Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) welcomes five independently minded hotels this month. Steeped in local heritage and strategically located within easy reach to places of interest, epicurean delights and more, experience the utmost in comfort and luxury at these exceptional city centre choices in Paris, Düsseldorf and Jerusalem. Travellers seeking out the little gems that offer local, one-of-a-kind experiences will find a slice of beachside bliss in north-eastern Corsica, or an inimitable sojourn at a charming 16th century-style hamlet in Normandy. With just 50 rooms on average, SLH properties are able to offer private, discrete options with the highest safety standards. Guests are assured of a safe stay and the highest degree of attention from the moment they book to after they leave.
Country House (Pet-Friendly)
Le Domaine D’Ablon (Ablon, France)
6 cottage suites from EUR450 per night
As you step beyond the iron gates into the pristine estate of Le Domaine d’Ablon, be transported into a classical 16th century Norman hamlet with its half-timbered architecture and verdant gardens. Charismatic owner Christophe Delaune is on hand to welcome guests, ensuring personalized service is met with an unparalleled degree of privacy during their stay. The former president of a major print marketing company gave up his Parisian penthouse to create the 5-acre luxury rural retreat in the heart of Lower Normandy’s beautiful Auge region near to Le Harve and the artistic coastal town of Honfleur. Dairies and apple orchards anchor the region’s home-grown and unpretentious air, and the hotel prides itself on growing some of the best produce. Normandy’s famous regional produce are complemented with seasonal fruit and vegetables from the estate grounds. Inside the little thatched cottages, suites are comfortable with a very pleasant rustic feel. The unique décor, designed by Laureen de Rouvre, incorporates antique furniture, artworks and beautiful wall hangings, brought together to create the ambiance of a family home with muted luxury. Service is impressively intimate, from dial-up apple tarts to a pick-your-own vegetable garden.
SLH Insider Tip: There’s nothing more exhilarating than experiencing the wild beauty of the Normandy coastline from a horse-drawn sulky – at top speed. Fans of a slower pace can immerse themselves another Normandy tradition at the Haras stud farm – an exclusive behind-the-scenes introduction to its horse racing heritage. Just say the word and Le Domaine d’Ablon can tailor-make trips to help you discover the beauty and history of the Pays d’Auge. Visit magical Mont-Saint-Michel, explore the charming streets of artists’ favourite Honfleur, or just soak up the charm of the Estate.
Resort
Hotel La Roya (Saint Florent, France)
26 rooms from EUR300 per night
Breath-taking beauty meets total tranquillity at this northern Corsican beachfront retreat with stunning coastal views spanning the Cap Corse peninsula and the Agriates desert. One of Saint Florent’s top hotels, La Roya is well-set for that special romantic getaway. A small charming path shaded by palm trees and umbrella pines leads you the hotel’s own private beach on Plage La Roya, offering panoramic views of the idyllic village of Saint Florent, a bustling harbour town only moments away from some of Corsica’s most beautiful beaches. Inside, elegance and sophistication are the hallmarks of refined luxury, accentuated with warm, welcoming colours and quirky touches. Each of La Roya’s rooms come with a private balcony or terrace with either a view of the rugged mountains or St Florent. Enjoy a dinner under the stars at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant – a celebration of authentic Corsican cuisine and local produce, while being serenaded by the scents of roses and lavender from the hotel’s Garden of Eden.
SLH Insider Tip: Blessed with such a biodiverse landscape, La Roya is the ideal base for exploring Saint Florent’s many attractions and enjoy some of the finest food that the island has to offer. Explore the sun-scorched desert of Agriates, or visit one of the region’s ancient churches such as San Michele de Murato – one of the finest examples of Pisan Romanesque architecture, built in 1280. Round off a day of sightseeing with a wine-tasting at the Patrimonio
estate, just a few minutes from the hotel.
City Centre (Pet-Friendly)
Hotel Raphael (Paris, France)
83 rooms from EUR294 per night with breakfast
Situated in the heart of the 16th arrondissement, mere moments away from such Parisian icons as the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Élysées, Hotel Raphael is a landmark in itself. Run by the same family over four generations, the Hotel Raphael is the quintessence of the French art of living. The hotel boasts impressive freestone architecture, intricate sculpture work in Art Deco and Belle Epoque splendour. From the beautifully restored antique furniture in the Louis XV or Louis XVI style, luxurious fabrics by Rubelli and Lelièvre, hand-painted wall murals in the rooms, to personalized VIP welcome packs for children, careful attention to detail delivers an authentic Parisian experience. Meanwhile, floor-to-ceiling windows and deluxe bedding add a touch of modern-day luxury – the perfect blend of classic and contemporary comfort. The building is also completely soundproof to keep away sounds of infamous Parisian traffic. Thanks to its unique decor, many movie scenes have been filmed at the Hotel Raphael, such as Luc Besson’s ‘Anna’ and ‘Nikita’. When you’re ready to explore, the 16th arrondissement of Paris is a treasure trove of restaurants, museums, art galleries and food markets.
SLH Insider Tip: Affectionately referred to as ‘a garden in the sky’, the rooftop terrace is a horticultural haven with more than 100 varieties of flowers and plants. Treat yourself to a glass of champagne (or two) or lunch as you savour an uninterrupted 360° view on main historical buildings of Paris from above in the summer.
City Centre
Breidenbacher Hof (Düsseldorf, Germany)
106 rooms from EUR320 per night
Situated right at the very heart of the famous Königsallee, Düsseldorf’s premiere shopping street and the historic heart of the Old Town, Breidenbacher Hof sums up the very best of Düsseldorf with its turn-of-the-century architecture and contemporary take on comfort. Opulent interiors crafted with the finest woods and furnishings recall the hotel’s glamourous 19th-century heritage, while modern-day amenities and Personal Assistants are on hand to ensure everything is in place for a memorable stay. The hotel also has a private entrance for those who prefer to remain unseen as well as a dedicated entrance to an adjacent medical clinic. The rooms and suites are retreats in themselves. Light, airy and spacious, with views over the rooftops or the landscaped courtyard, they feature rich linens and bespoke furniture, as well as Italian marble bathrooms for added luxury. For complete and total privacy, the Royal Floor, a newly-created space with 11 separate rooms, can easily be connected into one massive suite. Breidenbacher Hof’s prime location also puts you within easy distance of the city’s art galleries, museums, and famous shopping streets. Throw in a chic brasserie-style restaurant and spectacular old town views, and you’ve got everything you need for the ultimate city escape.
SLH Insider Tip: Escape the city with a trip to Breidenbacher Hof’s own ‘Gut Diepensiepen’ farm (the hotel grows their own produce) before joining Executive Chef Philipp Ferber in the Molteni Show Kitchen at the hotel for a private cooking class to make one of the most famous local dishes called “Heaven and Earth”, made from black pudding, 
onions, mashed potatoes and apple sauce. For those who are eager for some memorable holiday shots, the hotel has an exclusive photo tour of Instagrammable spots with a local photographer.
City Centre
The American Colony Hotel (Jerusalem, Israel)
92 rooms from USD340 per night including breakfast
SLH’s first hotel in Jerusalem, The American Colony Hotel is steeped in history and a gem of Ottoman architecture. Originally a Pasha’s palace, the hotel is dispersed across four buildings and surrounded by lush gardens. Among the 94 rooms guests can choose between Junior Suites with painted wooden ceilings that open onto the hotel’s famed Courtyard, Classic Pasha rooms individually furnished in the Ottoman style and Penthouse Suites featuring spa bathrooms among others. In summer the hotel’s signature Courtyard restaurant offers an idyllic location for an al fresco meal or a place to relax under the shade of a mulberry tree. An edible garden provides herbs for the kitchen and a scented location to read a book while and the Palm House garden is home to the Summer Bar with its grill-under-the-stars and cocktails. The pool, constructed from Jerusalem stone and lined with glass tiles, is open between May and October. In winter, the focus moves indoors to The Arabesque restaurant which serves up Middle Eastern dishes complemented by local wines, Val’s Brasserie for a more informal menu of local dishes and afternoon tea by the fire, and the legendary Cellar Bar located in the building’s original dairy.
SLH Insider Tip: Take some time to browse the hotel’s selection of boutiques. Barakat Antiquarian has a large selection of antiques and carpets, the Bookshop offers a selection of locally-orientated historic, travel and holiday reads, and The American Colony Print Shop has reproductions of historic photographs from 1896 to 1940 curated by the American Colony Archive and the Jerusalem Fine Arts Prints team.
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