What Hotels & Preference does

H\u00f4tels & Pr\u00e9f\u00e9rence is a France-headquartered voluntary upscale hotel chain founded in 2000 that curates a network of 150+ independently owned 4 and 5-star hotels across more than 19 countries, encompassing approximately 10,500 rooms. The portfolio is classified into six proprietary experiential categories (Palace, Luxury, Resorts, Business, Boutique, Demeure) and is structurally focused on French independent upscale supply, where the company states it is the #1 chain with 8,500 rooms in country. The customer base spans leisure travelers booking direct, corporate and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) clients using a dedicated B2B platform (meetingpreference.com, launched 2001), and IATA-registered travel agencies that book through the unified GDS chain code IW across Amadeus, Apollo/Galileo, Sabre, and Worldspan. Distribution is supported by Synxis reservation-engine integration, Asterio (Septeo) PMS compatibility, and Qualitelis review management.

The company runs an intermediated revenue model rather than an asset-heavy operator model: it earns commission on bookings routed through its direct website and call center and via the GDS IW code, while customers pay no booking surcharge. A second revenue stream comes from the Coffrets Cadeaux Pr\u00e9f\u00e9rence gift box e-commerce business (coffrets-cadeaux-preference.com), selling thematic stays across the member portfolio, valid one year and extendable for six months at an \u20ac80 fee. The Club Pr\u00e9f\u00e9rence loyalty program (launched 2005) drives repeat behavior through a 10% room discount from the first stay, a complimentary night after 10 reservations, room upgrades, and a \u20ac50 voucher on first gift box purchase. Sub-brands include TemptingPlaces (a boutique-hotel collection acquired in early 2018) and Kitchen Generation (a gastronomy label launched in 2023).

Ownership and scale are anchored by the October 2017 acquisition by Groupe du Louvre, itself owned by Jin Jiang International — described as the world's second-largest hotel group and China's leading tourism company — providing international distribution leverage and Asian inbound demand access. The 136-employee organization is led by co-founder Yannick Gavelle (Managing Director) with Nicolas Dubois as Deputy General Manager of Business Development, supported by functions covering finance, marketing, sales, e-distribution, and central reservations. Headquartered at 17 rue d'Orl\u00e9ans, Neuilly-sur-Seine, with additional sales offices in the USA (since 2005) and Shanghai (since 2012), H\u00f4tels & Pr\u00e9f\u00e9rence positioned itself to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025 with a continuing focus on independent upscale hospitality curation rather than asset ownership.

Name

Hotels & Preference

Legal name

Hôtels & Préférence

Website

https://hotelspreference.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Hôtels & Préférence is a France-based voluntary upscale hotel chain curating 150+ independent 4 and 5-star properties across 19 countries, distributing room inventory through its own website, the IW GDS chain code, and a MICE platform to leisure and corporate travelers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hotel Chain Services

NAICS

Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (72111), Traveler Accommodation (7211), Accommodation (721)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Hotels & Motels (7011)

akta.pro primary industry

Preferred Hotel Program Design & Portfolio Strategy (THACAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Design-Led Boutique Hotels (THAGADAA), Travel Subscription, Membership & Deal Clubs (THAKAAAL)

Keywords

• Upscale hotel chain
• Hotel booking platform
• Loyalty program
• MICE meeting services
• Gift box hospitality

Headquarters

HQ city

Neuilly-sur-Seine

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hotel Booking Commission: Hôtels & Préférence acts as an intermediary between customers and member hotels. Commission is earned on completed bookings made via the website, call center, or GDS. The service is free for customers — no booking surcharge is added to room rates.
2. Gift Box / Coffret Cadeau Sales: Sale of thematic gift boxes and gift cards for hotel stays, covering 4 & 5-star properties. Boxes are valid one year, with extension option.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hôtels & Préférence operates a voluntary upscale hotel chain of 150+ rigorously selected independent 4 and 5-star hotels across 19 countries and 10,500+ rooms. The company runs a centralized booking and distribution platform — including direct website and call center bookings, GDS connectivity via the IW chain code (Amadeus, Apollo, Sabre, Worldspan), and dedicated B2B MICE/seminar services — earning commission on completed bookings. Additional revenue is generated through the Coffrets Cadeaux Préférence thematic gift box program.

Product overview

Hotels & Preference is a voluntary upscale hotel chain offering a portfolio of over 150 boutique and luxury hotels across 19 countries. The core offering centers on hotel booking services through its website and GDS systems. The company provides additional services including the Club Préférence loyalty program with exclusive member benefits, and Coffrets Cadeaux Préférence gift boxes. The portfolio includes acquired brands like TemptingPlaces (boutique hotels) and Kitchen Generation (culinary label). Hotels are classified into 6 categories: Palace, Luxury, Resorts, Business, Boutique, and Demeure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Club Préférence: Loyalty program offering exclusive benefits including 10% room discount, complimentary nights after 10 bookings, room upgrades, and €50 gift vouchers for first gift box purchase
• Coffrets Préférence
• TemptingPlaces
• Kitchen Generation

Products and services

• Hôtels & Préférence Hotel Chain Voluntary upscale hotel chain of more than 150 rigorously selected independent 4 and 5-star establishments across 19 countries and 10,500+ rooms, classified into 6 categories (Palace, Luxury, Resorts, Business, Boutique, Demeure). Available to leisure and corporate travelers through direct booking, call center, and GDS channels.
• Club Préférence Loyalty Program Free-to-join loyalty program for guests staying at member hotels, providing a 10% room discount from the first night, complimentary night after 10 bookings, room upgrades, and a €50 gift voucher on the first gift box purchase.
• Coffrets Cadeaux Préférence Gift Boxes Thematic gift boxes and gift cards for stays at member 4 and 5-star hotels, sold via a dedicated boutique website (coffrets-cadeaux-preference.com). Boxes are valid one year, with an optional 6-month extension available for €80.
• TemptingPlaces Acquired label of curated boutique hotels worldwide, marketed as a promise of quality and singularity with unique and exclusive experiences. Operates as a separate brand and booking platform at temptingplaces.com.
• Kitchen Generation Culinary label that spotlights new French and international gastronomic chefs at member hotels, strengthening the gastronomy experience and luxury positioning across the chain.
• Meeting & Seminars Booking Platform Dedicated B2B platform for seminars, meetings, and group accommodation bookings at member hotels. A dedicated sales team issues quotes within 24 hours and tailors offers with workshops and on-site activities for corporate groups.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10% room discount for Club Préférence members from first night
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kitchen GenerationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Label launched in 2023 to highlight new French and international gastronomic chefs within member hotels, enhancing the gastronomy experience offering.
• TemptingPlacescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollection of the world's most beautiful boutique hotels acquired in early 2018. Offers unique and exclusive experiences, a promise of quality and singularity. Available as a separate brand and booking platform (temptingplaces.com).
• BE WTRminorOthersPremium sustainable filtered water brand. Provides filtered still or sparkling water, bottled ultra-locally in returnable bottles or served on-site through BE WTR systems — for hotels, restaurants, pools, gyms.
• B.R.M (Bernard Richards Manufacture)minorOthersIndependent Swiss watch manufacture producing automatic watches entirely finished by hand, customizable via online configurator. Positioned as luxury gift/experience partner.
• Champagne BrimoncourtminorOthersIndependent Champagne house in Aÿ (Grand Cru village). Cultivates 30 hectares across Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, Sud Sézannais, and Vallée de la Marne. Known for two-varietal cuvées emphasizing terroir expression.
• EPC ChampagneminorOthersInnovative Champagne brand offering a new way of drinking Champagne, targeting younger and design-conscious consumers.
• KaviariminorOthersPremium caviar and seafood specialist with over 40 years of experience. Grains refined in Paris laboratories, packaged in numbered tins. Invitation to pleasure and delectation.
• Gault&MillaucoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Gault Millau guide (50+ years old) values hospitality actors and develops taste culture. Hôtes & Préférence co-brands with Gault&Millau for gastronomy credibility and visibility.
• HelmettminorOthersFrench insurance brokerage since 1990, positioned as specialist for professionals and individuals in Property & Casualty and Social Protection.
• Nordique FranceminorOthersDesigns and creates high-end wellness spaces (saunas, steam rooms, spas) for hoteliers, architects, and spa operators. Offers personalized support from initial design to installation.
• QMS MedicosmeticsminorOthersClinical skincare brand developed for skincare professionals. Brings clinical expertise to spa environments with bespoke, clinically proven protocols targeting skin aging. Present in 400+ luxury hotel spas across Europe.
• Quintessence ParisminorOthersB2B scent marketing agency specializing in bespoke scented projects for premium and luxury brands. Designs olfactory signatures, scent diffusion solutions, and scented products for hospitality properties.
• Sainte Joie - Maison MeyerminorOthersFamily wine estate in Alsace, expanding to Champagne and Provence. Recognized by Gault & Millau. Produces fine gastronomy wines with remarkable precision and exceptional balance.
• SchweppesminorOthersHistoric beverage brand (since 1783) known for Indian Tonic and mixology drinks. Provides premium mixers for hotel bars and aperitifs.
• SixtminorOthersGerman car rental company with global reach and 100+ years of experience. Number one in several countries, number two in Europe. Provides mobility solutions for hotel guests.
• Tsarine (Champagne)minorOthersChampagne brand positioned around elegance and art of living, targeting consumers who appreciate elegance in all its forms.
• Suntory Beverage and Food France (Orangina, Schweppes, Pulco, Oasis, MayTea, Champomy)minorOthersFrench division of Japanese Suntory group, major soft drinks player with brands in 80 countries. Produces locally in France.
• Yves Delorme HôtellerieminorOthersFrench manufacturer of bed and bath linen for luxury hotels, restaurants, and spas. Only linen house to be a member of the Comité Colbert. Offers bespoke solutions combining finest materials and industrial expertise.
• 1001 sallesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDirectory for room rentals across France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Morocco for private and corporate events.
• American ExpressminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal leader in business travel management. Works with companies worldwide to design and manage comprehensive travel programs.
• AFTM (French Travel Management Association)minorOthersFirst French association representing travel managers, leaders, and business travel buyers. Chaired by Michel Dieleman.
• Bed & Historic MotorsminorOthersCar enthusiasts' guide and roadbook for classic car trips. Organizes car rallies and road trips across France. Hôtels & Préférence hotels featured as stop-off points in the 2022 6th edition.
• Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal leader specializing in business travel management. Serves corporate clients booking hotel stays.
• Heavent ParisminorOthersMajor event dedicated to the event industry, bringing together professionals to discover trends, innovations, and technologies in event organization.
• Le Grand TrophéeminorOthersGolf championship for all levels of golfers. 100% pleasure, best-endowed, fair competition. Hôtes & Préférence member hotels featured at stop-off points.
• Unique Boutique HôtelsminorOthersLogo partnership displayed on the Hôtels & Préférence website footer, indicating membership in the Unique Boutique Hôtels collection or network.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Design Hotels: Curated collection of design-led boutique hotels, now part of Marriott but operating with a distinct independent positioning. Closely overlaps with Hotels & Préférence's 'Boutique' category and TemptingPlaces sub-brand.
• Relais & Châteaux: Association of independent luxury hotels and restaurants with strong gastronomy positioning. Directly comparable as a voluntary hotel collection competing for the same upscale independent-hotel owner cohort and gourmet-traveler demand in Europe.
• Preferred Hotels & Resorts: Largest voluntary collection of independent luxury hotels globally. Operates an almost identical model to Hotels & Préférence (preferred-hotel network with loyalty, GDS distribution, MICE), and is the most direct head-to-head competitor for both member hotels and travel-agency bookings.
• TemptingPlaces: Hotels & Préférence's wholly-owned boutique-hotel sub-brand, acquired in 2018. Operates a parallel booking platform competing for boutique-property affiliation and design-hotel travelers.
• Leading Hotels of the World: Heritage luxury hotel collection (founded 1928) operating a voluntary-network model with GDS, loyalty, and MICE services. Direct competitor for upscale independent properties and travel-trade relationships.
• Small Luxury Hotels of the World: Voluntary collection of independently-minded small luxury hotels. Competes with Hotels & Préférence for both affiliate hoteliers and end travelers seeking character-rich, non-chain upscale stays.

Broad incumbents

• Booking.com: Dominant OTA that distributes many of Hotels & Préférence's same member hotels. Competes for direct-booking traffic and exerts structural pressure on commission economics for independent hotels.

Emerging players

• Teritoria: French label for independent hotels focused on authentic regional hospitality. Competes directly in France for 4-star independent properties and shares a similar voluntary-network ethos.
• Mr & Mrs Smith: Curated boutique-hotel booking platform with a strong loyalty/IHG partnership angle. Competes for the same upscale independent-hotel travelers and offers an alternative discovery channel.

Regional players

• Logis Hôtels: Largest French network of independent hotels (mostly 2-3 star). While positioned at a lower tier than Hotels & Préférence, it competes for French independent-hotel affiliation and tour-operator mindshare in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hotels-&-preference
• Instagraminstagram.com/hotelspreference

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hotels & Preference