THE INSIDE TRACK • October 2022

Six of the world’s best clubs

It seem there’s never been a better time to belong. Hannah Ralph rounds up the best hotel and travel clubs of all shapes and sizes to check out this year

The airline club

Every so often, it’s good to be reminded of all the benefits you get from your Executive Club membership. You have your very own digital magazine (yes, you’re reading it now) packed with travel inspiration and special offers, and you can collect and spend Avios on flights, car hire, hotel stays and more. Depending on your tier, you’ll also get luxury lounge access. In fact, your membership has bountiful benefits at every stage of the journey…

The members’ club

Founded by Hong Kong hotel heiress Katherine Lo, Eaton HK is a unique hospitality concept that’s at once a do-gooding social club, triumphantly techy coworking hotspot and hip hotel. There’s another location in Washington, D.C., which is quickly finding itself billed as the ‘anti-Trump hotel’ for its radical ideals, art and events schedule. Eaton House – the members’ club at its heart – gives its community a special discount at both hotels, which have replaced in-room bibles with copies of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

The kids’ club

And now, the kids’ club to rule them all. At 1,500sqm, The Den at Soneva Jani is the largest of its kind in the Maldives, and includes a vast pirate ship, a giant, playable piano, a zipline and a huge pool with a waterslide. It’s tech-free, so kids can run amok in the LEGO room, library and dressing-up room. The Soneva Academy, meanwhile, certifies ages 12 and up on everything from astronomy to birdwatching. Come evening, disco dancing has the little ones boogieing their way to bed.

The night club

A raft of new hotel nightclubs has sprang up everywhere from London to Vegas, New York to Dubai, but perhaps this year’s most exciting is the reopened Sunset, located beneath LA’s luxury West Hollywood Edition hotel. The vibe is modern Studio 54, which makes sense, given that Edition was conceived by Studio 54 co-founder, Ian Schrager. Pay homage to the iconic clubs that once dominated the Sunset Strip on Thursday and Friday nights and party to the best tunes in the city. Discover our other Marriott hotels here.

The beach club

La Réserve Ramatuelle – Saint-Tropez’s swankiest, serenest hotel – opened an uber-cool beach club back in 2019. Its designer Philippe Stark called it a “return to the true spirit of Saint-Tropez” – carefree, playful and, above all, desirable. Its menu even sprung up in the Michelin Guide, thanks to input from the hotel’s two-Michelin-star chef, Eric Canino. Instagram fiends will go wild for the club’s boho colour palette and extravagant fruit platters, while shoppers can rummage through 25-plus specially selected brands at the club’s on-sand boutique.

The club at 35,000 feet

Very possible the best club in the sky, Club World combines premium levels of comfort and service with the freedom and flexibility to make every journey unforgettable. Imagine your favourite armchair, bed, dining table and office all in one. Our Club World seats are designed for relaxing, sleeping, or getting work done with space and privacy. Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, there’s a Club World seat with your name on it. And look out for the new Club Suite – offering a tailored experience with new technology – on selected flights.