Preferred Hotels & Resorts: Where Legacy Meets Locality

Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, announced 2026’s most anticipated escapes in Zanzibar and South Africa respectively. The esteemed hotel group plans to combine world-class hospitality with mindful integration into the culture and landscape of the destination. This has been Preferred’s tried and trusted secret to innovation and longevity in the global market, especially within luxury accommodation and experiences.

Collaborative Expansion

With over 625 properties in its portfolio across 80 countries and nearly 60 years of industry dominance, Preferred Hotels & Resorts remains committed to independence as a key value proposition. This means that each hotel, resort and residence is completely distinct, creating an experience that is central to the holiday itinerary. Preferred Hotels integrates into the location and culture of the destination, while the universal signifier remains Preferred’s commitment to the highest standard of service and prestige.

Singular Luxury is Preferred’s commitment no matter the destination and the group maintains this promise through the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Integrated Quality Assurance Program, designed to support and develop independent hotels, resorts and residences. This symbiotic relationship has been central to Preferred’s dominance in an industry prone to variability.

The African Renaissance

Africa’s renaissance has been irresistible in the world of luxury in various industries, and Preferred continues to drive tourism both within and into the continent, adding 11 new properties in Q4 of 2025 alone.

“The brand’s African portfolio now spans 37 independent properties across South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, Tanzania, Mauritius, Madagascar, Ghana, and Equatorial Guinea – each one personally vetted against Preferred’s rigorous quality standards,” – Celeste Vogel, Account Director for Africa at Preferred Hotels & Resorts.

ENVI Paje (Zanzibar) and Last Word Makanyane (South Africa) are the crowning new jewels in this remarkable portfolio. In true Preferred fashion, each property is characterised by unique local experiences and philosophy, while remaining connected through Preferred’s standards and expertise in luxury stays.

ENVI Paje: Barefoot luxury

Travel’s key trend of 2026 is the growing desire for experience-led travel and Preferred’s new Zanzibar beachfront wellness lodge offers this in abundance. ENVI Paje forms part of Preferred’s Lifestyle Collection, characterized by lifestyle-centric accommodation and experiences. Opening in June 2026, the luxury wellness retreat promises a holistic program designed to help guests slow down and reset.

This intimate, oceanfront sanctuary features just 22 villas for an exclusive, eco experience. Guests can embark on bespoke Wellness Journeys, blending a holistic range of experiences from meditative and wellbeing sessions to eco-conscious practices, local cultural immersion through crafts and cookery, water sports, and beach activities.

Madikwe Game Reserve: A Luxury Safari Escape

Opening in July 2026, the Last Word Makanyane is set to deliver an elevated escape into the vibrant Southern African safari. Breathtaking riverside views from only 8 suites available on this exclusive property are only one of the many reasons to escape the city and retreat into the wild. An up-close experience with South Africa’s Big Five, birdwatching, poolside luxuriating, and more await guests at this prestigious new destination. The Last Word Makanyane is a signature wildlife experience with an unmistakable touch of luxury.

Agility and Excellence

Preferred has not only mastered the art of maintaining signature luxury throughout a vast portfolio of unique properties but also innovated in other commercial ventures. The Residences collection is Preferred’s answer to the rising call for short to long-term rentals for travelling families or for those who prefer a more private stay. In true Preferred Hotels fashion, even these rental properties feature the touch of luxury that discerning travellers have come to expect.

Preferred Travel Group, the parent company of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, launched its sustainable sister brand Beyond Green in 2020. The brand is committed to bolstering sustainable tourism and protecting the planet for future generations. Beyond Green now spans over 70 properties in 22 countries, with member hotels prioritizing initiatives ranging from ecosystem restoration and carbon reduction to cultural preservation and community empowerment. This showcases how luxury hospitality can drive meaningful environmental, social, and cultural impact worldwide.

As part of Preferred Travel Group’s Climate Action Plan, the company has set a clear course to halve its carbon emissions by 2030, with net-zero emissions firmly in sight by 2050. Anchored in five strategic pillars (Measure, Decarbonise, Regenerate, Collaborate and Finance), the initiative positions sustainability not as a sideline, but as a defining force within Preferred’s long-term vision. Within this framework, Beyond Green plays a pivotal role, championing a curated portfolio of properties where eco-conscious practices and elevated luxury exist in considered harmony.

The Future is Collaborative

The enduring success of Preferred Hotels & Resorts lies not in standardisation, but in its refusal to impose it. By partnering with independently owned properties and embedding each experience within the cultural and environmental fabric of its destination, Preferred has cultivated a portfolio that feels both globally trusted and deeply personal. This model of collaboration allows Preferred to deliver a rare kind of luxury: one that is not replicated, but discovered. It is precisely this balance of autonomy and alignment, of local authenticity elevated by global expertise, that continues to secure Preferred’s relevance and quiet dominance.