HM takes a look at the latest properties to join Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) this month.
Halcyon House: Cabarita Beach, Australia
SLH’s first property in New South Wales, Halcyon House is a stylish coastal retreat just moments from Cabarita Beach. The hotel looks as if it has stepped out of an interiors magazine, the vision of Brisbane designer, Anna Spiro. Many of the 21 individually-styled suites offer sea views and are stylishly decorated with blue hues and nautical touches. The saltwater pool offers a touch of the Mediterranean with candy striped daybeds and palms fringing it. Halcyon House’s poolside restaurant, Paper Daisy, is headed up by ex-Noma chef, Ben Devlin, an Aussie native who puts emphasis on local produce and casual fine dining.
Storfjord Hotel: Skodje, Norway
This forest retreat, handcrafted from Norwegian wood, offers guests panoramic views of dramatic fjords and Alpine peaks in one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. The 23-room hotel puts a designer spin on the traditional log cabin with raw timber and sleek grey tones with a sense of Scandi-chic. The bedrooms are the epitome of comfort, with four poster beds and cosy fur throws draping stylish sofas, many offering fireplaces or private balconies from which to enjoy the forest framed views of Alpine Norway. The restaurant at Storfjord hotel is a relaxed and unpretentious fine-dining experience, showcasing local delicacies and flavours with a four-course feast every evening, accompanied by the hotels own brewed ale – Storfjordbrygg. Guests looking to explore the west coast of Norway can go fishing around Ålesund or paddle to Glomset Cove in a Kayak. The hotel’s ethos is ‘luxury the Norwegian way’ so guests can expect an intimate and relaxed experience with warm and friendly staff who are happy to meet guests needs anyway they can.
Dorsia Hotel and Restaurant: Gothenburg, Sweden
Rich and characterful décor inspired by the French Belle Époque period gives this boutique hotel its individual and striking style. Each of its 37 unique rooms and suites takes inspiration from storybooks to become the guests’ own personal kingdom, complete with fairytale-esque beds and adorned with classic art and antiques collected by three generations of owners. The kitchen team at Dorsia creates inventive menus inspired by the owners’ European travels, with a French influence and an emphasis on fresh local produce. One of Dorsia’s greatest selling points is its central location, ideal for exploring the historic city and within easy reach of many of the most important sites and attractions of Gothenburg. The Old Post House, Trädgårdsföreningen Park and Garden, the Opera House and the Museum of Art are all walking distance from the hotel.