Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest independent hotel brand, and it’s looking to grow even more with the addition of ten new member properties that became members between October 1 and December 31, 2024.
The hotels, resorts and lodges are also now part of the brand’s I Prefer Hotel Rewards system. Members can earn 2,500 bonus points for eligible stays at any of the new properties for stays booked by the end of March for stays through June 30, 2025.
“We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional properties to our global portfolio of luxury independent hotels, as part of our largest year of growth since 2019,” said Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. “Each new member delivers an unparalleled travel experience that celebrates the essence of its location and allows us to connect discerning travelers with distinctive hotels that offer unforgettable stays in some of the world’s most inspiring destinations.”
Aerial view of Gamboa Rainforest Reserve, a new Preferred Hotels & Resorts property. (Photo Credit: Preferred Hotels & Resorts)
Gamboa Rainforest Reserve is located in Gamboa, Panama and is now a member of Preferred’s Lifestyle Collection. Surrounded by jungle, the retreat offers 166 rooms and suites with private balconies, several dining options and a host of unique experiences ranging from aerial tram rides to kayaking on the Panama Canal to visiting the local sloth sanctuary.
Part of the L.V.X. Collection, the luxury Hotel Magnolia offers travelers an intimate, luxury stay in the heart of Santiago, Chile’s historic district. With just 40 rooms, the hotels boasts a rooftop terrace, wine cellar, library lounge and guided city tours for guests to make the most of their stay.
Located in Udaipur, India, Aurika Udaipur - Luxury by Lemon Tree Hotels is part of Preferred’s Lifestyle Collection and offers 139 rooms and suites, terraced gardens, courtyards and more. The property offers immersive cultural experiences ranging from traditional folk performances to spa treatments inspired by traditional Indian wellness practices.
A room inside the Hotel Kitzhof - Mountain Design Resort in Austria, part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. (Photo Credit: Preferred Hotels & Resorts)
Hotel Kitzhof — Mountain Design Resort is another new L.V.X. Collection property. Located in the Austrian Alps in Kitzbühel, Austria, the contemporary alpine resort features 160 rooms, studios and suites with beautiful mountain views. Five dining venues provide Austrian cuisine, while the spa offers a plethora of European treatments, including a Swiss stone pine sauna.
Located in the heart of La Geria Natural Park in La Asomada, Lanzarote, César Lanzarote offers just 20 rooms and suites with views of either the
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A major Florida airport has an expansion on the horizon. Tampa International Airport recently announced that its new $1.5 billion Terminal D will be anchored by Delta Air Lines, which will have access to at least six gates, and also operate a new airline lounge in the space. Delta currently operates a variety of flights from Tampa, including direct routes to its hubs in Atlanta, Boston, New York (JFK and LGA), and Minneapolis. It also operates an international route to Amsterdam, and will soon launch a direct flight to Austin, Texas.
Breeze Airways will ramp up its flying in a big way this spring and summer. The Utah-based low-cost carrier on Wednesday announced plans to launch service from three new airports by midyear.
Planet Hollywood is coming back to New York City.A major tourist attraction in the 1980s and early 1990s, the restaurant was owned by, among others, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger.The start power was palpable. But, the allure quickly died off, like many chain restaurants.The doors on 42nd Street opened on Monday. There was a $20 million investment in the new property.According to the eatery, the restaurant redefines Hollywood glamor beneath a 360-degree canopy of state-of-the-art, high-definition screens. Encircling the entire perimeter is an impressive array of over 692 video tiles delivering cutting-edge dining and event experiences through dynamic and interactive displays."We're relaunching Planet Hollywood in Times Square not just as a restaurant but as an all-encompassing sensory experience that magnificently combines innovative technology with the unique flair of Hollywood," said Robert Earl, Founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood and Earl Enterprises. "This venue is poised to deliver exceptional entertainment and dining in the spirit of New York's celebrated theatrical grandeur."Instead of traditional memorabilia, an all-encompassing audio-visual experience brings Hollywood to life through synchronized video projections, soundscapes, and interactive elements that turn dining into a fully sensory affair. Every detail of the space has been thoughtfully curated to provide guests with a unique dining adventure that feels fresh. The venue is slated to be a hotspot for the late-night scene, with the mood on the second and third floors becoming very different when they transform following dinner service.Culinary creativity remains at the core of the Planet Hollywood experience featuring an elevated, yet approachable variety of appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, and entrees. Culinary highlights include Kobe Cheesesteak Empanadas, Prime Rib Sliders, Chicken Caesar Salad, All-American Double Smash Cheeseburger, Spicy Rigatoni Vodka, NY Strip Steak, and Lobster Pot Pie. Guests can also enjoy the nostalgic "1993 Icons" section with beloved classics that pay homage to Planet Hollywood’s original menu including the World-Famous Chicken Crunch, Planet Nachos Grande, L.A. Lasagna, and St. Louis BBQ Ribs.The new Planet Hollywood will be within walking distance of other nightclubs and Madison Square Garden.
"New Orleans is a city of mood,” chef Serigne Mbaye tells me one Wednesday morning in September. We've been discussing the merits of Parkway's po'boys and the old-school kitchen at Commander's Palace. While growing up in Senegal and New York City, Mbaye cooked with his mother, and his Uptown restaurant, Dakar NOLA, braids his memories of this time with his haute restaurant experiences and the deep-rooted African heritage of New Orleans.
Working from home has become quite the privilege in the post-pandemic era. While some companies are rolling back working-from-home rules, others have enshrined them in their culture, actively encouraging workers to stay home and avoid the commute.