Mr & Mrs Smith

Mr & Mrs Smith operates as a curated travel club and booking service specializing in luxury and boutique hotels worldwide. Founded in 2003 by James Lohan and Tamara Heber-Percy, the company emerged from their personal experience of unreliable hotel recommendations. Lohan, with a background in events and nightclub promotion, and Heber-Percy, who worked in marketing, identified a gap in the market for a trusted curator of stylish accommodations. Their initial venture was a guidebook, which quickly evolved into an online booking platform.

The business primarily targets discerning travelers seeking distinctive and high-quality hotel experiences. Its revenue model is commission-based, earning a percentage from the bookings made through its platform. Hotels are selected through a rigorous anonymous review process conducted by a global team of tastemakers, ensuring they meet the brand's standards for style, service, and character. This curation process serves as a key differentiator, offering a hand-picked collection rather than an exhaustive list. In addition to hotel bookings, the company provides travel planning services and a membership program, Smith Loyalty, which offers perks like exclusive hotel offers and upgrades.

In a significant milestone, Hyatt Hotels Corporation acquired Mr & Mrs Smith in 2023 for an enterprise value of £53.0 million. This acquisition integrated the platform into Hyatt's ecosystem, allowing World of Hyatt members to earn and redeem points on Mr & Mrs Smith bookings, thereby expanding the company's reach and customer base significantly. The founders, James Lohan and Tamara Heber-Percy, transitioned to roles as CEO and Chief Brand Officer respectively following the acquisition, continuing to guide the brand's direction.

Keywords: luxury travel, boutique hotels, travel club, hotel booking, curated accommodation, travel subscription, hospitality, hotel curation, high-end tourism, travel planning