The hotel group continues to add to its hand-picked portfolio of luxury boutique hotels, collecting new properties in China, France, England and the United States
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has welcomed four new exciting additions, including three newly opened properties, to its hand-picked portfolio of luxury boutique hotels this July: Honor Resort Yun Shun Dali in China, Le Mas Candille Mougins on the French Riviera, Monkey Island Estate in Bray On Thames in England, and The Pantai Inn in California, USA.
Honor Resort Yun Shun Dali, Dali China
This 23 room boutique hotel is nestled on the edges of Erhai Lake and has views of the Cangshan Mountain from nearly all windows. The retreat is located on the outskirts of Dali Ancient Town and provides access to one of China’s most luxurious golf courses at the nearby Canghai Golf International Community. The rooms and suites include private terraces and spacious living areas as well as luxurious amenities including a BOSE sound system, mini iPad and Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries.
The hotel features a cantilevered pool with a glass panel at the base, a virtual golf simulator, a wine and cigar bar, and a tea house where visitors can drop by for a game of chess and freshly-brewed loose-leaf tea. For guests looking to explore the area, the Dali Ancient Town with its historic sites, ancient buildings and temples that all date back to the Ming dynasty are close by.
Rooms from $439 per night, including breakfast.
Le Mas Candille, Mougins, France
Secluded within eight acres of terraced Provençal grounds and surrounded by fragrant cypress trees and fields of olive groves, Le Mas Candille is an elegant five-star boutique hotel with a Michelin-star restaurant and no less than three swimming pools. Located in Mougins – the medieval Riviera village which was once home to Pablo Picasso– guests can soak up the panoramic views of the Mougins Valley from the hotel’s dazzling infinity pool or the outside gym, explore the beautifully landscaped gardens or enjoy a pampering session in the Spa Candille with its relaxing Jacuzzi, hydrotherapy pool, sauna and luxury ESPA treatments. Originally an 18th century farmhouse, each of the 38 bedrooms and seven suites have been designed in a modern Provençal style combining shabby-chic French antiques with contemporary furnishings. A chef’s table experience is on offer at the Michelin-starred restaurant serving Mediterranean dishes made with fresh seasonal ingredients, and there guests can also sample the restaurant’s own reserve Champagne. Beyond the hotel, there is plenty to discover from Mougins’ cobbled streets to Grasse’s perfume factories and St Tropez’s glamorous beaches.
The 38 rooms and seven suites start from $348 AUD per night
Monkey Island Estate, Bray On Thames, England
Opening in August following a complete renovation by YTL Hotels, Monkey Island Estate is a centuries old retreat that lies on a picturesque island in the River Thames in the historic village of Bray, Berkshire, and in accessible only by a footbridge or by boat. The island, with an intriguing history dating back 800 years, has been the haunt of monarchs, aristocrats and artists, along with writers, famous performers and Berkshire locals. Following YTL’s impressive renovation, the striking white bricked Pavilion and Temple buildings will make up the main hotel areas of YTL’s Monkey Island Estate, which is surrounded by picturesque views of the River Thames and beautifully manicured gardens. Executive Chef of Monkey Island Estate, William Hemming, will be serving up a sophisticated yet casual dining experience on the river at the Monkey Island Brasserie, while in the Monkey Bar and lounge, guests can sip champagne, fine wines and spirits while gazing at the beautiful frescoes that date from the 1730s. Fro September, guests will also be able to indulge in a floating spa experience in one of the hotel’s spa treatment room located on a bespoke barge on the River Thames.
The 41 rooms start from $444 AUD per night including breakfast.
The Pantai Inn, California, La Jolla, USA
Set along the shores of the La Jolla coastline with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, this Balinese-inspired hideaway brings a touch of Indonesian hospitality to South California. Upon entering the Pantai grounds, guests will see lush, polished gardens adorned with Balinese statues, a coral stoned courtyard with soothing water features and an outdoor fire pit. Each of the inn’s 30 suites and cottages feature typically Balinese furnishings, with hand carved wood and patterned fabrics, as well as rain showers and optional in-room spa services, while all of the one-bedroom cottages feature oversized bathrooms with their own Jacuzzi tubs. Most of the accommodations boast fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes and overview balconies, and all include complimentary breakfast, high definition flat screen televisions and media hubs. Pantai Inn is also located within easy reach of San Diego’s best sights such as San Diego Zoo, as well as the downtown galleries and restaurants.
The 30 suites and cottages start from $528 AUD per night