Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), renowned for its independently minded portfolio of boutique properties, marks the beginning of its 35th anniversary with a milestone year of growth, welcoming 100 new member hotels in 2025. Reflecting strong global appetite for meaningful travel, the portfolio now surpasses 650 properties across 90+ countries.
Inspiring New Openings for 2026
2026 will see SLH welcome new member hotels that champion individuality, sustainability, and cultural connection. Niva Labriz Seychelles is reopening after a full renovation in January 2026, offering a renewed island resort surrounded by dramatic peaks and protected marine reserves. Shanghai Muh Shoou Zhujing, a 60-key architectural retreat set within the ancient water town in Zhujing, China is set to welcome guests in April 2026. On the Greek island of Rhodes, The Landmark Rhodes will open in May 2026, offering coastal villas and a spa within a sun-soaked hotel set against the lush backdrop of a centuries-old olive grove.
In Japan, THE PASONA will showcase innovative sustainability and a state-of-the-art spa centre including Thalassotherapy, marine-based wellness treatments, set to open in June 2026. Australia’s Levantine Hill Hotel will offer a refined vineyard escape in Victoria’s Yarra Valley in the same month. The 33-room hotel sits next to the existing estate’s cellar door, fine‑dining restaurant and event facilities, allowing guests to pair their stay with immersive wine‑country dining and tastings.
Scheduled to open in late 2026, the 72-key Sanctuary Rainforest Resort & Spa – Dominica will be SLH’s first member hotel in Dominica. Located in the tropical rainforest of the Roseau Valley, between two rivers and near waterfalls, volcanic hot springs, lakes and rainforest trails, this resort promises to immerse travellers in nature’s full glory. Villa Helios Capri in Italy debuts next year as an intimate nine-suite Mediterranean jewel. Blending classic villa charm with cream‑coloured façades, the property is tucked away on a cobbled lane just minutes from Capri’s famed Piazzetta.
In the final quarter of this year SLH welcomed a distinctive mix of hotels, from design-forward gems, nature escapes, culinary destinations to coastal icons – each curated for their individuality – with many recently opening their doors in 2025.
Nature-Immersive Sanctuaries
The portfolio also expands with nature-rich destinations, each deeply rooted in restorative landscapes. Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is an alpine sanctuary with views of the highest mountain in New Zealand, Aoraki / Mount Cook and world-class stargazing. A lakeside hideaway set in Ascona, Switzerland, Art Hotel Riposo charms as a peaceful property for travellers seeking understated luxury at Lake Maggiore. In the US, Snowpine Lodge brings elevated luxury to one of Utah’s most storied ski destinations at the base of Alta’s iconic slopes. Blending historic charm with contemporary comfort, the lodge gives ski-in/ski-out access and cosy mountain-inspired design that reflects the spirit of the Wasatch Range.
Places to Pause
The appetite for slow-living luxury continues to grow and is reflected in these havens of stillness. SLH welcomes its first hotels in Finland: Skýra Retreat delivers Nordic calm ideal for aurora viewing, complemented by Gáldu Hotel & Spa, a Lapland refuge celebrating northern wellness rituals and deep nature immersion, both of which opened in 2025. Aurelio Hotel & Chalet in Lech, Austria combines alpine charm with an elevated thermal suite including several saunas, aromatherapy steam rooms, herbal and floral baths, and cold plunge, as well as individual wellness treatments, offering five-star ski-in ski-out service on the slopes. The adult-only Cabu Hotel Rhodes which opened in 2025, combines minimalist Greek architecture with relaxed sophistication, offering elegant villas with private pools set in a sun-soaked coastal setting.
Cultural Journeys
Diverse flavours and creativity shine through in cultural and culinary destinations, shaped by community, heritage, and gastronomy. Near Goa’s Vagator Beach in India, guests at The Evren can choose from 61 well-appointed rooms, where Indo-Portuguese charm and relaxed seaside living create a distinctive coastal experience. Newly-opened in 2025, the Evren is a luxury boutique hotel that is soulful and storied.
Looking Ahead
SLH’s growth extends beyond global hotel signings. SLH’s exclusive strategic partnership with Hilton celebrated its first anniversary in July 2025, with more member hotels joining the programme throughout 2025, now bringing over 500 SLH properties to Hilton’s direct booking channels, including Hilton.com and the Hilton Honors app. This milestone accelerated SLH’s performance, driving an 18% year-on-year revenue increase and marking the most successful year in the brand’s history, firmly establishing SLH as the leading global brand for independent luxury hotels.
2025 also marked the launch of the SLH Wellbeing Collection with just 15 existing member hotels including eriro, Austria, Rio Perdido, Costa Rica and Teranka, Spain to name a few. Focused on rest, reconnection and resilience, these hotels go beyond the spa to offer emotionally intelligent escapes designed for holistic wellbeing in a rest-deprived world, as showcased in SLH’s The Restless Traveller Report findings.
“As SLH marks 35 years, our purpose remains unchanged: to champion the world’s most inspiring independent hotels,” said Richard Hyde, Chief Operating Officer of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. “2025 has been a year of renewal and reflection, as we continue to evolve our portfolio and deepen our commitment to conscious travel, wellbeing, and authentic travel experiences. As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to welcome new member hotels that share our belief that true luxury lies in individuality and meaningful connection, and to continue inspiring our community of over 300,000 engaged SLH Club members worldwide.”
