The world is slowly but surely beginning to open up again, and we’re feeling a renewed sense of optimism for international holidays on the horizon. From a new Seychelles marina resort, to a design-led Venetian palace and historical Ibizan hideaway, our latest additions are the perfect place to start your post-pandemic getaway browsing…
L’Escale Resort Marina & Spa, Mahé – Seychelles
Opened January 2021
L’Escale Resort Marina & Spa takes its name from the rest stops made by seafarers of the Ottoman Empire and the French word for ‘stopover’. The new resort is our only Seychelles property and is surrounded by rugged mountains, emerald forests, and multi-hued waters. Housing a state-of-the-art marina and 25 rooms, each comes with a lush mountain or picturesque ocean view, King-sized beds, an open terrace or balcony with lounges, spacious bathrooms with luxury organic amenities, private chef, butler service and Hermès signature products for The Penthouse and Presidential Villa. The architecture is reminiscent of resplendent superyacht luxury with its clean lines and nautical touches, while the interiors are inspired by the dual spirits of the ocean and mountains to create a feeling of barefoot luxury.
The food and beverage offering includes an all-day dining restaurant serving international cuisine with a refreshing Creole touch, while the two-storey Eden Holistic Spa incorporates the healing powers of water through its design features and includes facilities such as treatment rooms, steam room, hammam, sauna, Rasul (thermal mud treatment), heated infinity pool, Jacuzzi and relaxation areas. The hotel makes the most of its serene setting by offering a range of excursions, including fishing, zip-lining, boat tours, island hopping, and hiking.
SLH Insider Tip: L’Escale Resort Marina & Spa is the only hotel in the Seychelles that can cater to up to 19 superyachts, with a maximum length of 100 meters, through their high-tech pontoons – so if you’re travelling by boat, this is the place to make port.
La Torre del Canónigo, Ibiza – Spain
Opening 30th April 2021
Perched high on the celebrated UNESCO World Heritage site of Dalt Vila lies La Torre del Canónigo, Ibiza’s newest boutique hotel opening. The 25-room hotel replaces the former hotel ‘El Cosario’ and marries three unique historical buildings with a solarium terrace, just five minutes’ walk from Ibiza’s bustling centre. Amidst narrow cobbled streets and Renaissance walls, you’ll find La Torre, which houses eight rooms, including three suites: the 10th century El Cosario building featuring 12 rooms including one suite, each with spectacular sea views and Casa Puget, a 16th century Jesuit convent comprising a new swimming pool and chill-out zone.
The property has been impressively reimagined by world-renowned interior designer, Lázaro Rosa-Violán, resulting in a relaxed Mediterranean coastal style steeped in history. Most exciting of all is the all-new dining and entertainment concept led by Chef José Miguel Bonet. Head Chef Iñigo Rodríguez will assist Bonet to serve up a modernised menu fusing international haute cuisine with traditional Ibizan dishes at the new El Corsario Restaurant & Terrace. For cocktails and tapas, guests can head to the new cocktail bar, La Bendita, Dalt Vila and find a sophisticated, clandestine space at The Club, to continue the night with lively music.
SLH Insider Tip: Each of the rooms hides incredible stories and anecdotes from some of the most iconic figures of music, art, film and aristocracy who have passed through the former ‘Hotel El Cosario’ including Grace Kelly, Rainier of Monaco, Salvador Dali and Ursula Andress.
Ca’ di Dio, Venice – Italy
Opening June 2021
Venice’s only luxury hotel opening this year comes in the form of Ca’ di Dio, an elegant design hotel located at the Arsenale area’s entrance, known as the city’s ‘Contemporary Art & Design District’. Ca’ di Dio features 66 rooms, including 57 suites, layered over three floors in a Venetian palace, parts of which date back to 1272. Some rooms overlook mimosa and magnolia trees in the hotel’s two peaceful courtyards – others, the lagoon and its fleets of passing gondolas. The hotel has the sumptuous feel of a Venetian house and is set around three courtyards, two of which have been cleverly adapted to provide exclusive lounging for hotel guests after a day spent visiting monuments and museums and al fresco dining at The Essentia Restaurant.
The other courtyard houses a vegetable garden for The VERO restaurant, a charming space which overlooks San Giorgio Maggiore and offers delightful Venetian cuisine. The Pura Spa & Wellness centre provides further relaxation with personalised treatments and the latest gym technology. World-famous Spanish architect, Patricia Urquiola’s Studio Urquiola, has masterminded the spectacular design, sparing no detail. The hotel is sympathetic to its environment with a soft and sober palette, recalling themes of water and reflections, local artisanal upholstery, marble and jewel-coloured Murano glass lamps.
SLH Insider Tip: Book one of the two Altana Suites and enjoy exclusive access to a large roof terrace overlooking the San Marco Basin, where you can enjoy aperitifs and dinner, with a 360-degree view of the city.
Bluefields Bay Villas, Westmoreland – Jamaica
Bluefields Bay Villas is an exclusive collection of six all-inclusive villas tucked at the base of Bluefields Mountain in Jamaica’s secluded countryside of Westmoreland, where countryside meets the sea. Expect nothing less than sublime service on arrival as each villa comes with a dedicated butler, maid service and chef, so guests can fully immerse themselves in the breathtaking views of Bluefields Mountain and the aquamarine sea. Each expansive seafront villa ranges from two to six rooms and boasts a private pool and panoramic terraces with all meals and soft drinks included. The family-owned resort is the brainchild of husband and wife Braxton and Debbie Moncure, who fell in love with the destination when visiting in the early eighties. They’ve passionately created a unique offering where guests can enjoy authentic Jamaican experiences at their leisure – including access to the private beach, paddle boarding, kayaking, glass-bottom boat cruise, rum and cigar tours and hiking.
SLH Insider Tip: For the utmost privacy, San Michele Villa boasts a private island and seaside pavilion, and Providence House Villa features a private seaside cave with lounge chairs, hammock and dining area.
Alta Las Palomas, San José – Costa Rica
Alta Las Palomas is a Costa Rican hideaway which brings sunsets and sea views to your door. The 22-room hotel is tucked in Las Palomas’ hillside, between the cities of Escazu and Santa Ana and boasts some of the area’s best views of the sprawling mountains and volcanoes. Reminiscent of a traditional Mediterranean home, with its terracotta roofs and ultra-high ceilings, the hotel has a relaxed charm and is perfect for a romantic getaway. The rooms and suites have plenty of character, decorated in earthy tones, and tell tales of 1920s Costa Rican life through black and white photographs which adorn the walls. Each of the rooms has a mountain view balcony that invites the lush greenery of the outdoors in, giving guests a taste of what’s to explore beyond the hotel’s walls – from mountain hikes to discovering quaint adobe buildings in nearby Escazu. La-Luz is known as one of Costa Rica’s best dining destinations and is famed for being the country’s first fusion restaurant. The diverse menu fuses Mediterranean and Costa Rican dishes, using the finest locally sourced produce from the hotel’s Rainforest Alliance certified Passghaleh farm.
SLH Insider Tip: Look out for menu items such as ‘Catch of the Day’ that brings fresh fish brought from the seafood market to the table.