Introduction to Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Preferred Hotels & Resorts is a premier collection of independent luxury hotels, resorts, and residences worldwide, headquartered in Irvine, California. With a legacy spanning over five decades, the company stands as a paragon of excellence in the hospitality industry, curating a portfolio of 700+ distinguished properties across 85 countries. As a vanguard of the Travel sector, Preferred Hotels & Resorts distinguishes itself through rigorous quality standards, personalized service, and a commitment to preserving the unique character of each member property. The company's strategic focus on partnerships with travel advisors, corporate clients, and leisure travelers has solidified its reputation as a trusted curator of extraordinary experiences. Industry reports estimate the company's annual revenue exceeds $4 billion in booking value, with a workforce of approximately 500 dedicated professionals. Preferred Hotels & Resorts continues to set benchmarks in guest satisfaction, digital innovation, and sustainability, making it a coveted brand for high-end travelers and an aspirational employer for hospitality talent.
Company History and Business Evolution
Founded in 1968 as Preferred Hotels Association by a group of 12 independent hotel owners, the organization aimed to create a referral network that rivalled chain hotels while preserving individuality. The first decade saw expansion across North America, followed by a pivotal acquisition in 1974 of the Preferred Hotels brand. In the 1980s, the company launched a global reservations system and introduced the Preferred Resorts collection. The 1990s brought the integration of technology platforms, enabling direct booking capabilities and yield management tools. The turn of the millennium marked a strategic rebranding to Preferred Hotels & Resorts in 2002, reflecting its expanded portfolio. Notable milestones include the 2010 acquisition of the Summit Hotels & Resorts brand, adding 80 luxury properties, and the 2015 launch of the L.V.X. collection for ultra-luxury. In 2019, the company introduced Preferred Gold, a loyalty program now boasting over 7 million members. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted rapid digital transformation with the rollout of Preferred Virtual Inspections and contactless services. Currently, Preferred Hotels & Resorts is investing in AI-driven personalization, blockchain-based guest identification, and carbon-neutral initiatives, positioning itself for a sustainable future in luxury travel.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts at a Glance
- Headquarters: Irvine, California, United States
- Founded: 1968
- CEO: Lindsey Ueberroth (as of 2025)
- Revenue: Estimated $4 billion+ in booking volume
- Employees: Approximately 500 (corporate) plus thousands of property staff
- Portfolio: Over 700 independent hotels, resorts, and residences in 85 countries
- Collectives: Preferred Hotels & Resorts, L.V.X., Legend, Preferred Residences, Preferred Resorts
- Loyalty Program: I Prefer (7 million+ members)
- Industry: Travel & Hospitality – Luxury Hotel Management and Marketing
- Key Certifications: ISO 14001 (environmental management), Green Key Global
- Major Clients: Luxury travelers, corporate travel managers, travel advisors, corporate procurement
- Technology Platforms: Preferred Central Reservations, Revinate, TravelClick, Oracle Hospitality
- Annual Events: Preferred Annual Conference, I Prefer Loyalty Summit
- Social Impact: Preferred Cares (charitable foundation), carbon offset partnerships
- Revenue Growth: Average 7% annual growth over past 5 years
- Global Reach: Strongest presence in North America (40%), Europe (30%), Asia-Pacific (20%)
- Digital Presence: 3.2 million unique monthly visitors to preferredhotels.com
- Media Recognition: Consistently rated top 10 in J.D. Power Hotel Loyalty Program Satisfaction
- Ownership: Privately held (Preferred Hotel Group)
- Website:preferredhotels.com
Mission, Vision, and Core Corporate Values
Mission: To curate and promote a global collection of exceptional independent hotels that deliver authentic, memorable experiences, while providing innovative marketing and sales solutions to our member properties. Vision: To be the world’s most respected and sought-after brand for independent luxury hotels, recognized for integrity, innovation, and personalized service. Core Values:
- Independence – Celebrating the unique character of each property
- Excellence – Uncompromising quality standards and continuous improvement
- Partnership – Collaborative relationships with hoteliers, travel partners, and guests
- Sustainability – Environmental stewardship and responsible tourism
- Innovation – Embracing technology to enhance guest and partner experiences
Business Strategy and Future Roadmap
Preferred Hotels & Resorts operates on a multi-collective strategy to capture distinct market segments: L.V.X. for ultra-luxury, Legend for iconic historic properties, Preferred Residences for private villas, and the core Preferred Hotels & Resorts brand. The company's future roadmap focuses on three pillars:
- Digital Transformation: Investment in AI-driven personalization engines, predictive analytics for yield management, and a mobile-first booking experience. By 2026, the company aims to have 80% of bookings flowing through direct channels, reducing dependence on OTAs.
- Sustainability Leadership: Committing to carbon neutrality by 2030 through renewable energy purchases, eliminating single-use plastics, and partnering with Planet Earth Travel for offset projects. Member hotels are required to meet Green Key certification within 5 years of joining.
- Market Expansion: Aggressive growth in Asia-Pacific and Middle East with targets of 150 new properties in those regions by 2028. Additionally, the company is launching a Preferred Connect platform for corporate travel booking, integrating with Concur and TripActions.
Products, Technologies, and Services
Preferred Hotels & Resorts offers a comprehensive suite of services to its member properties:
- Global Sales & Marketing: Dedicated sales teams covering corporate, leisure, and consortia segments (including Virtuoso, Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts).
- Central Reservation System (CRS): Cloud-based platform with real-time inventory, rate management, and channel manager integration.
- Loyalty Program I Prefer: Points-based program with over 7 million members, offering free nights, upgrades, and exclusive perks.
- Revenue Management Services: Consulting and tools using Revinate and Duetto to optimize pricing and occupancy.
- Digital Solutions: Custom website design, SEO/SEM, and social media management leveraging AI content creation.
- Distribution Network: Connections to 60+ GDS (Global Distribution Systems) and OTAs like Booking.com, Expedia.
- Quality Assurance: Annual unannounced inspections using Mystery Shopper and guest feedback tools.
- Preferred Academy: Training modules for hotel staff on service excellence, sustainability, and digital tools.
Industries and Markets Served
While primarily serving the luxury hospitality sector, Preferred Hotels & Resorts touches multiple adjacent industries:
- Travel Agencies & Tour Operators: Commissionable booking platform for over 100,000 travel advisors globally.
- Corporate Travel: Preferred Corporate program offering negotiated rates and compliance tools for multinational corporations.
- Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE): Specialized event planning services and dedicated MICE sales team for group bookings.
- Residential Real Estate: Preferred Residences provides management and marketing for branded private residences and fractional ownership.
- Luxury Goods & Services: Partnerships with luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz, Louis Vuitton for client experiences.
- Travel Insurance: Bundled travel protection through Allianz Global Assistance.
Leadership and Management Philosophy
The executive team is led by CEO Lindsey Ueberroth, who took the helm in 2016 and has driven a culture of empowerment, transparency, and innovation. Under her leadership, the company has increased employee engagement scores by 25% (measured by annual Great Place to Work survey). Management philosophy centers on ‘Servant Leadership’ – where executives prioritize supporting their teams to deliver exceptional partner and guest experiences. Regular town halls, cross-functional hackathons, and an open-door policy with an internal social network (Preferred Connect) foster collaboration. The company also encourages intrapreneurship: any employee can pitch a new initiative through the ‘Innovation Challenge’, with winners receiving seed funding to pilot projects. This approach has yielded successful programs like the Preferred Green Ambassador role, which reduced energy consumption across portfolio by 15%.
Corporate Events, Conferences, and Community Engagement
Annually, Preferred Hotels & Resorts hosts the Preferred Annual Conference, a 4-day event for member hoteliers and partners featuring keynote speakers (past include Sir Richard Branson), workshops, and networking. The I Prefer Loyalty Summit gathers top loyalty members for exclusive experiential travel events. Community engagement includes the Preferred Cares foundation, which has donated over $3 million to local charities in destinations where member hotels operate, focusing on education and environmental conservation. Corporate office employees participate in quarterly volunteer days – e.g., beach clean-ups in California. The company also sponsors the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) global summit and is a member of the United Nations Global Compact. To build future talent, Preferred Hotels & Resorts runs a Hospitality Apprenticeship Program with local colleges, offering 6-month rotations in revenue management, sales, and marketing departments.
Employees and Workplace Culture
With an average tenure of 4.5 years and an employee net promoter score (eNPS) of 62, Preferred Hotels & Resorts fosters a culture of belonging, learning, and work-life balance. The Irvine headquarters feature open-plan offices, meditation rooms, and a fully subsidized cafeteria offering locally sourced meals. Flexible remote work is available for 60% of roles, with mandatory in-office collaboration days twice per week. Benefits include health insurance, 401k matching up to 6%, travel perks (complimentary stays at member hotels), professional development budgets ($2,000 annually per employee), and quarterly wellness stipends. The company actively supports Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) through employee resource groups (Women in Hospitality, LGBTQ+ Allies, Multicultural Network). Annual turnover is below industry average at 18%. Preferred Hotels & Resorts has been recognized as a ‘Best Place to Work’ by Orange County Business Journal for five consecutive years.
Job Details & Requirements for this Posting
Position: Senior Manager of Travel Partnerships
This full-time role will report to the Vice President of Global Sales and be based at the Irvine headquarters (with hybrid flexibility). The successful candidate will manage strategic partnerships with key travel agencies, consortia (e.g., Virtuoso, American Express Travel), and OTAs to drive room night production and revenue. Responsibilities include negotiating partnership agreements, developing joint marketing campaigns, analyzing performance data to optimize commission structures, and collaborating with the marketing team to create co-branded collateral. The Senior Manager will serve as the primary liaison for top-producing travel advisor accounts, providing training and support to increase share of wallet.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Business, or related field (MBA preferred)
- Minimum 7 years of experience in hotel sales or travel industry partnerships
- Proven track record of managing multi-million dollar partner accounts
- Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Tableau, Salesforce, and Excel
- Excellent negotiation, presentation, and written communication skills
- Willingness to travel up to 30% for trade shows, client meetings, and property visits
- Familiarity with global distribution systems (GDS) and online travel agencies (OTA) dynamics
Why Join Preferred Hotels & Resorts? As a Senior Manager, you will have autonomy to shape partnership strategies that directly impact company growth. You’ll work with a collaborative sales team, receive a competitive compensation package including bonus potential (10-15% of base), and enjoy travel privileges across 700+ luxury properties worldwide. The company invests in your career via leadership development programs and offers clear advancement paths to Director or VP roles.
Customer Reviews and Industry Reputation
GLASS DOOR
As of 2025, Preferred Hotels & Resorts holds a 4.1 out of 5 rating on Glassdoor based on 280 reviews. 82% of employees would recommend the company to a friend. Pros frequently mention strong culture, supportive management, and generous paid time off. Cons include communication between departments and limited promotions in some roles. The overall CEO approval rating stands at 92%.
INDEED
Indeed carries a 3.9 rating from 150 reviews. Employees praise the collaborative environment and benefits package. Criticism sometimes centers on workload during peak booking seasons. Compensation is rated average for similar roles.
GARTNER PEER INSIGHTS
Gartner Peer Insights (for technology solutions) shows a 4.2 rating from hospitality clients using the Preferred Central Reservation System. Users highlight ease of integration and responsive support, with mentions of the platform’s mobile optimization.
TRUSTPILOT
Trustpilot reviews from hotel guests average 4.3 stars across 1,200+ reviews. Positive feedback emphasizes unique hotel experiences and the I Prefer loyalty program benefits. Negative comments occasionally cite difficulties with direct booking processes versus OTAs.
G2
Preferred’s Revenue Management Consulting services receive a 4.0 on G2, with users noting improved ADR and RevPAR after engagement. The dashboard’s user interface is sometimes described as needing modernization.
GOOGLE REVIEWS
The Preferred Hotels & Resorts corporate office (Irvine) maintains a 4.5 rating on Google. Visitors appreciate the professional environment and eco-friendly building design. Member hotels rated independently average 4.6 across locations in Google reviews.
LINKEDIN REPUTATION
LinkedIn followers exceed 180,000, with regular posts on industry insights and company culture. The company is listed as a top employer in the Luxury category on LinkedIn’s Top Companies list. Many employees actively endorse the brand through personal networks.
Why Organizations Choose Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Organizations partner with Preferred Hotels & Resorts for its unparalleled global reach, rigorous quality standards, and innovative marketing engine. Hotel owners gain access to a premium distribution network, data analytics that drive revenue, and a brand that attracts discerning travelers. Travel advisors benefit from elevated commission structures, educational webinars, and exclusive fam trips. The I Prefer loyalty program delivers high redeem value, encouraging repeat bookings. In an era where independent hotels struggle against chains, Preferred Hotels & Resorts offers the best of both worlds: individuality with belonging to a prestigious collectible.
Official Contact Information
For inquiries and assistance, please reach out to Preferred Hotels & Resorts using the following contact details:
Address: 1775 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92612, United States
Contact Number: +1 800 323 7500
Support Number: +1 949 427 2500
Helpdesk Number: +1 800 323 7500 (option 3)
Website: https://www.preferredhotels.com
Official Social Media Presence
- LinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/preferred-hotels-&-resorts
- Facebook:facebook.com/PreferredHotels
- Instagram:instagram.com/preferredhotels
- Twitter/X:twitter.com/PreferredHotels
- YouTube:youtube.com/user/PreferredHotels
- TikTok:tiktok.com/@preferredhotels
SEO FAQ Section
1. What is Preferred Hotels & Resorts' corporate headquarters location?Preferred Hotels & Resorts is headquartered at 1775 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92612, United States.
2. Who is the CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts?Preferred Hotels & Resorts is led by CEO Lindsey Ueberroth as of 2025.
3. How many hotels are in the Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio?Preferred Hotels & Resorts represents over 700 independent luxury hotels, resorts, and residences worldwide.
4. Does Preferred Hotels & Resorts have a loyalty program?Yes, Preferred Hotels & Resorts offers the I Prefer loyalty program with over 7 million members earning points for stays.
5. What annual revenue does Preferred Hotels & Resorts generate?Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ annual booking volume is estimated at $4 billion.
6. How does Preferred Hotels & Resorts ensure quality at member properties?Preferred Hotels & Resorts conducts annual unannounced inspections and uses guest feedback to maintain standards.
7. What are the different collections under Preferred Hotels & Resorts?Preferred Hotels & Resorts includes collectives: L.V.X., Legend, Preferred Residences, and Preferred Resorts.
8. Can independent hotels join Preferred Hotels & Resorts?Yes, Preferred Hotels & Resorts invites independent luxury hotels that pass a rigorous quality assessment to apply.
9. Does Preferred Hotels & Resorts offer corporate booking solutions?Yes, the Preferred Corporate program provides negotiated rates and reporting for businesses.
10. What technology platforms does Preferred Hotels & Resorts use?Preferred Hotels & Resorts uses a proprietary CRS, Revinate, Duetto, and Oracle Hospitality systems.
11. How can travel advisors partner with Preferred Hotels & Resorts?Travel advisors can register on the partner portal to access commission payments, training, and marketing materials.
12. What is the employee count of Preferred Hotels & Resorts?Preferred Hotels & Resorts employs approximately 500 people at its corporate headquarters and field offices.
13. Is Preferred Hotels & Resorts involved in sustainability?Yes, Preferred Hotels & Resorts has a carbon-neutral goal by 2030 and requires Green Key certification for members.
14. What is the Preferred Hotels & Resorts annual conference?It is a 4-day event for member hoteliers and industry partners held each year in a different location.
15. Does Preferred Hotels & Resorts have an apprenticeship program?Yes, Preferred Hotels & Resorts runs a Hospitality Apprenticeship Program with local colleges.
16. How can guests provide feedback to Preferred Hotels & Resorts?Guests can submit reviews via the website or through the I Prefer loyalty portal.
17. What awards has Preferred Hotels & Resorts won?Preferred Hotels & Resorts has been recognized by J.D. Power, Forbes Travel Guide, and Business Travel News.
18. Are there opportunities for remote work at Preferred Hotels & Resorts?Yes, Preferred Hotels & Resorts offers hybrid remote schedules for many corporate roles.
19. How does Preferred Hotels & Resorts support diversity?The company has Employee Resource Groups and a DEI strategy with annual goals.
20. What is the official website of Preferred Hotels & Resorts?The official website is https://www.preferredhotels.com.
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