From palace hotels in India to iconic coastal resorts in California, the ultra-luxury Legend collection under the global independent hotel brand Preferred Hotels & Resorts is made up of member hotels that are each a unique work of art. With timeless, classic designs, they tell their own stories.
The Legend collection represents the highest standards of luxury among global independent hotels. Every detail, meticulously crafted to provide an unparalleled experience for discerning guests, and the service that exceeds expectations, are the hallmark of the hotel’s bespoke offerings. It stands as a model of global luxury hospitality.
The Baccarat Hotel in New York, the century-old houseboat hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam along the canals of Amsterdam, The Hotel Maria in Helsinki with the largest guest rooms in Scandinavia, The Sanchaya hidden on Bintan Island in an outdoor paradise, and Passalacqua on the shores of Lake Como, ranked #1 on the 2023 list of the world’s 50 best hotels—these renowned ultra-luxury hotels are all part of the Legend collection. Here we introduce 7 latest Preferred Legend Hotels in 2024.
01 Passalacqua
This is the story of an extraordinary villa on the shores of Lake Como, perched above the village of Moltrasio, stretching all the way down to the lakefront.
This historic mansion has hosted many of the world’s most outstanding figures in music, literature, art, and politics, from Napoleon Bonaparte to Bellini to Winston Churchill.
The Passalacqua Villa, which opened in 2022, was built on land that originally belonged to Pope Innocent XI. It was constructed in the 18th century by Count Andrea Lucini Passalacqua, who collaborated with architect Felice Soavi and designer Giocondo Albertoni to turn his vision into one of the largest and most spectacular villas on Lake Como.
Today, Passalacqua has become one of the most renowned hotel management families in Italy, with the latest project full of passion and infinite aspirations from Paolo, Antonella, and Valentina De Santis.
As a sister hotel to the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, one of the most iconic hotels in the world, Passalacqua incorporates the essence of “living in Italy” into its DNA, constantly showcasing Italy’s unique charm and warmth to its distinguished guests, who are always eager to stay.
Here, guests will experience the charm and legend of the authentic “villeggiatura” — the Italian-style vacation.
02 The BoTree
As one of the most anticipated hotels of 2023, The BoTree, a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection, will grandly open in London in 2024. The hotel features 199 rooms, including 30 suites, along with a restaurant and bar, offering all visitors a vibrant and immersive stay.
The BoTree Hotel showcases the charm of central London and the spirit of Marylebone’s ‘village’ life through its enchanting spaces and personalized service. It also introduces a new form of luxury—“Conscious Luxury”, which involves making intentional choices to ensure the flourishing of humanity, the planet, and local communities.
The BoTree blends the vitality, character, and atmosphere of the Marylebone lifestyle. The guest rooms are adorned with vibrant, bespoke natural fabrics and eclectic textures, making them a true epitome of luxurious living.
The 30 modern suites themselves are destinations worth exploring, offering the perfect space for entertainment, with a lounge, balcony, private bar, and an integrated cocktail station.
The largest suite, the BoTree Suite, offers stunning views of central London. This unique space features a private guest entrance and an outdoor terrace, and can be combined with adjacent suites to form a spacious wing, creating the ultimate private retreat.
The hotel’s personalized service is the cornerstone of its offerings. The attentive floor butlers are always on hand to meet guests’ needs, providing round-the-clock service for all rooms.
03 The Hotel Maria
The Hotel Maria, newly opened in December 2023, marks the beginning of a new chapter in luxury Nordic hospitality in the heart of Helsinki. As a new member of the esteemed Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection, this urban oasis cleverly combines modern elegance with the rich history of its location in the city’s historic Kruununhaka district.
The hotel features 117 rooms, including 38 luxurious suites, two restaurants, a grand ballroom, a tranquil church, a state-of-the-art spa, as well as a display of Fabergé jewelry and boutiques showcasing renowned Finnish designers.
Located in one of the happiest countries in the world, The Hotel Maria invites guests to immerse themselves in the captivating essence of the region.
With a focus on bespoke experiences and well-being, The Hotel Maria is the ideal starting point for discovering the best of the Nordic region or serving as a base to explore the cultural and natural wonders of Finland’s capital.
As the first hotel in the Nordic region to offer a Wellness Concierge service, The Hotel Maria provides highly personalized programs, including tailored jet lag therapies and nutrition plans, a weekly running club, in-suite spa services, and more.
The spa suites, featuring private saunas or steam rooms and large soaking tubs, undoubtedly elevate the mind and body experience to a whole new level.
04 Baccarat Hotel New York
The Baccarat Hotel New York, a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts LEGEND Collection, is the world’s first Baccarat Crystal-branded hotel, which opened in 2015.
Located in the heart of Manhattan, the hotel’s exterior is designed to resemble a transparent crystal glass tower, just steps away from Fifth Avenue.
The hotel features 62 luxurious suites and 114 deluxe rooms, inspired by the renowned Baccarat crystal, which serves as a key design element. The architecture and interiors were crafted by the world-famous architectural firm SOM and the design duo Gilles & Boissier
The hotel perfectly integrates Baccarat crystal and the brand’s philosophy into its design. To decorate the hotel, the Baccarat Hotel New York received approximately 15,000 crystal pieces shipped from Baccarat’s French factory. From the architectural design to the interior, and from the style of the rooms, lobby, and restaurant to every detail that guests can touch, the hotel is filled with the brilliance, purity, and sparkle of Baccarat crystal.
The Baccarat crystal experience begins as you step into the hotel lobby, where a 3-meter-high crystal wall is embedded with 1,800 crystal glasses, each containing an LED light.
Upon entering the rooms, each guestroom is decorated with a unique Baccarat crystal glass. Guests can easily find their room by remembering the specific crystal glass placed at their door.
Stepping into the guest rooms, the color scheme features champagne and ivory tones as the dominant hues. To perfectly highlight the crystal’s qualities, the room’s lighting is specially designed, with the glass walls of the room’s skylight adjusting throughout the day based on the natural light. Upon opening the minibar, guests will find a complete set of Baccarat crystal glasses, tempting them to open a bottle of their favorite champagne. Even the guestroom’s mouthwash cup is made of Baccarat crystal.
05 The Sanchaya
Located just an hour’s drive from Singapore, Bintan Island offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Departing from the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore, a short ferry ride brings you to The Sanchaya, a flawless beachfront resort hidden away on the island.
The traditional tranquility here allows guests to temporarily forget the worries of the world, instantly entering a soothing haven of self-healing.
Guests at The Sanchaya can enjoy exclusive, expedited clearance services at the private VIP lounge at the Bandar Bintan Telani Ferry Terminal on Bintan Island. They can also take advantage of complimentary chauffeur services for round-trip transfers to and from the ferry terminal.
Stepping into The Sanchaya’s 29 villas and suites, guests are immediately enveloped in a sense of relaxation and ease. Each room features elegant, captivating designs and incredible attention to detail.
All rooms are equipped with Egyptian cotton bed linens, a variety of pillow options, an espresso machine, Lefroy Brooks bathtubs and walk-in showers, luxurious Aesop bath products, as well as Apple TV and iPads for streaming a wide range of movies and music.
The Sanchaya suites are “hidden” in secluded corners of the estate, with each suite featuring its own private living room and a balcony that leads directly to the beach.
The spacious two-bedroom villas, with their expansive layouts and top-tier furnishings, are the perfect choice for families and long-term guests. Among them, the Vanda Villa, featuring a private pool, a private kitchen, and unbeatable ocean views, stands as the ultimate accommodation at The Sanchaya.
The Vanda Villa, located within the tropical gardens of The Sanchaya estate on Bintan Island, is a private beachfront residence with four bedrooms. The villa features a sleek, monochromatic design, offering a chic reinterpretation of the colonial-era black-and-white architecture of Singapore.
This luxurious villa can accommodate up to eight guests and boasts spacious indoor and outdoor living areas. It features a 90-square-meter second-floor balcony with stunning ocean views and a private infinity pool attached to the villa.
Start the morning with a family-style breakfast on the terrace, embark on a treasure hunt in the garden designed for children, enjoy a leisurely brunch by the pool followed by a relaxing spa massage, or share a romantic glass of champagne with a partner on the terrace before sunset. The service team at Vanda Villa crafts bespoke experiences for guests, ensuring an unforgettable luxury retreat.
06 Pulitzer Amsterdam
The Pulitzer Amsterdam was founded in 1968 by local businessman Peter Pulitzer and originally consisted of 12 canal houses in the city center, dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. After renovation, the hotel now encompasses 13 properties, spanning across two major canals.
The redesign was led by architect Jacu Strauss, the creative director of the hotel group Lore Group, who lived in Amsterdam for four years during the project’s development. During this time, he familiarized himself with the city’s color palette and architectural styles, which are most beautifully reflected in the paintings from the Dutch Golden Age of the mid-17th century.
Strauss said, “The rooms that make up the Pulitzer are 17th and 18th-century canal houses, which facilitated the prosperous trade between merchants and provided a setting for the decadent and luxurious lifestyles of the Dutch aristocracy. My inspiration comes from the rich history of these houses, and from those who may have lived here for centuries, ever since the Golden Age.”
The design choices were made to preserve the unique details of the canal houses wherever possible, including the floors, moldings, and decorative elements, while seamlessly blending these historical features with contemporary design.
Winding pathways, alleys, and gardens connect the various areas of Pulitzer Amsterdam, from the restaurants and bars to the 225 suites, meeting rooms, and event spaces.
Many of the restaurant spaces, such as Jansz, are designed to evoke Amsterdam’s rich history as a prosperous port city. The grey-blue wainscoting, wooden floors, and black bentwood chairs, combined with soft pink curtains and windows with white trim, create a sense of tradition. The walls of the restaurant are adorned with antique paintings, reminiscent of those found in canal houses or the Amsterdam Art Museum from centuries ago.
The design of the hotel suites maintains a traditional style while incorporating a modern flair. The walls are painted in cream or soft lavender hues, with light blue carpets or herringbone wooden floors. Pops of yellow and pink accent colors add a vibrant touch, perfecting the overall decor.
07 Finch Hattons Luxury Safari Camp
In July 2024, nine luxury properties under Virgin Limited Edition announced their inclusion in the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection.
Among these, Finch Hattons Luxury Safari Camp, as the only luxury safari camp in the group, is situated in the pristine wilderness at the foothills of the stunning Chyulu Hills, within Kenya’s largest and oldest national park, Tsavo.
The camp is the newest member of the Virgin Limited Edition family, built around natural springs and offering breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Chyulu Hills.
Finch Hattons Luxury Safari Camp features 17 luxurious tented suites, accommodating up to 38 guests, offering an authentic safari experience in the heart of southeastern Kenya.
Each suite offers a private, comfortable living space with tranquil views of the lush natural springs. The two-bedroom family suites are ideal for families and groups, while the exclusive Finch Hattons Suite features a private butler, providing unparalleled privacy and service.
