Preferred Hotels and Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand representing more than 650 hotels, resorts, and residences across 80 countries, welcomed 19 new member properties to its global portfolio between April 1 and June 30 this year. Ranging from a new urban jewel in downtown Los Angeles to a villa estate on the island of Sicily, these distinct luxury hotels present experiences anchored in their local communities and surroundings for travellers to explore with family, friends, and even pets over the summer season. Highlights include:
Hotel Per La (Los Angeles, California, United States)
Opening its doors this month, the highly anticipated launch will take up residence in the former headquarters of The Bank of Italy – a historic building in downtown Los Angeles. Guests will be treated to 241 guestrooms featuring custom furnishings and Bellino linens, an art collection with more than 4,000 curated pieces, 10,000 sq ft of meetings and event spaces, and a rooftop pool and bar with sweeping skyline views. Later this summer the hotel will launch a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that playfully highlights the building’s past through its restrooms in a walk-in vault that used to house 12,000 safe deposit boxes.
Garza Blanca Resort & Spa Cancun – a Tafer Resort (Cancun, Mexico)
The all-inclusive beachfront resort – and sister property of Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta – is surrounded by the white sands of Playa Mujeres and offers 452 suites with private balconies or terraces. Foodies will enjoy six dining concepts (and two more set to launch later this summer), including DAO – a contemporary Chinese restaurant, and a gourmet hall offering a range of world cuisines with five kitchen stations. Standout features include four family heated pools, one adults-only rooftop pool, holistic treatments by Spa Imagine, and easy access to Playa Mujeres Golf Club. For discovery trips, the concierge team is on hand to organise excursions to Mayan archaeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula.
INIALA HARBOUR HOUSE & RESIDENCES (Valletta, Malta)
Boasting a location on the iconic St. Barbara Bastion in the Maltese capital, the Forbes 5-star pet-friendly sanctuary is comprised of four palatial houses and offers 20 suites and three guestrooms with balconies or terraces and some with private plunge pools – all sat atop ancient vaults – with French windows that frame unobstructed views of Grand Harbour. Other highlights include ION Harbour – a rooftop restaurant by Michelin starred chef Alex Dilling, spa treatments at Essensi Spa by Iniala, 24-hour state-of-the-art gym, glamorous cocktail bar, and original artworks from both renowned and up-and-coming Maltese and Gozitan artists.
Grand Hotel San Pietro (Sicily, Italy)
A carefully restored early 20th century villa turned luxury hotel is situated on the site of an ancient Roman road in the historical district of Taormina. Guests can enjoy 63 guestrooms, some pet-friendly, with sweeping views out to the Ionian Sea, an outdoor pool surrounded by beautiful gardens, an al-fresco restaurant with an expansive terrace, and the Rotonda sul Mare – an intimate patio that serves dinner for two directly above the small island of Isola Bella. Other highlights include a luxury spa with a Finnish sauna and a steam bath and curated itineraries such as private boat tours to sea caves and rocky beaches as well as Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanos. Guests can take advantage of complimentary shuttle rides to the cultural center in Taormina for designer shopping, cultural, and dining experiences.
Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club (Anguilla)
Home to one of the Caribbean’s largest spas with more than 27,000 sq ft of dedicated spa and wellness space, the dreamy island resort is spread across 300 acres of lush beaches with 178 guestrooms, beach suites, and multi-bedroom private villas featuring shared butler services. Ultra-luxury offerings include the recently re-imagined Aurora International Golf Club and seven restaurants and bars, including D. Richards, the island’s only steakhouse and looks out to neighboring Saint Martin. Guests are spoiled with activities such as group hikes, pickleball, movie nights on the beach and boat racing – Anguilla’s national sport. This autumn, guests will be able to book one of the resort’s own fleet of charter jets.
Other member properties that joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio from April 1 through June 30, 2022, include:
Virgin Hotels New Orleans (New Orleans, Louisiana, United States)
Virgin Hotels Nashville (Nashville, Tennessee, United States)
Virgin Hotels Dallas (Dallas, Texas, United States)
Virgin Hotels Chicago (Chicago, Illinois, United States)
Preserve Sporting Club & Residences (Richmond, Rhode Island, United States)
Aspen Meadows Resort (Aspen, Colorado, United States)
The Laurel Hotel & Spa (Auburn, Alabama, United States)
The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center (Auburn, Alabama, United States)
Pestana Douro, Riverside Hotel & Conference Centre (Porto, Portugal)
HS HOTSSON Hotel Guadalajara Expo (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca (Oaxaca, Mexico)
Umiltà 36 (Rome, Italy)
Hotel Savoia & Jolanda (Venice, Italy)
Hotel Golf Chateau de Chailly (Chailly-sur-Armançon, France)