First quarter growth reflects the continued global appetite for distinctive boutique escapes
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has announced 29 new member hotels joining its independently minded portfolio during the first quarter of 2026. Building on the strong momentum seen throughout 2025, the collection now surpasses 700 properties across 100 countries, reflecting a growing global appetite for meaningful, design-led, and deeply personal travel experiences.
New Openings
The latest signings include a dynamic mix of newly opened and upcoming properties, all connected by a shared sense of individuality, independence, and innovative design.
Opening this spring on Ireland’s Westport Estate, The Grace Hotel in County Mayo promises sweeping views across 430 acres of pristine landscape. Contemporary rooms, dining spaces, and a tranquil spa draw inspiration from the textures and tones of Ireland’s rugged West Coast.
Also arriving this spring is Casa Caprile in Anacapri, Italy a restored 19th-century residence transformed into a whimsical 12-room retreat filled with bold colours, bespoke furniture, and playful details.
In July 2026, Eight Venezia will debut in Venice’s Campo Santa Maria Formosa following an extensive refurbishment. The 27-room property preserves ornate frescoes, stained glass, and original cornicing while introducing a refreshed contemporary aesthetic.
The third quarter of the year will see the opening of Casa Simona in Panama’s El Valle de Antón, located within the crater of an extinct volcano. The intimate retreat blends local architecture with lush natural surroundings and valley-facing rooms.
Elsewhere in California, Hotel MOHI by Appellation is set to open later this year in downtown Morgan Hill near Palo Alto. The property will combine wine-country charm with curated outdoor experiences, continuing the vision introduced by its sister property, Appellation Healdsburg.
Among the newly opened properties is Rhino and River Wildlife Retreat & Spa in Morigaon, Assam, India — a serene retreat featuring 16 log-hut-style rooms, scenic river and farmland views, wildlife encounters, and the Nirban Spa inspired by indigenous Khasi healing traditions.
In Reims, France, Le 3 by Champagne Thiénot officially opened at the end of 2025, becoming the first boutique hotel by the famed Champagne house. Housed within a historic townhouse, the 14-room hotel brings together elegant French design, a dedicated spa, and immersive cellar experiences.
New Destinations
SLH’s expanding portfolio also introduces several new destinations across the globe.
Key West, Florida joins the collection through four properties from Key West Historic Inns. Ella’s Cottages offers a bohemian Old Town escape ideal for extended stays, while Ridley House spans three historic homes with white clapboard exteriors and private porches. The Lighthouse Hotel continues its legacy as a pioneering LGBTQ-friendly guesthouse, and Winslow’s Bungalows blends Victorian architecture with relaxed modern styling for a laid-back residential feel.
In California, Maison Twenty Seven introduces Santa Monica to the portfolio. Originally established in 1927, the property is defined by Moorish-influenced Mediterranean Revival architecture, wrought iron gates, lush gardens, and timeless interiors across its 38 rooms and suites.
Palm Springs welcomes La Serena Villas, an adults-only hideaway featuring 18 Spanish-style villas framed by the San Jacinto Mountains, while Santorini Sky in Greece offers nine marble-clad villas perched 2,000 feet above the Aegean Sea alongside the island’s highest private pod experience, the Sky Dome.
Further east, Telunas Private Island introduces a secluded overwater villa experience amidst Indonesia’s Riau Islands. Accessible via ferry from Singapore, the retreat focuses heavily on sustainability and positive impact within surrounding communities.
In the Czech Republic, Grand Palace Brno blends history and luxury in the heart of Brno, while Ávila, Spain joins the portfolio with La Casa del Presidente a former presidential residence transformed into a refined retreat complete with freestanding bathtubs, views of medieval city walls, and an in-house winery.
Beyond the Stay
The growing demand for immersive travel experiences continues shaping the hospitality landscape, with travellers increasingly seeking stays that engage both destination and wellbeing.
At Dharana at Shillim in Pune, India, guests are welcomed into a renewed vision of eco-conscious luxury across 2,500 acres of land. The retreat combines intentional wellness programmes with sustainability initiatives, reforestation projects, and community training programmes for local women farmers.
In Romania, Zabola Estate unfolds across the hills of Transylvania, where the property’s Castle Spa pays homage to the Indian heritage of the owning Basu family. Historic guesthouses dating between the 18th and 20th centuries are surrounded by forests, lakes, and meadows, creating deeply restorative stays.
Mexico’s Baja California welcomes two contrasting additions the secluded La Valise Los Cabos with its Mediterranean-style Casas and desert-meets-ocean setting, alongside the vibrant adults-only lifestyle retreat ME Cabo, known for its beach club, live DJs, and energetic nightlife atmosphere.
Meanwhile in Paris, Hotel Bowmann offers an elegant blend of historic Parisian architecture and modern luxury within the city’s prestigious 8th arrondissement.
Sanctuaries of Stillness and Heritage
Across continents, SLH’s newest additions continue celebrating local heritage, craftsmanship, and natural beauty.
Puerto Valle Hotel de Esteros in Argentina is surrounded by biodiverse wetlands and protected parkland, embracing sustainability through organic gardens and environmental stewardship.
At the foot of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary in Peru, Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel combines luxury accommodation with immersive Andean experiences and culinary traditions deeply rooted in local culture.
India’s growing luxury hospitality landscape is further represented by Lchang Nang Retreat in Nubra Valley, Terrah Hills Resort in Dalhousie, and Dolkhar Ladakh in Leh each thoughtfully celebrating Himalayan heritage, local craftsmanship, and intentional design.
In Vietnam, sister properties Azerai La Residence in Hue and Azerai Ke Ga Bay offer immersive cultural experiences ranging from cooking classes and cycling tours to coastal adventures and beachside escapes.
Expanding SLH’s boutique cruise collection, Historia Boutique Hotel Nile Cruise introduces 44 luxury cabins sailing between Luxor and Aswan, combining refined hospitality with the timeless beauty of Egypt’s Nile River.
As travellers continue prioritising intimate, design-led, and locally rooted hospitality experiences, Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s expanding portfolio reflects a growing global demand for stays that feel deeply personal, culturally immersive, and emotionally resonant.
