Leading Hotels of the World USA

Leading Hotels of the World refers to a marketing cooperative founded in 1928 in Brussels by 38 independent European hoteliers (Leading Hotels of the World official, 2026). The American portfolio gathers around fifty addresses, from major urban houses to resort retreats, all audited every two years by an independent firm. Membership requires an incognito visit testing 1,500 control points, followed by an announced visit. A distinctive trait : the badge remains one of the rare clubs that accepts no integrated hotel chain, guaranteeing the independent ownership of each member. The Leaders Club loyalty programme federates 200,000 travellers, of whom 35 % book more than fifteen luxury nights per year in member properties.