In with the new: 8 boutique hotels to have on your radar

Autumn is a time for transition and change, and we’ve already turned our minds to in-between-seasons holiday planning – with a list of latest additions to daydream about. From a far-flung Fijian island and a picture-perfect pair of Mexican retreats for some winter sun, to a snow-blanketed mountaintop hideaway with a Bavarian fairytale feel, you’ll want to bookmark these hotels for sooner rather than later…

1. Praia do Canal Nature Resort, Aljezur – Portugal

Tucked away in Costa Vicentina Natural Park, Praia do Canal Nature Resort immerses guests in the great outdoors – from lapping up the valley views from the glimmering infinity pool, to stargazing the night away on Portugal’s balmy south-west coast. Set in over 220 hectares of wild natural beauty, stretching from a higher plateau down to the ocean, where the waves break onto the pebbly shore of Praia do Canal beach, you’ll feel a world away from the everyday at this idyllic hideaway.

Indoors, the sand-coloured buildings blend in with the sun-bleached surroundings, while artisanal wooden furnishings add a beautiful natural touch to each light-filled room and suite – many of which come with private terraces. Dine on traditional Alentejo and Algarve dishes with a contemporary twist at Azeitona Restaurant, which makes use of everything from locally-sourced Odemira cheeses to Barrancos pork. Hidden in the fragrant gardens of the resort, the spa houses a heated indoor swimming pool, two massage rooms, a Turkish bath, a Finnish sauna, a 70% bio sauna, and an indoor-outdoor relaxation zone – alongside a cold plunge tank and an ice water bucket.

SLH Insider Tip: Book the Grand Suite Rooftop for private access to your own gardens and a rooftop pool with loungers for some secluded sunbathing.

2. Viesca Toscana, Tuscany – Italy

A tranquil Tuscan estate which was formerly the fashionable Ferragamo family’s summer home turned luxury retreat by shoe-making sensation Salvatore’s grandson, Viesca Toscana’s collection of elegant villas are set among lush grounds dotted with cypress trees. Take your pick from seven traditionally Tuscan villas, including the nine-bedroom Villa Viesca which was once the private residence of Salvatore and Wanda Ferragamo, and the hilltop Villa Merlo, where guests can soak up views of the surrounding soft hills, pine forests, and sweeping meadows where roe deer graze undisturbed, from the enclosed gardens and infinity pool.

Prefer the simplicity of a suite? Split between the 16th century manor house and a cottage on the grounds, each one is light-filled and luxurious. The hotel’s freshwater swimming pool is at your disposal, ready for morning dips and sunrise swims.

SLH Insider Tip: Indulge your appetite for both food and knowledge with one of Viesca Toscana’s hands-on cooking classes. You’ll be expertly guided by the hotel’s chefs, who’ll share their tips and techniques for creating a Tuscan feast.

3. HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu, Balderschwang – Germany

Surrounded by the soaring peaks of the Allgäu, HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu feels straight from the pages of a Bavarian storybook. With its holistic approach to wellbeing, this chic retreat is a refuge from the modern world, its only soundtrack the gentle chime of cowbells in the distance. Natural light, white walls, wooden floors, and local artisanal touches make the rooms and suites restful spaces, but the real show-stopper here is the spa. Set in a standalone chalet with floor-to-ceiling windows at the foot of the mountains, it features everything from an infinity pool to ten private treatment rooms. After a dip in the infinity pool or Japanese onsen, make your way to the rooftop, where you can sip refreshing tea, enjoying wraparound alpine views.

Work up an appetite in the winter months with an array of snowsports, or hike, mountain bike, and wildlife-spot your way around the Allgäu’s meadows, forests, valleys, and wild moors when the snow melts before tucking into the hotel’s ‘slow food’ eateries. Think organic cheese from a nearby farm and freshly baked pretzels from the family-run bakery.

SLH Insider Tip: Daily yoga and meditation sessions are a given at HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio – join a group class in one of the tranquil studios, or time your visit for one of the hotel’s mindfulness days, one-to-one coaching sessions, sauna rituals, and organised yoga retreats.

4. Le Nessay, Saint-Briac-sur-Mer – France

Sitting in splendid isolation atop the rugged Nessay Peninsula, Le Nessay is a striking redbrick château which is just steps from the sandy shoreline. Here, old meets new as soaring turrets give way to cool, contemporary interiors – expect a pastel colour palette balanced with handpicked furniture. Most importantly, every room comes with a sea view, while the ultra-private Poterne rooms are tucked away within the château’s gardens overlooking Petite Salinette and Bechet beaches. You can even wake up and fall asleep to the sound of the waves in the two beachfront Annexe rooms, which enjoy west-facing aspects for soaking up the golden sunsets.

Images courtesy of @le_nessay

Just a short distance from the beach and the centre of Saint-Briac-sur-Mer, Le Nessay’s very own pâtisserie is a treasure trove of sweet treats – from buttery pastries and sweet cookies to tarts and mouth-watering millefeuille. The pared-back décor shows off the goodies beautifully – and you can even order your favourite gâteaux to take back to your room.

SLH Insider Tip: Families and friends should check-in to La Maison du Nessay, a standalone six-bedroom cottage with its own swimming pool and garden available for private hire, which is the epitome of laidback Breton living.

5. Vakko Hotel & Residence, Istanbul – Turkey

With its cutting-edge architecture and prime Istanbul location in the heart of the sophisticated Nişantaşı quarter, Vakko Hotel & Residence completely rewrites the city escape. Building on the heritage of the Vakko name in the world of high-end fashion, it brings a central residence, a gourmet restaurant, private spa, and exclusive access to Vakko’s clothing and lifestyle stores under one immaculately designed roof.

Whether you opt to stay in a beautiful studio space or the jaw-dropping penthouse suite with its wraparound city views, a private butler attends to your every need throughout each seamless stay. All rooms are decked out in a restful palette of cream, white and gold, and come with separate living spaces and fully-equipped kitchens for convenience and privacy. When the mood strikes, the Vakko L’Atelier restaurant serves up almost too-pretty-to-eat plates throughout the day – while a personal Chef Chez Vous service is available upon request.

SLH Insider Tip: Fashion lovers can enjoy an in-room consultation before a private tour of a Vakko store, followed by an appointment with a local haute couture designer.

6. Nanuku Resort, Pacific Harbour – Fiji

A warrior welcome will set the scene for your stay at Nanuku Resort, as you arrive to the soul-stirring sound of the lali drum. The resort’s 500 acres of Fijian beachfront, swaying palms and barefoot luxury is a postcard-worthy setting, where lagoon-facing accommodation is dotted among lush gardens. Suites have sweeping Pacific Ocean views, villas come with private pools and gardens, while multi-bedroom residences can house the whole family on the beachfront or clifftop.

Bliss out with a massage in a private beachside suite, soothed by the tropical breeze, or take to the treetops on a peaceful platform suspended amid the branches of a 70-year-old dilo tree. Spa treatments are inspired by the island’s centuries-old healing traditions, using heavenly blends of local oils, herbs and leaves. Diners can savour freshly prepared seafood on a secluded beach, high up on the cliffside or tucked into the treetops – you can even catch your own crabs from a bilibili raft, or try your hand at husking and scraping a coconut. When adventure calls, you can explore every aspect of Fiji’s rich culture and natural world, from beach bonfires to coral planting, and basket weaving to fire walking.

SLH Insider Tip: Sail along the fringing reefs of Beqa Lagoon to reach Nanuku Island, your own private island paradise of white sandy beach covered with swaying hundred year-old coconut trees. Explore the sandy trails meandering through shaded rainforest canopy, or linger along the coast, keeping an eye out for hawksbill  turtles returning to hatch and bury their eggs.

7. La Valise Tulum, Tulum – Mexico

Luxury beach hut vibes are the order of the day at La Valise Tulum – but this beachfront retreat takes this to a different level. Thatched roofs peek out from amongst towering pine trees, and the raised, exotically furnished rooms and suites (stocked with all-natural amenities) give you an uninterrupted panorama of the Caribbean Sea. A naturally beautiful oasis outside, and an aesthetically-pleasing haven inside, curated pieces by local artists hang on the walls, while bespoke furniture you won’t find anywhere else has been handmade especially for the hotel by Mexican craftsmen. For an unforgettable sleep-under-the-stars experience, reserve La Valise’s master suite – roll-out the king-size bed from beneath the elevated palapa roof to fall asleep to the sounds of tropical birdsong and breaking waves.

Images courtesy of @lavalisetulum

Alternate between the salt-water infinity pool – which is just steps away from the sea – and the tranquil spa (bee venom facials, exfoliating body wraps, and meditative breathwork sessions are on the treatment menu) before sitting down to fresh, local, and sustainable dishes at NÜ Tulum, one of the finest restaurants on the Riviera Maya. Mexican-fusion cuisine is served in this picturesque jungle setting, which also hides the bohemian Itzik Garden within its verdant folds – settle on its expansive terrace to enjoy award-winning Mezcal, or sip your way through delicious, hand-crafted cocktails.

SLH Insider Tip: To experience ancient Mayan culture, ask the staff about the hotel’s unique spiritual ceremonies, which include mud rituals and pre-Hispanic sound healing.

8. La Valise Mexico City, Mexico City – Mexico

Of all the hidden gems this colourful capital, you’ll only find La Valise Mexico City if you know where to look. Concealed behind a nondescript door of a discreet 1920s French-style townhouse in the city’s trendy Roma district are three palatial suites, over which Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg has waved his surrealist magic wand.

Each art-filled suite in this home-from-home boasts standout – and spectacular – features. La Luna is named for the shimmering moon art installation that acts as a doorway, while El Patio’s private hammock and swing, and its strikingly modern four poster bed are the stuff of interior design dreams. To uncover Mexico City’s best-kept secret – and sleep under its stars – spend the night in La Terraza’s king-size rolling bed. Simply glide your bed onto the private terrace at night, and drift off to the sound of the city’s streets below.

SLH Insider Tip: While staying in La Terraza, project a film onto the wall before getting cosy under the 600 thread count linen sheets for the ultimate movie night above the city streets.