Note: “Leaders Club” on this page refers exclusively to the loyalty & recognition program of The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) - a collection of 400+ independent luxury hotels. It is not affiliated with any chain-branded loyalty program of a similar name.
Leaders Club Hotels - Leading Hotels of the World
Booking Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club hotels through an accredited Leaders Club advisor like Stars Desk gets you the same best-available rate you’d find online - plus VIP member benefits such as daily breakfast for two, a room upgrade upon availability, early check-in & late checkout, and Stars Desk’s own exclusive amenities. Leaders Club spans 400+ independent luxury hotels in 80+ countries, each with its own distinct sense of place.
What is Leaders Club?
Leaders Club is the complimentary loyalty and recognition program of The Leading Hotels of the World. Membership is free to join and unlocks on-property recognition, earned reward points, and member benefits across LHW’s collection of independent hotels. When your stay is booked by an accredited Leaders Club travel advisor such as Stars Desk, those member benefits are applied automatically and layered with Stars Desk’s exclusive added value - at no extra cost above the public rate.
Leaders Club Benefits Through Stars Desk
- ✔ Daily breakfast for two - complimentary each morning of your stay
- ✔ Room upgrade upon availability at check-in
- ✔ Early check-in & late checkout (subject to availability)
- ✔ Complimentary Wi-Fi / internet throughout the stay
- ✔ Pre-arrival upgrade unlocked after your first paid qualifying stay
- ✔ Leaders Club points - 1 point per USD 1 on qualifying room rates
- ✔ VIP recognition & personalized welcome amenity
- ★ Stars Desk exclusive: USD 100 hotel credit on participating properties
Member benefits are provided under the LHW Leaders Club program and are subject to availability and individual hotel policies. The USD 100 hotel credit is a Stars Desk advisor amenity available at participating properties.
Leaders Club Booking vs Public Booking
| Benefit | Via Stars Desk (Leaders Club) | Public / Direct Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Daily breakfast for two | ✔ Complimentary | ✖ Usually extra |
| Room upgrade on arrival | ✔ Subject to availability | ✖ Not guaranteed |
| Early check-in / late checkout | ✔ Subject to availability | ✖ Not guaranteed |
| Leaders Club points | ✔ Earned on qualifying rates | ✖ Only if member # added |
| VIP recognition & welcome amenity | ✔ Included | ✖ Not included |
| USD 100 hotel credit (Stars Desk) | ✔ Participating properties | ✖ Not available |
| Nightly rate | ✔ Same best-available rate | Same rate |
Leaders Club Points & Elite Status
As a member you earn 1 point for every USD 1 spent on qualifying room rates (up to three rooms per stay), redeemable for free nights starting at around 4,000 points. Points are earned whether you book through LHW directly or through a travel advisor like Stars Desk, provided your member number is on the reservation.
- Club (entry): free to join; full member benefits + 1 pt / USD 1
- Sterling: reached at USD 5,000 qualifying spend per year (or with eligible Amex Platinum) - five pre-arrival upgrades annually + a 5% points bonus
- Aurelian: invitation-only tier for the program’s highest spenders
How to Book Leaders Club with Stars Desk
- Choose your hotel - pick any Leading Hotels of the World property worldwide.
- Send us your dates - share travel dates, room preference and any special requests.
- We confirm - your booking is placed at the best-available rate with all benefits applied.
- Arrive as a VIP - enjoy upgrades, breakfast, recognition and your Stars Desk credit.
Full directory of 400+ Leaders Club hotels with an interactive map.
Leaders Club vs Virtuoso vs Amex FHR
| Feature | Leaders Club | Virtuoso | Amex FHR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily breakfast for two | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Room upgrade on arrival | ✔ Subject to availability | ✔ Varies | ✔ Subject to availability |
| Property credit | ✔ Via Stars Desk (USD 100) | ✔ Sometimes | ✔ USD 100–200 |
| Early check-in / late checkout | ✔ Subject to availability | ✔ Varies | ✔ Subject to availability |
| Earns loyalty points | ✔ Leaders Club points | ✖ No own currency | ✖ No own currency |
| Properties | 400+ independent LHW hotels | Broad luxury network | Amex-partnered hotels |
Many LHW hotels also participate in Virtuoso and Amex FHR; benefits and credits vary by property and booking channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Leaders Club?
Leaders Club is the complimentary loyalty and recognition program of The Leading Hotels of the World. It offers VIP recognition, member benefits and earned reward points across a collection of 400+ independent luxury hotels worldwide. Membership is free to join.
Does Leaders Club cost more than booking direct?
No. When you book through Stars Desk you pay the same best-available public rate found on hotel websites, with Leaders Club member benefits and Stars Desk amenities added at no extra cost.
What benefits do I get with a Leaders Club booking through Stars Desk?
Daily breakfast for two, a room upgrade upon availability, early check-in and late checkout (subject to availability), complimentary Wi-Fi, Leaders Club points, VIP recognition, and a Stars Desk exclusive USD 100 hotel credit at participating properties.
How do I earn and use Leaders Club points?
You earn 1 point for every USD 1 spent on qualifying room rates for up to three rooms per stay. Points can be redeemed for free nights starting at around 4,000 points, with the exact amount varying by hotel and season.
How do I book a Leaders Club stay?
Send Stars Desk your preferred Leading Hotels of the World property, travel dates and any special requests. As an accredited Leaders Club advisor, we confirm your booking with all program benefits and your Stars Desk amenities applied.
Guest Experiences
“Our stay at J.K. Place Capri was absolutely magical. Through Stars Desk and Leaders Club we received a sea-view suite upgrade, daily breakfast, and a thoughtful welcome amenity.”
- Isabella & Marco R., Milan, Italy“Booking J.K. Place Paris through Stars Desk was seamless. We enjoyed early check-in, a city-view suite upgrade, and personalized service that made our trip unforgettable.”
- Charlotte & Olivier D., London, UK“Our experience at J.K. Place Roma was flawless. Stars Desk ensured a suite upgrade, daily breakfast and a hotel credit for dining. Every detail was handled with care.”
- Sophie & Julien M., Geneva, Switzerland“Thanks to Stars Desk, our stay at The Dolder Grand in Zurich was extraordinary - a mountain-view suite upgrade, VIP welcome amenities and late checkout.”
- Thomas & Emma F., Paris, France