Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) welcomes five new properties in Thailand, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Norway, Switzerland, and Italy this month, adding to it’s already to its luxury collection portfolio of over 500 hotels in more than 80 countries around the world, offering everything from cutting edge designs and city center sanctuaries to historic country mansions and remote private islands.
Crans Ambassador, Crans-Montana, Switzerland
At Crans Ambassador, the first thing to notice is the views – snow-capped in winter and sun-drenched in summer. Once you’ve torn your gaze away from the scenery, you’ll find there’s just as much to delight indoors. Plenty of natural wood and warm fabrics offer an understated, modern take on chalet style featuring large windows and private terraces overlooking the forest or the valley. In the Deluxe Suite, you can even enjoy this from the outdoor hot tub. To get a closer look, stop off at the hotel snow-sports shop, then make for the nearby ski lift. Or when the snow has melted, go in search of adventure, with everything from rock climbing and trail-running to a leisurely round of golf nearby. End your day at La Table Restaurant, where rustic Alpine dishes are served up with an ample choice of wine.
Cape Fahn Hotel, Koh Samui, Thailand
Welcome to your piece of Thailand. Cape Fahn Hotel is set on a private island, separated from Koh Samui by a small, walkable shallow channel caressed by the tropical sun. Across the bay, people gather on famous Choeng Mon Beach, but at Cape Fahn, you have the sheltered shores almost to yourself. Influenced by traditional Thai architecture, each villa has a large plunge pool complete with a private sun deck and decorated with plenty of natural wood complemented by a sea-inspired color palette. Spend the day relaxing at your villa, sampling local and international dishes from the room service menu or hop on a boat or paddleboard and go exploring. Then enjoy an evening of fine dining at the Cape Fahn Hotel restaurant, followed by a drink or two under a canopy of stars.
Opus XVI, Bergen, Norway
Crafted by descendants of Bergan composer Edvard Grieg and named after his famed concerto, Opus XVI offers guests a modern feel immersed in the city’s rich musical heritage. Every element of this luxury city center hotel plays a part in telling Grieg’s story, with original features including marble columns and polished granite walls alongside Scandi-chic design. Individually styled rooms pair block color palettes of natural tones with subtle details such as gold-accented furniture, strokable-soft upholstery, or statement lighting. Whether you choose a Classic room or the Peer Gynt suite, named for Grieg’s masterpiece, each space is as comfortable as it is contemporary. With its location on Vågsallmenningen plaza, Opus XVI puts you steps from some of Bergen’s best sights. Take in the views from Mount Floyen and the KODE art galleries or learn more about Edvard Grieg at the Opus XVI library exhibition.
The Liming Bequia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Doing nothing is an art form in Bequia (Bek-way) and is the philosophy at The Liming. Channel pure escapism in one of the nine spacious, stylish villas, including one five-bedroom mansion house, each offering exquisite vistas while retaining the privacy afforded by an exclusive Caribbean island. Spend days lounging beside your private infinity pool or the refreshingly peaceful beach. Those with a thirst for adventure could board a hand-built schooner for a day trip to Mustique, or head into Port Elizabeth, with its colorful wooden houses and bustling produce markets. Then as the sun sets, return to your contemporary villa to watch the sky fill up with stars.
Villa Neri Resort & Spa, Linguaglossa, Italy
Hidden among the olive groves and fragrant pine trees of Etna Regional Park is Villa Neri, a hotel that pairs impeccable good looks with warm, personal service. This boutique spa resort takes elements of traditional Sicilian living and turns them into something fresh and contemporary. White walls and clean lines turn the spotlight onto individual details, from classic tiling to wooden flooring. Many suites have views of Etna, with extra luxuries such as in-room hot tubs, wine cabinets, and fireplaces. By day, relax by the pool, or devote your time to Petra Spa. Massages and beauty therapies draw on plant essences and natural ingredients from the surrounding landscape, complemented by a sauna, Turkish bath, plunge pools, and relaxation area. Venture out to explore Linguaglossa village, or head to the beach at Taormina. Then return to Villa Neri and watch the stars come out from the privacy of your terrace.
Eichardt’s Private Hotel, Queenstown, New Zealand
Those looking for the best in luxury land and lake will now be spoilt for choice as Eichardt’s Private Hotel has recently acquired the region’s first premium nautical cruiser, the Pacific Jemm. The 24-meter Falcon 80 S is a welcome addition to the Eichardt’s Private Hotel offering (including the country’s most exclusive accommodation: The Penthouse). Complete with all the modern amenity one expects of the hotel experience, the lavish vessel includes four luxury suites and has at its beck and call two crew alongside Eichardt’s’ famous chef. Options for cruising include scenic day trips to Glenorchy and a helicopter over to the West Coast for crayfish before anchoring up to cook the catch. For the truly adventurous, guests can super-charge the experience with their pick of an Aston Martin, Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, Audi R8 or Porsche 911 to race to Glenorchy before being helicoptered over the Southern Alps.
Rockliffe Hall, Durham, United Kingdom
Rockliffe Hall recently launched its latest exciting addition – Mischmasch. The ‘wonderland of curiosities,’ set within one and a half acres of woodland, offers an enchanting space in which children (and big kids) can play and explore. There are six arctic pods nestled beneath the trees, an eco-adventure playground, and an interactive water feature. Mischmasch gets ‘curiouser and curiouser’ as you move out of the pods and into a wide-open space featuring climbing frames, slides, tennis courts, and the water feature where children can run in and out of jets of water. The centerpiece of the new development is the Looking-Glass House, a stunning addition to the hotel’s entertainment space and a perfect venue for weddings and corporate events.
Healthouse Las Dunas, Estepona, Spain
Healthouse Las Dunas welcomes guests seeking a Mediterranean sun-soaked relaxation and has recently unveiled the new restaurant FELIX. As a reinvention of the former Bistro FELIX, the new restaurant is led by chef Manuel Camisuli with a commitment to Mediterranean cuisine with an Asian influence and over 300 selections of wine. FELIX includes a bar dedicated exclusively to Japanese food under the concept “Omakase,” with exquisite dishes served by chef Jose María Viera in a ceremonial style environment. The decor provides a unique visual experience, and live music offers an enjoyable atmosphere.
Hotel Belles Rives, Antibes, France
The Hotel Belles Rives, the Art Déco jewel, located on the gorgeous French Riviera, has just opened a complete beauty corner facility. The Belles Rives chooses to celebrate its brand-new beauty corner with the famous beauty brand Valmont, a family company that perfectly reflects the spirit of the place. Inheritors of the Swiss medical tradition, the brand draws incredible natural resources from its land and within the most recent development of cellular cosmetics, to offer a moment of harmony in a clean environment. Luxurious treatments are presented in a place that breathes art and style, creating an intimate link between wellness and expertise.