In a world increasingly driven by algorithms and automation, there remains something oh-so-sweet about the art of personalised hospitality. For the discerning traveller, it’s not just about where you go — it’s about how it feels to be there. The following six hotels — each distinct in location, culture, and character — are united by their attention to the tiny details. Whether cradled in the Andes or a hidden corner of Tokyo, these properties offer intimate experiences with in-the-know teams at hand.
1. Villa Beluno Hotel & Spa, Río Negro – Argentina
Perched on the azure shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi in Bariloche, Villa Beluno Hotel & Spa blends Patagonian grandeur with the soul of an Italian palazzo. Marble floors and gilded chandeliers meet panoramic mountain views in a property where every suite opens onto a private terrace. The onsite patisserie whips up family recipes for teatime, infusing the space with warmth from the kitchen and butter-rich aromas. Sip a glass of Malbec by the fire, indulge in a cedar-scented sauna session, and warm up with a wood-fired Argentine steak in Avellana, the hotel’s artisanal restaurant, after skiing snowcapped peaks or kayaking across the lake.
2. Calcot & Spa, Cotswolds – UK
Set in 220 acres of rolling meadows and ancient woodland, Calcot & Spa is a masterclass in rural refinement. A 15th-century farmhouse transformed into an eco-friendly haven which supports rare birds, butterflies, and pollinators through its pioneering rewilding efforts, this Considerate Collection hotel blends country charm with nature-cocooned comforts. Think open fires, oversized bathtubs, and a spa so good, locals come just for the day. Family-friendly yet wildly romantic, it’s as ideal for weekend escapes as it is for wellness retreats. After a countryside cycle or an amble through fields of wildflowers, sink into the hot tub beneath the stars, glass of English sparkling wine in hand.
3. TAKANAWA HANAKOHRO, Tokyo – Japan
Set within sprawling, cherry tree-filled grounds, TAKANAWA HANAKOHRO is a world apart: a luxury ryokan that channels Edo-period elegance within moments of Tokyo’s Shinagawa station. With only 16 suites and access via a private entrance, guests experience omotenashi — the Japanese art of hospitality — at its highest form. Tatami mats, hinoki wood baths, and seasonal kaiseki cuisine transport you into a tranquil otherworld that feels more rural Japan than heart of the capital. After a traditional tea ceremony in the garden, wander through the cherry blossoms that bloom in spring or golden ginkgo leaves in autumn before hopping on a train to extend your itinerary.
4. Zelda Dearest, North Carolina – USA
A poetic ode to the American South, Zelda Dearest feels like stepping into the pages of a Fitzgerald novel, only reimagined by a Brooklyn-based interior designer. Tucked away in North Carolina’s Asheville, this soulful property is spread across three Art Deco mansions, each inviting you into an era of cinematic nostalgia — velvet sofas, record players, clawfoot tubs, and dark floral wallpapers. Morning pour-over coffee is served with handwritten poetry, and evenings hum with jazz by candlelight — this has long been a deeply immersive retreat for lovers, artists, and dreamers, and now adventurers come to hike the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway and Mountains.
5. Baale Resort Goa, North Goa – India
In an idyllic corner of North Goa, Baale Resort is a cluster of teakwood villas, reflection pools, and swaying coconut palms. Designed with Balinese influences in mind but firmly rooted in Goan soul, the resort’s seven private villas are wrapped up in the jungle’s surround sound, each with its own plunge pool and shaded pavilions. Personal butlers, Ayurvedic spa rituals, and outdoor showers make this feel more like a spiritual retreat than a hotel. By day, explore the golden beaches or ancient forts; by night, return to a world of softly glowing lanterns, burning incense, and moonlit quietude.
6. Marquis Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris – France
Just steps from the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré — Paris’ legendary boulevard of fashion just off the Champs Elysées — Marquis Faubourg Saint-Honoré is a discreet, all-suite sanctuary housed in an 18th-century mansion once home to nobility (the Marquis de la Fayette, if you’re interested). The interiors whisper of neoclassical elegance, blending parquet floors and Louis XVI furnishings with modern indulgences. With only 15 suites, personalised attention reigns supreme. Begin your day with a decadent Parisian breakfast under the vaulted glass ceiling, then stroll into the Golden Triangle, moments from designer boutiques and the Jardin Tuileries.
Latest stories
Northern delights: a ‘coolcation’ itinerary across Norway & Iceland
As the train begins its slow, corkscrewing descent into Norway’s Flåm Valley, snow is softening mountain peaks into meringue-like folds. Outside the window, waterfalls freeze mid-cascade, as forests stand still under crystal light. The Flåm Railway — a staggering feat of engineering — feels like a portal into another season,
Snowy Lapland lodges to Balinese spa retreats: top boutique hotels for February
February invites a different kind of travel thinking. The urgency of new beginnings has softened, replaced by a desire to move well toward places feel tuned to their setting. This month’s selection spans extremes and in-betweens: Arctic forests and Balinese cliffs, historic towns in southern Europe, and quietly evolving cities.
A winter guide to the Dolomites for sporty travellers
Next month, the Winter Olympics land in northern Italy, with Cortina d’Ampezzo and multiple mountain clusters across the region hosting events. This winter guide to the Dolomites is for travellers inspired by the Olympian spirit: staying active outdoors by day, then prioritising recovery, wellness, and deep rest by night. Across
Out of season in Cyprus: discovering slow craft in Lefkara
Out of season in Cyprus, Lefkara doesn’t ask for your attention; it earns it by refusing to compete. The streets are narrower than you expect, the stone cooler under your palm than it looks, the air so clean it feels almost deliberate. You hear at your own pace: the sound
