As SLH marks 35 years of celebrating independently minded stays, this year’s awards spotlight the hotels redefining boutique luxury around the world. Handpicked by our travel experts and voted for by our passionate community, the 2025 winners are stylish, soulful stays to have firmly on your radar. Bookmark this list now, and thank us later.
Hotel of the Year – Breidenbacher Hof, Germany
For a hotel that embodies what it means to be part of SLH: independent, exceptional, unforgettable
An icon of Düsseldorf hospitality for over two centuries, Breidenbacher Hof perfectly balances heritage and modernity. Its grand turn-of-the-century façade opens onto opulent interiors, light-filled rooms, and an atmosphere of understated elegance. With a sensational spa, The Duchy’s refined brasserie-style dining, and impeccable personal service, this city-centre sanctuary redefines contemporary luxury. Add in its sustainability and deep local partnerships, and you have a hotel that embodies the soul of Düsseldorf – past, present, and future.
Considerate Hotel of the Year – Dar Ahlam, Morocco
For a property that embraces sustainability with elegance while also continuously raising the bar
Sustainability runs through every sun-baked stone of Dar Ahlam. In keeping with Thierry Teyssier’s ground-breaking vision, this terracotta Kasbah in southern Morocco champions slow living and circular design – solar-powered, air-conditioning-free, and lovingly built from local materials. The team works hand-in-hand with its Berber neighbours, restoring ancient villages, sourcing ingredients from women’s cooperatives, and nurturing the region’s traditions. From organic herb gardens to desert stargazing, everything at this Considerate Collection hotel feels deeply connected – to nature, to culture, and to the idea of travel that gives back.
Resort Hotel of the Year – Desa Hay, Bali
Awarded to a getaway epitomising unforgettable settings, effortless service and unique experiences
For the conscious traveller seeking calm in a small-scale resort setting, Desa Hay is Bali at its most blissful. Hidden among emerald rice fields and tropical forest, this intimate eco-sanctuary blends barefoot luxury with a deep respect for nature. Days drift by in private Jabu villas with plunge pools and outdoor stone baths, while evenings bring organic dining under fairy-lit skies. Thoughtfully designed with solar power, local craftsmanship, and zero-waste principles, it’s slow living done beautifully.
City Hotel of the Year – Lanson Place Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Recognising the hotel that stands tall as the ultimate urban retreat in 2025
Step off the bustling streets of Causeway Bay and into Lanson Place – where Hong Kong’s high energy melts into Parisian-style serenity. Think grand spaces with a boutique feel, curated comforts, and design by Pierre-Yves Rochon that’s as refined as it is relaxing. From morning coffee at Salon Lanson to an evening wind-down with essential oils and skyline views, this is city living at its most graceful. A retreat that proves you can be in the centre of it all, and still feel worlds away.
Country House Hotel of the Year – Stein Eriksen Residences, USA
A celebration of the hotel that has redefined the country escape in 2025
For those who dream in fresh powder and mountain air, Stein Eriksen Residences is the ultimate backcountry escape. Perched high in Utah’s exclusive Deer Valley on the Silver Dollar Ski Trail, these sleek, ski-in, ski-out lodges pair modern alpine architecture with all-out luxury. Think wrap-around windows framing snowy peaks, hot tubs bubbling under starlit skies, and fires crackling after a day on the slopes.
Most ‘Liked’ Hotel – The Retreat Koh Chang, Thailand
Presented to the hotel whose posts on SLH’s channels captured the most love over the past year
With its sleek lines, private plunge pools and palm-framed ocean views, The Retreat Koh Chang is pure camera candy. Every corner feels made for the feed – from sunrise yoga decks and floating breakfasts to dusky dinners at the oceanfront Zojima. It’s the kind of place that captures Thailand’s new golden glow, especially as the country gets a fresh wave of wanderlust after The White Lotus Season 2. Stylish, sustainable, and impossibly photogenic – this is island life through a modern lens.
The Mystery Inspectors’ Excellence Award – Punta Tragara, Italy
Voted on by SLH’s expert mystery inspectors and awarded to a hotel that exceeds the highest standards of review
Perched high above Capri’s glittering coastline, Punta Tragara is where timeless glamour meets dramatic sea views. Once designed by Le Corbusier and later host to Eisenhower and Churchill, today it’s pure Mediterranean elegance – all sun-drenched terraces, turquoise pools, and refined dining. Sip a Negroni at golden hour, then linger over Michelin-starred dishes at Le Monzù as the Faraglioni rocks glow at sunset. With its cinematic views and storied past, it’s easy to see why Punta Tragara is the jewel of the island.
The Club by SLH Award – Nimb Hotel, Denmark
A combination of guest survey feedback and top booking data from SLH Club, SLH’s complimentary loyalty programme
At Nimb Hotel, hospitality feels more like homecoming. The team here are famous for their warmth – anticipating every need with Danish grace and genuine care that turns every stay into something special. Whether it’s a surprise treat waiting in your room or a thoughtful recommendation for the perfect Copenhagen afternoon, no detail is too small. It’s no wonder guests return time and again to this fairytale palace beside Tivoli Gardens.
The withIN Award – FORESTIS, Italy
Reflecting the most booked and highly recommended property by withIN agencies, SLH’s preferred travel agent programme
It’s easy to see why FORESTIS sits high on every travel agent’s wish list – quite literally. Perched 1,800 metres up in the UNESCO Dolomites, this summit-topping sanctuary is all glass, light, and clean-lined luxury. Days flow between forest bathing, Wyda yoga, and dining among the clouds, while evenings fade into starlit stillness by the firepit.
Hilton Honors Award – The Terrace Club at Busena, Japan
Based entirely on guest feedback, recognising an SLH hotel part of the exclusive Hilton partnership, with the highest volume of 100% Hilton Honors reviews
At The Terrace Club Busena, wellness comes with a view – and what a view it is. Overlooking the jade-green sweep of the East China Sea, this serene Okinawa escape blends Japanese hospitality with world-class thalassotherapy. Days unfold in the rhythm of sea air, yoga sessions, and nourishing, ocean-fresh cuisine.
SLH Spirit Award – The Tokyo Station Hotel, Japan
Awarded to a property that deeply embodies the spirit of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand
The Tokyo Station Hotel captures everything the SLH boutique spirit stands for – heritage, heart, and a flawless sense of place. With over a century of history behind its red-brick façade, it delivers timeless elegance infused with genuine Japanese hospitality. From bespoke service to its beautifully restored details, this is grand hotel living on an intimate scale.
Hotel Hero Award
Recognising an on-property team member who sets the benchmark for excellence, going above and beyond in the SLH spirit
Germain Duchanaud, Concierge – Grand Hotel du Palais Royal, Paris, France
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