Preferred Hotels & Resorts, billed as the world’s largest independent hotel brand, is continuing to strengthen its Legend Collection. Eleven properties joined this segment, the highest tier of its portfolio, in 2026. It now brings together more than 125 hotels and resorts worldwide.
The new members combine established addresses with recent or forthcoming openings. They include a private island in the Venetian lagoon, a landmark Bangkok hotel, a forest retreat in India and one of the most eagerly awaited resort projects in the United Arab Emirates.
An experience-led view of luxury
The group frames this selection within the changing expectations of high-end guests. In its view, these travellers are looking less for a single model of the ideal hotel than for stays aligned with their personal interests. Four trends therefore shape the latest additions: cultural immersion, nature-focused stays, personalised city experiences and the rise of resorts conceived as destinations in their own right.
“Today’s luxury traveler is not looking for one prescribed idea of the perfect hotel. They are seeking experiences that speak to their individual interests, whether that means reconnecting with nature, engaging with a destination’s cultural heritage, discovering a new culinary perspective, or experiencing an iconic city from a more personal point of view”, said Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. “The latest additions to our Legend Collection reflect this shift while sharing the distinctive character that make each of them a legendary hotel.”
Heritage at the heart of the stay
The group draws on the findings of its Luxury Travel Report, which highlights travellers’ growing interest in hotels that preserve the history, traditions and architectural identity of their destination. In Bangkok, the Dusit Thani combines Thai-inspired design, cultural rituals and a tradition of hospitality unique to this historic address in the Thai capital. LTH reported on the appointment of Marc Handl to lead the Dusit Thani Bangkok in the spring.
In Morocco, the Palais Jamaï Fès will open in October 2026 in a restored late 19th-century palace overlooking the medina. In Spain, the Serras Sevilla opened in September 2026 in the heart of the Andalusian capital.
Nature and regenerative travel
Contact with nature is taking an increasingly prominent place in luxury offerings, driven by guests seeking to slow down and travel more responsibly. In India, The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary opened in July 2026 on around 31 hectares of ancient forest in the Western Ghats range. The property showcases the biodiversity and culture of the Coorg region.
In the United States, the LEED Silver-certified Edgewood Tahoe Resort offers lakeside hospitality on the shores of Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Its positioning is built on outdoor activities and a close connection to its alpine setting.
More personalised city stays
The urban segment accounts for the largest share of this wave of additions. In Venice, the San Clemente Palace occupies its own island in the lagoon, combining Venetian heritage with the privacy of a secluded resort. In Lisbon, the MYTHIC SANA Downtown Suites, set in the historic Baixa Pombalina district, stands out for its butler service, Golden Sleeves, which tailors every detail of the stay. Both properties were already among the ten new members added by Preferred Hotels & Resorts in the second quarter of 2026.
Spain has two further addresses under the BLESS brand. BLESS Hotel Barcelona, which opened in August 2026 on the Passeig de Gràcia, brings together gastronomy, fashion and culture. BLESS Ibiza The Site, opened in June 2026, offers a contemporary take on luxury on the island. In Charleston, South Carolina, The Cooper, which opened on the waterfront in March 2026, lays claim to a Southern interpretation of luxury.
For the group, these openings show that today’s most sought-after city hotels now go beyond the simple function of accommodation. They are becoming gateways to the culture, lifestyle and distinctive rhythm of their destination.
Wynn Al Marjan Island, a first-of-its-kind integrated resort in the UAE
In the Middle East, massive investment in tourism is giving rise to a new generation of destinations. Wynn Al Marjan Island, whose entry into the Legend Collection was announced as early as the spring, is due to open in Ras Al Khaimah in spring 2027.
The project will be the first integrated resort in the United Arab Emirates. It is built around a 70-storey tower with more than 1,500 rooms and suites, more than 20 restaurants and bars, a beach club, a private marina, gardens and several swimming pools. Its timeline remains closely watched by the industry, with LTH having reported uncertainties linked to regional tensions.
An independent network of more than 625 properties
With these additions, Preferred Hotels & Resorts confirms a selection strategy that favours character and local roots over standardisation. The group now represents more than 625 hotels, resorts, residences and hotel groups in 80 countries. Every property is subject to its integrated quality assurance programme.
The network is also supported by the I Prefer Hotel Rewards loyalty programme, as well as its Preferred Residences, Preferred Pride and Preferred Golf offerings. This announcement extends a sustained momentum, following the 20 properties added in the first quarter of 2026.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Preferred Hotels & Resorts adds 11 properties to its Legend Collection in 2026
Legend Collection now counts 125+ luxury hotels worldwide
New additions span Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East
Key openings: Palais Jamaï Fès (Oct. 2026), Serras Sevilla, The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary, BLESS Barcelona and Ibiza
Wynn Al Marjan Island (Ras Al Khaimah) slated for spring 2027 with 1,500+ keys
Preferred network: 625+ hotels, resorts and residences across 80 countries
