INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Small Luxury Hotels of the world and The Leading Hotels of the World have recently added to both of their expanding global portfolios with properties around the globe:
Small Luxury Hotels of the World Welcomes New Hotels
The Academy, London
Tucked away in the heart of Bloomsbury in London’s bustling West End, the Grade-II listed Academy Hotel comprises a collection of five Georgian townhouses combined into one luxury hotel, owned by YTL Hotels. Following an extensive refurbishment, headed up by New York-based Champalimaud Design, all bedrooms and suites have been revamped with stylish furnishings, marble en-suite shower rooms and vintage pieces to create a contemporary take on townhouse living. Downstairs, The intimate Alchemy Bar has bespoke cocktails, specialty gins and wines and champagne. The hotel is close to the British Museum, restaurants and designer shops.
The Fish Hotel, Broadway, United Kingdom
Surrounded by the rolling hills and honey-stone villages of the 400-acre Farncombe Estate, The Fish is designed as a village-style collection of houses, huts and hideaways. Guests can enjoy a romantic weekend in a stylish suite or secluded hillside hut with its own private hot tub, plan a family getaway in a contemporary treehouse in the woods, or book out a whole farmhouse for an adventure with friends and four legged companions, complete with group activities spanning archery to Segway safaris.
Mangala Resort & Spa, Kuantan, Malaysia
Mangala Resort & Spa is the result of a 15-year journey of rejuvenation, which transformed an abandoned barren mining land into a tropical oasis of palm plantation, organic gardens, rehabilitated lakes and undisturbed wetlands. From the private villas built on stilts over the lake, to those beside lily-dotted wetlands, every inch of this eco award-winning luxury resort built with eco-conscious materials brings guests closer to nature. It is located within the vicinity of Gambang Water Park and Bukit Gambang Safari Park—Wild Savannah.
Palazzo Vecchietti, Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Florence’s Palazzo Vecchietti, a 16th-century palace among the grandeur of the historic center, offers original 16th-century features and artworks woven into the contemporary-classic interiors by Florentine interior designer Michele Bonan. Close by are the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Bargello museum, Palazzo Vecchio and shopping street Via Tornabuoni. Pets are also welcomed, pampered with ‘pet sets’ of treats and toys.
The Dudley Boutique Hotel, Daylesford, Australia
Located in the heart of the spa village of Hepburn Springs, The Dudley Boutique Hotel is a restored country-style retreat. The hotel serves daily gourmet breakfasts and although the hotel doesn’t have a restaurant, The Library offers a selection of pre-dinner canapés and drinks for guests to enjoy before heading out to one of the trendy eateries in the area. The property is a haven for hikers and mountain bikers, with a range of bush walks and trails close by.
Villa Maria Cristina, Guanajuato, Mexico
Villa Maria Cristina is a boutique hotel set in the neo-classical townhouse of Guanajuato, Mexico, a well-preserved colonial UNESCO city surrounded by the picturesque mountains and valleys of the Sierra de Guanajuato. The hotel has classic and contemporary original art pieces, a central pool, outdoor hot tub, indoor pool, spa, restaurant and bar. Guests also have access to buildings dating back to the sixteenth century, Diego Rivera’s home and local food markets.
Bank Hotel, Stockholm
Set in an early 20th century building that was once a bank, this luxury hotel was designed as a bold, modern interpretation of a renaissance palace, architect Thor Thorén blended elements of art deco extravagance with the traditional solidity expected of a bank’s headquarters including oversize bronze doors and a glass ceiling. Menus focus on contemporary food from around the world, from classic French dishes to handmade pasta dishes. The hotel also houses Sophie’s, a modern all-day lounge, and Papillon cocktail bar as well as a top floor bar and terrace. The Bank Hotel is within short distance of some of the city’s nightlife, dining and shopping as well as some of the islands surrounding the Swedish capital.
Art Paradiso Hotel, Incheon, South Korea
Located next to Incheon Airport, Art Paradiso Hotel sits within the stylish Paradise City resort, an integrated resort complex featuring art and entertainment facilities, a spa, a club, a shopping arcade and a casino. The hotel is filled with modern and contemporary artworks, marble floors, mirrored ceilings and statement lightning, much like an art gallery. The hotel’s Serasé restaurant serves up a refined and modern take on traditional Korean dining as well as a great selection of classic cocktails. There’s also an indoor and outdoor pool, a private spa, a fitness center and a sauna. In addition, guests are close to the Chinatown district and traditional markets.
Enso Ango Fuya II, Kyoto, Japan
Set across five Zen-inspired buildings, Enso Ango is Japan’s first dispersed hotel with rooms and amenities scattered a few roads apart. Each of the five buildings has a different contemporary feel, yet their traditional Machiya structure brings a sense of unity. Guests can uncover clarity of mind through Zen meditation sessions with Buddhist priests of Ryōsokuin temple, take lessons in traditional cooking and crafts, practice yoga in the Tatami Salon or take part in a traditional tea ceremony in the collapsible tea room made from bamboo and Japanese paper. TOMI II restaurant offers a dining experience with flavors from Spain and Japan. There are guest lounges in each building too, offering cold-brewed coffee, cool drinks and snacks.
The Leading Hotels of the World Introduces 14 New Members to Portfolio
The new members can be found in 10 countries, including eight new and recently opened properties in China, Colombia, France, Indonesia, Maldives, Mexico and Montenegro. While different in nature, each property offers guests the opportunity to enjoy immersive cultural experiences:
- The PuXuan Hotel and Spa (Bejing)—Opening late 2018
- Capella Ubud (Bali, Indonesia)—Opened July 2018
- Tivoli Avenida Liberdade (Lisbon, Portugal)
- Tivoli Palacio de Seteais (Sintra, Portugal)
- The Chedi Lustica Bay (Radovici, Montenegro)—Opened July 2018
- Fauchon L’Hotel Paris (Paris)—Opened September 2018
- Hôtel Chais Monnet (Cognac, France)—Opening October 2018
- Es Príncep (Palma de Mallorca, Spain)—Opened March 2018
- Hotel Fasano Boa Vista (Porto Feliz, Brazil)
- Hotel Fasano Punta Del Este (Punta Del Este, Uruguay)
- Hotel Fasano Angra dos Reis (Angra dos Reis, Brazil)
- Hotel Las Islas (Baru, Cartegena de las Indias, Colombia)—Opened June 2018
- Chable Maroma (Solidaridad, Mexico)—Opened September 2018
- Chable Resort & Spa (Chochola, Mexico)
