Grand Hotel Wien becomes member of The Leading Hotels of the World

29th November 2002

JJW Hotels & Resorts is delighted to announce that Paul McManus, President of The Leading Hotels of the World has advised us that the board of directors has accepted our application as a member of The Leading Hotels Of the World.

Based in New York City, The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd provides global distribution, reservations, and luxury marketing support to the world's finest five-star independent hotels and hotel groups.

The Grand Hotel and JJW team

The company was established in 1928 by a group of European hoteliers. With 38 initial members, among them Hotel Negresco in Nice, The Mena House in Cairo and King David Hotel in Jerusalem, the organisation was initially known as The Luxury Hotels of Europe and Egypt. Recognising the importance of establishing direct contact with the traveling public and travel agencies in the North American market, the founders opened an office in New York and named the satellite operation Hotel Representative, Inc. - HRI.

By the end of the 1960s, HRI had grown to represent 70 hotels - all of which were in Europe. Early in 1971, the board of directors and management of The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. decided to expand the scope of the organisation to include new members from around the globe, so as to meet the demands of the increased numbers of international luxury travelers.

Hotel membership continued to grow through the next two decades, and with this, the need for the establishment of regional offices. By the end of the 1980s, there were 235 Leading Hotels of the World, serviced through offices in The United States, Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America.

Capitalising on the strength of the Leading brand, the company introduced its first brand extension - The Leading Small Hotels of the World - in 1999. It also established four joint venture companies: Leading Marketing Services, Leading Group Sales, Leading Quality Assurance and Leading Financial Services.

Anticipating the demands of the sophisticated consumer for a complete luxury lifestyle experience, the company also took the initiative to create the Luxury Alliance, a unique and powerful strategic marketing enterprise comprised of a select collection of purveyors of the world's finest goods and services.

Requirements for becoming a member of The Leading Hotels of the World stipulate that a hotel must meet exacting standards of excellence in all areas affecting guest comfort, convenience and well being. The organisation does not solicit new members; hotels must apply for inclusion. Upon successful completion of a rigorous application and inspection process, only the most eminent hotels are accepted for admission. Each member hotel is periodically reinspected to ensure strict adherence to the company's quality standards.

Each year, The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. publishes a directory of its member hotels, which is only one of the company's marketing endeavors. Additional services provided by the organisation include extensive sales and promotional activities, advertising and public relations support, and an array of special programs for member hotels and their guests.

JJW Hotels & Resorts are obviously very proud of the Grand Hotel's new membership and would like to congratulate and thank all employees who have contributed to bring the hotel to such a level of quality, enabling it to join the most prestigious international hotel representation and marketing group around the world.