Explore singular destinations with The Leading Hotels of the World in this celebration of exceptional hospitality, extraordinary cultural heritage, and unforgettable travel locales

Embark on a stunning visual journey through The Leading Hotels of the World, a collection of the world’s most exclusive independent luxury hotels, which consistently dominates prestigious awards, securing top positions in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards and Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

Richly illustrated and expertly edited, this exquisite volume – the second in The Leading Hotels of the World multi-volume series – celebrates legendary hospitality through lasting traditions and impeccable artistry. Culture features a curated selection of more than 80 hotels from LHW’s 400-plus-member collection across 80 countries. From subtle architectural interventions at a 200-plus-year-old estate in Portugal’s Alentejo countryside to an intricately layered Venetian palazzo that embodies Italian craftsmanship, discover how local touches, age-old rituals, and international art serve exceptional hospitality. Also included are six in-depth feature stories capturing the essence of Capella Ubud, Bali; De L’Europe Amsterdam; Le Sirenuse in Positano, Italy; Royal Mansour Marrakech; São Lourenço do Barrocal in Monsaraz, Portugal; and Violino d’Oro in Venice, Italy.

Edited and produced by Spencer Bailey and the New York–based editorial studio of The Slowdown, the book features a foreword by acclaimed travel writer and author Pico Iyer and contributions from leading art, culture, and travel writers and journalists such as Maura Egan, Laura Itzkowitz, Lee Marshall, Christina Ohly Evans, Sarah Miller, Cynthia Rosenfeld, Jad Salfiti, and John Wogan. Interviews with and expert travel tips from dozens of notable cultural figures – Sarah Arison, Andy Baraghani, Solange Azagury-Partridge, Tom Dixon, Casey Fremont, Stephen Fry, Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, Deborah Needleman, and Marlies Verhoeven among them – are also found in its pages, as well as original images by acclaimed photographers including Mark Borthwick and Stefan Giftthaler.

A beautiful addition to this quintessential travel series, Culture is presented in a deep Moroccan-blue silken case with an eye-catching pattern inspired by Moorish-style screens. Silver foil details, painted edges, and complementary ribbons add to the book’s extraordinary package, which truly embodies the elevated, highly refined level of luxury of LHW.

About the Author

The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd., founded in 1928, is the premier collection of over 400 independent luxury hotels in more than 80 countries. From alpine chalets to safari camps, LHW curates unique properties for curious seekers and luxury enthusiasts, uniting them in a passion for distinctive travel experiences.

Spencer Bailey is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Slowdown, co-host of the Time Sensitive podcast, and former editor-in-chief of Surface magazine. He is the author of In Memory Of: Designing Contemporary Memorials (Phaidon, 2020) and Design: The Leading Hotels of the World (Monacelli, 2024).

Pico Iyer is an acclaimed travel writer and author who has published sixteen books, often dealing with crossing cultures. He has been a contributor for more than thirty-five years to The New York Times, The Financial Times, Harper’s Magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, and more.