Abstract
A private club is an organization where members with common interests or shared values gather to enjoy spending their time (Perdue & Koenigsfeld, 2013; Bascher, 2003). It is considered a segment within the luxury hospitality industry (Cha et al., 2018). For example, globally, Nexus in New York City, Whale in Hong Kong or Monaco Yacht Club in Monaco are considered among some of the most upscale clubs (Figueiredo, 2024). However, there are notable differences that separate these organizations from others within traditional luxury hospitality. First and foremost, private clubs, as their names imply, are exclusive to their members, and members must meet certain criteria before being accepted to these establishments (Njeri et al., 2025; Ferreira & Gustafson, 2006). Second, members are not customers in the traditional sense as they also take part in governing these clubs (Njeri et al., 2025). Finally, considering the high entry barriers to becoming a member and their role within the governance, maintaining long-term relationships with members becomes vitally important.