Accommodations
Finding the right accommodations for a trip can be the most difficult part of travel planning. I am always searching for that perfect combination of location, price and style. In larger cities, location is my highest priority. You spend relatively little time in your room, and you don’t want to invest any more time traveling back-and-forth during the day than necessary. In the countryside or in a resort area, the room, amenities, facilities and overall ambiance becomes much more important.
There are multiple great collections not mentioned here, some of which are affiliated with larger groups (Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Fairmont, etc.). They all have their own “lifestyle brands” and are easy to locate online. The following are collections of mostly independent properties that I use often when looking for that perfect place to lay my head.
Hotel Collections
Alila currently operates 18 resorts and is now part of the Hyatt Hotel family. Their properties are located in unique destinations that are traditionally less traveled, utilizing local materials and practices under a sustainable approach.
Chic Retreats is a curated portal to over 1000 of the world’s best luxury resorts, boutique hotels, B&Bs, and villas.
Design Hotels represents and markets more than 300 independent hotels in over 50 countries, all with a certain unique artistic and design sensibility.
Great Small Hotels is a unique collection of hand-picked small hotels, representing over 3300 properties worldwide. A great resource for “hard to find” small hotels.
HIP stands for Highly Individual Places. HIP Hotels must fulfill certain criteria – be unique, characterful & charming, and off the beaten track.
Johansens is a global collection of luxury hotels, spas and venues including many historic houses, castles and gardens. It is now a part of the Conde Nast family.
Mr & Mrs Smith is a collection of boutique and luxury hotels “curated by experts”.
Querido is a curated collection of about 18 hotels as well as a couple of yachts. Each one of their hotels are family owned, deeply connected to the destination, and exhibit common values.
Red Carnation Hotel Collection operates 20 properties located primarily in England, Scotland, and Ireland with a few in Africa and one each in Switzerland and the US.
Romantik Hotels are independently owned, often by several generations of one family and generally exude “old world charm”. They represent almost 400 properties mostly concentrated in central Europe.
Small Luxury Hotels is an excellent network of small independent luxury hotels that includes over 500 properties in more than 70 countries (and is one of my personal favorite collections).
Tablet Hotels is one of my go-to websites to look for interesting hotels. Most properties are known for their overall design and range from lesser expensive boutique properties to over-the-top luxury resorts.
Luxury Properties
Aman’s flagship uber-luxury resort is the Amanpuri in Phuket, Thailand. They also have 32 other properties located in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Pacific, the Caribbean and the U.S. Each hotel is designed around its unique location. Full disclosure – to date, Amangiri in Utah is my favorite destination hotel in the world.
Auberge Resorts started as a family-fun restaurant and inn in Napa California and has grown to 19 properties in 3 continents. Luxurious and intimate.
Banyon Tree is a spa-oriented boutique resort company with 48 properties in Asia, Africa, Mexico and the Middle East.
Belmond is a collection of 34 world-class hotels that include some of the most iconic properties to be found, including the Sanctuary Lodge at the top of Machu Picchu and the Hotel Cipriani in Venice. They also operate luxury trains in Peru, Britain, Europe and Asia as well as canal boats on the rivers for France.
Corinthia Hotels currently operates nine luxury properties in Europe and Africa with plans for another seven to open soon in Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.
Dorchester Collection owns and manages nine luxury five-star hotels including the iconic Dorchester Hotel in London, The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, and The Plaza Athénée in Paris.
Four Seasons operates more than 100 hotels, retreats and residences located all over the globe as well as its own private-branded jet.
Leading Hotels of the World is a collection of authentic and uncommon luxury hotels. Comprised of more than 400 hotels in over 80 countries, their properties include some of the most prestigious independent hotels in the world.
Maybourne Hotel Group is a collection of five luxury properties located in London, Beverly Hills, and the Cote d’Azur. Claridge’s and The Connaught in London are two of my personal favorite hotels.
The Oetker Collection comprises 11 Masterpiece Hotels and more than 150 private villas and estates around the globe. Their most well-known properties include The Lanesborough in London, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, and Le Bristol in Paris.
One&Only Resorts currently operates 12 luxury resort properties located worldwide with another three planning to open in the next several years.
Relais & Chateaux is a collection of individually owned and operated hotels and restaurants with about 500 members in 60 countries. Most of them are historic landmarks such as castles, manor houses, or townhouses in idyllic settings and offering exquisite haute cuisine.
Rocco Forte Hotels has 15 properties primarily located in European cities, as well as beach resorts in Sicily and Apulia, and a recent opening in China. Each property is individual with its own personality, and each is authentic to its city. All are landmarks, both old and new, occupying magnificent buildings in exceptional locations.
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts currently has 28 city hotels and resort properties located around the world with another 23 hotels planning to open in the next 2-3 years. Their collection includes some of the most iconic hotels in the world – The Carlyle in NYC, Little Dix Bay in Virgin Gorda, Kona Village in Hawaii, and the Hotel de Crillon in Paris.
Six Senses resort and spa management company has two brands, Six Senses and Evason, with 10 properties in Asia and the Middle East.
South American Adventure Lodges
I have fallen in love with the concept of these all-inclusive adventure lodges in South America. You pay one nightly price which includes everything from transfers, accommodations and meals to daily excursions led by expert guides. There is plenty of hiking, biking, horseback riding and star gazing on offer along with relaxing spa facilities and gourmet meals.
Awasi has two lodges in Chile (Patagonia and Atacama) and one in Argentina (Iguazu Falls). Their properties are small (12-14 rooms) with personal guides assigned to each guest for the duration of your stay. Top of the line.
Explora has three lodges in Chile (Patagonia, Atacama and Easter Island), one in Peru (Machu Picchu/Sacred Valley) and one in Argentina (El Chalten). They are the biggest player in the luxury adventure market in South America.
Tierra Hotels has three Chilean resorts located in Patagonia, Atacama and Chiloe. Each lodge is stunningly designed based upon its individual setting.
