Dive Brief:

  • Marriott International’s Luxury Collection has launched The Luxury Collection Expeditions, a portfolio of travel itineraries and experiences that enable hotel guests to “engage more deeply with the people, practices and landscapes” of destinations across the brand’s network, according to a Tuesday news release.
  • The Luxury Collection Expeditions comprises three distinct offerings: Private Tailored Journeys—bespoke, multiday itineraries crafted around guests’ personal interests; Day Discoveries—single-day cultural experiences spotlighting a destination; and Residencies & Collaborations—limited-time programs connecting guests with local craftspeople and subject matter experts.
  • Bruce Rohr, vice president and global brand leader for The Luxury Collection, said in a statement that the expeditions aim to “foster a deeper and more personal understanding of a destination” through expert guidance and cultural context. The launch arrives as travelers increasingly seek culturally immersive experiences.

Dive Insight:

The collection features 10 expeditions across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean, immersing guests in the “cultural heritage, craftsmanship, cuisine, ecosystems and wellness practices” of leading leisure destinations, per the release.

Each expedition is guided by historians, artisans, chefs, winemakers, conservationists, and other local experts who lead guests through vineyards, workshops, kitchens, archaeological sites, and natural ecosystems.

For example, The Imperial Journey takes guests across Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara, Japan, with three Luxury Collection hotels anchoring the 10-day itinerary. As one of the Private Tailored Journeys, the experience includes “entry into a samurai residence, sushi-making with a fourth-generation master, access to rarely opened temple spaces alongside a resident monk and an intimate geiko dinner in Gion,” per the release.

Meanwhile, one of the Day Discoveries expeditions will be hosted at The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. The experience “explores the Sonoran Desert through conservation, architecture and locally sourced cuisine,” providing guests with exclusive access to the Desert Botanical Garden and a private tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert laboratory, per the release. The day concludes with a farm-to-table dinner inspired by the landscapes, ingredients, and traditions of the surrounding destination.

As part of the Residencies & Collaborations offering, Luxury Collection’s Salterra resort in South Caicos features three expert-led programs that explore the island through its coral reefs, remote flats, coastal cays, and dark skies, per the release.

Other destinations in the inaugural collection include Italy, Spain, Greece, and Saudi Arabia. The brand plans to unveil additional expeditions this fall across its global portfolio, which spans more than 130 hotels and resorts across roughly 40 countries and territories.

The expeditions collection launches as hotels aim to provide guests culturally immersive experiences across culinary, wellness, and the outdoors.