In with the new: from vineyard retreats to island hideaways these are the hotels on our radar in April
Spring brings a renewed sense of movement and with it, travel that feels both restorative and enriching. Some stays are steeped in nature, from Finland’s forested stillness to Corsica’s sunlit groves, while others unfold among the vineyards of California, Piedmont and beyond.
Elsewhere, island rhythms take hold in Rhodes and Formentera, where time seems to come to a standstill both in the hills and by the sea. Wherever the setting, these boutique escapes offer a balance of design, place and experience, shaping journeys that feel memorable from the get go.
1. Appellation Healdsburg, United States
Spread across eight and a half acres of grounds, Appellation Healdsburg is quietly embedded in wine country, with the surrounding valleys of Sonoma County shaping its spirit. Led by co-founder and acclaimed chef Charlie Palmer, the property draws deeply on the region’s agricultural heritage, championing the flavours of the land across three restaurants serving the progressive American cuisine that put Palmer on the map as a culinary pioneer in these parts.
Rooms are arranged across two village-style clusters designed by architect John Hill, with each opening up into al fresco terraces and patios. Elsewhere, a rolling program of workshops with local craftspeople and seasonal tastings draw a connection to the region’s landscape and produce. Throw in some downtime in the gardens or a few restorative hours in the spa, and it all adds up to an easy yet quiet immersion in this corner of Sonoma County.
2. Il Boscareto Resort & Spa, Italy
Piedmont’s Langhe wine country sets the scene for Il Boscareto Resort & Spa, a family-run estate overseen by the Dogliani family that sits among rows of vines just outside the hilltop village of Serralunga d’Alba. With 49 recently renovated rooms and suites and soft, natural interiors that mirror the tones of this UNESCO-listed landscape, it’s a gentle escape from the din, peppered with pockets of solace.
Dining forms the heart of the Il Boscareto experience. At La Rei Natura, a three Michelin starred kitchen, chef Michelangelo Mammoliti takes the finest of Piedmont’s produce and presents it with careful precision. Il Sunsì Bistrot, led by chef Alessandro Capalbo, takes a more relaxed approach, reinterpreting regional recipes with subtle Sicilian influences. Elsewhere, La Sovrana Spa centres on elemental contrasts, with glass walls that open the space to the surrounding countryside. For those drawn further afield, the hilltop castle of Serralunga d’Alba beckons; alternatively, the family’s Batasiolo Winery offers tastings that reveal the depth of the region’s winemaking heritage.
3. Gecko Formentera, Spain
On Ibiza’s smaller sister island of Formentera, Gecko Formentera is a laidback Balearic beach club that feels quietly cinematic. Against a light soundtrack of beats from resident DJs, interiors and open-air spaces are touched by a Fifties-style glamour, with accents of blue that echo the colours of the sea. Rooms maximise the sunlight afforded by this southern stretch of the island with patios and balconies, as well as private plunge pools that offer respite from the Mediterranean heat.
Outdoors, an extensive yoga program is also guided by the water. Mornings activities at Gecko Beach Club begin with SUP yoga, while Hatha and Nidra yoga classes take place beachside. The club-like seafront restaurant sets the tone throughout the day, serving Mediterranean dishes with fresh global influences, all enjoyed in a relaxed setting overlooking Migjorn Beach.
4. A Mandria di Murtoli, France
With just ten rooms and suites, A Mandria di Murtoli is an intimate Corsican retreat designed like a small countryside hamlet where privacy and tranquillity take centre stage. Bedrooms are rich in character, with vaulted ceilings and exposed beams; suites exude a similar spirit, set within restored stone barns and traditional sheepfolds. The surrounding Ortolo Valley, with its olive trees, and citrus groves, is the main character however, delicately woven through the fabric of the property at every turn.
Dining reflects this alignment to the land. At the Italian-inspired restaurant, L’appuntamento, produce from nearby farms and gardens is transformed into Mediterranean dishes that celebrate seasonal fruit and vegetables, and robust flavours. Beyond the grounds, winding roads pass through Corsican maquis to the stunning Erbaju Beach; a reminder that at A Mandria, the island’s wild beauty is never far away.
5. Skýra Retreat, Finland
From the outside, Skýra Retreat is a place that feels quietly elemental, tucked beside the waters of Finnish Lapland’s Lake Norvajärvi. Inside, it makes even more sense, with spaces defined by log walls, natural stone and tactile textiles, and accommodation that spans everything from cosy A-frame cabins to a lakeside villa complete with private sauna and ice hole.
Guests are invited to follow the retreat’s seasonal programme, which includes the likes of yoga, meditation, forest bathing, ancient folklore sauna rituals and pullakahvit — Finnish afternoon coffee and pastries. Otherwise, evenings of private drum ceremonies, violin relaxation sessions and meditative sound baths are complemented by treatments at the Signature Nordic Spa.
6. Trusko Resort, Romania
Trusko Resort emerges from the landscape with quiet confidence. Set on the edge of Rimetea towards views of Colții Trascăului and Ardașcheia Peak, this is a new-fashioned boutique, where contemporary cabins and clean-lined architecture strike a mood that is restrained yet memorable. Pale wood, muted textiles and herringbone parquet echo the tones of the mountains while floor-to-ceiling windows and terraces turn each space outward and pull the landscape close.
In summer, the pool becomes a focal point with its uninterrupted views; at night, it’s the firepit that comes to life, a spot best paired with a glass of local wine and the hotel’s take on regional, Hungarian-influenced flavours. Set within a Natura 2000 protected area, the resort opens directly onto the Blue Triangle Trail, with routes leading towards Piatra Secuiului. Closer, Rimetea’s whitewashed houses offer a quieter kind of discovery, its heritage recognised with a Europa Nostra award.
7. Cabu Hotel Rhodes, Greece
An adults-only retreat set under Falaraki’s olive-draped hillsides, Cabu Hotel Rhodes is an easy escape. Amid swathes of natural stone and clean-lined architecture, lush gardens and creeping pine trees ensconce guests. Swim-up suites and private terraces set a tone of privacy and seclusion; public spaces, on the other hand, encourage long stretches — a circular pool at the heart of the property, acts as its central hub, ringed with striped loungers and dappled shade.
Days here drift between cooling swims, cocktails and easy lunches served at a modern restaurant that eases into Mediterranean degustation menus come nighttime. Beyond, Rhodes reveals itself in layers: the quiet of Anthony Quinn Bay just minutes away, the energy of Falaraki after dark, and the storybook beauty of Lindos within easy reach. Yet back at Cabu, everything returns to a slower cadence: calm surroundings and thoughtful design that makes it easy to switch off.
8. The Landmark Rhodes Villas & Spa, Greece
The Landmark Rhodes Villas & Spa is designed as a private sanctuary with individual spaces housing two to four bedrooms each. Each has its own terrace, pool, generous living spaces and sunken conversation areas that invite long afternoons that slip easily into evening.
Wellness follows the same beat. The Elixirion Spa draws on ancient rituals, with olive oil–based treatments that restore and rebalance, and a thermal pool that nods to the healing waters of Rhodes‘ springs. Dining is equally a celebration of place, with Greek and Mediterranean dishes reimagined. The mood softens further in the Attavyros Cave; a wine cellar, where tastings and masterclasses take place beneath stone arches for a steady balance of past and present.
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