Richard HYDE: "At SLH, our three watchwords are: quality, diversity and sustainability."

11 min reading time

Published on 02/07/24 - Updated on 02/07/24

@SLH

Richard Hyde, CEO of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), oversees the global operations of the group, which offers its hotel members an extensive sales, marketing and communications network. Under his leadership, SLH continues to expand its collection of boutique hotels, ranging from traditional elegance to modern wellness retreats. Richard Hyde's thoughts provide a compelling insight into SLH's strategic vision and the changing landscape of luxury hotels.

What specific elements distinguish SLH member hotels from other luxury establishments?

We are one of the few hotel brands that uphold our commitments. Our average hotel size is 48 rooms, with a trend towards reduction. This year, the average size of new hotels joining SLH is only 28 rooms, reflecting a growing preference for compactness. This is our main characteristic: small hotels combined with luxury. While we do have some larger establishments, they are mainly located in cities like Hong Kong, Shanghai, New York, London, and Paris is no exception in this regard. Our independence is our strength: all our hotels are owned by independent owners, families, free spirits, which gives each establishment its uniqueness. We are not just gourmet or design hotels; our portfolio is diversified, offering guests choices ranging from tradition, modernity, wellness, and much more. With 575 hotels in 90 countries, our clients benefit from a wide range of choices.

Richard Hyde, CEO of Small Luxury Hotels

Do you opt for reduced capacity to focus more on quality?

Yes, some of our hotels have small rooms, but our hotel experience is focused on diversity. You can stay in a castle, enjoy an exceptional location, or breathtaking views. Our public spaces are magnificent, encouraging our guests not to stay just in their rooms. In fact, many of them take full advantage. For example, Villa Spaletti Travelli in Rome is a family home where you can experience warmth and hospitality. When you sit in the living room, you feel like you're at a family friend's place. This is one of our distinctive features: many hotels are managed by families, like the Ferragamo family hotel in Tuscany. This tradition is integral to our culture, welcoming guests as family members.

How does SLH help member hotels stand out in an increasingly competitive luxury hotel market?

There are two...

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