Hotels have a long and honorable history — the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan in Japan, founded in 705 CE, is the world’s oldest operating hotel, welcoming guests to its soothing hot springs for more than 1,300 years. Hotel chains took off later, in the 20th century, launching familiar names like Hilton, Ritz-Carlton, and the Four Seasons. But some luxury properties keep a lower profile, operating discreetly while catering to a wealthy clientele who prize privacy and over-the-top amenities. Here are some of our favorite “secret” hotel brands, for the ultimate in high-end hospitality.

Airelles

This uber-luxe hospitality group began in 1988 in Courchevel, France — one of the swankiest ski resorts in the world — and just expanded to its first location outside of France with the opening of the Airelles Palladio in Venice earlier this year. Marie Antoinette would be right at home at the Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle — the only hotel actually located on the grounds of Versailles. You’ll be hearing a lot more about the brand soon, as the hit HBO series The White Lotus is currently filming its fourth season on the French Riviera at Airelles Saint-Tropez, Chateau de la Messardiere.

Cheval Blanc

This exclusive hotel chain is owned by French luxury brand LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), which operates only six locations, all with a strong focus on food and design and the highest attention to detail and service. The 36-room Cheval Blanc Courchevel debuted in the French Alps in 2006, followed by properties in St. Bart’s, Saint-Tropez, the Seychelles, the Maldives, and Paris.

Capella

This small group of hotels in the Asia-Pacific region focuses on quirky design, buzzy bars and restaurants, and a “living room” at each property that encourages guests to relax and socialize with one another. Founded by Horst Schulze, the former head of Ritz-Carlton, in 2001, Capella has snapped up Travel + Leisure’s No. 1 Best Hotel Brand in the World for the past three years. The brand’s first European foray is set to open in 2027, transforming a 12th-century building in Florence, Italy. Capella also owns Patina Hotels and Resorts, which currently operates in the Maldives and Osaka, Japan, but is expanding to Tianjin and Sanya in China.

Oetker

The legendary Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in the South of France has played host to royalty and to celebrities including Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. It’s now owned by the Oetker Hotel Group, which operates luxury properties including the Eden Rock St. Barths, Le Bristol Paris, and L’Apogée Courchevel. Fans of the Netflix smash Bridgerton won’t want to miss the Bridgerton-themed high tea at the Lanesborough, Oetker’s London crown jewel.

Bvlgari

Italian luxury house Bvlgari is best known for jewels and high-end perfumes, but its hotels and resorts shine with the same brilliance and exude an unmistakable air of affluence. The bespoke hospitality group is expanding rapidly, with properties in Bodrum, Turkey; Miami, Florida; Ranfushi, the Maldives; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and Cave Cay, the Bahamas, currently in the pipeline.

Belmond

The name “Orient Express” is synonymous with romance and luxury. Created in 1976, luxury hospitality brand Belmond Ltd. operates legendary trains such as the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, alongside a portfolio of magnificent hotels including Venice’s Hotel Cipriani, Rio’s Copacabana Palace, and two exquisite safari lodges in Botswana.