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We at The Aficionados like to keep our fingers on the pulse of what’s new in the world of hotel openings, restorations and unveilings. From the snow-dusted Alps, to the windswept valleys of the Highlands, and within the tangle of cobbled streets from Havana to Lisbon, we seek out the beauties that adorn these pages.
But when the jigsaw pieces do slot together, forming a happy synergy of style and imagination mixed with full-of-soul owners and heart-soaring locations, it’s like butter melting on hot toast and we’re filled with good vibes. Staying in at a hotel selected by The Aficionados should mean exactly that – being imbued with a sense of perfect symbiosis, whether that’s in a slate-topped cottage, a woodland design den or a bijou bolthole.
Perched above Lake Walen, Hasenberg Lodge is a reawakened 1970s chalet by architects Michelle Corrodi and Roger Zogg — a soulful private-hire retreat where design, light and Alpine poise converge.
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Timber chalets in the Chiemgau Alps unite self-catering ease with Bavarian soul, sustainable craft and lake to peak adventure, set between Munich and Salzburg beside Chiemsee’s reeds, moorland and mountain light calm.
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A cultured Alpine refuge where design, art and nature converge beside Lake Schwarzsee. A poetic hideaway curated by the Witzmann brothers under the Tyrolean peaks, quietly spirited and deeply rooted.
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Set beneath the Hochkönig peaks, stieg’nhaus is Austria’s newest design hideaway. A modern Alpine retreat of soft luxury, sculptural calm and quiet hospitality shaped by light, craft and stillness.
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Hushed, intelligent design and a narrative of calm define this retreat. Wellness is ritual, food is slow and nature frames a conscious South Tyrolean art of living.
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A barefoot sanctuary where forest, design and ritual converge; AHÃMA is a soulful collision of architecture, Aegean light and hushed luxury shaped by nature and intention.
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Luxury, dismantled. BelArosa Chalet flips the Alpine script with private pools, elemental design and raw-edged beauty. Not just a hotel – an escape carved from silence and stone.
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Biophilic beats, wild venison, and 43,000 pieces of driftwood – Hotel Der Engel rewrites Alpine cool with raw craft, radical design and grounded luxury in Austria’s Tannheimer Tal.
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Barefoot brutalism meets citrus calm. Hospedaria is the crash pad for design lovers, where vintage finds, art, and concrete cool rewrite the rules of rural Algarve stays.
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A whitewashed farmhouse reborn with rustic cool – Pensão Agrícola is Tavira’s slower, softer side: all heirloom nostalgia, citrus groves and vintage edge, with a donkey named Ernesto in tow.
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Off-radar and quietly bold – a mansion hideout wrapped in lush gardens, where heritage meets high design, secret cinema nights unfold, and Dry Martinis flow. Zürich’s sleekest secret, just slightly off-centre.
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Ditch the noise. Chase altitude. High above Kandersteg, Chalet Arva is a raw, fuss-free alpine escape where wild nature rules, simplicity thrives, and adventure meets tranquility. Let the mountains pull you in.
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A vineyard inspired eco retreat laced with design and the tales of wine making for the seekers of taste, style, and the untamed beauty of slow Italian living.
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Lose yourself in a world where heritage collides with bold design. Think roaring fires, statement interiors, and epic views—this isn’t just a stay, it’s an experience that redefines escape.
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Tucked away in nature, this design-led hideaway blends style and seclusion. Think sleek interiors, epic views, and slow mornings by the fire. A place you won’t want to leave.
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Experience a minimalist, eco-faceted nest egg in Verona’s countryside, where sustainable design and natural beauty blend seamlessly to create a chilled escape rooted in Italian slow living.
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Nestled in Sicily’s wild farmlands, Susafa blends sustainable luxury with rustic charm. Indulge in organic farm-to-table dining and immersive experiences—where heritage meets eco-conscious living and design for an unforgettable escape.
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Immerse yourself in dramatic fjords, rugged cliffs, and Arctic wilderness—then unwind in the comfort of a luxury retreat, blending modern ease with untamed nature.
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Get the insider news and lowdown on what we've been up to, where we've been, and who we've met along the way. Be the first to discover new places and get the scoop on our favourites.