IHG Hotels & Resorts' Leanne Harwood provides an inside look at the trends shaping this growing segment at the top of the market and how leading brands can win over the modern luxury traveler.
LOS ANGELES — In this exclusive conversation held at the January 2025 ALIS conference, Leanne Harwood, senior vice president, managing director, Luxury & Lifestyle Brands Americas at IHG, discusses what’s top of mind for luxury and lifestyle owners, developers and guests in 2025, how brands can maintain clear identities while moving beyond more traditional luxury offerings…and why a sense of joy is critical for ongoing success.
Luxury & Lifestyle is enjoying a moment in the hospitality spotlight, fueled by segment growth expected to reach nearly $370 billion in value by 2032. Along the way, brands are evolving to meet the needs of the next generation of luxury guests who prioritize meaningful, experience-driven stays. With a rich history dating back to the introduction of InterContinental Hotels & Resorts as the world’s first and now largest luxury hotel brand, IHG remains a segment leader with more than 900 open and pipeline Luxury & Lifestyle properties across six renowned brands. IHG also maintains a dedicated team boasting decades of segment-specific operations, sales, commercial, marketing, design, and food and beverage expertise.