# The Leading Hotels of the World

> The Leading Hotels of the World is a member-owned network, booking platform and commercial services organization for more than 425 independent luxury hotels in over 80 countries. It gives distinctive hotels the reach of a global brand through sales, distribution, marketing, loyalty, quality assurance, technology and strategic sourcing, while allowing owners to preserve the identity and operating independence that made their properties worth visiting in the first place.

- **Founded:** 1928
- **Headquarters:** New York, United States
- **Founders:** A group of 38 European hoteliers (Founders)
- **Team size:** About 200 global employees according to the company's executive biography; LinkedIn lists 201-500 employees.
- **Products:** Global hotel collection and booking platform, Sales, marketing and distribution, Leaders Club, Quality standards and inspections, Sustainability Leaders
- **Notable:** Grew from 38 founding hotels in 1928 to more than 425 hotels in more than 80 countries., Became an early hotel innovator in the 1970s by moving from telex and mailed confirmations to an instant computer satellite reservation system., Says only about 5% of annual membership inquiries are accepted.

## Products & services

- **Global hotel collection and booking platform** — A curated portfolio and reservation marketplace for more than 425 independently owned luxury hotels in more than 80 countries.
- **Sales, marketing and distribution** — Global sales representation, brand marketing, digital acquisition, reservations and distribution that connect member hotels with luxury travelers and travel professionals.
- **Leaders Club** — A free, tiered guest loyalty program with points, member rates and on-property benefits across participating Leading Hotels; the current design launched in 2018.
- **Quality standards and inspections** — Demanding, periodically revised membership criteria and evaluation intended to protect service quality, distinctiveness and destination connection.
- **Sustainability Leaders** — A curated collection recognizing member hotels holding certification aligned with Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria.
- **Leading Strategic Sourcing** — A DayBlink GPO-powered procurement network offering member hotels preferred commercial terms and vetted solutions across technology, revenue, payments, marketing, operations and staffing.
- **Editorial books** — A multi-volume cultural publishing series with Monacelli/Phaidon and The Slowdown, beginning with Design and continuing with Culture and Explore.

## Achievements

- Grew from 38 founding hotels in 1928 to more than 425 hotels in more than 80 countries.
- Became an early hotel innovator in the 1970s by moving from telex and mailed confirmations to an instant computer satellite reservation system.
- Says only about 5% of annual membership inquiries are accepted.
- Delivered more than USD 1 billion in revenue to member hotels in both 2022 and 2023, with USD 1.25 billion reported for 2023.
- Had seven member properties on The World's 50 Best Hotels 2024 list, including Capella Bangkok at No. 1.
- Expanded Sustainability Leaders by more than 50% in its first six months after the collection launched in 2023.
- Built the Leading Strategic Sourcing ecosystem to more than 50 partner solutions by 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — Expanded Leading Strategic Sourcing with eight preferred solutions across hotel technology, digital marketing and operations, taking the five-year DayBlink partnership beyond 50 providers.
- **2026-04** — Announced Explore: The Leading Hotels of the World, the third book in its Monacelli/Phaidon series with The Slowdown.
- **2026-02** — Added new revenue-management and payment providers to Leading Strategic Sourcing for a portfolio of more than 425 hotels.
- **2026-01** — Appointed Dean Bannon as Vice President, Member Success & Development.
- **2025-12** — Added ten properties in its Winter Collection, bringing the stated portfolio to more than 425 hotels.
- **2025-08** — Added ten Autumn Collection members, including LHW's first property in Mongolia and an expansion into St. Lucia.
- **2025-07** — Expanded strategic sourcing into hotel technology and executive search and staffing.

## Links

- Website: https://www.lhw.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-leading-hotels-of-the-world
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/LeadingHotels
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeadingHotelsVideo
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadinghotelsoftheworld/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadingHotels/

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Last updated: 2026-08-13