As the sophisticated traveller becomes increasingly demanding in what they expect from a hotel experience, Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has met this head on with the addition of 66 properties to its already impressive portfolio of hotels. This represents a net growth of 10 percent compared to last year, which in the current economic climate is a notable achievement for the luxury hotel brand.

“Despite the deepening global recession, I believe that travel will continue to be an important part of many people’s lives – if nothing else, to provide an escape from the doom and gloom that surrounds us,” commented Paul Kerr, Chief Executive Officer of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.  “Increasing the geographic spread of the SLH brand is central to our development strategy, and the fact that we now have a presence in more countries and cities than ever before, enables us to meet the needs of our very loyal and well-travelled clientele,” he added.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World now comprises 485 exclusive properties, spanning 70 different countries. Whether it is an exquisite wine resort in Argentina, a delightful alpine lodge set high in the Austrian Alps, a stunning boutique hotel perched on the summit of Sun Mountain Yabuli in China or a noble neo-classic villa in the heart of Rome, Small Luxury Hotels of the World has once again been successful in seeking out some of the world’s finest small, independent hotels.

The luxury hotel brand prides itself on the diversity of its portfolio and makes a concerted effort to ensure that it has different hotels to meet the varying needs of its customers – whether it is a cutting-edge design hotel or a palatial 17th century mansion.  SLH will also continue in its quest to identify hidden gems in destinations where it is yet to have a presence.

The SLH brand has witnessed a particularly strong growth in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).  In fact, of the 66 hotels that have become part of the brand for 2009, close to 60 percent of these are located in the EMEA region.

Significant growth has taken place in Italy with the addition of eight hotels, which, with a total of 53 hotels, represents the largest concentration of SLH hotels in a single market. France has seen the addition of seven hotels, bringing the total to 50; while another five hotels have been added to the Greece portfolio, bringing the total number of hotels there to 27.

The presence of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand in Latin America has doubled this year with the addition of seven hotels.  The newly built 36-room CasaSur Art Hotel is the brand’s first hotel in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires; while The Panamonte Inn & Spa, a historic country inn at the foothills of the Bar? volcano in Boquete, is the brand’s only hotel in Panama.  In Costa Rica, the SLH collection has grown from two to five hotels. As interest in and from Latin America remains high, this region will be a key area of focus for the SLH brand over the next few years.

In line with the brand’s strategy to penetrate new markets there are also first time additions in a number of countries and cities. Amongst these is Desert Islands Resort & Spa, a former royal retreat located on one of the world’s largest island wildlife sanctuaries just off the coast of Abu Dhabi.  Overlooking the harbour in the Finnish capital of Helsinki is Hotel Haven - reminiscent of an elegant home, the rooms are reputed to be the largest in the city, with many having spectacular sea views.  Then, adding to the brand’s expanding portfolio of hotels in Central and Eastern Europe is the addition SLH’s first hotels in Latvia.  Hotel Bergs is a sleek designer retreat in the trendy and cultural quarter of Riga; while in contrast, Promenade Hotel dating back to the 19th century and with its idyllic canal-side setting, brings a sense of history to quirky yet elegant interiors.

A notable addition has also been made in Germany with the first SLH hotel in the city of Dresden. Reminiscent of a 19th century palace and exuding a sense of understated elegance, Hotel Suitess is a stunning sanctuary in the heart of the city.  In Russia, Alexander House St. Petersburg, an exclusive retreat in the centre of the city, has become Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s third property in the country and the first in St. Petersburg.

In India, the SLH brand goes from strength to strength, with a first time presence in the city of Bangalore with The Paul Bangalore and also in Goa with The Kenilworth Beach Resort & Spa. In the north of the country, Infinity Corbett Wilderness, an atmospheric jungle lodge, has added further diversity to SLH’s India portfolio.

Despite the global recession, applications to be part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand remain as strong as ever.  In fact, it is at times such as this when small, independent hotels realise the true value of being part of a global brand like SLH, and so demand tends to increase even further.  In spite of this, Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s criteria remain as strict as ever, with high standards of excellence forming a critical element of the selection process.  It is for this reason that only five percent of the hotels that apply to become part of the SLH brand are successful.