Virgin Hotels Nashville — Photo by Virgin Hotels

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 travelers to explore with family, friends, and even pets over the summer season. Highlights include:

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.

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 organize excursions to Mayan archaeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula.

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.

A carefully restored early 20th century villa turned luxury hotel is situated on the site of an ancient Roman road in Taormina. Guests can enjoy 63 guestrooms, some pet-friendly, with sweeping views out to the Ionian Sea, an outdoor pool surrounded by gardens, an al-fresco restaurant with an expansive terrace, and the Rotonda sul Mare – an intimate patio that serves romantic dinners for two directly above Isola Bella. Other highlights include a spa with a Finnish sauna and steam bath, private boat trips to sea caves and rocky beaches, and guided tours to Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanos. Guests can take complimentary shuttle rides to Taormina for designer shopping and dining experiences.

Home to one of the Caribbean’s largest spas with more than 27,000 sq ft of spa and wellness space, the dreamy island resort is spread across 300 acres of beach with 178 guestrooms, beach suites, and multi-bedroom villas featuring shared butler services. Luxury offerings include the recently re-imagined Aurora International Golf Club and seven restaurants and bars including D. Richards, the island’s only steakhouse looking out to neighboring Saint Martin. Guests can enjoy group hikes, pickleball, movie nights on the beach and boat racing - Anguilla’s national sport. This fall, guests will be able to book one of the resort’s own fleet of charter jets for direct service to the property from select U.S. airports.

Other member properties that joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio from April 1 through June 30, 2022, include:

Each of these new member hotels participate in I Prefer Hotel Rewards, the brand’s points-based loyalty program with more than four million travelers enrolled globally.Complimentary to join,members of I Prefer earn points redeemable for cash-value Reward Certificates, Elite status, and other value-rich benefits from eligible stays at more than 650 participating hotels and resorts worldwide. Travelers seeking memorable independent hotel experiences are invited to sign up at www.IPrefer.com/enroll.

For stays at any of the spotlighted new member hotels, travelers are invited to book via the Preferred brand website. Travel advisors and agents can book client stays via GDS using the “PH” and “PV” chain codes. For hotel owners and operators exploring options to stay or become independent, visit www.PreferredHotels.com/Freedom.

About Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Owned and operated by the Ueberroth Family, Preferred Travel Group is the parent company of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Beyond Green, Historic Hotels of America, Historic Hotels Worldwide, and PTG Consulting, representing more than 1,100 hotels, resorts, and residences across 90 countries, in addition to a global portfolio of destination marketing organizations and tourist boards. With more than 350 seasoned associates situated across 35 countries, the company connects independent hotels, hospitality companies, and destinations to key markets worldwide through strategic branding, sales, integrated marketing, revenue management, distribution services, and other consultancy services. Fueled by its brand promise, Believe in Travel, the company and its hotel and travel brands champion an unwavering belief in the transformative power of travel and its ability to enrich lives, inspire a greater respect for the planet, and expand hearts and minds to other cultures and ways of living.

For more information, visit preferredtravelgroup.com.

AboutI PreferHotel Rewards

Launched in August 2013, the I Prefer Hotel Rewards program from Preferred Travel Group – the parent company that operates hotel brands Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Beyond Green, Historic Hotels of America, and Historic Hotels Worldwide – extends points, status, and other complimentary benefits to members upon eligible stays at over 600 participating hotels and resorts worldwide. In addition to earning points for eligible room nights, members receive additional benefits based on their tier status. The I Prefer program also offers a free mobile app, available on Apple and Android devices, which allows members to search and book hotel stays, and easily redeem Reward Certificates. With 5 million travelers currently enrolled in membership, I Prefer is complimentary to join. To learn more and to enroll in the program, please visit IPrefer.com/enroll.