There’s a certain kind of hotel that doesn’t need to announce itself. You feel it in the way the door closes behind you. In the quiet confidence of the staff. In the sense that everything has been considered – and then reconsidered – long before you arrived. This is, broadly speaking, the territory of Leading Hotels of the World.
For those less familiar, LHW isn’t a brand in the traditional sense. It’s a collection – independently owned, often family-run – of some of the most characterful, exceptional hotels across the globe. No two are alike, which is precisely the point. What ties them together is a shared standard: not just of luxury, but of identity.
It’s also why the partnership makes sense for us at RASK. We’re not interested in the same hotel repeated in different postcodes. We’re interested in places with a point of view – and the confidence to stand by it.
Below are a few we return to, again and again.
1. Borgo Egnazia – Puglia, Italy
Set just outside Fasano, Borgo Egnazia feels less like a hotel and more like its own small village. Built in the style of a traditional Apulian borgo, with pale stone, winding alleyways and courtyards, it’s expansive but thoughtfully designed so it never feels overwhelming.
There’s a strong sense of place here – from the architecture to the food, which leans heavily into local Puglian ingredients and traditions. Days can be as slow or as active as you like: time by the pool, rounds on the golf course, or heading out to explore nearby towns like Ostuni and Alberobello.
It works particularly well for longer stays or for those travelling as a group, where you can settle into the rhythm of it rather than just pass through.
2. Capella Bangkok – Thailand
A quieter take on the city. Set along the Chao Phraya River, Capella feels deliberately removed from the usual Bangkok intensity. The design is clean and calming, but it’s the sense of space – rare in the city – that really stands out.
The riverfront villas, each with their own plunge pool and outdoor sala, make it very easy to stay put. When you do venture out, the hotel acts as a gentle buffer between you and the city’s pace. Back inside, the service is thoughtful and deeply personal, anchored by a dedicated “Capella Culturist” who can shape your time in a way that feels considered rather than scheduled.
3. Royal Mansour – Marrakech, Morocco
Not so much a hotel as a series of private riads, each one its own small world. Commissioned by the King of Morocco, the level of craftsmanship here is extraordinary – carved plaster, intricate zellige, cedar wood ceilings – all created by hand over several years.
Each riad spans multiple floors, with a private rooftop terrace and plunge pool, giving a real sense of seclusion in the middle of the Medina. The spa is one of the most striking in the city – all white latticework and filtered light – while dining ranges from traditional Moroccan to refined French. It’s immersive, but never overwhelming.
4. The Datai – Langkawi, Malaysia
Few hotels sit so naturally within their surroundings. The Datai is folded into ancient rainforest, with villas hidden between the trees and a beach that feels almost undiscovered. The architecture leans into the landscape – elevated walkways, open spaces – allowing the forest to remain the focal point.
Wildlife is part of the experience: hornbills overhead, monkeys moving through the canopy. But so is the stillness. Days might begin with a guided nature walk and end with dinner overlooking the Andaman Sea. It’s a place that encourages you to slow down, without ever needing to say so.
5. Badrutt’s Palace – St. Moritz, Switzerland
There’s history here, but also a sense of play. Badrutt’s has been at the centre of St. Moritz society for over a century, yet it doesn’t feel fixed in it. Interiors are classic but refreshed, and the atmosphere shifts easily from refined to quietly lively depending on the time of day.
Winter is the obvious draw – skiing, skating, the full Alpine rhythm – but summer brings something softer: clear air, long walks, the lake at its most reflective. The service strikes a careful balance between tradition and ease, making it feel welcoming rather than formal.
6. Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo – Monaco
Grand in the way only Monaco can be. Recently restored, Hôtel de Paris holds onto its Belle Époque architecture while introducing a lighter, more contemporary feel throughout the rooms and suites.
The location – directly on Casino Square – is unapologetically central, but once inside, the atmosphere shifts to something more contained and calm. The rooftop offers a different perspective over the principality, while Le Louis XV by Alain Ducasse remains one of the defining dining experiences in the region. It’s polished, but never cold.
7. Nayara Tented Camp – Costa Rica
A different kind of luxury – one that leans into its surroundings rather than shaping them. The tents here are expansive and thoughtfully designed, with outdoor decks, private hot springs, and uninterrupted views of Arenal Volcano.
The experience is immersive but not overly earnest. You might spend the morning walking through rainforest trails, spotting sloths and birds, then return for a slow afternoon in your thermal plunge pool. Evenings are relaxed, with excellent food and a sense of calm that comes from being fully surrounded by nature.
8. The Lowell – New York, USA
New York has no shortage of hotels, but few feel as assured as The Greenwich Hotel. Opened by Robert De Niro in the heart of Tribeca, it reflects the neighbourhood itself – creative, self-possessed, and never in need of attention.
Rooms are individually composed rather than designed, layered with antiques, reclaimed materials and a lived-in sensibility that resists polish. Nothing feels standardised. Instead, there’s a depth and permanence to the spaces, as though they’ve been part of the building far longer than they have. Service follows the same rhythm – discreet, intuitive, and consistent.
At its centre, the Drawing Room acts as a kind of informal living space, while the Shibui Spa – set beneath a 250-year-old Japanese farmhouse roof – brings a sense of stillness that feels far removed from the city outside.
9. Le Sirenuse – Positano, Italy
Positano can be… a lot. Le Sirenuse offers a slightly more measured version of it. Family-owned and deeply rooted, the hotel feels layered with history without becoming formal.
Rooms open out onto terraces filled with bougainvillea, framing those familiar Amalfi views in a way that still feels personal. Evenings centre around La Sponda, where hundreds of candles soften the room into something almost theatrical. There’s energy here, but it’s carefully held.
10. Ashford Castle – County Mayo, Ireland
A castle, yes – but one that feels lived in rather than preserved. Set within a vast estate on the edge of Lough Corrib, Ashford balances its scale with a sense of warmth – fires lit, rooms that invite you to linger, staff who seem genuinely pleased you’re there.
Days can be as active or as slow as you like: falconry on the grounds, boat trips on the lake, or simply settling into the rhythm of the house. The setting shifts constantly with the weather, which feels part of the experience rather than something to work around.
Why this partnership matters
What LHW does particularly well is protect individuality. These aren’t hotels shaped by committee or softened for broad appeal. They’re places with edges, with stories, with owners who really care about the details most people won’t notice.
That aligns closely with how we think about travel.
We’re not here to book a hotel. We’re here to find the hotel – the one that shapes the whole trip and gives it a sense of place.
Our partnership also means we can add a bit more to the experience along the way. Things like room upgrades (where available), resort credits, and small touches on arrival.
Planning something?
If you’re considering one of these – or simply want to explore what might suit – we’ll guide you towards the right fit, and shape the wider journey around it.
Get in touch with us at RASK Travel to start the conversation.
