Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) continues to experience sustained momentum across its development pipeline. With the imminent worldwide rollout of COVID-19 vaccines leading to a renewed trust in travel and as travellers start to re-book missed holidays, SLH unveils four of its newest members in addition to 15 anticipated new hotel openings during the first half of 2021 in some of the world’s most coveted escape destinations. We can’t predict the future of travel, but our hotels will be ready to satisfy both local and bucket-list travel experiences when the world is ready to re-connect again.
San Francisco’s coolest place to play and stay is now available to book on SLH.com – located within a 58,000-square-foot former marble warehouse and candy factory in the historic Musto Building, The Battery is so exclusive, entry to the social club is strictly by-invite or booking a night at one of their stylish guestrooms and get granted Residence membership for the duration of your stay. This includes full-access to the club’s facilities in addition to a calendar of world-class programming featuring art exhibitions, wine and spirit tastings, musical performances and not forgetting family-friendly events. Designed with an opulent, bohemian interior by celebrated interior designer Ken Fulk, the Battery boasts plenty of art-filled communal spaces and each hotel room is made unique with vintage lounge chairs, antique bar accessories along with an eclectic mix of artwork. Flooded with natural light thanks to large factory windows, the rooms also feature state-of-the-art amenities such as a 60” HDTV with connectivity across all devices, a Geneva sound system, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Bathrooms feature natural stone tile, a large Japanese soaking tub, and products by Malin+Goetz, while the minibar is stocked with a full liquor selection and locally-produced artisanal snacks. A fun fact: The Battery is serious about their tea – teabags are not provided in-room – instead call room service and a “tea-rista” will come and serve you.
SLH Insider Tip: Splurge on the 6,200sq ft Penthouse suite and relax in your own rooftop infinity hot tub alongside the firepit, or safely have your own private gathering at the 14-seat outdoor dining table with dramatic panoramic views of the Bay Bridge. Make sure to explore the speakeasy-within-a-speakeasy: head over to The Musto Bar’s bookcase and hover your hand over the Winston Churchill bust to unlock a secret door into The Green Room, where guests can make themselves at home over music, curated cocktails or a game of chess.
City Centre Hotel
Q92 Noto Hotel (Noto, Italy) ※NEW OPENING※
Opening 30 April 2021 (Opening dates may be subject to change depending on local travel restrictions)
9 rooms
Bask in the glory of Sicily’s baroque past at the Q92 Noto Hotel, an impeccably restored 18th-century palazzo in the heart of Noto along the famous Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Once a nobleman’s palace overlooking the stunning Noto Cathedral, the palazzo’s interiors have been transformed into a luxurious private residence by the same family who owns the delightful Villa Carlotta and Villa Ducale in Taormina. Classic design rubs shoulders with contemporary features and antique furniture, infusing the building with a unique atmosphere of understated luxury. Soak up the classic ambience of the large, airy lounges which flow through to the nine rooms and suites – each with their bespoke wooden and leather furniture, warm Mediterranean colours in Sicilian style reminiscent of the aristocratic residence this building once was. The scent of Dr Vranjes room fragrances creates a soothing, luxurious oasis, and weary bodies get well-deserved pampering with ETRO bath and body products designed exclusively for Q92 Noto Hotel. Guests who appreciate serenity can relax in privacy on room terraces that overlook the hotel’s peaceful courtyard garden, while others who prefer some vivacity will feel most at home with some fine Sicilian wine in hand while watching the world go by along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele street below.
SLH Insider Tip: Q92 Noto Hotel makes it easy to unwind and immerse yourself in centuries of Baroque culture and history. Nearby, Val di Noto – an expansive, unspoilt area of Sicily – is a magical countryside filled with ancient olive and almond trees, and moments of relaxation on some of the prettiest beaches in Italy.
Country House (Pet-Friendly)
Donna Carmela Resort & Lodges (Carruba di Riposto, Italy)
Re-Opening 2 April 2021 (Opening dates may be subject to change depending on local travel restrictions)
26 rooms
Garden lovers will find themselves in flora heaven at Donna Carmela Resort & Lodges, a carefully restored 19th-century Sicilian house surrounded by a 10,000 square-metre garden that is home to over 5,000 varieties of the most stunning Mediterranean and sub-tropical plants. Its citrus and olive groves are one of the largest plant nurseries of its kind in Europe with many specimens exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show. This part of Italy is rightly proud of its agricultural heritage, and Donna Carmela retains evidence of its humble beginnings in rough stone walls surrounding the elegant old farmhouse. The interior brings together design and sustainability, and rooms are designed in full agreement with the environment with a little extra: a panoramic terrace, a lava stone hot tub or your own private garden. From views of the Ionian Sea to scenic landscapes of Mount Etna, each lodge is tailored for relaxation and peaceful seclusion. The on-site restaurant specialises in exquisite Sicilian dishes accompanied by an extensive wine list, including those from the hotel’s vineyard. For guests keen to get some fresh air and open space, hop onto one of Donna Carmela’s bicycles to explore the surrounding area.
SLH Insider Tip: Donna Carmela is an ideal starting point to discover the beauty of eastern Sicily and the Ionian Coast – pair it with other SLH hotels in Etna, Taormina and Noto for an unforgettable road trip and gourmet adventure. Pencil in a guided tour of Donna Carmela’s renowned gardens.
Country House (Pet-Friendly)
Homewood (Bath, United Kingdom)
31 rooms
Set in 20 secluded acres of the rolling West Country landscape just outside of Bath, Homewood is an eclectic Georgian country house hotel with a playful personality. Marrying contemporary comforts with luxurious modern indulgences, the hotel is driven by a sense of fun in everything it does, from frilly chandeliers, statement artworks, an antique clocks-lined wall, to life-size giraffe and teddy bear grass sculptures playing on its expansive lawns. Its 31 characterful rooms feature velvet sofas, cashmere mattresses and thoughtful touches like Dyson hairdryers and homemade biscuits. The rolling hills of Somerset form a glorious backdrop with sweeping views across the scenic Avon Valley. A heavenly spa, all-year heated outdoor swimming pool and romantic bar make for a memorable stay just a few miles outside the World Heritage city of Bath. Homewood’s well-loved mod-British Olio Restaurant deserves a special mention, not only for its simple yet beautifully presented dishes brimming with the finest locally sourced produce but also for its new magical dining domes which comes with a special menu and Sonance surround sound for guests to create their very own mini restaurant for up to six persons. The domes are heated, so even in winter months, they are a cosy place to enjoy an intimate meal with loved ones safely.
SLH Insider Tip: Homewood Bath has recently launched Mallingford Mews, a ‘home from home’ offering 10 new beautiful rooms. Designed by the owner Ian Taylor, he has created truly unique spaces, hand-sourcing interesting artworks, collections, books, fabrics and lamps with picks from his personal collection to give each room a personality of its own. Four feature an outdoor hot tub with private terrace or balcony providing views across Avon Valley’s rolling landscapes and those that we will book in a heartbeat.
ANTICIPATED NEW HOTEL OPENINGS
SLH looks forward to welcome the following new hotel members in the first half of 2021:
February 2021
Villa Soligo · Farra di Soligo,Italy (Opened 12 February ‘21)
March 2021
Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa · Lake Como, Italy (Opening 5 March ‘21)
L’Escale Resort Marina & Spa Seychelles · Mahe, Seychelles
YUAN LIFETEL The Bund Shanghai · Shanghai, China
April 2021
Can Ferrereta · Mallorca, Spain (Opening 19 April ‘21)
Castello di Reschio · Perugia, Italy (Opening 21 April ’21)
La Torre del Canónigo · Ibiza, Spain (Opening 30 April ’21)
Q92 Noto Hotel · Noto, Italy (Opening 30 April ’21)
Qiushui Villa · Hangzhou, China (Soft-opening)
May 2021
Keswick Hall · Keswick, United States
Panoptis Escape · Mykonos, Greece
White Coast Pool Suites · Milos, Greece
June 2021
Ca’ di Dio · Venice, Italy (Soft-opening)
Hotel Bergwelt Grindelwald · Grindelwald, Switzerland
July 2021
Lakeview Hotel Yulongwan Kunming · Kunming, China
Note: Opening dates may be subject to change depending on local travel restrictions
In the News
Milaidhoo Island (Baa Atoll, Maldives)
Milaidhoo Island has launched brand-new “Mindful Breathing” workshops and practices at the resort, promoting stress relief and a healthy lifestyle. Breathwork has rapidly become a global wellness trend, and studies suggest that six weeks of practising Pranayamic breathing have a proven positive effect on heart rate, stress levels and improving cognitive function and anxiety. Guided by Milaidhoo’s resident Yogi Shubh, sessions are privately arranged on a request basis, and guests have a choice of venue in the traditional thatched-roof suites of the over-water Serenity Spa, in-villa, on an offshore sandbank surrounded by nothing but crystal-clear waters, or for the adventurous – onboard a traditional Maldivian Dhoni sailing boat.
Finca Serena (Mallorca, Spain)
Finca Serena is hosting a four-day, three-night Yoga Retreat during 18-21 May and 21-24 September with Vinyasa yoga teacher Alessandra Oman, one of the most upcoming names in the European yoga scene. Designed around a holistic concept that encompasses body, mind and soul, Finca Serena’s stunning location in the heart of the Mallorca countryside is the perfect place to hone your yoga practice and enjoy nature at her finest. Price at €1250 (1 pax) / €1850 (2 pax); inclusive of accommodation in a double room for 3 nights, full board featuring a balanced, plant-based menu, healthy minibar, 2 daily yoga classes, 1 meditation session, 1 energising chakra massage, 1 yoga welcome pack, welcome drink and access to UnicoSpa.
SpaByblos Art Hotel Villa Amistà (Verona, Italy)
In response to heightened demand for safe, private spaces, Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amistà has converted their Wellness Centre ESPACE Byblos into a private spa where guests will be able to treat themselves to one-hour complimentary exclusive use of the wellness centre’s Relax Area (Jacuzzi, Sauna and Steam Bath), with the option to add on a relaxing massage or beauty treatment. Opens daily from 10:30 AM – 7.30 PM, advance booking required.
Wellnesshotel Golf Panorama (Lipperswil, Switzerland)
Relax your body and mind over five days of wellness sessions at Wellnesshotel Golf Panorama. The spa and golf resort has planned the following workshops for 2021:
– Image result for Wellnesshotel Golf Panorama yoga retreatMindfulness and Meditation Workshop: Introduction to the topic of meditation and mindfulness with Yvonne Bommer with mindful body exercises, short lectures as well as the alternation of exchange and times in silence. From 28 March to 31 March 2021 and from 19 September to 22 September 2021.
– Yoga Retreat: Enjoyable yoga sessions combined with fine food and beautiful excursions at Lake Constance while immersing yourself in 5 days of different yoga styles with yoga teacher and therapist Angie Klarer. Excursions in the surroundings of Thurgau will also be organised in the group and time will be scheduled for wellness area “FLEUR DE POMME”. The yoga retreat will take place from 4 July to 9 July 2021, price from CHF1,500.
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