For many discerning travelers, the ideal hotel is an independent property that blends local charm with world-class amenities, and strong commitments to hospitality and sustainability thrown in. It has both luxury and authenticity, a strong sense of place and a connection with the cultural or natural environment that surrounds it. Many are unique in the world and set up with all the comforts that one would expect from a five-star international hotel. And those elusive attributes are exactly what the selection team for WorldHotels is looking for.
While it can be difficult to cut through the clutter of various hotel associations, organizations, and alliances, WorldHotels has a simple premise: to be the epitome of 21stt-century luxury for the discerning traveler through curated experiences. That’s on display across the portfolio’s hundreds of hotels in more than 170 locations, all of which offer curated experiences that go far beyond the usual hotel stay. And it has been for more than 50 years, ever since the brand got its start as a family-owned company that helped independent hotels compete in an increasingly global world.
But since finding the perfect hotel can still vary from traveler to traveler and from trip to trip, WorldHotels has organized its collection of sophisticated, refined properties into four distinct categories. WorldHotels Luxury is a celebration of historic grandeur and iconic design. WorldHotels Elite combines contemporary hospitality and classical elegance. Artistry and innovation are the ideas behind WorldHotels Crafted. And genuine hospitality and cultural vibrancy are the hallmarks of WorldHotels Distinctive. No matter which category a hotel is part of, it is never just a place to pass through. Every property ensures that each guest departs with a special and cherished story.
Many of them are also affiliated with their robust loyalty program, WorldHotels Rewards. Registered members earn points for every stay and have access to exclusive privileges such as room upgrades and late check-out. Points can be redeemed for complimentary nights, gift cards, and more. It takes only five nights to reach gold status.
WorldHotels Luxury
These are the most traditionally elegant and opulent properties in the WorldHotels collection. They are independent hotels that are often rich in history and that continue to be the pinnacle of refinement. Their hoteliers understand that true luxury is a personal experience, whether it’s in a property’s historical grandeur, a connection with heritage, or the captivating essence of the local culture. Each hotel is intimately connected with the significance of its location.
A good example of the WorldHotels Luxury collection is the Hotel Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, which has a prime location in the heart of the Alhambra and has been an icon of Andalusian hospitality since 1910. The attention to detail is stunning, as are the design elegance of an Arab palace, the incredible sunsets over Granada, and the Andalusian cuisine, which incorporates products from the hotel’s own organic urban garden and well-curated wine list.
Another is the Grand Hotel Karel V, a five-star monumental hotel in the historic heart of Utrecht, Netherlands. Behind the impressive façade of a former monastery, the hotel has a hushed garden that measures more than two acres. The 121 rooms and suites have views of this garden, or the city’s canals and Dom Tower, and the fine-dining restaurant has earned a Michelin star.
Sophistication, refinement, and timelessness are the watchwords for the WorldHotels Elite collection. They represent a world where every moment can transform into an indelible memory, and while they still have plenty of glamor and allure, they tend to be more contemporary in design and modern in spirit. Each one follows a commitment to deliver elevated service while maintaining a close connection to the cultural surroundings.
WorldHotels Elite
The Garden Hotel Guangzhou in China demonstrates this brand ethos well. It’s the first and only Platinum five-star hotel in the heart of the city. While it’s surrounded by shopping, entertainment, and transportation links, it has a large back garden that serves as an oasis in the bustling city. Even with its large size of 1008 rooms, it provides personalized service and has a variety of smaller venues, including several restaurants, stylish bars, and a wine cellar.
On the other side of the world, the Majestic Ponta Negra Beach in Natal, Brazil, has a prime location on the most famous beach of the northeastern city, which gives it an excellent view of the ocean and the famous Morro do Careca. Its upscale services and amenities include private transfers, concierge services, French bath products in the guest rooms and haute gastronomy in the form of a sophisticated French restaurant. La Brasserie de la Mer is commanded by French-Brazilian celebrity chef Erick Jacquin.
WorldHotels Crafted
This portfolio is not simply a group of hotels but a collection of immersive experiences designed to sing to the senses and fire up the imagination. The architecture is inventive, the gastronomy is local and works by contemporary and emerging artists adorn the walls. They are proof that lifestyle hotels can challenge conventions and offer fresh perspectives, while still maintaining the five-star comforts that high-end travelers have come to expect.
For example, the Muraless Art Hotel in Castel d’Azzano, Italy is a world away from the Romeo and Juliet-style historic architecture that dominates the tourist offerings in the nearby city of Verona. In its place is a façade—by renowned international artist Mr. Brainwash—that celebrates street art, graffiti tags, Andy Warhol–style pop art, and expressive language. Inside the immersive hotel, art is an essential part of every stay. The unique works in the 94 guest rooms and public spaces have strong ties to the local culture and the spirit of Italian excellence that has made the country a leader in art and design for centuries. The immersion can be participatory as well, with guided street artist excursion—complete with spray cans in hand—and live painting performances that create abstract canvases.
The yin to all that contemporary yang is seen in the Vimmerby Stadshotell in Vimmerby, Sweden. Built in the 1860s in the center of town, it maintains its classic baby-pink façade and iconic signage. It prides itself on offering the cozy comforts of a typical home in Smaland, and it mixes history with whimsy, with a healthy dose of contemporary design thrown in. Leather-bound first editions and antique books in bell jars decorate mantelpieces, and the guest rooms have vintage wallpaper, oversize black-and-white photographs, and jewel-toned velvet throws. The restaurant is a throwback to the glamorous salons of the 19th century.
WorldHotels Distinctive
Heartfelt hospitality is at the forefront in the WorldHotels Distinctive collection. This group of one-of-a-kind hotels aims to create unforgettable experiences and meaningful encounters with local cultures. The interiors emphasize local charm, residential-style comforts, practical convenience, and personal enrichment, and the service is distinguished by its thoughtful touches and above-and-beyond approach.
In the lakeside town of Lugano, Switzerland, the Villa Sassa Hotel Residence & Spa embodies this approach to genuine hospitality. With just 90 rooms, including 28 suites, the hotel is able to offer attentive, personalized service and coddling amenities such as anti-allergy pillows and bedding. The hotel was built around a 17th-century villa with an enviable position, which gives each of its five floors outstanding views of the mountains, lake, and town below, especially from the terraces for alfresco dining. It has an especially impressive holistic wellness center with indoor and outdoor pools, solariums, and a spa.
A prime location is also a calling card for Nordic Hotel Forum in Tallinn, Estonia. Just as it sits at the boundary between the historic heart of Tallinn’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city’s vibrant contemporary districts, it also neatly splits the difference between business and leisure travel. As a modern four-star superior business and conference hotel, it has all the technology and amenities that business travelers rely on, but it also has spacious and elegant guest rooms that suit a more relaxing stay. Moreso, Nordic Hotel Forum preserves the protection of bees with rooftop hives and even produces their own honey. The eighth-floor leisure center has lovely views over the old town and Rotermann Quarter, and the spa facilities include an indoor pool, saunas, a steam room, and a jacuzzi. The hotel also supports local culture and is a key partner in local events like the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and Tallinn Music Week.
In partnership with WorldHotels; all images courtesy of WorldHotels
