From a colourful restored villa in glamorous Capri to a private island with overwater villas in Indonesia, October brings a new crop of hotels worth knowing about. These are the openings catching our eye this month – some are historic properties given a new chapter, while others bring contemporary flair to less familiar corners of the world.
Villa Helios Capri, Italy
La Serena Villas occupies a collection of 1930s Spanish-style villas in the centre of Palm Springs, with 18 rooms and villas arranged around a central pool. The interiors combine whitewashed walls with patterned encaustic tiles, rattan and cane furniture, four-poster beds and vintage-style lighting, while private patios give many of the rooms their own outdoor space. Some villas also have outdoor soaking tubs and fire pits. The property is adults-only, with a small spa and Azúcar, a rooftop restaurant and bar serving Mexican-inspired dishes. Palm Springs’ galleries, restaurants and mid-century architecture are all within walking distance, while the surrounding San Jacinto Mountains provide a change of scenery.
Savoy 1918, Norway
One of Oslo’s historic hotels has returned as Savoy 1918 following an extensive restoration. The original hotel opened in 1918 in the Watt Building and became known over the decades for its bar and its connections to the city’s creative circles. The new iteration keeps that history visible, restoring original architectural elements and incorporating vintage pieces, botanical fabrics and Art Nouveau-inspired tiles within the 92 individually designed rooms. Café WATT is the main restaurant, while the Savoy Bar revives the social role of its predecessor. In a city increasingly known for architecture and design, the location near Tullinløkka puts the hotel within easy reach of the National Museum, the Royal Palace and the waterfront.
Nirjhara, Bali
Nirjhara gives you access to a less familiar side of Bali, with rice fields, jungle and a natural waterfall running beneath the pool deck. The 25 villas and suites make the most of the setting, from Canopy Suites raised among the trees and clad in reclaimed wood to Jungle Pool Villas with private plunge pools. Interiors combine contemporary architecture with Balinese details, including woven furniture made by local artisans, coconut panelling, wood carving and Indonesian art. The bamboo yoga shala and The Retreat spa were designed by IBUKU, while Ambu serves farm-to-table cooking using produce from the hotel’s 700-square-metre organic garden and neighbouring farms. Nearby, Tanah Lot and the black-sand beaches of Kedungu are within easy reach by foot or on the hotel’s mountain bicycles.
Puerto Valle Hotel de Esteros, Argentina
An 1868 estancia provides the starting point for Puerto Valle, where four rooms in the original adobe-walled house sit alongside eight newer rooms with large windows overlooking the Paraná River. The latter have private terraces and outdoor showers, while the older rooms retain high ceilings, spacious interiors and their original character. The hotel’s 14 hectares of gardens were designed by landscape architect Carlos Thays and include both native and exotic species. In the restaurant, produce from the organic garden is used alongside regional Correntino dishes. Beyond the grounds, private access to Laguna Valle and the Iberá wetlands inspires boat and kayak trips, horseback rides and wildlife excursions, with the chance to spot capybara, marsh deer and hundreds of bird species.
Château de Montcaud, France
Five hectares of gardens surround Château de Montcaud, a 19th-century estate built by silk merchant Alexandre Eugène Collain. The original 1892 plans for the park were rediscovered during its restoration, allowing the grounds to be brought back to their former layout, with more than 140 varieties of trees, an orangery, rose gardens, a historic grotto and a canal once used by the estate’s silk mill. The 29 rooms and suites keep things simple, with natural colours, soft furnishings and silk panels above the beds paying tribute to the château’s origins. At Le Cèdre de Montcaud, chef Matthieu Hervé’s five- and seven-course menus have held a Michelin star since 2024.
La Serena Villas, California
La Serena Villas occupies a collection of 1930s Spanish-style villas in the centre of Palm Springs, with 18 rooms and villas arranged around a central pool. The interiors combine whitewashed walls with patterned encaustic tiles, rattan and cane furniture, four-poster beds and vintage-style lighting, while private patios give many of the rooms their own outdoor space. Some villas also have outdoor soaking tubs and fire pits. The property is adults-only, with a small spa and Azúcar, a rooftop restaurant and bar serving Mexican-inspired dishes. Palm Springs’ galleries, restaurants and mid-century architecture are all within walking distance, while the surrounding San Jacinto Mountains provide a change of scenery.
Telunas Private Island, Indonesia
Telunas Private Island is reached by boat from Singapore via Batam, with 15 overwater villas spread along the edge of Sugi Island. Built with timber and inspired by traditional Malay homes, the two-level villas have open-air living areas, private balconies and wide views across the Riau Archipelago, while five adults-only Ridge Villas sit higher up with private plunge pools. The island’s natural setting shapes much of the stay, from sea kayaking and paddleboarding to jungle walks, village visits and traditional fishing. The overwater spa offers massages using Indonesian techniques, while the restaurant serves a daily menu of Indonesian and Western dishes for all tastes. There is also an infinity pool overlooking the sea, but the surrounding waters and forest are what make the journey here truly worthwhile.
Verneuil la douce, France
Art is central to Verneuil la douce, where designer Camille Omerin has coloured a 19th-century manor house in Normandy with hand-painted murals and furniture made by French artists. The 17 rooms mix these details with original architectural features, while the Glassroom has Eiffel-inspired iron windows overlooking the gardens. At Patiné, chef Cyril Coutin cooks with seasonal produce sourced from local farms and markets. Outside, the gardens extend across the property with mature plane trees, an outdoor pool and, from late October, a new indoor pool and spa. The hotel also makes a good base for exploring the medieval town of Verneuil-sur-Avre and the surrounding Eure countryside.
