With travel back on the cards post-lockdown, there are plenty of incredible new European hotels opening this autumn. From a wellness escape to an Italian palace, here are six hot spots to have on your radar…
By Abbie Schofield
6 Incredible New Hotel Openings
Hotel Fariones, Lanzarote
Best for: beaches and bars
On the southeast coast of Lanzarote is Puerto del Carmen, a coastal town with a stunning palm-fringed beach and buzzing nightlife. It’s the perfect home for Hotel Fariones, a shiny, newly refurbished resort which pairs a sleek and modern design with a laid back vibe. There’s a sea view infinity pool, direct access to the idyllic sandy cove and brilliant restaurants serving fresh, local seafood. It’s not all lounging around though, as Hotel Fariones boasts four bars, including a rooftop with panoramic views and a beach bar as well as La Cueva de Doña, an elegant club set in a cave carved from rocks on the beach. Go with a group of friends and expect to snooze on a sunlounger all day and dance all night.
pyhotelsandresorts.com/en/fariones-hotel
Birch, UK
Best for: a country escape
Birch is branded as a ‘lifestyle concept’. Put simply, it looks like a hotel but feels like a festival. Or perhaps a wellness retreat. There’s everything you need for a proper countryside escape, but it’s in Cheshunt, just 30 minutes outside of the city. Housed in a Grade II listed Georgian mansion in 55 acres of lush land, there’s an on-site farm, two restaurants, a co-working space, fitness centre, music and art rooms, pottery workshop and even a lido opening in the spring — plenty of activities to please everyone, although you do have to pay extra for most of them. It’s an oasis of calm where you can eat well, relax deeply and even work, if you want to, but who does when there’s so much fun to be had?
Maslina Resort, Croatia
Best for: eco-tourism
Surrounded by olive groves and terraced vineyards, Maslina stretches across two hectares of pine forest overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Located on the island of Hvar, the stunning resort is a member of the eco and sustainable tourism body Green Pearls, and nature is also at the heart of the hotel’s design. From room furnishings made from local materials to the restaurant produce grown in Maslina’s own garden, the hotel offers an array of wellness, adventure and culinary experiences that are both luxurious and mindful. Whether you explore the spa or lounge next to the infinity pool, relaxation is mandatory.
Paragon 700, Italy
Best for: group holidays
A former Puglian palace, Paragon 700 has been restored to perfection. Inside the red brick building are magnificent cathedral ceilings, traditional fireplaces, and even a spa featuring a natural whirlpool dug into the ground. It’s intimate, with just 11 rooms (ideal for group holidays) and there’s a verdant garden, citrus grove and swimming pool to cool off in, while the hotel’s restaurant serves exquisite gourmet dishes in a centuries-old vault stone chamber. A five minute walk from the main square of Ostuni, this boutique hotel is a great base for exploring Italy’s beautiful White City and the region’s stunning beaches — guests have priority access to loungers at Paragon 700’s sister beach club, P-Beach.
The Mitre, UK
Best for: a foodie staycation
The Mitre Hampton Court is a Grade II-listed property dating back to 1665, when it was used as ancillary accommodation for guests of King Henry VIII at Hampton Court Palace. It’s opening this month as a hotel with 36 bedrooms, two restaurants, an orangery and a riverside terrace. With stunning views of the River Thames, The Mitre makes for a gorgeous staycation, especially for foodies. Ronnie Kimbugwe, whose background includes over six years at Claridge’s, has been appointed as Culinary & Operations Director and will serve his take on modern British comfort cooking. Inside the hotel, interiors combine quirky British sensibility with elegant luxury.
Maison ila, France
Best for: a wellness retreat
Skincare and spa brand ila are behind this charming villa in the Languedoc, southern France. Dedicated to health and healing, seven bedrooms are accompanied by yoga, sound healing and treatment rooms plus a communal dining area, all surrounded by picturesque blossoming gardens and natural pools, which guests can swim in. Food is central to the Maison ila experience, unsurprising considering it’s located in a region famed for its vineyards and produce. Tasty yet nutritious, mostly vegetarian food is served and intermittent fasting is encouraged (although a few glasses of wine are perfectly acceptable).
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