The Clubhouse Hotel: Why Hotels Are Becoming Social Homes - The Exclusive Edge Review

In the last few years, a distinct trend has emerged in the luxury hospitality world: hotels that operate not just as places to rest, but as clubhouses — hybrid spaces where membership, community, creativity, and atmosphere are as important as rooms. These are not your typical hotel lounges or rooftop bars. The clubhouse model embeds social architecture into the hotel’s DNA: shared living rooms, creative studios, curated programming, wellness enclaves, private events, and a sense of belonging. As luxury travel evolves, the clubhouse hotel is becoming an experiential anchor for discerning guests who value connection, curation, and culture.

Why the Clubhouse Concept Is Rising

- Belonging over transactions: Guests want to feel part of something, not just pass through a lobby. Clubhouse hotels introduce membership-style access that encourages deeper engagement and loyalty.

- “Third spaces” as the heart of hospitality: Beyond bedrooms and restaurants, these hotels invest in lounges, workspaces, bars, and studios — spaces where guests can linger, create, socialise, and work.

- Emotional resonance & repeat value: The clubhouse ethos helps convert one-night stays into ongoing relationships. Guests return not just for the bed, but for the atmosphere, programming, and community.

- Brand storytelling & layered revenue: Clubhouse hotels can monetise membership, F&B, events, and wellness services while reinforcing their identity through curated experiences.

- Cultural relevance & design vitality: These spaces host performances, talks, and creative residencies — their design is purposeful, flexible, and alive.

Luxury brands are leaning into this idea of “product-free spaces” — areas not defined by what you buy, but by the experiences they facilitate. Below are five hotels that embody this clubhouse spirit, each redefining what hospitality can mean.

1. The Aster, Los Angeles

Perhaps one of the most talked-about examples, The Aster functions as both a boutique hotel and creative clubhouse. Hotel guests automatically become temporary members with access to the full ecosystem: a 36-seat cinema, recording studio, cabaret room, rooftop bar, wellness facilities, and curated social events. The Aster consciously rejects stiff exclusivity. Instead, it offers openness, creativity, and connection — making it a magnet for travellers, creators, and locals alike.

2. Casa Cipriani, Milan

Casa Cipriani Milano positions itself as a modern private members’ hotel. With only 15 rooms, its Club Restaurant and Living Room form the heart of the experience. Members and guests dine, converse, and unwind together in elegant Art Deco-inspired surroundings. Wellness facilities, spa experiences, and curated gatherings reinforce Casa Cipriani’s unique blend of intimacy, design, and community.

3. Aman New York / Aman Club

Aman New York blurs the line between hotel and private club through its Aman Club membership. Beyond the brand’s signature suites and spa, the property includes private members-only lounges, cigar rooms, and wellness areas, accessible only to Aman Club members. It extends Aman’s ethos of understated luxury into a more permanent sense of belonging.

4. Casa Cipriani, New York

In New York’s Battery Maritime Building, Casa Cipriani brings the club model to life with a Club Restaurant, Jazz Café, and wellness centre. Hotel guests mingle with members in the same refined atmosphere that evokes timeless glamour. By day, it’s a workspace and social hub; by night, a scene of music, conversation, and classic Cipriani hospitality.

5. Hotel Bardo, Savannah

In the historic city of Savannah, Hotel Bardo introduces Club Bardo — a members’ concept rooted in art, design, and Southern culture. It blends contemporary aesthetics with local character, creating a creative retreat that feels both exclusive and approachable. From curated dinners to gallery events, Club Bardo extends the social and creative spirit beyond the guestroom.

What the Future Holds

As the clubhouse model proliferates, several key themes are emerging:

- Balance between scale and intimacy — large enough to be vibrant, small enough to be personal.

- Fluid membership models — giving hotel guests temporary membership during stays.

- Greater focus on curation — every event, scent, and design element tells a story.

- Integration with local culture — collaborating with artists, chefs, and tastemakers to keep experiences authentic and alive.

The Exclusive Edge View

At The Exclusive Edge Travel, we see the rise of clubhouse hotels as a redefinition of modern luxury: belonging, culture, and connection. From Los Angeles to Milan, New York to Savannah, these properties aren’t just accommodations — they’re living ecosystems that bring people together. The clubhouse is the new frontier of hospitality — where travel meets tribe. Looking for more travel recommendations, sign up here.

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