Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) is a not-for-profit organisation owned by all of SLH hotels. A Board of Directors is elected to represent the interests of member hotels around the world.
History
Hill Goodridge & Associates (HGA) is the outsourced global management company of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Established 17 years ago by joint owners Paul Kerr and Brian Mills, HGA is a global organisation comprising over 60 employees in addition to the UK, HGA has offices in America and Singapore.
When HGA was appointed the global management company in 1992, there were 70 SLH hotels in 12 countries, generating annual reservations revenue of US$2 million; today the brand has over 500 hotels in more than 70 countries, which generates annual reservations revenue of US$100 million. Reservations for SLH hotels are generated through one of three booking channels: the Internet via www.slh.com, a worldwide telephone reservation service and through the services of a travel agent who uses a unique “LX” GDS (Global Distribution System) code.
Milestones
1991 - SLH created as the result of a merger between Prestige Hotels Europe and Small Luxury Hotels & Resorts of North America
1992 - HGA appointed Global Management Company for SLH – 70 hotels in 12 countries and a reservations revenue of US$2 million
1995 - SLH merged with the Asian/Pacific properties of Select Hotels and Resorts International
1997 - www.slh.com launched
1998 - SLH and American Express Platinum partnership commenced
2004 - Total number of SLH hotels reaches 300
2004 - Re-design of SLH website www.slh.com
2004 - Launch of “The Club of Small Luxury Hotels of the World” guest recognition programme
2005 - Launch of the SLH e-directory (a CD-rom version of the paper Directory)
2005 - Launch of the SLH Spa Book, featuring some of the brand’s most exclusive spa properties
2005 - SLH Gift Certificates launched
2005 - SLH Business Development Team introduced
2005 - SLH membership reaches 359 hotels in 60 countries and a reservations revenue of US$70 million in 2005
2006 - Total number of SLH hotels exceeds 400 for the first time
2007 – Reservations revenue exceeds US$100 million for the first time
2008 - Total number of hotels reaches over 480 in more than 70 countries
2008 - SLH launches ‘A Taste of the Mediterranean’ and ‘City Sanctuaries’ marketing programmes
2009 - SLH launches a dedicated website for travel agents www.slh.com/travelagents
2009 – SLH launches ‘Gourmet by Small Luxury Hotels of the World’ and ‘Country Retreats by Small Luxury Hotels of the World’ marketing programmes
2009 - Total number of SLH hotels exceeds 500 for the first time in the brand’s history