EXOTIC RESORT HIDEAWAYS & URBAN BREAKS WITH A DIFFERENCE

Saint Ten Hotel, Belgrade, Serbia
www.slh.com/saintten

An air of historic importance sets in the moment you step into this historic Belgrade building, built in 1929 by famous architect Stojan Vejkovic and where the Minister of Justice of Serbia once called home, and which has served as the setting for significant political meetings in the city’s history. Today, this protected cultural heritage monument continues to tell the story of the spirit and charm of old Belgrade’s past times as a modern luxury boutique hotel. The hotel is awash with understated elegance – refined interiors, hand-selected furnishing and premium amenities are complemented by attentive service. Young guests are not forgotten – the hotel organises children’s cooking classes during Saturday brunch and a special family package includes a 2-hour boat ride. Saint Ten Hotel’s strategic location in the very heart of the Vračar quarter also means that the sights and sounds of Belgrade are all within close proximity.

SLH Insider Tip: Junior and Family Suites offer guests a balcony with views of Saint Sava, the largest Orthodox temple in the Balkans.

Babuino 181, Rome, Italy
www.slh.com/babuino

Set in a 19th-century building renovated by the architecture firm Studio Magnaghi, Babuino 181’s spacious suites feel like classy urban apartments, complete with Frette linens and bathrobes, Sony Dream Machine iPod speaker dock and Nespresso machine. The intimate vibe is emulated in Babuino 181’s Italian contemporary style with muted greys and beiges. The hotel is at the epicentre of Rome’s shopping mecca with designer boutiques, antiques shops, art galleries as well as local cafés and gelateria for neighbours. A short stroll leads to many of Rome’s must-see sights including the Piazza del Popolo, Trevi Fountain, Via Margutta, Villa Borghese and the Spanish Steps. There’ll be plenty of boutiques and local eats, to tempt you along the way.

SLH Insider Tip: Ask for a copy of owner Alberto Moncada’s ‘Roman Notebook’ of recommended places to eat, drink, shop and visit in the area, which is given free to guests. For those wanting an extra touch of luxury the Babuino Suite and Patrizi Suite feature large private terraces, perfect for breakfast or intimate evening cocktails.

D-Resort Göcek, Göcek, Turkey
www.slh.com/gocek

Set against a stunning mountain backdrop in a picturesque former fishing village that is now a yachting haven, D-Resort Göcek is a contemporary retreat perfectly positioned between the D-Marin marina and the centre of the trendy yet low-key town of Göcek. Göcek is a favourite stop with sailors and the set-off point for traditional gulet cruises – and guests at the hotel can arrive on their own yacht or charter the hotel’s luxury yacht for the day. The prestigious resort provides a wealth of activities, complimented by a private beach for those who simply want to relax. The fascinating archaeological sites that dot this region of Turkey also beckon to be explored.

SLH Insider Tip:  Embark on a gulet cruise around the breathtaking 12 islands of Göcek.

HGU New York, New York, USA
www.slh.com/hgu

HGU New York’s wellness offerings go beyond the usual yoga mats and detox menus – the wellness-focused hotel provides a comprehensive pillow menu & concierge, liquid lunches, complimentary Flow alkaline spring water, in-room meditation sessions, REVIV IV treatments, Vitality NYC cryotherapy, and complimentary access to Solace Gym. Beyond that, its desirable location in Manhattan’s NoMad neighbourhood makes it a convenient start point for exploring the city, with the Empire State Building just four minutes walking distance away. The aesthetics of the hotel’s eclectic mix of mid-century modern design with reference to the original Beaux-Art architecture from 1905 create a backdrop for CEO Michael Namer’s personal collection of works of art throughout the hotel. Being on the Manhattan side street near Grand Central Terminal makes the HGU New York ideal for travelers with an early flight to catch.

SLH Insider Tip: Feeling under the weather? Ask for an in-room infusion therapy session from REVIV that target a variety of wellness needs by replenishing hydration and restoring nutrient levels or make an appointment for an in-room 3D scanning to order a Guardlab custom-mouthguard that helps you sleep better.

Hotel Three Sixty, Ojochal De Osa, Costa Rica
www.slh.com/threesixty

Set 300 meters above the Pacific Ocean, breathtaking 360-degree panoramas greet you no matter where you are at this mountaintop oasis amid lush jungle overlooking the endless blue Pacific Ocean of southern Costa Rica. Built on a 58-acre private rainforest reserve above the picturesque cosmopolitan town of Ojochal, the elegant adults-only resort features 12 private villas with modern Indonesian tropical architecture, luxury spa pampering, and a dramatic 200-square-metre infinity pool. Premium Villas have a breathtaking 200-degree ocean view while the Deluxe Villas have a soothing 200-degree view over the lush jungle. Being part of a long biological corridor consisting of the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park, chances of spotting wildlife from toucans, sloths, monkeys to humpback whales are aplenty here.

SLH Insider Tip: The resort’s insta-worthy curved infinity pool overlooking the rainforest and the Pacific is best positioned to take in sunsets over the ocean and coastline. Top off the surreal moment with a ‘360 Vodka’, the resort’s eco-friendly house spirit concocted by specialty distillery McCormick Distilling Company.

Puertas del Bosque, Tlalpan, Mexico
www.slh.com/puertas

At Puertas del Bosque, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve left Mexico City behind for a country retreat. The former 19th century hacienda is just mere meters away from Tlalpan Forest National Park, one of the city’s largest green spaces. This southern part of Mexico City characterizes itself for being an area filled with culture and tradition, perfect for exploring the rich Mexican heritage. With ornate iron work, white-framed windows and peach walls, Puertas del Bosque’s exterior preserves the character of the original hacienda while its spacious suites which comes with its own kitchen feature original artwork by Mexican artists, creating a perfect union between contemporary design and tradition. After a day’s adventure, cook a meal in your kitchen with fresh produce, or head out to savor native flavors at a local restaurant.

SLH Insider Tip: Morning hikes in the nearby iconic forest are heavenly, or culture buffs can explore the plethora of museums nearby including the MUAC Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo, Museo Dolores Olmedo, Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo and Jardines de Pedregal.

PLUS….

Nira Caledonia, Edinburgh, Scotland
www.slh.com/niracaledonia

Nira Caledonia reopened on 24th May after completing a major 9-month £1m refurbishment. Painstaking work was carried out to carefully restore the original period cornicing and plasterwork and revamp the bedrooms – effectively creating a complete new hotel. Located over two townhouses on Gloucester Place, the 28-room property was home to the renowned 19th century bon viveur and hedonist, John Wilson, who wrote under the pseudonym Christopher North.

Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, Le Barthélemy, Caribbean
www.slh.com/barthelemy

Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa reopens on 28 October 2018 with new two- and three-bedroom beachfront suites, enhanced spa and reimagined, innovative dining experiences all perfectly set on the white-sand beach of Grand Cul de Sac. Renowned for its laid-back luxury, sublime location and attention to detail, the hotel embraces its chic Parisian pedigree with interiors by celebrated designer Sybille de Margerie and cuisine by Michelin-starred French chef Guy Martin, while reveling in its relaxed setting.

Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa, Lake Placid, USA
www.slh.com/mirrorlake

Guests at Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa can look forward to outdoor experiences in the Adirondacks as well as skiing outings with double Olympic medalist Andrew Weibrecht, son of the resort owners. The skiing Olympian will now be more involved at the resort, creating unique programs for resort guests.