Elegance Redefined: The Rosewood Story
The Legend Begins
In 1979, a remarkable journey began in Dallas, Texas, when Caroline Rose Hunt transformed her vision of luxury hospitality into reality. At 55 years old, after raising five children, the daughter of Texas oil tycoon H.L. Hunt entered the hotel business with a revolutionary concept: creating intimate, residential-style hotels that offered guests a genuine “Sense of Place.” Her first acquisition was the historic Sheppard King mansion in Uptown Dallas, a stunning Italian Renaissance-style estate built in the 1920s. With a $21 million investment, Hunt transformed this architectural gem into The Mansion on Turtle Creek, which opened its acclaimed restaurant on August 6, 1980, followed by the 143-room hotel on May 16, 1981. This founding property would become the cornerstone of what is now a global ultra-luxury empire.
The Founder’s Vision
Caroline Rose Hunt was no ordinary hotelier. A Harvard-educated woman with a keen appreciation for history and architecture, she identified a gap in the luxury market that no one else had seen. “I appreciate history and thought there was a niche demand for this type of hotel,” she once explained. Her philosophy centered on creating spaces that felt more like a private home than a hotel, where every detail reflected the local culture, heritage, and craftsmanship of its location. This became known as Rosewood’s signature “A Sense of Place” philosophy, which continues to guide every property today. At her peak in the 1980s, Hunt was considered America’s wealthiest woman with approximately $1 billion in assets. She served as Honorary Chairman of Rosewood until her death on November 13, 2018, at age 95, leaving behind a legacy that redefined luxury hospitality.
Rise to Excellence
From its Dallas origins, Rosewood expanded strategically throughout the 1980s and beyond. In 1983, the brand acquired the legendary Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, which Hunt later sold in 1989 for a record $110 million. The international journey began in 1987 with Hotel Seiyo Ginza in Japan, followed by Caribbean expansion in 1993 with Little Dix Bay in Virgin Gorda. The acquisition of The Carlyle in New York in 2000 cemented Rosewood’s position among the world’s most prestigious hotel collections. A transformative moment came in 2011 when Hong Kong-based New World Hospitality acquired Rosewood Hotels & Resorts for $229.5 million, plus an additional $570 million for five hotel properties. Under the leadership of CEO Sonia Cheng, the granddaughter of Hong Kong billionaire Cheng Yu-tung, the brand has accelerated its global expansion dramatically. Today, Rosewood Hotel Group operates 54 properties across 24 countries, with more than 30 additional hotels in the development pipeline.
Iconic Creations
Rosewood’s portfolio reads like a collection of the world’s most storied addresses. Each property embodies the founder’s vision while reflecting its unique location and heritage. From the Art Deco glamour of The Carlyle in Manhattan to the 18th-century grandeur of Hôtel de Crillon on Paris’s Place de la Concorde, every Rosewood hotel tells its own story. The 2019 opening of Rosewood Hong Kong at Victoria Dockside marked a new chapter, with the property earning the distinction of being named #1 on The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025. Recent additions include Rosewood Munich in the former Bavarian State Bank headquarters, Rosewood Schloss Fuschl in a 15th-century Austrian castle, and the 100% solar-powered Kona Village in Hawaii. The brand’s commitment to excellence has earned 14 Forbes Five-Star ratings in 2024 alone.
The Numbers: Empire Today
Rosewood Hotel Group is wholly owned by Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited (CTFE), a privately held Hong Kong conglomerate founded in 1929 and controlled by the Cheng family. The company is headquartered at K11 Atelier, 728 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong, with additional offices in Los Angeles, Dallas, London, and Dubai. While exact revenue figures remain private, industry estimates place annual revenues in the multi-billion dollar range. The group employs approximately 10,000 to 11,000 people worldwide and operates four distinct brands: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts (ultra-luxury flagship), New World Hotels & Resorts (upper-upscale), Asaya (wellness concept), and Carlyle & Co. (private members’ clubs). The aggressive expansion strategy continues, with major openings planned for Amsterdam, Tokyo, Doha, and London’s prestigious 30 Grosvenor Square.
The Legacy Continues
Under CEO Sonia Cheng’s visionary leadership since 2011, Rosewood has transformed from an American luxury brand into a global hospitality powerhouse. Cheng, who holds a BA in Applied Mathematics from Harvard and previously worked at Morgan Stanley and Warburg Pincus, took the helm at just 30 years old. She is supported by President Radha Arora (named HOTELS Magazine’s 2024 Corporate Hotelier of the World), incoming COO Anthony Ingham, and CFO Kevin Yung. The brand’s Rosewood Impacts sustainability program has set ambitious targets: 70% waste diversion, 25% energy reduction, and 100% elimination of guest-facing single-use plastics by end of 2025, with net-zero emissions targeted by 2050. An impressive 47 properties have achieved Global Sustainable Tourism Council certification.
Iconic Rosewood Properties
Discover the world’s finest Rosewood hotels, each offering a unique expression of luxury and local culture:
1. The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
– Price: €600/night
– This Art Deco masterpiece on Manhattan’s Upper East Side has been a haven for presidents, royalty, and celebrities since 1930. The 188-room landmark features the legendary Bemelmans Bar with its whimsical murals, Café Carlyle’s cabaret performances, and impeccable service that has defined New York luxury for nearly a century.
– Best season: September to November (fall in New York)
– Insider tip: Request a Park View suite and book a table at Bemelmans Bar early evening to enjoy the live piano without the crowds.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
– Price: €750/night
– Housed in the magnificent Edwardian Belle Époque building that once served as the headquarters of Pearl Assurance, Rosewood London brings English grandeur to High Holborn. The hotel features 262 rooms and 44 suites, the acclaimed Holborn Dining Room, and the intimate Scarfes Bar named among the world’s best.
– Best season: April to June (spring in London)
– Insider tip: Book the Manor House Wing for a private entrance and exclusive butler service, perfect for those seeking ultimate privacy.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
– Price: €500/night
– Named #1 on The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025, this Victoria Harbour landmark features 413 rooms across 65 floors at the Victoria Dockside development. Designed by Tony Chi, the property showcases museum-quality art throughout and houses Asaya, a pioneering urban wellness concept spanning an entire floor.
– Best season: October to December (autumn with clear skies)
– Insider tip: The harbour-view suites on higher floors offer spectacular sunset views; pair with dinner at The Legacy House for authentic Cantonese cuisine.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
4. Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
– Price: €1,200/night
– Occupying a magnificent 18th-century palace on the Place de la Concorde since 1758, this Parisian icon underwent a meticulous four-year restoration by architect Richard Martinet. The 124 rooms and suites feature designs by Karl Lagerfeld and Chahan Minassian, while the Brasserie d’Aumont and L’Écrin restaurant offer exceptional dining.
– Best season: April to June and September to October
– Insider tip: The Karl Lagerfeld-designed Les Grands Appartements suites are museum pieces; request room 112 for views directly over Place de la Concorde.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
5. Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
– Price: €480/night
– The property where it all began, this 1920s Italian Renaissance mansion in Uptown Dallas remains the spiritual home of Rosewood. Caroline Rose Hunt’s original vision is preserved in every detail, from the intimate 143 rooms to the legendary restaurant that helped launch America’s New American cuisine movement.
– Best season: March to May and September to November
– Insider tip: Request a room in the original Mansion building rather than the Tower for the most authentic historic experience.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
6. Rosewood San Miguel de Allende
– Price: €290/night
– Set within a UNESCO World Heritage colonial town in Mexico’s heartland, this hacienda-style retreat offers 67 rooms arranged around courtyards with fountains and gardens. The property features Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar with panoramic views over the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, Sense spa, and authentic Mexican hospitality.
– Best season: October to April (dry season)
– Insider tip: Time your visit during Day of the Dead (late October/early November) for extraordinary cultural celebrations throughout the town.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
– Price: €520/night
– This Caribbean paradise on Nassau’s Cable Beach offers 237 rooms and suites with direct beach access and views over turquoise Bahamian waters. The resort features an exclusive adults-only pool, the Manor Bar serving rare rums, and access to Baha Mar’s Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course and casino.
– Best season: December to April (dry season)
– Insider tip: Book a beachfront suite and arrange a private island excursion to the Exumas for swimming with the famous pigs.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
– Price: €950/night
– Nestled on the secluded Emerald Bay in southern Phuket, this sanctuary offers 71 pavilions and villas with private pools overlooking the Andaman Sea. The resort features three stunning beaches, a world-class Asaya wellness center, and Ta Khai restaurant serving royal Thai cuisine with ingredients from the on-site organic garden.
– Best season: November to March (dry northeast monsoon)
– Insider tip: Book a Pool Pavilion Beachfront for direct sand access and request a private longtail boat trip to nearby Coral Island at sunrise.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
Why It Matters
In the world of luxury hospitality, Rosewood Hotels holds a singular position. What began as one woman’s vision to create homes away from home has evolved into a global collection of 54 extraordinary properties that honor Caroline Rose Hunt’s founding principle: every hotel should reflect the soul of its location. Under Sonia Cheng’s leadership, Rosewood has accelerated its expansion while maintaining the intimate, residential character that distinguishes it from larger luxury chains. With new properties opening in Amsterdam, Tokyo, and London’s former US Embassy, and a commitment to sustainability that leads the industry, Rosewood continues to write new chapters in its remarkable story. For the discerning traveler who values authenticity, craftsmanship, and a genuine sense of place, Rosewood remains the definitive choice in ultra-luxury hospitality.
