Our raison d’être at Small Luxury Hotels of the World, to champion and support our community of 520+ small, independently-owned hotels, is now more vital than ever before. As the world prepares to re-start travel, domestic tourism will first rebound, followed by regional travel when travel ‘bubbles’ between countries are established. Small Luxury Hotels of the World welcomes six hotels in Bhutan, China and all-time favourite destination Japan that have recently joined the brand and are ready to welcome guests with their diverse and delightful experiences in the very near future. More than just safe holiday havens, SLH hotels are able to offer additional services from arranging restaurant reservations, hotel-exclusive private tours to planning that special celebration, making the now-treasured vacation more meaningful and memorable.
Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Shaba, Bhutan
24 rooms from USD677
Thoughtful touches are the order of the day at Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary. Setting the scene on arrival with the ‘Transformation Room’, guests are given the chance to settle into a restful frame of mind before experiencing a remote and mystical world full of deep valleys, snow-capped mountains and an ancient way of life. Each room features ornate four poster beds and its own balcony or terrace, with spectacular views of the valley below. As the only 5-star luxury property in Bhutan to host a Bhutanese Executive Chef and present farm-to-table meals from their own greenhouse and garden, the Sanctuary’s culinary concept is unique in the country. With no fixed menus, meal times or locations, guests can enjoy a different Chef’s Special every day, anytime and anyplace. Its location in Paro’s stunning Neyphu Valley also makes the Sanctuary an easy start point for day trips such as to Paro, Thimphu and the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
SLH Insider Tip: Based on Bhutanese traditional medicine practices, Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary offers an all-inclusive well-being concept designed to create direct, tangible effects on a guest’s feeling of well-being. Since all wellness facilities and services are complimentary, guests can easily unwind with well-deserved daily traditional treatments, yoga and meditation classes.
Sowaka, Kyoto, Japan
23 rooms from JPY21,780
Restored from a 20th century ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) in one of Japan’s most alluring destinations, Sowaka Kyoto effuses ethereal elegance in its luxurious space combining Japanese tradition with modernity. Guests are instantly transported to an oasis of calm amongst the ryokan’s serene spaces, paying testament to its namesake, which means “happiness and well-being” in sanskrit. Bedrooms and suites are discreetly arranged among green courtyards, with long corridors designed to evoke Kyoto’s alleyways. Traditional ryokan elements such as paper sliding doors, tea ceremony rooms are interwoven with modern comforts. Think handmade cedar wood speakers, and cushioned, cashmere mattresses.
Every considered detail showcases local customs and effort made to collaborate with local craftspeople and artisans. Amenities made with organic Japanese camellia oil are supplied by one of Kyoto’s most well-known skin and haircare companies, Kazurasei Shinise, and the hotel’s water is drawn from its own underground spring. Meals are overseen by Michelin-starred La BOMBANCE Gion, the latest outpost of the award-winning Tokyo restaurant. The icing on the cake lies in its strategic location – Kyoto’s main cultural sights including Yasaka Shrine, Kodaiji Temple, Ryozen Kannon and geisha-spotting are all within walking distance, while Keihan Railway Gion Shijo and Hankyu Railway Kawaramachi Station are close by.
Insider Tip: At Sowaka Kyoto, the ancient capital of Gion is at your doorstep, with hotel-exclusive private tours available to escape the crowds and experience the culture, craftsmanship, and community of Kyoto first-hand. Immerse yourself in the wonders of Kiyomizu-dera Temple where priests will give you the inside track and off-limits access to its 1,200 years of history. Time your visit for sunrise and see the first rays hit Kyoto’s jumbled rooftops.
Shima Kanko Hotel The Bay Suites, Ise-Shima, Japan
50 rooms from JPY64,000
Shima Kanko Hotel The Bay Suites has many strings to its bow: a Michelin-starred French restaurant La Mer which prides itself for the locally caught Ise Shima seafood cuisine, Japan’s first Clarins spa and a place in world history as the 2016 G7 Summit venue. While the Ise-Shima region may not be top-of-mind for international travellers, it is home to Shinto’s holiest shrine, Ise Jingu, and several other sacred sites, and thus a popular domestic travel destination.
The biggest draw here is the hotel’s spacious suites which come with separate living rooms and balconies offering beautiful sunset views of the coastline of Ago-wan Bay peppered with rafts for culturing pearls for world-renowned Mikimoto, perfected with the peacefulness of nearby Ise-Shima National Park. At night, “star sommeliers” are on hand to guide you through the Kashikojima night sky. If you’re up for an excursion, pick up a bicycle to explore the nearby towns, go diving with authentic ama divers or get the concierge to arrange for a day tour of the region’s cultural sites. And Shima Kanko Hotel The Bay Suites is perhaps the best luxury option for experiencing the slow tempo and unspoiled landscapes for which Japanese country life is famous for.
Insider Tip: Each of the suites at Shima Kanko Hotel is truly special. But one stands out. The Royal Suite gives you space to eat, sleep and entertain in contemporary Japanese style. For a taste of tradition, there is also an elegantly designed tatami room – a private space for studying, taking tea or meditating for added Zen.
Distance from Tokyo Station via Shinkansen: 1hr 40mins; Distance from Kyoto Station via Shinkansen: 2hrs 40min
Nearest airport: NGO Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport
Hinode Hills Niseko Village, Hokkaido, Japan
77 rooms from JPY46,000
Named to pay homage to the rising sun, the luxuriously appointed apartments of Hinode Hills embrace wabi-sabi aesthetics by revealing its subtle beauty through authenticity, natural forms and an appreciation of nature. The latest luxury addition to join YTL Hotels’ Niseko Village alongside Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse, Hinode Hills occupies a prime position at the base of Mount Niseko Annupuri with stunning Mount Yotei views, ski-in, ski-out access, an in-house onsen, and a host of on-property ski services. Blending modern contemporary style with authentic Japanese aesthetics, your choice of multiple room and suite configurations up to three-bedrooms, provide a host of opportunities suitable for any type of merriment, from romantic getaways to large family vacations. When it comes to service, it’s personal: have your snowboard waxed while you sleep, or your suite kitchen stocked before you arrive. The hotel is also strategically located adjacent to the Upper Village Gondola, which provides guests with the convenience of mobility around the mountain with easy lift access to nearby dining and shopping areas.
SLH Insider Tip: Even if you are visiting in summer, the greenery of Niseko Village offers plenty to do, including the outdoor nature park Pure, horseback riding, mountain biking, rafting, golfing, and hot air ballooning in the fresh mountain air.
The MIST Hot Spring Hotel, Xuchang City, Henan, China
51 rooms from CNY2,988
Taking its name from the natural steam that rises around it, The MIST Hot Spring Hotel seems to float above the landscape. The hotel is located in the small ancient city of Xuchang in Central China, which is the country’s most famous hot spring destination since the Tang dynasty era. Designed by renowned Thai architect Amata Luphaiboon, the hotel takes inspiration from the beauty of the hot spring steam to heighten its surreal and mystic beauty in all design aspects, from master layout, to architecture and its interior space. Guest rooms are not joined by a typical corridor but a series of bridges floating in an atrium, and feature cotton linen beddings, customized wood furniture and modern interior design. No stay will be complete without luxuriating in one of the hotel’s 14 outdoor and five indoor hot spring pools offering the country’s finest geothermal water.
SLH Insider Tip: Kungfu enthusiasts can make a day trip to see one of Henan Province’s most famous Buddhist temples, the Shaolin Monastery.
YiuTeung Mansion, Chengdu, China
131 rooms from CNY1,018
YiuTeung Mansion is a tribute to one of the city’s most famous authors Ba Jin – its name comes from the author’s real name while the hotel’s design inspiration comes from the mansion depicted in Mr Ba Jin’s novel 《家》“The Family”, giving each guest an unforgettable cultural heritage experience of the 1930s era. Emanating tranquil elegance throughout, the hotel provides a peaceful respite in the city centre of thriving Chengdu. From the Deluxe rooms to the sublime Executive Suite, YiuTeung Mansion bedrooms are bright and spacious. Neutral shades of white, beige and cream allow quirky furnishings and subtle Chengdu artwork to shine. It is not hard to see why the hotel has gained prominence on China’s social media, with a story-worthy angle at every corner, including the Insta-worthy grand spiral staircase in the garden. And with its convenient location, the city’s must-see destinations are right on your doorstep.
SLH Insider Tip: As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Chengdu is bursting with fiery and hugely varied flavours of its own. Sample everything from the original mapo tofu, spicy Bang Bang Chicken to street food classic guo kuei pancake. When you’ve had your fill, learn about Chengdu’s history at Chengdu Museum, Zhaojue Temple renowned as ‘The First Buddhist Monastery in West Sichuan’ or gush at one of China’s most famous national treasures at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base.
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