Yangshuo Jora Hotel (Guilin, China).
Hotel Villa Soro in San Sebastián, Spain, Palazzo Rainis Hotel & Spa in Novigrad, Croatia, Summer Senses Luxury Resort in Paros, Greece, Yangshuo Jora Hotel in Guilin, China, Rothay Manor in Ambleside, UK and The Roundtree in Amagansett, New York, USA.
From a beautiful manor in the Lake District to a charming East Hamptons bolt hole, Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) unveils six new luxury hotels across the globe. If, like many, you have the travel bug, why not step out of your comfort zone and entice yourself with a new destination and experience. China, Croatia, Greece, Spain, the United Kingdom and all the way to the United States…
City Centre | Pet Friendly
Hotel Villa Soro (San Sebastián, Spain)
25 rooms, Opened April 2022
Newly opened in April, Villa Soro is a stunning year-round boutique hotel reimagined by the Soldevila-Ferrer family, owners of two SLH Mallorca icons Sant Francesc Hotel Singular and Can Ferrereta. The former aristocratic villa was originally designed by prestigious architect Luis Elizalde in the late 19th century and is one of few heritage properties in San Sebastián. Its refresh maintains the spirit of the period by enhancing traditional features, including a grand central staircase, spacious guest rooms, a striking wood-panelled bar, open fireplaces and a stained-glass window from the historic chapel. The main house comprises 15 guest rooms and is home to a large guest salon complete with a roaring log-burning fire, honesty bar, and a Maison Assouline curated library. The villa's former stables are adjacent to the building and house a further ten rooms, some boasting their own private garden. Contemporary touches are incorporated throughout with sleek furnishings in muted tones, a variety of textured finishes and playful checkerboard bathrooms. There's an interplay of restored antique furniture and an impressive collection of modern Spanish art by Iñigo Manterola, Jose Cháfer and Eduardo Chillida. The Eguzki Bar and Garden is a great place to unwind with cocktails and small plates.
Resort
Palazzo Rainis Hotel & Spa (Novigrad, Croatia)
16 rooms, Opened 11 April 2022
Set on the shores of Croatia’s sparkling Istrian coast, this beachside escape makes the very best of Croatia’s past and present. As its name suggests, Palazzo Rainis Hotel & Spa is a reconstruction of the former Villa Rainis built in the style of neo-Renaissance Venetian palazzos by the Rainis family, who moved from Venice in the 19th century. The hotel’s elegant rooms – including the palatial Bel Etage suite – feature delicate wrought-iron balconies, parquet floors and sophisticated, handpicked furnishings. Choose from two wings – one with classical architecture or another featuring a modern style. Top Croatian chef, Tom Gretić, is responsible for the menu at the fine dining restaurant Chemistry, while the bar Potions serves the best Croatian and Istrian wines, liqueurs and spirits – both names nod to the original owner’s 63-year career as a pharmacist. When you’re in the mood to explore, the charms of Novigrad await. Known for its historic fishing villages and seafood, wander down Novigrad’s centuries-old streets or soak up the lively atmosphere at the harbour where fishermen gather with the catch of the day. Make a day trip to historic Poreč, home to the famous Euphrasian Basilica and its Byzantine mosaics. The peaceful seaside destination is also the perfect complement to bustling Dubrovnik, a far more popular Croatian hot spot – visit both on your next trip to the Dalmatian Coast.
Beach Resort
Summer Senses Luxury Resort (Paros, Greece)
100 rooms
Get swept away at Summer Senses Luxury Resort, a luxurious hilltop resort sitting above the famous Punda Beach that blends local Greek charm and hospitality with fine-dining, serene spaces and far-reaching sea views. Laid out to resemble a Greek village, the Cycladic style resort overlooks the Aegean Sea with views across to neighbouring Naxos. The hotel’s quiet outdoor spaces make for peaceful meandering from one lagoon-like swimming pool to another, while the shallow lounging pool is perfect for families with children. Relaxation is guaranteed in Summer Senses Luxury Resort’s contemporary rooms and suites, featuring natural materials such as wood and marble, minimal design and captivating views. Opt to overlook the hotel’s fragrant gardens or the Aegean Sea, choose a private pool for extra luxury, or a terrace to sun gaze from your suite. Just a short wander from the resort, Punda Beach delivers a veritably Cycladic dose of soft sand and clear water. Beyond the beaches, Paros is Greek island perfection, wherever you turn. Explore the cobbled streets of tiny villages, watch fishing boats bob as you dine in the harbour tavernas of Piso Livadi, and soak up charming Paros’ authentic atmosphere.
Resort
Yangshuo Jora Hotel (Guilin, China)
35 rooms
Stepping into Yangshuo Jora Hotel, where nature is the star, is a little like walking into a classical Chinese painting. Located in one of the top scenic spots in Yangshuo, guests are greeted by the golden radiance of sunrise backed by the mist-tipped Karst mountains every morning. The emphasis at Yangshuo Jora is on the perfect fusion of man and nature, about finding healing in natural luxury, offering guests a retreat from urban distractions. This area of China advocates a calmer, quieter way of life, reflected in Yangshuo Jora's guest rooms emphasising simplicity and sophistication, gifted with mountain vistas or Lijiang River views. Around the hotel, there are plenty of spots to curl up with one of the hotel's 500 books, with genres ranging from architecture, autobiography, and design to science-fiction. Advocating the concepts of "green and healthy" and "local ingredients", Shishan Restaurant integrates Chinese culinary heritage with traditional Western or Japanese flavours, enhanced with relaxing views of the pine forest that sits in front to whet appetites. No journey to Yangshuo would be complete without exploring its dream-like natural landscape – be sure to pack your camera as you cycle through rice fields, past bamboo boats drifting along the river, towards the Karst limestone rock formations that this classic countryside region is most famous for.
Country House Hotel | Pet Friendly
Rothay Manor (Ambleside, UK)
23 rooms
An impressive manor house set within the Lake District, Rothay Manor is the latest addition to SLH’s growing UK portfolio. The Ambleside retreat boasts chic country-style décor in each individually designed room, cocooning guests with sumptuous furnishings, opulent fabrics and luxury amenities. This month, the now 23-room property reveals eight new stunning suites in ‘The Pavillion’, completing the hotel’s extensive five-year, £1.25m renovation. Designed by Ben Cunliffe Architect and interiors by Dynargh Design, The Pavilion is inspired by the Manor’s picturesque Lakes location. The new rooms are larger than average (upwards of 35m2), with a luxurious décor that brings in a refreshing sense of the outdoors. Half of the new suites have private courtyard gardens and are dog friendly. One has a hot tub, and another is fully accessible. Well-behaved canines are catered to throughout the hotel, with many rooms providing dog beds, towels and treats. They are also welcomed to dine with their families in the hotel’s casual eatery -Brathay Room. The hotel’s 3 AA Rosette restaurant serves up a decadent menu fusing Japanese and Scandinavian style cuisine, using locally sourced seasonal ingredients. It’s headed by Executive Chef Daniel McGeorge, familiar to some in the UK as he was named the Champion of Champions in the BBC’s Great British Menu just last year. There are plenty of activities for guests besides taking in the unbeatable vistas of lakes, mountains, and forests on the local guided walks. Choose from a local foraging experience to indoor rock climbing or explore further afield riding on beautiful Friesian horses.
Country House | Pet Friendly
The Roundtree (Amagansett, New York, United States)
15 rooms
Guests enjoy the feeling of staying at a hospitable friend’s quintessential Hamptons home when settling into one of the five quaint yet contemporary private cottages or one of the 15 cosily-appointed rooms and suites in a century-old former barn. Better yet, book the entire Beach House, where visitors can channel the same inspiration that Amagansett’s surrounding idyllic farmland provided to its former owner, legendary American Playwright Neil Simon. After a detoxing morning yoga session on the two-acre sprawling lawn, hop on an electric beach buggy towards one of the most beautiful and expansive beaches the American East Coast has to offer, surrounded by golden dunes and crashing Atlantic waves. Post-sunbathing, the youngest Roundtree guests are encouraged to invoke their entrepreneurial skills by managing The Lemonade Stand on property. Older guests more smitten with fermented grapes can partake in a customized wine tour on the North Fork, home to more than 60 wineries. This pooch-friendly beachside retreat offers canine amenities, from water bowls to a welcome doggy treat.
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