Preferred Hotels & Resorts operates a global portfolio of more than 700 independent properties, each chosen for the distinct character it brings to its location. The company has spent decades championing independent hospitality as the more considered, more rewarding alternative to the chain hotel model, and The Preferred Experience takes that thinking into an entirely new format, with this crafted driving itinerary.
Developed in close collaboration with InRadius, the five-day programme begins and ends in Munich, routing guests through the legendary Hahntennjoch Pass, the sweeping Gerlos Pass, and the breathtaking mountain roads of Tyrol and Styria. Four departure dates are available in July 2026. Each departure is capped at a maximum of 20 participants.
The itinerary pairs the driving with four outstanding member properties from the Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio: the iconic Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich, the spectacular Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol in Telfs-Buchen, the majestic IMLAUER Hotel Schloss Pichlarn in Aigen im Ennstal, and the serene Das Achental in Grassau. Together they form a spectacular sequence that moves from grand Bavarian city hotel to soaring Alpine resort to fairy-tale castle property to peaceful country retreat.
The route
The itinerary opens in Munich, where guests are welcomed at the magnificent Hotel Bayerischer Hof with a restorative spa session, an elegant welcome dinner, and a driver briefing that sharpens the anticipation for the days ahead. The pace is measured rather than competitive; the purpose is to savour every mile of road rather than simply cover it.
Day two kicks off at Motorworld Munich, where participants take the wheel of their powerful sports cars and head south into Austria. The stage sweeps past the vivid turquoise waters of Lake Plansee before tackling the thrilling Hahntennjoch Pass, a spectacular mountain road that demands full concentration and rewards it with unforgettable views at every turn. The day ends at the striking Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol, where a refined five-course dinner follows a panorama of snow-capped peaks.
Through Styria and Salzburg
The third day ventures deeper into Austria, crossing the dramatic Gerlos Pass with its commanding views of the thundering Krimml Waterfalls before climbing to a charming traditional alpine hut in Maria Alm for a unique mid-journey culinary experience rooted firmly in the region’s rich food culture. Guests then continue to the extraordinary IMLAUER Hotel Schloss Pichlarn in Aigen im Ennstal, a genuine Austrian castle property set within a resort that includes a challenging championship golf course.
Day four sweeps through the lush rolling landscapes of Styria into the beautiful Chiemgau region of Bavaria, arriving at the welcoming Das Achental in Grassau. The afternoon is given over entirely to leisure, with indulgent spa treatments, golf, and tennis on offer before a warm farewell dinner that draws together the highlights of an extraordinary journey. The fifth and final morning returns the group to Munich for onward transfers or the option to extend the adventure through the wider Preferred Hotels & Resorts network.
The hotels
The four properties on the itinerary are each fiercely independent members of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio, and it shows. None belongs to a corporate chain, and each carries a vivid personality shaped entirely by its location. Hotel Bayerischer Hof is one of Munich’s most celebrated and storied addresses; Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol commands the valley floor with staggering views in every direction; IMLAUER Hotel Schloss Pichlarn occupies a genuine, beautifully restored Austrian castle; and Das Achental offers a warm, grounded Bavarian welcome in the rolling Chiemgau foothills.
That striking range of character is central to the appeal of the whole experience. The route shifts mood, tempo, and scenery with each passing stage, and the hotels follow suit magnificently. Guests travel from city grandeur to Alpine altitude to castle romance to countryside calm across four remarkable nights, with no two properties offering anything close to the same experience.
What is included
The programme covers four full days of driving in an exclusive high-performance sports car, expert-guided routes, luxury accommodation throughout, exceptional fine dining at each property, and privileged access to automotive and cultural highlights along the way. Transfers between stages and comprehensive travel insurance are included as standard. Participants also receive I Prefer Hotel Rewards Titanium Status, valid at more than 700 outstanding participating properties worldwide.
“Our vision is to continuously redefine luxury travel by creating experiences that go beyond the expected. With The Preferred Experience, we are bringing together the thrill of the open road and the comfort of world-class independent hotels to deliver a journey that is as dynamic as it is indulgent.”
Brenda Collin, Executive Vice President Europe, Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Pricing begins at €10,990 per person for double occupancy with a shared car, and €11,290 per person for single occupancy.