Community, culture and a home away from home: welcome to a new era for private members’ club hotels. Public hotels with private clubs inside cater to modern travellers who value authentic connection and an elevated sense of exclusivity as new hallmarks of luxury.
“Private members’ club hotels are rewriting the narrative of travel,” says Jules Maury, head of British luxury travel concierge service Scott Dunn Private, which recently launched in Hong Kong. “These spaces provide a sense of belonging in environments that are professional, social and personally enriching. It’s no longer just about visiting a destination, but about accessing continuous, interconnected experiences that transcend borders.”
These residences deliver a layered experience by blending a strong sense of place with cultural depth through enviable design, culinary residencies and arts programming. They also nurture community for entrepreneurs and solo travellers, offering a discreet and enriching retreat.
It’s a boom era for such establishments: according to real estate consultancy Knight Frank, more private clubs opened between 2020 to 2024 than in the 30 years after London’s Groucho Club debuted in 1985, and the trend shows no sign of slowing. From peaceful wellness boltholes to lively urban settings for first-rate socialising, here are some of the world’s finest private members’ club hotels.
Credit: The Ned London
Credit: The Ned London
1. The Ned, London
Set in Sir Edwin “Ned” Lutyens landmark at No. 27 Poultry, London’s The Ned houses Ned’s Club, a private space, gym and rooftop alongside a spa, 10 restaurants and 250 bedrooms bookable by non-members. While some of the city’s busiest attractions lie nearby, The Ned offers an escape as a refined, jazz-steeped time capsule. With Art Deco interiors inspired by early 20th-century ocean liners and a rollcall of creatives and entrepreneurs on its list, this storied institution will transport you to a bygone era – with superb cocktails as standard.
Credit: Carlyle & Co Hong Kong
Credit: Carlyle & Co Hong Kong
Credit: Carlyle & Co Hong Kong
2. Carlyle & Co, Hong Kong
More than 50 floors above Victoria Harbour, Carlyle & Co is a whimsical eyrie inspired by velvet-roped Manhattan lounges. Its eight bedrooms, bookable by members or upon enquiry, are named after famous figures connected with the original Carlyle’s history. They’re handsomely furnished with jewel-toned upholstery and intriguing objets d’art. After night falls, enjoy an aperitif at the rooftop Club Bar, offering unmatched views of Hong Kong’s skyline. Add a library, music room, marble pool and live-jazz performances at Café Carlyle and it’s the place to be seen in a city brimming with private clubs.
Credit: Soho House Mumbai
Credit: Soho House Mumbai
3. Soho House Mumbai
Since this Juhu landmark – Soho House's first Asian outpost – opened, it’s become a creative nexus for Mumbai’s artists and entrepreneurs. The 11-storey beachfront house features 38 bedrooms, a rooftop pool and a vibrant events calendar. This is laidback luxury with a distinctly Mumbai heartbeat: tropical vintage design, bone-inlay furniture, sari fabric lampshades and an art collection of more than 200 works. Whether exercising in the glass-fronted gym or dining on Bajan Mexican cuisine on the rooftop terrace, you can’t escape epic Arabian Sea views.
4. The Tanglin Club, Singapore
Like many of the world’s most salubrious establishments, The Tanglin Club in Singapore feels like a step back in time. Celebrating its 160th birthday this year, this city-centre club offers 27 suites and seven distinctive dining venues spanning everything from after-sports snacks to Cantonese banquets. Guests can enjoy extensive recreation facilities, including pickleball courts, lawn bowls and a pool. With its relaxed, retro charm and timeless elegance, it provides true refuge from the city’s bustle and a glimpse into the high society life of Singapore.
Credit: The Australian Club Melbourne
Credit: The Australian Club Melbourne
5. The Australian Club, Melbourne
The Australian Club , a bastion of Victorian grandeur, conveys an old-school sophistication in its elegant wood-panelled walls and ornate period details. Founded in 1878, this private gentlemen’s club maintains its strict dress code and male-only membership, though all are welcome to stay. Some of its accommodation has been refurbished to modern tastes, while others preserve the club’s historical ambiance. From its grand marble staircase to its extensive library, checking in here offers a timeless urban retreat.
Credit: Saint James Paris
Credit: Saint James Paris
Credit: Saint James Paris
6. Saint James Paris
Sequestered behind stone gates in the 16th arrondissement, Saint James Paris feels more secret château than city club. This family-owned mansion, home to its eponymous club, boasts 50 rooms styled like a collector’s home, a Guerlain spa and Bellefeuille, a Michelin-starred dining room with a Green Star in recognition of its sustainable French haute cuisine. A wood-panelled bar and dreamy gardens turn any visit to Saint James into a Parisian fairytale.
7. Dracula’s Ghost Riders Club, St Moritz
Run by Kulm Hotel St Moritz, Dracula’s is the legendary creation of socialite, heir, photographer, art collector and author Gunter Sachs. This glamorous alpine lair, reopening on 26 December, channels jet-set decadence into its intimate lounge. By day, enjoy the iconic winter hotel’s nine-hole golf course, tennis courts and the Kulm Spa. By night, prowl to the club, which transforms into a retro disco – jackets and couture are mandatory, phones are banned and the vibe is pure après-ski decadence.