Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ is delighted to welcome three new hotels this December. Whether looking for a quiet and contemplative location to enjoy winter pursuits in South Tyrol, some winter sun in laid-back Zanzibar or the world’s first hotel inside a TV tower, all four offer an escape from reality and an opportunity to create some distance – physically, mentally and spiritually.
The Tower Hotel Nagoya, Nagoya, Japan
NEW: Opened on 1st October 2020
15 rooms from AUD380 per night including breakfast
Since 1954 the 180-metre tall Nagoya TV Tower, designed by Tachu Naito the same architect behind Tokyo Tower, has been a symbol of this Japanese city and now it has been revitalized as a hotel with rooms offering sweeping views of Hisaya Odori Park. Nagoya itself is known as an industrial and creative hub (from traditional ceramics to being the HQ of Toyota) and the hotel has fashioned a calm, collaborative space with art at its soul. Living-gallery interiors showcase Tokai pottery and modern Japanese craftsmanship, and guestrooms are individually decorated with paintings, photographs, videos and textiles from local artists alongside unusual structural steel components from the Tokai region. A different culinary experience is available on each floor – from open-air “Farm&” serving coffee and craft beers and “Glycine” (meaning wisteria) on the 4th floor which puts a modern spin on local specialities, produce and flavours. Outside the hotel explore the city’s history – is it said to be the home of both samurai and ninja culture and is home to many beautiful temples. Flip the switch and go futuristic at the Science Museum with the world’s largest planetarium dome (Brother Earth), Tornado Lab and -30° Deep Freeze Lab.
SLH Insider Tip: Located in the heart of Japan, Nagoya is superbly linked by the Shinkansen bullet train so makes an ideal stop-off between Toyko (1 hour 40 minutes) and Kyoto (35 minutes). For art and culture aficionados, the hotel also plans to host regular workshops and exhibitions celebrating local industries and traditional crafts.
Amani Boutique Hotel Zanzibar, Paje, Zanzibar
NEW: Opening on 2nd February 2021
14 rooms from AUD520 per room on a half board basis
Promoting a ‘tropical state of mind’, Amani Boutique Hotel in Zanzibar offers life through a lens of lush technicolour. The bright white of Paje Beach, ranked one of the top 30 island beaches in the world, the intense blues of the Indian Ocean and the fresh greens of the graceful palms are contrasted by cream and pale wood tones in the guest rooms. Amani in Swahili means peace and the adagio tempo here allows guests to relax and regenerate – flitting between pool and ocean, ocean and pool by day and spending evenings sampling Zanzibari cuisine to the sound of the waves. Kick things up a notch, with perfect conditions for kitesurfing, scuba diving and dolphin spotting.
SLH Insider Tip: Explore Omani architecture, spice markets and labyrinth alleys with beautiful carved doorways in Zanzibar’s atmospheric and UNESCO-listed capital Stone Town.
Hotel zur Goldenen Rose, Schnals, Italy
21 rooms from AUD355 per night including breakfast
Tucked away in the monastic village of Certosa on the Italian-Austrian border, Hotel zur Goldenen Rose’s location surrounded by mountains, glaciers and larch forests creates a real sense of serenity and harmony with the great outdoors. The free-spirted owners, Stefania and Paul Gruner, have created an inviting and informal hotel that encourages guests to bring everyday life ‘to a screeching halt’ – something that they do unobtrusively and on each guests’ terms. Local Tyrolean materials have been used to create a naturally-inspired environment, private terraces allow guests to enjoy the surrounding sights and sounds with seclusion, and food sourced almost entirely from the Val Senales is there to be enjoyed. Outdoors explore the Senales Glacier (the film set for the movie Everest), climb the 3580m to the top of Hohe Wilde and visit Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson’s new art installation on nearby glacier Hochjochferner which invites visitors to see manmade climate change from wider planetary and glacial perspectives. Guests can also access 40km of ski slopes, some on the glacier itself, accessed by 17 lifts. On return to the hotel relax in the open-air sauna reached via a treetop walkway, reflect in Gloriette, a glass pavilion with an open fireplace, chill in the ice grotto hollowed out of Martell granite or indulge in a soothing GLACISSE treatment.
SLH Insider Tip: Book the new PENTHOUSE Rose Suite to take advantage of a kitchenette, lounge area and large terrace complete with private Finnish sauna. Junior Suites also have their own private saunas.
In Other News
Susafa, Sicily, Italy
18 rooms from AUD320 per night including breakfast
Susafa’s latest project Seminiamo il Futuro (Let’s Sow the Future) invites guests and visitors to become ‘Modern Farmers’ by adopting a field or plant on the estate. Options include olive trees, cherry trees, tomato plants and wheat fields that will each provide 10L of olive oil, 12 jars of cherry jam, 24 bottles of tomato puree, 25kg of flour or 15kg of pasta respectively. Once registered participants will be able to observe their crops by visiting, or by webcam, and will be able to follow online cooking classes and access recipes featuring seasonal dishes. To register visit shop.susafa.it.
Winter at Le Coucou Meribel
Le Coucou Meribel, Meribel, France
55 rooms from AUD745 per night including breakfast
Opening for the 2020/21 winter season on 29th December, Le Coucou Meribel welcomes guests staying in their chalets with a complementary massage for each adult and a professional photo shoot. Guests will receive 20 digital photos and five prints as a memento of their stay.
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