MilesBuzz! - "The Leading Hotels of the World" chain

Has anyone heard of this chain? I'm booked into one, and wonder if it/they are connected with any "frequent stayer" programs.

Also, do they give miles on any FF programs?

I've stayed in several "Leading Hotels". They tend to be the grande dame properties in Europe. It's a loose affiliation, to give indepedent properties a way to market themselves. I do not believe that they give any FF miles.

However, such hotels often have several affiliations. You should check to see if the individual property is a member of another group. And, if not - heretical here on FlyerTalk, but miles aren't everything. These properties tend to be some of the finest, offering very pleasurable stays.

Not a chain but a very upscale marketing organisation. Members include world top-class hotels like some Mandarin Orientals (SFO, BKK, others), some Peninsula hotels (HKG, BKK), some Mexican Camino Real properties, most of the finest (mostly individual) European hotels, etc, etc. etc.

The organisation has not a frequent-flyer/miles/points-program of their own, but many of their individual members/properties have.

I got, years ago, a complimentary (life long) Leaders Club Card that allows some upgrade advantages and special treat.

They are generally excellent for nearly everything - including recognition - but NOT for miles & points!

Counsellor:
As stated above they are typically very nice hotels not necessarily affiliated with a major chain. LHW does have a stay program called Leaders Club, but apparently one must stay in at least 5 different hotels before becoming eligible to join. You can go to this link for more information: Leading Hotels of the World (http://www.lhw.com).

Hope that this helps.

CWPFLY


[This message has been edited by cwpfly (edited 07-10-2001).]

Also stayed at a LHW in Baden-Baden. No miles but a very nice room with huge balkony in the pedestrian area. Not more than $70 or so for a fine hotel.

I stayed in Mexico City, Hotel Marquise Reforma. One of the best I ever stayed in. Class, character, location, service. Great place!
For that quality, I did not care about miles http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif (oops, that was a wrong thing to say on this forum! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif )

Hey, I stayed at a Four Season and as I recall I did -not- get any miles.

Have also stayed at several different LHW hotels. The Hotel Carrera in Santiago, Chile, the Four Seasons in Tokyo, Hotel Principe di Savoia (Starwood)in Milan, Las Brisas (was Starwood)in Acapulco. There might be a couple more, but unless you look for the logo, you might not even know it's part of LHW. The directory I have is for 1998. Pleased with all the properties we stayed at.

I stayed at the Camino Real in Mexcio City a couple of weeks ago. They're billed as a "Leading...", plus they're part of Hilton now. So I got HHonors points and AA miles.

Flip

Thanks, all, and particularly thanks to cwpfly for the link. Very interesting. I think I'll enjoy my stay.

And if you want to become a member of the Leaders Club (much like the Six Continent's Club of the I-C chain, it's a recognition program and doesn't give you any miles or points), you can pay Travelocity $80 (in the first year) and they will make you a member of the Leaders Club without staying at any LHW properties...

Preferred Hotels, a similiar organization with often overlapping properties used to/maybe still does give DL miles. I want to say LHW might have given DL miles at one point too.

Preferred Hotels no longer offers DL miles, but you can earn 500 miles per stay on UA or AS.

Speaking of the Leader's Club, I was recently accepted into it. I would be very interested to hear what sorts of upgrades and goodies FTers have received through this membership.

I've stayed in probably 10 different LHW hotels (all for pleasure) in the last couple of years. Is there any chance I would be accepted into the Leader's Club and for how long is the membership valid for? Is it worth the application for membership?

[This message has been edited by bagold (edited 07-11-2001).]

The LHW and Relais & Chateaux have formed a "Luxury Alliance" since the beginning of the year. Relais & Chateaux is, like LHW mentioned in previous posts, a marketing group for high end luxury properties. These properties tend to be somewhat smaller than some of the "grandes dames" of the LHW group.

Relais & Chateaux information can be found at:

http://www.relaischateaux.com:80/site/us/home

I have stayed at properties in both groups and they are quite nice. Every year the LHW guide comes out and you can see that they regularly drop properties from their membership (and add some) so I think they use fairly demanding criteria.

I'm not familiar with the Leaders Club. Normally you have to be "invited" by the President of LHW or by a General Manager of one of the properties. You then receive free upgrades, personalized luggage tags, etc etc. If you are a good customer, write to the President of LHW.

But LHW regularly offers some good promotions, often linked with AMEX. I'm taking advantage of their "One More Night" offer in Rio this month: you stay for three nights and the fourth is free (price is prorated out over the four nights). These promotions regularly appear in their newsletters (free) and on their web site.

Edited for typos.

[This message has been edited by blairvanhorn (edited 07-11-2001).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bagold:
I've stayed in probably 10 different LHW hotels (all for pleasure) in the last couple of years. Is there any chance I would be accepted into the Leader's Club and for how long is the membership valid for? Is it worth the application for membership?
</font>

bagold, check out the link in cwpfly's posting above. It has links to the Leader's Club and from there to the application form, or just click on:

http://www.lhw.com/leaders_club/become_member.asp

I just saw an ad tonight for the new Grand Hyatt in Seattle advertising that it was part of "The Leading Hotels of the World" in addition to being a Hyatt.

Kind of caught me offguard, because I didn't think that there were any Hyatt properties associated with them.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SEA-Flyer:
I just saw an ad tonight for the new Grand Hyatt in Seattle advertising that it was part of "The Leading Hotels of the World" in addition to being a Hyatt.

Kind of caught me offguard, because I didn't think that there were any Hyatt properties associated with them.</font>

Neither did I. But this property (The Elliott Grand Hyatt) is certainly a member. I saw it in the LHW printed 2001 guide, but it had not been branded a Grand Hyatt at that time.

Here the link:

http://www.lhw.com/profile/profile.asp?id=346&lang=1&st=2&si=4

I've stayed twice at The Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. The first time it was part of the Preferred Hotels group, and I got UA miles. The second time it had switched to "The Leading Hotels of the World", and no miles with them.
It's a great hotel, in an excellent (for me anyway) location, so I guess I can live without the miles!

I've stayed in two very nice LHWs: the Pan Pacific in Vancouver and the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, FL. Both properties had incredible five-star restaurtants onsite. Overall, both properties were among the best I've ever stayed in.

We got a room at the Pan-Pacific for about CN$250 through a corporate rate, and it was worth every penny and then some. At check-in, I asked about FF mileage affiliations. Not only did I get 500 UA miles, but the clerk also asked if I had any UA elite status. I had 2P at the time - upon showing the card, I got a complimentary upgrade to a mini-suite with a small living room and PC in the room. (I thought it was slightly ironic that this hotel valued my elite status far, far more than United itself does.)

The Ritz stay was a basic Ritz experience - excellent in every sense. The rooms were covered as part of a convention, so I didn't get any FF miles.

I have been a member of 'Leaders Club' since 1998 and was sponsored by a Regional Manager.

The Membership Guide lists benefits as being:

- Priority Reservations
- Complimentary Room Upgrades
- Early check-in/late check-out
- Welcome gift
- Luggage tag
- Newsletter

In reality you will normally get an upgraded room. A bottle of champagne maybe and some special recognition on birthdays.


But the real benefit is when you make your reservation through LHW. These really are the best hotels in the world and the biggest advantage is that they known you are a 'regular' and treat you as such.

Miles? If you can afford these hotels on a regular basis, do you really need to be worried about 500 miles here or there?


Enjoy the Champagne, the canapes and the room upgrade - of course you would already be paying for a suite anyway, wouldn't you?

Nick

One LHW to avoid is the Helmsley Park Lane in New York -- really in need of a renovation.

I finally got around to submitting the form. Had to look at their web site and see which hotels I recognize from previous stays. Got approved within 24 hours! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Does anyone know how long the membership for the Leaders Club last?

no predetermined validity - the give (they may take it away).

So far no problem for me, I stay, may be, about 8-10 nights a year, but never make my reservation through them (what officially they ask for) but either with the hotel itself, always mentioning my Leaders-Club membership and # (example: Mandarin or Peninsula or all Swiss places) or some other booking organisation (example: Shangri-La).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Rudi:
[...] but never make my reservation through them (what officially they ask for) but either with the hotel itself, always mentioning my Leaders-Club membership and # (example: Mandarin or Peninsula or all Swiss places) or some other booking organisation (example: Shangri-La). </font>

Though the website states that you need to make the reservation through lhw.com to enjoy the benefits of lc membership the card
was good for upgrades even when presented only at check in time.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Counsellor:
Has anyone heard of this chain? I'm booked into one, and wonder if it/they are connected with any "frequent stayer" programs.

Also, do they give miles on any FF programs?

</font>

Well, at the risk of your calling me an epithet, I will advise you that it depends on the property for as many of those have noted, they are often quite luxurious Grande Dame hotels. However, many of these hotels have often dual or even three listings under certain programs -- that is what I found out for certain of the hotels in and around Switzerland.

Travelocity may list it that way.

Also, I would do a Google search of the hotel's name and see if it comes up under more than one hotel "chain."

From what I recollect, some of the former SwissAir hotels are listed under more than one "brand."

Apply to Leaders Club Today !

If you've stayed at five or more Leading Hotels in the past few years, you may qualify to become a member of Leaders Club, The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. prestigious guest recognition program.

With access to a variety of exclusive privileges from participating Leading Hotels and Leading Small Hotels, the complimentary Leaders Club membership is our guarantee that every stay with Leading Hotels is even more luxurious and rewarding than the last.
===========================================

Posted by Mile ...
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">I stayed in Mexico City, Hotel Marquise Reforma. One of the best I ever stayed in. Class, character, location, service. Great place!</font>

The Marquis isn't any better than any other first class hotel in Mexico City - only more expensive. The location is very good. BTW, I booked it online through American Airlines Vacations and paid only 1/3 of the price the hotel was asking.

The Waldorf=Astoria Towers (Conrad) is a LHW. You get HH points when you stay there.

Don't get carried away about Leaders Club - I've used it a few times and never get the promised benefits. Personally I've gone back to ordinary 'chain' hotels to offer a more consistant service.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">From what I recollect, some of the former SwissAir hotels are listed under more than one "brand."</font>

Le Meridien has several properties, as do Mandarin Oriental Group, Pan Pacific, Rosewood, Oberoi, Kempinski, Orient Express, and so on.

Just received my 2002 catalogue - many changes in London (Carlton Tower - former Hyatt - is now a LHW), NY (The Carlyle (Rosewood) and the Trump International have been added; the Waldorf Towers and The Pierre got the boot), LA, SF (Ritz-Carlton got the boot, as did the Mandarin Oriental), etc. I always wonder how some of them stick around, like the Helmsley Park Lane.

(spelling, Waldorf Towers and Pierre NY)

[This message has been edited by blairvanhorn (edited 03-06-2002).]

Just a few of the US properties (I bolded a few of my favs http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ):

USA

The Mansion on Turtle Creek
Dallas

Halekulani
Honolulu

Hotel Jerome
Aspen

The Driskill
Austin

The Beverly Hills Hotel
Beverly Hills

The Peninsula, Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills

The Regent Beverly Wilshire
Beverly Hills

Hotel Bel-Air
Beverly Hills

Fifteen Beacon
Boston

Le Méridien Boston
Boston

Chatham Bars Inn
Chatham

Le Méridien Chicago
Chicago

The Peninsula Chicago
Chicago

Hotel Crescent Court
Dallas

Kahala Mandarin Oriental, Hawaii
Honolulu

The Warwick
Houston

The Lodge at Torrey Pines
La Jolla

Wheatleigh
Lenox

The Equinox
Manchester Village

Turnberry Isle Resort & Club
Miami

Mandarin Oriental, Miami
Miami

The Fisher Island Club
Miami Beach

Windsor Court Hotel
New Orleans

The Helmsley Park Lane Hotel
New York

The Lowell
New York

The Mark, New York
New York

The New York Palace
New York

The Peninsula, New York
New York

The Plaza, New York
New York

Hôtel Plaza Athénée
New York

The Regent Wall Street
New York

The Carlyle
New York

Trump International Hotel & Tower
New York

The Breakers
Palm Beach

Merv Griffin’s Resort Hotel & Givenchy Spa
Palm Springs

The Lodge at Rancho Mirage
Rancho Mirage

The Grand America Hotel
Salt Lake City

The Westgate Hotel
San Diego

Campton Place Hotel
San Francisco

Hotel Drisco
San Francisco

Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco
San Francisco

The Pan Pacific, San Francisco
San Francisco

La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa
Santa Fe

Casa Del Mar
Santa Monica

Shutters on the Beach
Santa Monica

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Scottsdale

Elliott Grand Hyatt Seattle
Seattle

Enchantment Resort
Sedona

Sonnenalp Resort of Vail
Vail

Swissôtel Washington – The Watergate
Washington, DC

I noticed when we recently stayed there that the Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews is one of the "Leading Hotels of the World". Hmmm - I would grant that the Golf Course is one of the leading courses in the world - but I would never classify the hotel as such. Nice and all - but certainly not world class.. wonder what their criteria is?

BVH: That's interesting. I was just at the Waldorf Towers two weeks ago, and all the literature in the room read "A Member of Leading Hotels of the World"....

Dr1K: I'm sure they just trotted out those old brochures for your benefit. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

The 2002 LHWs in NYC:

The Helmsley Park Lane Hotel
The Lowell
The Mark, New York
The New York Palace
The Peninsula, New York
The Plaza, New York
Hôtel Plaza Athénée
The Regent Wall Street
The Carlyle
Trump International Hotel & Tower