That’s according to a global survey that polled 3,900 consumers from seven countries around the world who represent the top 10 percent of households by annual income.
In the 2018 Global Hotels Luxury Brand Status Index, published by the New York-based Luxury Institute, respondents in China, Japan, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and the US were asked to rate 40 luxury hotel brands on quality, exclusivity, social status and the ability to make guests feel special.
For example, respondents were asked to assign a rating of 0-10 on statements like “This hotel is truly unique and exclusive,” and “This hotel is visited by people who are admired and respected.”
More than the Four Seasons, Fairmont, Oberoi, Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula and Waldorf Astoria, the Ritz-Carlton received the most favorable rating.
(Related: Ritz Singapore’s $12,500 penthouse suite is decked with Warhol and Hirst Artworks)
The report also shed light on the travel habits of the world’s most affluent travelers, for whom money is no object.
On average, wealthy travelers spend an average of 11 nights per year in luxury properties. The countries most likely to report having stayed at a luxury hotel in the past year are China (88 percent), Italy (83 percent) and the UK (81 percent).
The majority cited leisure as the primary reason for their stay (82 percent), and 66 percent reported traveling with a spouse or partner, while 9 percent said they travel for business and 14 percent said they were solo travelers.
(Related: These 3 hoteliers are challenging the norms set by giant international hotel chains)
