New Hotels Join Small Luxury Hotels of the World
- Written by Erin Woodward
Small Luxury Hotels of the World is introducing five new hotels to its collection of over 520 hotels in 80 countries around the world this January. With an aim to match independently minded guests with independently spirited hotels these hotels in Thailand, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Italy and Turkey showcase everything from coastal modernism and avant-garde sustainability to historical immersion and exemplary tailor-made service.
Keemala, Phuket, Thailand -www.slh.com/keemala
Keemala's 38 rooms represent traditional Phuket culture based on the local tribes that originally inhabited the island. Guests can choose between the Clay Pool Cottages inspired by the Pa-ta-pea 'Earth' clan, glass-fronted Tent Pool Villas (the Khon-Jorn 'Wanderer' clan) luxurious Tree Pool Villas (the We-Ha 'Sky' clan) and opulent Bird's Nest Pool Villas (the Rung Nok 'Nest' clan). All rooms feature outdoor bathtubs and monsoon showers to make the most of the rainforest setting and complement the streams and waterfalls running through the resort. Guests are further encouraged to assimilate with the environment through customized massage, meditation or learning the art of Thai cookery. In keeping with the resort's holistic approach Healthy Living Cuisine versions of all menus are available with herbs, fruits and vegetables grown organically in the Enchanted Garden. Rooms start from £435 / US$645 per night.
SLH Insider Tip: Tune in to the environment with a private meditation lesson in the cave hidden behind the fountain.
Mar Adentro Cabos, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico - www.slh.com/maradentro
Sitting between the desert and the Sea of Cortez, Mar Adentro Cabos opened on 15th December 2015 and is an ultra-modern take on luxury designed by Miguel Angel Aragonés. The 143 suites, which sleep up to eight people, appear to be suspended over water to look like islands and form a 'micro cosmos' allowing guests to find everything they might need without having to leave the architectural complex. Enjoy recent releases in the state-of-the-art lounge cinema, relax in the first Ligne St. Barth Spa in Latin America, stretch out on the private beach club or cool off in one of the two oceanfront pools. The hotel is also home to five restaurants and an exclusive Plaza with luxury boutiques. All facilities and amenities, including shopping at the boutiques, can be accessed via the resort's interactive and digital in-suite service panel. Rooms start from £415 / US$620 per night.
SLH Insider Tip: Allow Chef Casiano Reyes to dazzle you with his 'Kitchen Spontaneous' approach to food in Casianos restaurant, where there is no menu and there are no rules.
Casa Colombo Collection, Mirissa, Sri Lanka - www.slh.com/mirissa
With just six rooms Casa Colombo Collection is all about the personal touch and blurring the lines between necessity and indulgence. As such, each guest is introduced to their own 'Casa Domo', or personal assistant, on arrival who is responsible for taking care of made-to-measure service for the duration of their stay. Suites blend the rich wood detailing of authentic Sri Lankan interiors with contemporary, hi-tech features and many offer views of the Indian Ocean or private plunge pools. In the evening guests can settle into one of the cabanas dotted around the resort which are lit by torchlight after sunset before selecting their own seafood from the market for dinner which they can enjoy at beachfront tables. Nearby cultural hotspots include the UNESCO listed Galle Fort while Yara wildlife safaris provide the opportunity to spot leopard, elephants, wild boar, buffalo and crocodiles. Rooms start from £225 / US$330 per night.
SLH Insider Tip: Charter Miss Elle, the resort's 33ft yacht, for an island trip, private sail or whale watching excursion.
La Peschiera, Monopoli, Italy
A former fish hatchery turned luxury hotel, La Peschiera is an elegant seaside retreat on Puglia's shores. Everything at this hotel celebrates the oceanic backdrop - the twelve rooms all have views of the Adriatic and inside the minimalist interiors are dotted with antiques and original artwork, the beds are draped with white linen, and thatched rooves and stone floors ensure they remain beautifully cool. The hotel offers seven pools, a private stretch of sandy beach and a spa that focuses on regenerating thalassic therapies. When it's time to dine, the restaurant serves fresh seafood on a lantern-lit terrace beside the water. For a change of scene guests can head inland to the nearby Torre Egnatia and Grotte di Castellana, a spectacular set of caves just a few miles away. La Peschiera is a seasonal hotel and is now taking reservations for stays from 22nd April 2016. Rooms start from £300 / US$450 per night including breakfast.
SLH Insider Tip: Book into a Master Suite to take advantage of a private terrace with direct access into the sea.
Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge, Cappadocia, Turkey
www.slh.com/ariana
Named after an ancient sun goddess, Ariana Lodge is a contemporary eco-boutique immersed in an ancient landscape that witnessed the rise of the first civilizations in world history. Offering breath-taking views of the Uchisar Valley, the lodge's gardens tumble down the hillside of its canyon setting and the eleven rooms are named after deities from Babylon culture. Guests can opt for a mystical luxury cave suite, a spa suite with mosaic-clad bathroom or enjoy views of the valley or the sky from the Duplex Suites. Interiors hint at the building's past with custom-made furnishings providing a 21st century feel which guests can appreciate whilst curled up by the fire sampling complimentary local wine. Outside sun terraces provide inspiring locations for a relaxing yoga session or an alfresco massage and fresh, seasonal menus are the order of the day in The Plum Restaurant. Rooms start from £205 / US$300 per night including breakfast.
SLH Insider Tip: Stay for three nights to take advantage of a complimentary full day tour of local sites including Kaymakli, an underground city.
For more information about SLH's collection of hotels around the world or to make a reservation visit www.slh.com.
About Small Luxury Hotels of the World: Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH) matches independently minded guests with independently spirited hotels. The diverse collection of over 520 hotels in more than 80 countries around the world includes everything from cutting edge design hotels and city center sanctuaries to historic country mansions and remote private islands – all SLH hotels are consistently different, however, they are all united by the fact that they offer the best locations, highest quality, personalized service and a truly authentic way to discover a destination. Reservations for any SLH hotel can be made online at www.slh.com or by contacting a travel agent or calling a Small Luxury Hotels of the World reservations office; click here to view a listing by country.