how today’s most meaningful private clubs are redefining the luxury experience
august 6, 2026
A recent Vanity Fair article explored a growing trend among some of the world’s most exclusive private clubs: culture is becoming just as important as luxury. For decades, luxury private clubs have been defined by championship golf, exceptional dining, world-class amenities, and extraordinary destinations. While those experiences remain essential, today’s members are looking for something even more meaningful.
For us at Southworth, this isn’t a new philosophy—it’s the foundation we’ve been building upon for more than three decades. We believe the most meaningful luxury experiences aren’t created solely through exceptional places, but through the people who bring them to life and the communities they create together.
A Different Definition of Luxury
The definition of luxury has evolved.
Today’s members aren’t simply looking for a golf club or a place to vacation. They’re seeking places that enrich everyday life.
The best clubs are no longer defined solely by what they offer. They’re defined by the culture they cultivate and the communities they create. Members are looking for places where they feel welcomed, respected, and genuinely connected—where traditions are established, relationships deepen, and every visit feels like coming home.
Exceptional amenities may introduce someone to a club, but it’s the people—and the sense of belonging they create—that inspire them to return.
Where People Can Be and Belong
Across every Southworth club, each destination has a unique story to tell.
From the oceanfront beauty of The Abaco Club and the mountain spirit of The Alpine Club to the timeless Cape charm of Willowbend, the historic rolling horse country of Creighton Farms, and the classic New England setting of Renaissance, each club reflects the character of its surroundings while offering experiences authentic to its location.
Yet despite their differences, they all share one common purpose: creating places where people can simply be and belong.
That philosophy is reflected in The Southworth Way—our belief that exceptional communities are built on kindness, respect, consideration, and genuine connection. More than a guiding principle, it’s the cultural agreement that shapes every interaction, every experience, and every club across our portfolio.
From the experiences we curate and the spaces we design, to the relationships we foster among members, employees, and guests, every decision is rooted in creating environments where people want to spend time together without pretense or putting on airs.
Building Communities That Last
A strong community isn’t built through a single event or exceptional amenity, it’s built over countless moments
A family returning to The Abaco Club each winter, watching another generation catch their first bonefish, a child hitting their first home run at Wakefield, or gathering for sunset at The Bay Club.
Members returning to Renaissance season after season, where familiar fairways, friendly competition, and post-round conversations in The Boot have become traditions of their own.
Friends lingering on The Oak patio at Creighton Farms long after the final putt has dropped, because the best conversations begin when the round is over.
Members gathering at Willowbend for another Cape Cod summer—poolside afternoons, 9 & Dines, waterfront evenings, and traditions that have become part of family life year after year.
Neighbors setting out for a morning hike, gathering for après after a day on the slopes, or discovering a new favorite dish over dinner at The Alpine Club.
These are the moments that transform extraordinary destinations into meaningful communities.
That commitment extends beyond our club gates. It shapes how we support our employees, partner with local organizations, invest in the communities we call home, and welcome every new member into our clubs. Whether through charitable partnerships, environmental stewardship, or simply fostering authentic human connection, we believe thriving clubs and thriving communities go hand in hand.
The Future of Luxury Hospitality
The conversation highlighted in Vanity Fair reflects a broader evolution happening across the private club industry. The clubs shaping the future won’t simply have the finest amenities.
They’ll have the strongest cultures.
While beautiful destinations will always inspire people to visit.
It’s the people—and the sense of belonging they create—that inspire them to return.
For more than three decades, Southworth has believed that extraordinary places and amenities are table stakes. Our purpose has always been to create communities where people can simply be and belong.
Because the future of luxury hospitality isn’t about exclusivity.
It’s about culture.
It’s about community.
It’s about belonging.
Extraordinary places. Exceptional people. That’s what makes Southworth different.
