LHW Launches “Week of Culture”

NEW YORK, June 2025 – From June 23rd to 29th, The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) will present a global celebration of heritage, craftsmanship and tradition with the launch of the second installment of their coffee-table guidebook series, Culture: The Leading Hotels of the World. Leading Hotels around the world will host bespoke activations, exclusive guest experiences, and creative content that explores the profound role culture plays in shaping extraordinary journeys.

This exceptional Week of Culture brings together some of the world’s most iconic and storied luxury hotels to honor a shared commitment to the art of hospitality. Culture: The Leading Hotels of the World is a visual journey into the cultural philosophies and narratives that define these remarkable properties, shipping globally from June 25.

To accompany the book’s release, commissioned films and photography from world-renowned photographers (Mark Borthwick, Polly Brown, Stefan Giftthaler, Ilyes Griyeb, Suzie Howell) will debut across the @LeadingHotelsOfTheWorld Instagram.

Highlights of the edition include a compelling foreword by novelist Pico Iyer; an in-depth conversation between designers Solange Azagury-Partridge and Tom Dixon at Brown’s Hotel in London; and Pro Tips from the world’s most respected cultural commentators including Simon Critchley, Stephen Fry, Maria Brito and Bill Bensley.

As part of the Week of Culture, guests are invited to immerse themselves in curated exhibitions and experiences that celebrate the community spirit. The global presence of this celebration is bringing together 20 members of The Leading Hotels of the World portfolio, each with their own distinct activation to pay homage to their culture and community:

• Hotel Casa Fuster in Barcelona is set to launch a limited time only tasting menu inspired by Modernist-era Catalan cuisine and Gaudi's architectural legacy, now reinterpreted by the hotel’s chef. A must try will be the Palamós red prawn dish, accompanied by a citrus coral emulsion, hibiscus salt crystals and dill oil - taking creative vision from the stained-glass windows of Casa Batlló.


• At Hotel Sacher Salzburg, craftsmanship meets culinary excellence with a three-day journey of artistry, tradition and taste from the 26th – 28th June. The itinerary includes a fine dining dinner at the historic restaurant Zirbelzimmer at Hotel Sacher, a curated visit to the Lanz Trachten boutique and workshop to explore the history of Austrian fashion, and a unique opportunity to glaze and decorate an Original Sacher-Torte, guided by experts with creator Franz Sacher in mind.


• On June 29th, Schloss Elmau's two-starred Michelin chef Christoph Rainer and executive chef Philipp Schlosshauer will welcome six highly decorated top chefs from Bavaria for a walking dinner at Hideaway Schloss Elmau. Guests can savor the creations of these master chefs at various cooking stations and watch them prepare their dishes set in an untouched high valley between the Zugspitze and Karwendel Mountains.


• Celebrating the Week of Culture at Hôtel Le Royal from June 23rd to 29th, the hotel is inviting guests to discover Luxembourg’s unique cultural story through a series of exclusive experiences including a specially crafted menu at Amélys, featuring ingredients inspired by Luxembourg’s terroir, and a guided cultural walk through the Ville Haute to explore key historical landmarks.


• In the Gardone Riviera of Italy, Grand Hotel Fasano is welcoming local resident and artist Elisa Martinelli for an evening of discussion and cocktails on June 25th. Martinelli is a resident of Castegnato, near Lake Garda, known for her sculptural paintings inspired by archaic geometric forms. Her signature technique involves hand-carved cracks, through which she explores profound themes, vents emotions, and seeks solutions. These cracks symbolize both destruction and rebirth in new forms, embodying the material's need for an "outlet.”


• Further south in Italy, the artistic custom of the country comes alive with Villa Cora in Florence offering a program of exclusive guided tours of the villa's frescoes, sculptures, and history led by historians from the Cultural Akropolis Foundation.


• Palazzo Portinari Salviati in Florence offers a rich tapestry of Renaissance art and architecture, making it an exceptional destination for an art tour. The palazzo, meticulously restored and reopened in 2022, houses a variety of significant artworks and historical features. Visitors interested in exploring these artistic treasures can book guided tours of the Salviati Chapel and other parts of the Palazzo, with proceeds supporting ongoing restoration efforts in Florence.


• Palazzo Venart in Venice is opening an installation and workshops featuring Anita Cerpellonis Venetian paper-based artworks, celebrating this heritage craft through tactile and visual storytelling.


• To celebrate the Week of Culture, the Due Torri Hotel is set to offer guided tours on 24th June to discover its long history and its impressive artistic heritage, which comprises 7 centuries of history, including hosting Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in 1700.


• Patria Palace is inviting its guests to a truly exclusive event, titled “The Mysteries of Santa Croce.” This immersive experience takes place inside the Basilica itself, directly in front of the hotel, and features a unique light and sound installation that reveals the church’s hidden symbolism. The experience also includes rare access to the Basilica’s balcony to admire the rose window up close and enjoy a privileged view of Patria Palace and its iconic rooftop.


• On the island of Sicily, the Taormina Walking Tour from Mazzaro Sea Palace will start at Porta Messina before embarking on a stroll down Corso Umberto to discover landmarks such as the Greek Theater, Palazzo Corvaja, and the Church of Santa Caterina. Guests will enjoy breathtaking views of the coast and Mount Etna, visit the fortress like Cathedral of San Nicola, and learn the allegories of the famed Italian isle.


• Elsewhere, artistic excellence is exemplified at De L’Europe Amsterdam which is highlighting ‘The Art of Staying’ with a content series showcasing the hotels' curated art suites including the Van Gogh Museum Suite and Sisters Janssen Suite. Stay tuned to their social profiles from June 23rd – 29th to get behind-the-scenes access, anecdotes and commentary from the team.


• The Dolder Grand in Zurich is opening a self-guided art tour of their private collection, including over 100 works by renowned artists such as Fernando Botero, Joan Miró, Keith Haring, and Salvador Dalí. During the Week of Culture, guests can use QR codes placed next to each piece to tour the collection dotted throughout the property, moving from the original 19th-century structure to the modern extensions designed by Sir Norman Foster.


• On Tuesday 24th June, Phoenicia Malta will host a cultural evening to welcome guests, local figures from the arts and cultural sectors, and dignitaries, including the Deputy Prime Minister of Malta, the Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government of Malta, and the mayors of Valletta and Floriana. Liam Gauci, leading maritime historian at Heritage Malta, will host a talk centered on a spectacular new acquisition for the museum: an 18th-century engraved goblet commemorating The Famous Tyger, with the goblet on display during the event, and the evening will conclude with wine and canapés.


• Out in nature, Riffelalp Resort in Switzerland will be hosting guided hikes and cultural walks with a local expert, exploring alpine flora, fauna, and Swiss traditions.


• Ngorongoro Lodge in Tanzania is offering a unique insight into Olduvai and Maasai heritages, including the opportunity to join East Africa’s most prestigious archaeological team at the foot of the Ngorongoro mountains to discover the UNESCO marvel of Olduvai Gorge, the archaeological landmark that treasures the memory of humankind's origins.


• For those looking to connect with culture through the arts, The Westbury in Dublin is offering a journey through the city’s theatrical legacy with behind-the-scenes tours of the iconic Abbey Theatre — Ireland’s National Theatre — followed by a captivating evening performance.


• In Nice, at Le Negresco, the property will be hosting a live music series from June 23rd – 28th with musicians from pop, folk, jazz and Latino roots performing at Bar Le Versailles paired with a limited-edition cocktail menu inspired by the contemporary artists.


• In Tokyo, The Okura Tokyo invites culture lovers and design aficionados to embark on a Virtual Journey Through Time, an exclusive online exploration of the hotel’s rich architectural and artistic legacy. Guests will be guided through the iconic spaces of the Okura Museum of Art and the hotel’s legendary lobbies, which have become emblems of modernist Japanese design since their creation in the 1960s.


• Finally, Paradisus Los Cabos will host a week-long cultural immersion in celebration of The Week of Culture, honoring the rich heritage of Mexico. Guests will enjoy intimate guitar classes with local musicians, hands-on pottery workshops, and guided tastings of Mexican spirits and Baja wines. Throughout the week, Cielo restaurant will present exclusive menus inspired by regional culinary traditions. The highlight is an art exhibition by a renowned local painter, unveiled during a cocktail reception where guests can connect with the artist.

As part of this celebration, Leaders Club  members can take advantage of an exclusive offer: double points on bookings made from June 23 to June 30, at any of the 80+ culture-forward hotels featured in the new book. Members will enjoy these enhanced rewards when completing stays within three months of the promotion period.

The Leading Hotels of the World’s Week of Culture is a unique opportunity to engage with the cultural stories behind some of the world’s most extraordinary hotels, bringing together customs, community and the very essence of exceptional hospitality.

Notes to Editors

About CULTURE: The Leading Hotels of the World
Publication June 2025

Explore iconic destinations with The Leading Hotels of the World in this celebration of exceptional hospitality through culture and tradition. The Leading Hotels of the World is a collection of the world’s most exclusive independent luxury hotels, which consistently dominates prestigious awards, securing top honors in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards and Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Richly illustrated, exquisitely arranged, and expertly edited, this lavish volume celebrates legendary hospitality and extraordinary customs, featuring a carefully curated selection of over 80 hotels from LHW’s 400-plus-member collection across 80 countries. This volume – the second in a multi-volume series – includes six in-depth feature stories capturing LHW’s essence: Royal Mansour Marrakech, Capella Ubud, De L’Europe, Le Sirenuse, Violino d’Oro and São Lourenço do Barrocal plus a conversation at Brown’s Hotel in London between world renowned designers Solange Azagury-Partridge and Tom Dixon.

The book opens with a foreword by acclaimed travel writer Pico Iyer, situating regional culture at the heart of hospitality. Spencer Bailey, the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Slowdown, presents an introduction that highlights the diverse range of cultural attributes belonging to the featured hotels, including art, architecture, and gastronomy. Cynthia Rosenfeld, a long-time journalist and travel-trade veteran, serves as the project’s executive editor. Expert insights and travel tips from dozens of notable cultural figures—Sarah Arison, Andy Baraghani, Stephen Fry, Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, and Deborah Needleman among them—are also included.

More information here.

--END-- Leaders Club Benefits Guests can experience enhanced stays at these new members by joining LHW’s complimentary loyalty program, Leaders Club. From complimentary breakfast, flexible check in and pre-confirmed upgrades, to booking exclusive experiences or earning points for future stays- richer rewards and uncommon experiences await!  Join now and Explore exclusive Leaders Club Offers here.

About The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. (LHW)

In 1928, 38 independent hoteliers came together to create LHW which now comprises more than 400 hotels in over 80 countries, making it the largest collection of independent luxury hotels. Since its inception, the Company has carefully curated a selection of distinctive hotels, resorts, inns, chalets, villas, and safari camps, from the snow-capped Alps of Europe to the African veldt, to share them with adventurous souls who seek the remarkably uncommon. The LHW community is made of exceptional individuals, united by a passion for the surprising discoveries and details that come with every travel experience. LHW hoteliers are artisans of hospitality whose expertise, commitment to excellence and individual flair allows them to create story-worthy moments for their guests. It is these authentic, individualized moments, combined with the warm high-touch service these hoteliers and their team provide, that keeps discerning travelers returning again and again. LHW’s collection covers the globe and promises a broad range of destinations and unique experiences, enhanced by LHW’s tiered guest loyalty program, Leaders Club. From converted former palaces and countryside retreats run by the same families for generations, to gleaming skyscrapers in dynamic urban centers, serene private island escapes, glamorous tented camps – and beyond – travelers are invited to explore, find inspiration, and experience unforgettable travel moments.

For more information visit: www.lhw.com, Facebook at @LeadingHotels, Twitter at @LeadingHotels and Instagram @leadinghotelsoftheworld.