SLH unveils five new retreats from across the world

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has welcomed five new additions to its hand-picked portfolio of luxury boutique hotels this November. The latest hotels announced — including three newly opened properties — range from a luxury hotel that was once a bank in Stockholm to Japan’s first dispersed hotel.

The Dudley Boutique Hotel, Daylesford, Australia

Located in the small spa village of Hepburn Springs, The Dudley Boutique Hotel is a restored country-style retreat nestled in lush, shaded gardens with flowering trees.

The property is a haven for hikers and mountain bikers, with a range of bush walks and trails close by. Guests can also explore the nearby town of Daylesford, situated less than 2.5 miles away, with its restaurants, galleries, gardens and famous natural spring mineral spas.

Villa Maria Cristina, Guanajuato, Mexico

Villa Maria Cristina is an elegant boutique hotel located in the neo-classical townhouse of Guanajuato, Mexico — a well-preserved colonial UNESCO city surrounded by the mountains and valleys of the Sierra de Guanajuato.

The property is inspired by Guanajuato’s architecture with Catalan mosaics, French cast iron columns, warm wood floors and high ceilings. Art lovers will particularly appreciate the eclectic mix of original pieces of art from local and foreign renowned artists.

Bank Hotel, Stockholm, Sweden

Set in an early 20th-century building that was once a bank, the Bank Hotel is designed to be a bold, modern interpretation of a renaissance palace.

With its black and white marble floors, stuccoed columns and chandeliers, its Bank Hall restaurant pays tribute to the glamour of days gone by. Menus focus on contemporary food from around the world, from classic French dishes such as steak tartare to handmade pasta dishes that seem straight from Tuscany.

The Bank Hotel is within a short distance of some of the city’s vibrant nightlife, dining and shopping, as well as some of the thousands of islands surrounding the Swedish capital.

Art Paradiso Hotel, Incheon, South Korea

Located next to Incheon Airport, the nation’s main gateway to the world, Art Paradiso Hotel sits within the stylish Paradise City resort, an integrated resort complex featuring art and entertainment facilities, a spa, a club, a shopping arcade and a casino.

The hotel is filled with modern and contemporary artworks, marble floors, mirrored ceilings and statement lightning, much like an art gallery. The first-floor lobby features a piece of art created by artist Paik Nam-June and inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 film The Birds, whereas the wall at the Clock Lounge is adorned with 12 photos from the Lady Justice series by Australian artist Alexia Sinclair.

Enso Ango Fuya II, Kyoto, Japan

Set across five Zen-inspired buildings, Enso Ango Fuya II is Japan’s first dispersed hotel with rooms and amenities scattered a few roads apart. This artful boutique retreat invites guests to walk Kyoto’s historical paths and immerse in local culture as they explore the hotel.

Designed with tranquillity in mind, guests can uncover clarity of mind through Zen meditation sessions with Buddhist priests of Ryōsokuin temple; lessons in traditional cooking and crafts; yoga in the Tatami Salon or traditional tea ceremonies in the collapsible tea room made from bamboo and Japanese paper.