Heritage is the New Frontier for Luxury Travelers

The luxury traveler of today is more intentional and experience-driven than ever. They crave once-in-a-lifetime, connective travel experiences that money can't buy. According to Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ recently released Luxury Travel Report 2025, over 90% of luxury travelers seek experiences that immerse them in the destination's history and culture. But it's not simply about observing history – they want to be a part of it. Luxury travelers are increasingly opting for heritage-rich accommodations that are deeply rooted in history. These could include opportunities to stay in culturally significant buildings such as former convents and palaces, being nearby to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, or even connecting them to their own family history.

As the world's largest independent hotel brand representing over 600 hotels around the world, many of the properties under the Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio promise travelers more than just a place to stay, but the opportunity to experience incredible historical destinations and be fully immersed in local culture.

Highlights include:

• The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, Singapore (Legend Collection): Built in 1928, the Fullerton Building stands as one of Singapore’s most significant historical landmarks. Once the heart of the city’s commercial, social, and civic life, it is perhaps most famous for housing the former General Post Office. Today, this iconic Grande Dame retains much of its original architectural features while offering five-star luxury and warm Singaporean hospitality. Honoring its rich legacy, the hotel invites guests to join complimentary heritage walking tours revealing the building’s fascinating history and the cultural significance of the surrounding landmarks.

• Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Ireland (Legend Collection): Steeped in history, Dromoland Castle has been welcoming guests since the 16th century, embodying the very essence of Irish heritage and hospitality. Once the ancestral home of one of the last High Kings of Ireland, it was elegantly renovated in the 1820s, with much of its original art and architectural features preserved. A long, winding driveway, flanked by manicured gardens and a serene lake, leads to the castle with its four castellated turrets and Gothic porch. Guests can discover a host of unique experiences during their stay, from tracing their own lineage with a resident genealogist to embracing time-honored countryside pursuits such as falconry and archery.

• Hotel Convent de la Missio, Palma de Mallorca, Spain (L.V.X. Collection): Hidden along a quiet lane in the historic heart of Palma de Mallorca in Spain, Convent de la Missio blends sleek, modern design with the timeless charm of its 17th-century façade. True to its name, the building was once a convent used to train missionaries, a heritage still reflected in its serene, secluded atmosphere. Highlights include the tranquil spa and Sauna tucked beneath the convent in what was once a crypt, and the acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurant, Marc Fosh. The hotel’s cocktail bar doubles as an art gallery, inviting guests to savor cocktails while admiring works by contemporary local artists.

• Biltmore Hotel, Florida, United States (L.V.X. Collection): Old Florida charm meets contemporary luxury at the Biltmore Hotel, a National Historic Landmark nestled in the heritage-rich city of Coral Gables. In 2026, the hotel will celebrate 100 years since opening its doors and hosting the first match on its legendary Biltmore Golf Course, an 18-hole, par-71 championship course, originally designed in 1925 by architect Donald Ross. In the Jazz Age, its elegance attracted European royalty and Hollywood elite for fashion shows, gala balls and world-class golf tournaments. During World War II, the property served as an Army Air Forces hospital and later as a Veterans Administration hospital till 1968. Guests can connect with this vibrant history through hybrid architectural and history tours, seasonal programming, and strolls through its grand halls, where original architecture and archival photographs bring the past to life.

• Hotel Bayerischer Hof, Munich, Germany (Legend Collection): In the heart of Munich’s historic center, this legendary hotel has embodied Bavarian hospitality at its most refined since 1841, welcoming royalty, politicians, artists and celebrities. Built at the request of King Ludwig I of Bavaria, it has remained under the stewardship of the Volkhardt family for five generations. The two Michelin-starred Atelier restaurant is the pinnacle of fine dining, and mixologists at Falk’s Bar work their magic in the famously ornate Hall of Mirrors.

• The Leela Palace Jaipur, Jaipur, India (pictured): Set against the backdrop of Jaipur’s Pink City, The Leela Palace Jaipur blends Mughal and Rajput grandeur with contemporary luxury. Inspired by the city’s royal residences, it showcases intricately carved façades, hand-painted frescoes, and interiors rich in traditional craftsmanship. Guests can immerse themselves in Rajasthani culture through daily folk performances, block-printing workshops, and royal-inspired dining. Located near Amber Fort, City Palace, and the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar, the hotel offers seamless access to Jaipur’s heritage. Serene courtyards, landscaped gardens, and a luxury spa rooted in ancient wellness traditions complete the experience, making it a refined gateway to the city’s rich history and culture.