgrades annually. To use a pre-arrival upgrade, request it when booking at least three days before check-in, and LHW will confirm if the next eligible room category is available. Cancellation policies vary by property and rate type – check your specific booking confirmation for exact terms. Rooms booked using points redemption are not eligible for pre-arrival upgrades but still receive the other Leaders Club benefits like breakfast and Wi-Fi. The program does not offer airline mile earning as some hotel programs do.