Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) welcomes five new hotels this month, each offering bespoke experiences unique to its location. From a palatial retreat worthy of an Arabian Nights fantasy, dreamy beach getaway located in a town steeped in ancient Greek and Byzantine history, nature quests in America’s best nature reserve and tee-offs at world famous golf courses, SLH seeks out the little gems that offer local, one-of-a-kind experiences where the feelings, the flavours and the moments stick in the mind and stay in the heart of independently-minded travellers.
Palace Retreat
[slideshow_deploy id=’966627′]
Ksar Char-Bagh, Marrakech, Morocco
15 rooms from EUR370/AUD605 per night including breakfast
www.slh.com
Set in 4 hectares of Persian-style gardens, Ksar Char Bagh is a stunning private palace inspired by 14th century Moorish architecture and 21st century minimalism. Located in the palm-groved outskirts of Marrakech with criss-crossing streams symbolising the rivers of paradise and gardens filled with birdsong, it is an Arabian Nights dream come true. This is where the rich and famous come to luxuriate in the tranquility, seduced by its great sense of intimacy and privacy. Behind the magnificent 7m² brass doors, high arches with mosaic carvings of Andalusian descent and a huge vaulted red marble hamman, palatial apartments come with either a terrace or private garden and every single object, piece of furniture and furnishing has been designed by the owners. Sample the season’s finest from breakfast through to dinner, using ingredients from the medieval kitchen garden and the olive grove, with guests welcome to have their table set up wherever they fancy. Marrakech’s Medina and three magnificent golf courses are less than a 15-minute drive away, however, the main point of staying at Ksar Char Bagh is to relish in the Ottoman grandeur of your surroundings.
SLH Insider Tip: Do arrange for dinner on your private terrace at least once during your stay – the blanket of stars is highly captivating.
Beach Resort
Praia Art Resort, Calabria, Italy
30 Rooms; Exclusive SLH Welcome Offer from EUR353/AUD577 per night including welcome drink, buffet breakfast and daily light lunch served by the sea with a glass of Calabrian wine
www.slh.com
A dreamy setting between the ocean and mountains on the cusp of Capo Rizzuto Marine Reserve, Praia Art Resort makes a striking first impression. With a combination of authentic Mediterranean design and modern luxury touches, its suites sit perfectly in their natural surroundings. And because it’s poised between mountains and the sea, Praia Art Resort is the ideal gateway to the Ionian Coast. In the morning, watch as the sun turns the sea to a bright orange at the hotel’s private beach. Just 20 metres away. Inside, each space at this adults-only arty retreat is crafted from local rustic materials, bringing a sense of the outside world in. Think bare wood and terracotta, exposed brick and mosaic tiles, and bathe in the natural light on your terrace or patio. Natural foods are given special highlight on the menu at its bamboo-roofed Michelin-starred restaurant,Pietramara Food Café, serving seasonal delicacies such as lamb in liqueur with fried ice cream and carrots.
SLH Insider Tip: Classicists will be inspired by the myths and legends of Calabria, a part of Italy immersed in ancient Greek and Byzantine history. Explore the town of Crotone which is blissfully free of tourism with its cobblestone streets, 16th-century castle and fascinating archaeological museum. Gaze into sapphire depths from a glass-bottomed boat at the Le Castella Marine Reserve or for a scenic fix of a different kind, head to the town of Santa Severina and look out over the Neto valley.
Country House
Hounds Tooth Inn, Yosemite, California, USA
13 rooms from USD255/AUD376 per night including breakfast
www.slh.com
Set on three and a half acres in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, this intimate family-owned boutique lodge provides an elegant escape to the spectacular Yosemite National Park, while being minutes away from the shops, art galleries, theatres and restaurants of Oakhurst. Recently refurbished by new owners, Hounds Tooth Inn’s modern contemporary rooms offer the intimacy and comfort of home with private whirlpool, fireplace and patio opening out to breathtaking views of the mountains, accented with the luxury and hospitality of a hotel. Guests can look forward to chef-driven breakfast dishes in addition to continental eats, tasting local award-winning wines and tapas during the evening, in addition to plenty of snacks and fruits available throughout the day. There’s no shortage of activities in the Yosemite and Oakhurst areas, and the on-site concierge is on hand to help guide guests through the best experiences for a memorable trip. Discover epic hiking trails with breathtaking views, ride on horseback past towering ancient sequoia trees, catch glimpses of amazing wildlife including black bears, owls and the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, marvel at the sheer scale of Half Dome and El Capitan, and the Madera Wine Trail beckons all wine enthusiasts who enjoy sipping their way through its rich history.
SLH Insider Tip: The 850-square-foot Summer House is the perfect retreat for friends and family with a private entrance, full kitchen, dining area, sofa and twin day bed in addition to a king bed.
Country House
Inverlochy Castle, Fort William, Scotland
17 rooms from EUR543/AUD888 per night including breakfast
www.slh.com
Nestling in the foothills of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, Inverlochy Castle sits amidst some of Scotland’s finest scenery. The beautiful 19th century baronial mansion has played host to a number of royalty including Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II. Each of the hotel’s 17 bedrooms and suites come with their own individual design andbespoke range of Arran Aromatics toiletries, alongside spectacular views of the lush woodland grounds and private loch. Its picture-perfect setting makes Inverlochy Castle a Scottish masterpiece of 19th century baronial splendour and the perfect location for a romantic Highland wedding. Whilst staying at Inverlochy Castle activities available are in abundance at Lochaber, ‘The Outdoor Capital of the UK’, with fishing, clay pigeon shooting, water sports, pony trekking and guided walks. Dining at the restaurant, Albert and Michel Roux Jr at Inverlochy Castle, is also a culinary experience to savour, with the legendary father and son taking the helm of the kitchen and offering the finest dishes using local produce. Each of the three dining rooms are decorated with elaborate period furniture presented as gifts to Inverlochy Castle from the King of Norway.
SLH Insider Tip: For the ultimate in luxury travel, a Rolls Royce Phantom is available to pick you up from any Scottish airport, or book a boat trip on the hotel’s own private loch.
Country House
Greywalls and Chez Roux, Gullane, Scotland
23 rooms from EUR366/AUD599 per night including breakfast
www.slh.com
Set in the stunning East Lothian countryside, Greywalls Hotel & Chez Roux is an Edwardian country house located on the edge of the world famous Muirfield championship golf course with stunning views over East Lothian and the Firth of Forth. Designed by renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, the property features quintessential walled gardens including a tennis court, croquet lawn and putting green as well as a dedicated whisky room stocking some of the best single malts Scotland has to offer. There are 22 golf courses within 10 miles of Greywalls and, with legendary chef Albert Roux overseeing the in-house Chez Roux Restaurant, the hotel boasts a culinary experience to rival its golfing scene.
SLH Insider Tip: Overlooking the world famous greens of the 9th & 18th holes, Greywalls has earned itself a reputation as a golfers’ paradise. Their ‘Golfers’ Rooms’ have terraces overlooking the links and sea while ‘Caddy Closets’ are perfect for lone golfing fanatics. Ask for the hotel’s special golf packages.
And in other news…
Exclusive Packages at Halcyon House
Award-winning Halcyon House at Cabarita Beach Northern New South Wales has launched several exclusive stay packages available for a limited time only. The Halcyon Signature, Halcyon Honeymooners & Romantics and Halcyon Pamper packages features daily a la carte breakfast, a decadent 3 course dinner at on-site restaurant Paper Daisy, a luxurious spa/facial experience, gourmet beachside picnic, and use of Halcyon House bicycles and McTavish Surfboards.
“GEANGO at ENSO ANGO” – Summer Culture Retreat in Kyoto
Enso Ango, Kyoto’s first dispersed hotel, is offering stay and experience summer packages from 1 August till 22 September. Taking inspiration from the Zen priests who stayed in one area during the summer in a practice known as Geango 夏安居, Enso Ango offers guests exclusive programmes centered around Japanese traditional culture such as meditation, culture and arts. Programmes offered include:
- Zen meditation
- Kyoto’s oldest zen temple priest (Kenninji Ryosokuin) lecturing on zen meditation
- Talk and hands-on experiences by Kyoto Artisans
- Traditional Kyoto confectionery ‘Kyo-Wagashi’ making
- Japanese traditional dance lesson
- Kyoto local cooking lesson
- ‘Kyo-Yuzen’ dyeing lesson
- Japanese colour paint workshop
- Design trail tour of ENSO ANGO’s 5 properties
- Morning tour through local Kyoto alleyways
- Night tour through local Kyoto alleyways
Rates start from 19,500 Japanese Yen per night including breakfast.
Zeavola Resort launches its first ‘Little Green Book’
With overtourism becoming a real issue and sustainability becoming more important for travellers around the world, Zeavola Resort in Phi Phi Island, southern Thailand, has published an eco blueprint on making tropical beach resorts environmentally friendly. The ‘Little Green Book’ is a practical manual and inspirational guide to running a resort in an age of environmental accountability and cultural sensitivity. The 42-page downloadable PDF (www.zeavola.com/greenbook) shows how the resort’s General Manager Florian Hallermann and his 150 dedicated staff, following 11 years of effort, have built an ecologically responsible and culturally sympathetic luxury resort on a spectacularly beautiful headland on a remote island location in the inner Andaman Sea.
Homes for Hornbills at Cape Kudu Hotel
In an effort to protect the island’s native hornbill population, Cape Kudu Hotel on the charming little island of Koh Yao Noi, together with noted ornithologist Mr.Paradorn Butlakhorn and students from the local Koh Yao Wittaya School, has embarked on a “Homes for Hornbills at Cape Kudu” initiative to construct and install nest-boxes to encourage the breeding of these majestic birds. By involving the local community and particularly local students, the resort hopes to highlight the importance of conserving their own environment and preserving the future of their forest. Their efforts paid off with the first hornbill checking in to its new home the very next day, on a tree right beside the resort lobby.
The HGU Rooftop by John DeLucie Opens
Following the partnership between The HGU and star chef/restauranteur John DeLucie to launch new food and beverage concepts across the luxury boutique hotel, The HGU Rooftop by John DeLucie has opened this summer. Inspired by summer in Montauk, the new food and beverage menus include a Frozen Rhubarb Mojito and the best Lobster Roll in New York City’s NoMad neighborhood, complimented by views of the Manhattan skyline and the Empire State Building. Also to be launched in the next phase is a new lobby bar and lounge with an all-day menu, as well as a new signature restaurant designed to become a top dining destination in the NoMad neighborhood set to open in Autumn 2019.
Have ’Sips of Summer’ at Manetta’s Bar
Bringing a ray of sunshine to London this summer is Flemings Mayfair’s Manetta’s Bar with the launch of its ‘Sips of Summer’ menu, featuring playful cocktails like pink flossed ‘Candy Cloud’, ‘The 99’ ice-cream van muse and ‘Beside the Seaside’ inspired by nostalgic childhood treats. All priced at £14, the limited-edition menu will be available until 23rd September.
The Atlantic Hotel marks 25 years with Small Luxury Hotels of the World
The Atlantic Hotel in Jersey, Channel Islands, is proud to celebrate 25 years as a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World this August. As one of the earliest members of SLH when it joined in 1993, joining SLH was a pivotal moment in positioning the hotel as a luxury property and helped to establish it as a niche product within Jersey’s hospitality industry. The Atlantic Hotel remains the sole member in Jersey and a committed supporter of SLH to this day.
.jpg){kind=tracking}