Caroline Klein, executive vice president of corporate communications and public relations at Preferred Hotels & Resorts, shares what’s hot in hospitality ahead of the addition of 90 new hotels to the brand’s global portfolio this year.
Someone who travels 120 days per year inevitably knows a lot about top destinations around the world. But for Laguna Beach resident Caroline Klein, who joined Newport Beach-based Preferred Hotels & Resorts in 2012, it’s all about taking a solid staycation too.
“If someone was seeking a mix of city life and resort vibes, I’d send them to Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden in Mallorca, Spain,” says Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Caroline Klein
What motivates you?
What motivates me every day is being a deliberate storyteller in the world of travel. I have always held a strong belief that travel makes people better by creating a deeper understanding of languages, cultures and religions.
What do you love most about O.C. living?
I love how everyone is always outside and that there’s a high-low lifestyle culture where you can go for a hike with friends (you’ll find me on the El Moro Canyon trails most weekends) before going straight to a nice restaurant in your workout clothes.
For the ultimate tropical getaway replete with luxurious amenities, Klein is a fan of Indonesia’s exotic Lelewatu Resort Sumba. Each indoor-outdoor villa features a private pool and breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean or jungle.
What are the biggest travel trends this summer?
We are anticipating a greater demand for hypercustomized, curated travel. Last-minute travel is also becoming a popular reality for luxury travelers around the world. The prevalence of Instagram is helping drive this, with more travelers booking getaways on impulse, seeking destinations that stand out because of their knockout visuals and under-the-radar status. ‘Bleisure’ travel also continues to be a major trend, especially among the much-courted millennial demographic (like me!) and for those who have a very blurred line between work and vacation (also me).
What’s next for the brand?
There are so many incredible hotels opening in exciting cities, including Hotel Bennett in Charleston, S.C.; Mystery Hotel Budapest; Hotel Hendricks in New York City; and The Kitano Hotel Tokyo.
Photography by: Preferred Hotels & Resorts
