New Hotels Join Small Luxury Hotels Of The World™ August 2016

This August there are four new boutique hotels added to the SLH collection. A modern ‘smart hotel’ in Buenos Aires, a mansion turned luxury boutique hotel in Penang, a riverside luxury retreat in Guangzhou and a quirky city center gem in Seoul.

                              

The Edison George Town; Penang, Malaysia

Rooms from 450 MYR per night based on two sharing

www.slh.com/edison

Opened on 16 July, The Edison George Town is SLH’s first hotel in Penang and joins eight other SLH hotels in Malaysia. Located in the heart of a UNESCO world heritage site and originally built in 1902, this boutique property was formerly a mansion and is rich with historic architectural features. The Edison features 35 elegant rooms and suites built around a cool central courtyard, a quiet place to relax away from the bustling city. The shady cabanas by the pool are a great spot to enjoy a cocktail or read a book from the on-site library. Beyond the mansion itself, George Town is a diverse multicultural city offering plenty to keep visitors busy, from a labyrinth of streets to wander and take in the faded colonial glory to the quayside for a bite of fresh tasty seafood.

SLH Insider Tip: While you’re in Penang make sure to try an ice ball – tightly packed ice dipped in palm sugar and rose syrup, try one at ‘Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul’, just ten minutes from the hotel.

Hotel28 Myeongdong; Seoul, South Korea

Rooms from 171000 KRW per night based on two sharing

www.slh.com/hotel28

Hotel28 is a brand new boutique hotel and the first SLH property in South Korea, which opening its doors on 28 July, 2016. The architecture of the hotel is modern and contemporary, with sharp lines and a glass façade featuring around 200 LED bulbs designed to look like a movie screen. Located in the heart of Seoul’s cultural district, its decor celebrates the city’s cinematic heritage. The design concept honours famous Korean actor Shin Young-Kyun, featuring checkerboard floors and dramatic spotlights across the hotel. Guests can also enjoy their own private film screening or stay in the Director’s Suite, the hotels signature room decked out in Hermès furniture. The hotel features a restaurant, three bars, a cinema, gallery, library and a secret garden rooftop bar, Bar Epilogue which is agreat place to take in the skyline after a day of sightseeing and shopping in one of South Korea’s premier shopping districts.

SLH Insider Tip: The hotel is in walking distance from the Myeong-dong cathedral and the 600 year old Namdaemun Market, the largest traditional market in South Korea.

LN Hotel Five: Guangzhou, China

Rooms from 1380 CNY per night based on two sharing

www.slh.com/lnhotelfive

Located on the banks of the historic Pearl River in Guangzhou, LN Hotel Five sits right in the heart of the cultural district of the city. The elegant 32 south facing guest rooms were inspired by the traditional Chinese ‘Theory of Five Elements’, which promote the spirit of balance, harmony and inclusion. All the rooms come with specially tailored vintage furniture, a balcony boasting a beautiful view of the river and a smart tablet. Tea 5, the hotels traditional Cantonese restaurant offers a fine dining experience overseen by Chef Bob Wu, whose 30 years in the culinary industry have allowed him to perfect gourmet Cantonese cuisine. Up on the seventh floor, Bar 5, the hotel’s trendy urban rooftop bar and restaurant serves up delicious light bites and five unique seasonal cocktails, all enjoyed in front of a 180˚ view of the city. A rooftop fitness studio and private library provide guests with downtime in what is one of China’s most vibrant cities.  

SLH Insider Tip: Book a luxury Pearl River night cruise, one of the most atmospheric ways to explore the city and take in the beauty of the river.

1828 Smart Hotel: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Rooms from 220 USD per night based on two sharing

www.slh.com/1828smart 

Style is key at 1828 Smart Hotel, this cutting edge hotel is at home in one of Buenos Aires’ trendiest districts, Palermo. Guests can stay in one of fourteen cool contemporary rooms with monochrome palettes and marble bathrooms. The ‘Smart Suite’ even has its own balcony with outdoor Jacuzzi. Outside, the urban garden becomes a trendy spot for pre-dinner drinks in the evening and the hotel’s piano lounge offers live shows. Each guest receives their own tablet or smartphone for use during their stay, with which they can alter the air-con, choose their breakfast, make reservations and even open their curtains. This city centre retreat also houses a small spa, which includes low-lit sauna, massage room and a gym. Breakfast at 1828 Smart Hotel is a classic Argentinian affair, offering medialunas and other sweet treats and pastries to start the day.

SLH Insider Tip: Visit the nearby Bosques de Palermo, previously the grounds of dictator Juan Manual de Rosas, which became public land in 1852. Wander through El Jardin de los Poetas (the garden of poets) before hiring a paddleboat and relaxing on the lake.

To make a booking visit www.slh.com or call 0800 0482 314

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 centre 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, personalised service and a truly authentic way to discover a destination. Reservations for any SLH hotel can be made online at www.slh.com or via the App, by contacting a travel agent or calling a Small Luxury Hotels of the World reservations office; click here to view a listing by country.

New Hotels Join Small Luxury Hotels Of The World

June 2016. Adding to our ever growing collection, Small Luxury Hotels of the World welcomes four new independently spirited hotels to the brand. Our travelers will be spoilt for choice between a luxury spa hotel on the Île De Ré, a wellness resort in Okinawa and a modern city-center gem in Barcelona, all of which now bare the coveted SLH seal of approval.

                                        

The Terrace Club at Busena: Okinawa, Japan

Rooms from 485.00 USD per room per night

www.slh.com/terraceclub

This Oceanside resort is located in a peaceful corner of the subtropical Okinawa Islands. Centred on health and wellness, the resort offers an extensive array of innovative spa treatments such as beachside climatotherapy, ‘aerosol napping’ and personalised treatment plans based on thalassotherapy. For the more active guests, the hotel offers private yoga classes and invigorating Nordic Walking sessions along the sand. The resort has 68 rooms and suites all decorated in fresh neutral tones and flooded with natural light. Designed so that guests can take advantage of the stunning scenery surrounding the resort, all the rooms feature a private terrace offering views of the East China Sea. There are four restaurants and cafes in the resort – offering everything from light refreshments at the poolside bar to fresh seafood and Japanese/European fusion cuisine in the Fine Dining Restaurant.

Insider Tip:  Book an Ayurvedic treatment at the spa – the Kati Vasti involves warm oil poured onto the lower back in a chickpea poultice and is an effective treatment for back pack and improves circulation and stiffness.

Le Clos Saint Martin Hotel and Spa: Île De Ré, France

Rooms from 215 USD per room per night

www.slh.com/leclos

Quieter than the Cote D’azur but with just as much charm, Île De Ré on the west coast of France is where Parisians go when they need a break from the city. Le Clos Saint Martin, a classic elegant French villa with a modern twist, is the perfect place to stay while enjoying the food, wine and picturesque views of this traditional French fishing village. Set in an 18^thcentury house, this boutique hotel has 33 rooms and suites, two outdoor pools, beautiful manicured gardens dotted with eye catching sculptures and an exclusive Clarins Spa. The rooms and suites pair modern luxury with authenticity through natural oak flooring, large windows with traditional pretty blue shutters and white walls. The Lounge Bar, ‘Le Petit Bec’ serves light meals and afternoon teas in the sunshine by the pool or guests can order to enjoy in the comfort of their room.

Insider tip; Hire a bike and take the cycle path from Saint Martin through La Flotte to the Cistercian Abbaye des Châteliers, with cornfields to one side and the blue sea dotted with yachts on the other you’ll feel like you’ve been transported into a French impressionist painting.

The Grand Hotel Centrale: Barcelona, Spain

Rooms from 309 USD per room per night

www.slh.com/grandhotelcentral

In the beating heart of Barcelona, between El Born and the Gothic quarter, this boutique luxury hotel is one of the largest of SLH’s collection with 146 rooms and suites across seven floors. Contemporary urban cool is intermixed with 1920’s heritage design to create a modern yet classic interior – with views of the historic city from almost every window of the hotel. The real showstopper however is the rooftop SkyBar, where guests can enjoy a jaw-dropping panoramic view of the city while sipping cocktails or taking a dip in the infinity pool. The City Restaurant offers an inventive take on classic Mediterranean cuisine all created from market-fresh ingredients. The hotel also has its own wellness suite where expert massage therapists can tailor a treatment to your needs, or enjoy a steam in the thermal suite.

Insider Tip:  Visit Gocce di Latte, for some of the best gelato in Barcelona – the unassuming shop is just 5 minutes from the hotel and serves up classics like pistachio and chocolate as well as flavours for the more adventurous such as lemon and chilli or banana and peanut.

The Principal Madrid: Madrid, Spain

Rooms from 237 USD per room per night

www.slh.com/theprincipal

This contemporary boutique hotel in the centre of Madrid exudes the cosmopolitan style and sophistication the cultural city is famed for. Located on the edge of the fashionable Gran Vía, the hotel is the perfect spot from which to enjoy this buzzing neighbourhood. Inside the 76 rooms and suites feature high ceilings and huge windows, a nod to the hotels turn-of-the century heritage. On the sixth floor sits the hotel’s restaurant Ático, which offers classic Spanish flavours with a contemporary twist in an ultra-modern setting overseen by double Michelin-starred chef Ramón Freixa. After their meal guests can head to the Terazza – a lush urban garden and rooftop bar which boasts views of Madrid like no other, standing taller than any other hotel bar in Madrid.

SLH Insider Tip:  Stop by Del Diego, one of the best bars in Madrid just a few moments from the hotel on Calle de la Reina. This lively bar is a popular spot with locals and a great place to enjoy delicious cocktails and a variety of tapas dishes.

To make a booking visit www.slh.com or call toll free 1-877-234-7033

New Hotels Join Small Luxury Hotels Of The World™ March 2016

Small Luxury Hotels of the World is pleased to introduce four new hotels to join the luxury collection this March. From a glamorous retreat in the south of France and an art deco villa in Germany to a congregation of exclusive townhouses in Japan’s northern Hokkaido Island, these hotels all have something unique and indulgent to offer the independently-minded traveler.

MUSE St Tropez - Ramatuelle, France – www.slh.com/musesttropez

Encapsulating the laid-back glamour of the Riviera, MUSE St Tropez - Ramatuelle is a chic retreat where style is born from architectural simplicity embracing nature. Many of the 13 suites open onto private gardens complete with plunge pools and waterways meander through the lush gardens leading to a ‘water salon’ – a cabana-lined central pool that is idea for lounging, sipping sundowners or indulging in a massage. The various rooms offer everything from practical touches such as dedicated massage areas and duplex living to make the most of the views, to outdoor living space and showers, and even a private wine cellar. The restaurant, M, brings to life the flavours of the earth and sea with dishes such as Lobster with Yuzu jelly, petal of black radish and emulsion of citrus fruits while the spa is based on the hydolat technique in which droplets of essential oils are suspended in water. If guests can drag themselves away, the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service to the beach, as well as custom-made bicycles and a dog sitter!

SLH Insider Tip: Be sure to take a stroll through the enchanting gardens at Muse designed by landscape artist Sophie Agata Ambroise.

Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse; Hokkaido, Japan – www.slh.com/kasara

The Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse is located at the base of Mount Niseko Annupuri, a destination that has quietly become legendary among the skiing cognoscenti and is known for being one of the premier powder destinations in the world. With 2,191 acres of skiable terrain in winter, colourful blooms in spring and outdoor adventures galore in the summer this is a destinations for all seasons – now made all the more accessible by the extension of the bullet train service to Hokkaido which commences on 26^th March. The eight exclusive townhouses are an ode to Japan’s heritage of merchant homes from the Edo period with interiors crafted to embrace shibumi and its key principles. Each townhouse accommodates up to six adults, or six adults and two children, and comes complete with a personal residence concierge. Guests can also take advantage of a complimentary one-hour guided mountain orientation on the first ski day of their visit and instructors booked for any private ski or snowboard lessons will greet them at their doorstep. Nearby, enjoy ‘The Garden Open Air Bath’ in Annupuri, one of the few onsen left in Japan where men and women can bathe together.

SLH Insider Tip: If you’d like to try the local cuisine visit the loft club, a Genghis khan barbecue where you cookchoice cuts of lamb, beef or venison on your table over coals making this a fun and smoky year round experience

RIVA - Das Hotel Am Bodensee, Lake Constance, Germany – www.slh.com/hotelriva

The vision of Birgit and Peter Kolb comes to life in the RIVA – Das Hotel Am Bodensee on the Swiss/German border. Visitors to this art deco villa and modern building are invited to immerse themselves in the world of refined elegance, spacious rooms and award-winning cuisine on the edge of the stunning Lake Constance. Guests can treat themselves to a stay in the Riva suite which spans over 1200 sq. feet and offers two bedrooms and a unique view of the lake, or opt for a more modest, but no less chic, superior room where they can gaze out over views of the lake from the comfort of their private balcony. A modern gym and spa are available for guests to challenge their body before a relaxing steam or sauna, and for ultimate elation visit the rooftop pool.  

SLH Insider Tip: Visit the ‘Flower’ Island of Maina, one of the most popular tourist attractions around Lake Constance. Accessible by boat or pedestrian bridge, the island is home to stunning parks and gardens, rich with semitropical and tropical vegetation as well as a spectacular palace built for the Grand Duke of Baden.

Villa Franca, Positano, Italy – www.slh.com/villafranca

Positano is instantly recognisable by its houses tumbling down to the sea in a waterfall of sun-bleached pinks, oranges and yellows. Villa Franca can be found in the heart of Positano’s old streets just moments from the centre and the two main beaches. What once served as a private home has been renovated into a boutique hotel still managed by the same family, paying homage to the old and new Amalfi. The terrace restaurant serves light snacks and lunch with a wonderful view of the village, and once visitors have indulged their taste buds there’s no better way to relax than with an afternoon of pampering in the hotel’s spa. Sun-seekers won’t be disappointed by the rooftop pool and for more views and culinary delights head to Restaurant Li Galli which serves yp local ingredients and fresh Mediterranean flavours. Villa Franca staff will happily arrange a variety of guided tours to show off the Amalfi coast’s rich history and culture. Many guests choose to view the surrounding area by hiring a boat complete with a personal skipper, or following the meandering roads to hike around some of Italy’s most iconic landscapes. 

SLH Insider Tip: Guests seeking a romantic and luxurious experience can choose to stay in the ‘deluxe special room sea view’ where they can enjoy and extra ordinary 360 degree sea view from the privacy of their spacious terrace.

For more information about SLH’s collection of hotels around the world or to make a reservation and take advantage of SLH Club member benefits visit www.slh.com.

Small Luxury Hotels Of The World™ Expands Partnership With YTL Hotels

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), the champion of exclusive, independent hotels has announced two new additions this month, both part of YTL Hotels, one of Malaysia’s most dynamic hotel owner and management companies. MUSE St Tropez in France and the Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse in Japan expand the geographical diversity of the YTL hotels currently in the SLH collection, offering guests the opportunity to experience world-class hotels and resorts across four diverse countries and further cementing the relationship between the two companies.

MUSE Saint Tropez – Ramatuelle: France

Encapsulating the laid-back glamour of the Riviera, MUSE Saint Tropez - Ramatuelle is a chic retreat that reflects architectural simplicity nestled in the heart of an award-winning ecological and self-sustainable garden designed by Sophie Agata Ambroise. Its fourteen luxuriously appointed suites that weaves around the enchanting Tropezian landscape, each dedicated to famous muses and characteristically individual in décor and ambience, opens onto private gardens or wooden terraces and plunge pools in selected suites. The main pool is interpreted as a water salon surrounded by a bar, cabanas and loungers for sun seekers, indulgent massages, light meals or sundowners, complemented by soothing lounge music. The exquisite ‘M’ restaurant brings to life the flavors of the earth and sea, evoking the senses with locally sourced produce from the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coastline. Rejuvenation through old world spa traditions using exclusive spa products based on the gentle hydrolat technique where microscopic essential oil droplets are suspended in water, can be experienced in the comfort of each suite. From dedicated concierge services, conveniences for mobile devices to complimentary shuttle services to town or the beach and custom-made bicycles, guests’ needs are met with impeccable service around the clock.

Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse: Hokkaido, Japan

Located at the base of Mount Niseko Annupuri, Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse occupies a unique position at the heart of Niseko Village, an all-season destination that has become legendary among the skiing cognoscenti and internationally acclaimed for being one of the premier powder destinations in the world. Niseko Village is centrally located within the Niseko United ski area and accesses its inter-linked ski resorts, boasting a combined 2,191 acres of skiable terrain, an international snow school, award-winning hotels with spa and onsen facilities, luxury residences, a dining and retail village hub, an outdoor nature park and two world-class golf courses with future development phases in the works – now made even more accessible by the extension of the bullet train service to Hokkaido which commences on 26^thMarch. The eight exclusive townhouses are an ode to Japan’s heritage townhouses that were inhabited by craftsmen and wealthy merchants from the Edo period with bespoke interiors that embody authentic Japanese charm with contemporary elegance. Each three-bedroom townhouse accommodates up to six adults with a flexible dining area that can be converted into an additional bedroom for two children, and comes complete with a personal residence concierge. Priority privileges include a complimentary one-hour guided Niseko Village mountain orientation for advanced to expert level skiers and a welcome by instructors at your doorstep for any private ski or snowboard lessons booked during winter while during summer, golfers or families can take advantage of either complimentary rounds of golf at two renowned courses or enjoy Super Passport tickets at Pure, an activity and adventure park within Niseko Village.

YTL Hotels currently within the SLH collection include Pangkor Laut Resort, Cameron Highlands Resort, The Majestic Malacca and Tanjong Jara Resort in Malaysia, Gaya Island Resort in Borneo and the Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali in Indonesia.

Luke Hurford, Senior Vice President - Sales and Marketing for YTL Hotels says: “YTL Hotels is excited to bring two more iconic destinations to the SLH brand. Muse Saint Tropez - Ramatuelle, the epitome of style, is a chic hideaway within Saint Tropez and embodies the defining features of SLH. Niseko Village has over the past decade become the hottest ski destination in Asia and a must-ski mountain for skiers from around the world. Winter travelers find themselves returning for summer for its world-class golf courses, activities and to get a taste of Hokkaido’s renowned seafood, meats and farm-to-table seasonal produce given Niseko’s reputation as Japan’s breadbasket. Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse joins a rarefied collection of ski resorts around the world with SLH properties including Jackson Hole, Zermatt, Gstaad and Courchevel, and becomes the first at a Japanese ski resort. Partnering with SLH in Niseko is another step forward in our plans to evolve Niseko Village into one of the world’s great year-round mountain resorts.”

Daniel Luddington, Vice President of Development for SLH comments: "The addition of these two exceptional properties in St Tropez and Hokkaido exemplify our independently-minded approach and provide our guests with two very different experiences in an established and an emerging destination.  They also beautifully complement the existing and iconic YTL hotels that have been with SLH for several years. We are excited that we have now been able to extend this relationship beyond Asia and look forward to continuing to provide YTL with a valuable association with SLH for many years to come.”

For more information about SLH’s collection of hotels around the world or to make a reservation and take advantage of SLH Club member benefits 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 via the iPhone app, by contacting a travel agent or calling a Small Luxury Hotels of the World reservations office; click here to view a listing by country.

About Niseko Village

Nestled at the south base of the 1308m Mount Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Village sits within the Niseko United ski area that accesses inter-linked ski resorts boasting a combined 2,191 acres of skiable terrain. Often compared to world-class ski resorts like Aspen in Colorado and Niseko’s sister city, St. Moritz in Switzerland, Niseko Village comprises of eight exclusive Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse that redefines alpine living, Hilton Niseko Village – voted ‘Best Ski Resort Hotel in Japan’ by World Ski Awards 2013, 2014 and 2015, The Green Leaf Niseko Village, spa and onsen facilities, a dining and retail village hub, the Niseko Village skifield - renowned for its dry champagne powder at low-altitude, variety of ski terrains, the world-class Niseko Village Snow School and Niseko Kids™ programmes. In summer, the resort transforms into a popular destination with two highly acclaimed golf courses including one designed by Arnold Palmer, an outdoor Pure at Niseko Village Nature Park and a host of active pursuits. Set in stunning landscapes of timeless beauty all year round, Niseko Village is always in season. Visit www.niseko-village.com for reservations or to find out the latest happenings and events at Niseko Village.

About YTL Hotels

YTL Hotels owns and manages a prestigious collection of award-winning resorts, hotels, boutique experiences and Spa Villages in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Japan, France and the UK, including Pangkor Laut Resort, voted the world’s best resort in 2003 by Condé Nast Traveler UK. The group also co-owns the Eastern & Oriental Express luxury train.

2014 brought the launch of Kasara, a new brand of luxury accommodation offering bespoke, one-of-a-kind experiences in Niseko Village. The Gainsborough Bath Spa, the group’s latest addition has recently been named one of the Top 10 Hotel Spas in Europe. Set in the heart of Bath, a World Heritage Site, this unique heritage gem exclusively offers the only natural thermal spa within a hotel in the United Kingdom. With each new experience that it presents, the company strives to embrace and highlight the natural essence of culture, character and tradition of its surroundings. YTL Hotels is the hospitality arm of YTL Corporation Berhad. Visitwww.ytlhotels.com for more information.