Image courtesy of Canaves Epitome
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Image courtesy of Canaves Oia Suites
When you think of Santorini’s white-washed, cliffside abodes, think of Canaves. The brand opened its first hotel, Canaves Ena, in a collection of 17th-century caves. The setting is dreamy and fitting — a true reflection of Canaves’ stunning setting.
Ena has 18 rooms; it’s the most intimate experience under the Canaves umbrella (although each hotel feels intimate). You’ll love the breezy, sophisticated aesthetic, a tasteful mix of whites and neutrals. Canaves Epitome is sleek and modern, modeled after traditional Cycladic architecture (white walls, domes, arches), and sits just outside Oia, above a traditional fishing village. Finally, as the name implies, Canaves Oia Suites is made up of sprawling spaces equipped with private plunge pools. The property is also noted for its collection of artwork, but it retains Canavaes’ signature white-washed minimalism.
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Image courtesy of the Wittmore Hotel
The adults-only Wittmore Hotel is tucked away in the winding, ever-charming streets of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. There are a mere 22 rooms, all of which are cozy, flooded with natural light and masterfully decorated with colorful wallpaper, bright patterns and plush furniture. The Wittmore feels hyperlocal, and is committed to collaborating with local artists and tastemakers. Some may update the hotel library with indie magazines and limited-edition books, or they might showcase their paintings and floral arrangements.
The rooftop terrace is the perfect spot for a cocktail with a view. But the intimate courtyard — complete with the city’s largest vertical garden — is mandatory. Also mandatory: dinner and local wine at the casual-chic, effortlessly cool Contraban restaurant, where the menu is delineated by sections like “Frustration,” “Blanked out,” “Impatience” and “Creative excitement.”
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Image courtesy of the Longfellow Hotel
Longfellow Hotel is one of the few independently owned hotels in Portland, Maine — a fact exemplified in its impeccable service, attention to detail and refreshing intimacy. Wellness is big here. Relax in the spa’s infrared sauna before enjoying a holistic treatment. Go for the Grounding Earth Session, which begins with guided breathwork, continues with a face and scalp massage and ends with a heavenly foot massage.
The on-site boutique sells organic skincare and locally made goods. The restaurants serve wholesome menus featuring thoughtfully sourced ingredients. You’ll sleep on organic linens, in a zen, handsomely minimalist room optimized for rejuvenating sleep (the hotel enlisted the help of Sleep Wise consultants in the rooms’ design). Top it all off with in-room Grown Alchemist bath amenities, and you’ll find it difficult to leave.
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Image courtesy of Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort
Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort is a study in authentic, intentional hospitality. The property is deeply connected to its local community, in Grenada. For one, it’s Green Globe Certified, meaning it takes a serious approach to sustainability. They’ve implemented numerous measures focused on conservation, responsible waste management (they even compost) and more. At Mount Cinnamon’s restaurants, you’ll dine on local ingredients and produce sourced from the hotel’s own gardens. But sustainability extends beyond environmentally friendly initiatives. Mount Cinnamon invests in people. It sponsors the West Indies School of Hospitality (WISH), which helps tourism employees in the Caribbean access international scholarships.
You’ll stay in airy hillside villas overlooking the island’s Grand Anse Beach. The décor is cheery and colorful, with lots of blues and yellows, plus generous terraces and verandas to take in the views. Snorkel, play tennis, read on the beach, take a yoga class, dive or get after it in the Peloton Fitness Center. There’s something for everyone here.
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Image courtesy of Petra Segreta Resort & Spa
Petra Segrata sits on an idyllic hilltop in San Pantaleo, Sardinia. The Relais & Châteaux property comprises 27 rooms and suites, all of which have bespoke artifacts and souvenirs the hotel’s owners, a couple, have collected over their vast and varied travels. One of the owners happens to be an architect, and designed the rooms himself.
Each space brings soothing vibes, neutral tones and a zen aesthetic inspired by nature. And if any island were ideal for getting back to nature, it’s the laid-back Sardinia. Life’s pace slows down on the island, and at Petra Segrata. Schedule an Ayurvedic treatment at its spa, housed in a traditional Balinese hut. Then relax in the hammam before heading to yoga. End your day at the Michelin-Starred Il Fuoco Sacro, one of three on-site restaurants, and allow the sommelier to recommend one of over 500 wines from their cellar; it’s a repository of rare labels and unexpected gems from small producers.
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Image courtesy of Elounda Bay Palace Hotel
There’s something special about Crete. Although it’s the largest of the Greek islands, it feels particularly authentic and down-to-earth. Elounda Bay Palace reflects that vibe. It’s a breezy, sprawling beachfront resort amid 20 acres of gardens. The hotel’s numerous restaurants serve everything from traditional Greek and elevated Mediterranean fare to beachfront snacks and sushi. Stay in cozy rooms, suites or bungalows, all of which let you take in the natural surroundings. It’s the perfect spot for families; the immersive Kid’s Club features activities like gardening and swimming tours. You won’t need to leave, but if you want to explore the area (or sea), activities like sailing and historical tours have you covered.
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Image courtesy of Central Hotel Panamá Casco Viejo
Central Hotel Panamá opened in 1874 as its country’s first luxury hotel. The baby-blue façade dotted with white-shuttered windows looks as though it came straight from Fance, but the hotel is deeply connected to its local cultural roots.
Central Hotel is appropriately named: It’s right in Casco Antiguo, or Old Town, near the Plaza de la Independencia. It’s the perfect homebase from which to explore the area and soak in its color and vibrancy. After a day of exploring, enjoy a meal of traditional Panamanian cuisine made from local ingredients, paired with a craft cocktail.
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Images courtesy of Grand Hotel Victoria Concept and Spa Grand Hotel Bristol
These sister hotels understand Italian elegance. Grand Hotel Victoria, housed in a regal 19th-century building, sits on Lake Como’s edge. You’ll be in proximity to both the water and the region’s charming towns. Inside, contemporary, crisp rooms await — as does its spa, a dimly lit space that draws on chromotherapy, or the therapeutic use of sound and color. Spend the day hopping between the spa’s various relaxation rooms: the Himalayan salt room, the ice room, the silence room. Don’t miss the fire room, where modern lounge chairs surround a sleek, 12-foot fireplace.
You’ll find Grand Hotel Bristol in Rapallo, on the Italian Riviera. It’s difficult to miss, with its feminine, blush-pink façade and windows framed by blue French-inspired shutters. It calls to mind the real-life Grand Budapest Hotel. Inside, funky, colorful paintings and sculptures — plus a breezy pastel color scheme — bring life to the playful interiors. Spend the day lounging by the chic outdoor pool overlooking the Mediterranean, or head down to the hotel’s private Marina di Bardi Beach Club.
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Image courtesy of Lotte New York Palace
Lotte Palace is a Madison Avenue institution, an ornate mansion from the Gilded Age. It’s glamorous, classic and opulent: chandeliers, beautiful staircases, intricate metalwork, elaborate ceilings. The Towers at Lotte Palace dial up the hotel’s innate luxury even further. They occupy the top 14 floors of the hotel, and come with a private lobby, butler service and a dedicated concierge. (The Lotte’s Clef d’Or concierge team is legendary.) Head to the famed Gold Room for masterful martinis, and order black-truffle frites, oysters and caviar while you’re at it. Here is the place to be decadent.
Our Perks:
£75 hotel / resort credit, $100 daily breakfast credit, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
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