Leading Hotels of the World

Specialist Reports Holiday by Accommodation Hotels Luxury Leading Hotels of the World 

	Leading Hotels of the World
99 Park Avenue, New York NY 10016-1601 USA			MAP
tel: +1 212 515 5600; UK tollfree (00800) 2888 8882; US tollfree 1 800 223 6800

A marketing, sales and reservations organisation.

Where

395 five-star hotels and resorts in 77 countries, with members in Europe, the US and Asia as well as South America, Africa and the Middle East.

Style

De luxe (‘opulent') hotels including some of the world's best, the modern ones generally the most luxurious, faded grandeur being a possible problem at others, according to some clients. Members are subject to an annual 2,000-point quality assurance test conducted by an examiner who does not announce his presence to the hotel. This covers everything from the quality of lineN to quality of food. The directory is free, paid for by the hotel membership which costs tens of thousands of pounds a year. Even so the organisation reports that it rejects around half the hotels which apply, a significant number belonging to upmarket chains.

Child Facilities

Some could be a little frosty to children but around one in six in the brochure advertise children's facilities with numbers offering child-friendly packages currently growing.
Among the properties with activities for children either free or for a nominal fee are Domain du Royal Club Evian, Hotel Royal, Evian (France); Gleneagles, Auchterarder (Scotland); The Phoenician, Scottsdale (Arizona, US); The Breakers, Palm Beach (Florida, US); Reid's Palace, Madeira; Ihlani Resort and Spa, West Oahu (Hawaii); La Costa Resort and Spa, Carlsbad (California); Hayman, Great Barrier Reef, (Australia); Vila Vita Park, Algarve (Portugal); and Hotel Puente Romano in Marbella. However, it is always worth asking at other properties as the whole ethos of these hotels is service - and that may well include for parents.

Sample Price

For a two-bed suite at the Phoenician $750 per night. Also runs the Great Affordables programme at 184 Leading and Small Leading Hotels members. Some are available throughout the year, others only on certain days of the week or during non-peak periods. All are subject to availability.

Child Prices

None across the group. Contact reservations for details.