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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.
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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Found high in the Alps, design hotel Maistra 160 is a soulful modernist, a deeply rooted sanctuary of diligence with a gorgeously retracted remit of interior precision and silent sophistication.
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A cohesive blend of wine culture, raw nature, commitment to the environment and design are the quintessential hallmarks of L'AND, which give the retreat a sense of belonging and an original bond to oenology.
Where history meets high design – Doornberg is a colonial masterpiece turned private villa, where Palladian columns, mid-century flair, and tropical gardens frame Galle’s most storied retreat.
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Steps away from Lake Constance, this shoreside hideaway fuses historical elegance with modern, purist architecture and conscious design, cradled in nature, wildflowers and centuries-old pine trees.
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Historic private-hire castle on the shoreline of Loch Ness restored by British architect Ptolemy Dean, landscape designer Tom Stuart-Smith and interiors by Charlotte Freemantle and Will Fisher of antique emporium Jamb.
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Boho, ornate and stylish, this mansion speaks of colonial architecture narrated by art, design, and antiquities - a chilled luxury bolthole of hushed opulence.
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Built on the blueprint of a former woodwork and abandoned timber yard, Pátio do Tijolo has more than a cue of industrial chic infused with design, art and contemporary accents.
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