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Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) welcomes three new hotel members in Europe this autumn. The former residence of opera maestro Gaetano Donizetti is now reimagined as a boutique hotel in one of the most enviable locations in Rome, while in the heart of the wild Peloponnese in Greece, one of Europe’s leading spa retreats works with the healing power of nature to create a holistic refuge where guests feel calm and protected. On the shores of Lough Corrib, a grand 18th century abbey wows guests with its traditional elegance and unique dining experiences – step aboard the Pullman Restaurant and enjoy a lavish meal in one of its two restored original Orient Express carriages. If wanting to end the year on a relaxing note is on the cards, then SLH’s latest hotel additions may just hit the right spot.
City Centre Hotel
Maalot Roma (Rome, Italy)
30 rooms from €368 per night including breakfast
Opened 1 October 2021
Located steps away from the Trevi fountain, Hotel Maalot which opened on 1st October spans four floors in the former residence of famous Italian opera composer Gaetano Donizetti (1797 – 1848). The hotel’s vibrant décor is designed as a ‘colonial style lounge’ concept with restaurant and bar on the ground floor and with private bespoke rooms on the 4 floors above. The hotel oozes glamour, and each of its 30 rooms features hues of ochre, dark blue and deep red, marked with signature paintings of hats symbolising the hotel’s ethos of ‘setting your hat down and feeling at home’. There’s an all-day modern Roman gastronomy experience to be had in Don Pasquale Restaurant Cucina and Bar, which uses the finest local produce. It also serves great traditional cocktails, rum and wine. Hotel Maalot’s prime location makes it a perfect stay for exploring Rome’s attractions such as the Pantheon, and Spanish Steps.
SLH Insider Tip: Take advantage of the concierge’s insider knowledge and book a private visit to The Doria Pamphilj Gallery, started by Pope Innocent X Pamphilj in 1644, which houses valuable works by great masters such as Raphael, Tiziano, Caravaggio, Brueghel the Elder, Velazquez and Bernini.
Country House

Glenlo Abbey Hotel and Estate (Galway, Ireland)
73 rooms from £228 per night including breakfast
Arriving through the magnificent cast-iron gates of Glenlo Abbey Hotel and Estate sets the tone for an enchanting stay ahead. Glenlo sits on the shores of one of Ireland’s largest lakes, Lough Corrib, and is the only luxury hotel located en route to the breath-taking region of Connemara, allowing guests to experience both country and city just 10 minutes apart. Eternally elegant, the 18th century property has recently enjoyed a multi-million-pound investment and has introduced a new restaurant and spa this year. The new contemporary bar and restaurant, Palmers Bar & Kitchen, pays homage to the hotel’s owners, the Palmer family, and serves the finest seasonal produce in a relaxed yet stylish setting. It adds to the hotel’s existing dining options; the River Room Restaurant, the Oak Cellar Bar and the Pullman Restaurant (Comprises two beautifully restored original carriages from the Orient Express set on the estate grounds). Glenlo ticks many boxes from golf to spa and so much more in between such as trout and salmon fishing, hiking and horse-riding.
SLH Insider Tip: Experience the luxurious and cosy surroundings of the Abbey Movie Theatre, Glenlo’s very own in-house cinema. The space is designed with meticulous detail to portray an old-world cinematic experience, found only in a traditional picture house but with the added joys of modern-day luxury and comfort.
Resort
Euphoria Retreat (Mystras, Greece)

45 rooms from €317 per night including breakfast
Euphoria Retreat is a visionary destination spa like no other. Only three years since opening its doors, this tranquil resort has secured its place as one of Europe’s leading spa destinations, winning both Tatler Spa and Condé Nast Traveller Spa Awards. Euphoria Retreat sits in the heart of the Greek Peloponnese, in the foothills of the mystical Mount Taygetus. The impeccably designed 45-room resort features elegant domes and arches with a palette of soothing yellows and golds. Each guestroom has its own distinctive character, decorated with wooden furniture and marble bathrooms and fully equipped with the latest technology such as bio-climatisation and home automation systems. Swathed by a private pine forest overlooking the River Evrotas, Euphoria sits harmoniously with its natural surroundings. The celebrated spa features an innovative Sphere Pool, a Byzantine Hamman, a Laconium Finnish Sauna and Tepidarium, amongst other advanced therapies. Carefully curated wellness offerings draw inspiration from several sources: Ancient Greek philosophers, Hippocratic medicine, Taoist philosophy and Chinese medicine. All programmes cleverly blend the best of these philosophies and complementary medicines to promote deep emotional and physical transformation. The resort’s Gaia restaurant completes the experience with healing Greek and Mediterranean cuisine using local products and antioxidants to bring balance to the body.
SLH Insider Tip: The new Feel Alive Programme offers an innovative pathway to negotiating a post-pandemic world with fresh energy, vigour and playfulness.