Dive Brief:
- Preferred Hotels & Resorts has expanded its global portfolio in recent months, including via several U.S. luxury properties, the New York-based independent hotel brand announced Tuesday.
- Preferred Hotels & Resorts, which claims it is the world’s largest independent hotel brand with more than 700 hotels across 80 countries, added U.S. hotels in Texas, Virginia, South Carolina and Pennsylvania to its portfolio amid a broader global expansion.
- Preferred Hotels & Resorts CEO Lindsey Ueberroth said the independent properties offer “a strong sense of place” and “authentic experiences,” which travelers are increasingly seeking, industry experts previously told Hotel Dive.
Dive Insight:
Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ recent U.S. additions comprise Green Pastures in Austin, Texas; Keswick Hall in Charlottesville, Virginia; The Charleston Place in Charleston, South Carolina; and Nemacolin in Farmington, Pennsylvania. Green Pastures is slated to open this fall in Austin’s Bouldin Creek neighborhood, per the announcement.
The global expansion saw 18 properties added to Preferred’s portfolio in the second quarter of this year. Elsewhere, Preferred Hotels & Resorts added properties in Austria, China, Italy, Costa Rica and Greece, among others.
The portfolio expansion was coupled with a loyalty play, which will allow I Prefer loyalty members to earn bonus points on eligible stays at new member properties, according to the announcement.
“From storied heritage retreats to culturally rich urban escapes, these hotels reflect the meaningful journeys and legacy moments today’s travelers are actively seeking,” Ueberroth said in a statement.
In 2025, more travelers are looking for hotels that immerse them in the culture of their destination, experts told Hotel Dive in January.
Meanwhile, higher-tier properties continue to outperform lower-tier segments in terms of RevPAR, per PwC. Luxury hotels also led lower-tier segments for guest satisfaction, per a J.D. Power report released last year.
