-
Reverie Ahu Bay on Ahungalla Point is a laid-back, secluded cluster of beach houses nestled between two coves. Pictured here is the pool. -
The Yucatán Peninsula’s design capital is home to the charming jewel that is the Hotel Cigno – a stunningly restored 19th-century mansion with a perfectly preserved Neoclassical facade, which unfolds over several levels. -
From the library to the courtyard or rooftop pools and the plush bedrooms, Hotel Cigno's indoor-outdoor design makes the most of the climate and the eclectic architectural style. -
At Hotel Cigno you really get the best of both worlds, with romance and entertainment rolled into a single space. And the city of Mérida is steeped in history – it dates back to the Mayans. -
Rooms feature the famed artisanal mosaic tiles and billowing canopy beds, while the restaurant and two bars are all ceramics, views and mezcal. -
Maison Brummell Majorelle makes for an ideal reprieve from the buzz of the Medina, balancing all that this colourful, vibrant city has to offer with hours spent lounging in the pink-tinged enclosure of the courtyard pool, or relaxing in the property’s marble-clad hamman. -
Maison Brummell Majorelle recently flung open the doors to its deeply chic eight-room riad. Just how chic? Well, it’s situated right next door to the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech at the iconic Jardin Majorelle. -
Maison Brummell Majorelle echoes a traditional Moroccan aesthetic, resplendent with terrazzo floors, smooth tadelakt-plastered interiors and textile hangings, while the decor is all modern designer classics – modular sofas, suspension lamps and contemporary art. -
The Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island is focused on two things – serenity and sustainability – so you’ll find it both a haven and almost entirely off the grid, creating a sanctuary for the diverse flora and fauna of the island... and for you. Days can be spent beachside or poolside, or enjoying one of the outdoor activities, including fly-fishing, coral planting, stargazing – and even an outdoor cinema. -
Platte Island’s sandy shores have long been home to migratory seabirds and turtles, protected by their own lagoon and coral reefs – and now they also play host to a glamorous new eco-resort in the form of the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island. The collection of sprawling, earthy-toned seafront villas was inspired by the shell of the native hawksbill turtle – multifaceted in architecture and organic-looking in design, they blend seamlessly into the landscape. -
The sensitive renovation of Casa de São Lourenço has preserved the history of the original property, which was designed in the 1940s. -
The use of burel – a locally spun wool fabric – is a common thread; even the walls are lined with embroidered poetry in this Mid-century mountain haven. -
You’ll find pieces repurposed from the original hotel, which had been decorated by Maria Keil – one of the country’s most celebrated visual artists of the 20th century. -
Alongside pieces by Maria Keil there are works by the likes of Nuno Gusmão, Marco Sousa Santos, Vicara, Util, Grestel, Bordallo Pinheiro, Bartolomeu Gusmão, Vanda Guerreiro and Burel Factory.
WORDS Danielle Weakley PHOTOS Supplied
Chase the sunshine across the globe to these luxe, summer-soaked new hotels.
ASIA
Ahungalla Point, Sri Lanka
It was back in the early Noughties that Sri Lanka’s Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company first ventured into experiences with Resplendent Ceylon – its tea plantation tours and resorts. Fast-forward two decades, and it has just launched a trio of beachier (although no less luxe) boutique hotels, two of which are along the golden sands of the south coast of the country. Reverie Ahu Bay on Ahungalla Point is a laid-back, secluded cluster of beach houses nestled between two coves. Elegant teak furnishings are set against rattan, textiles and blue hand-crafted tiles, while the artworks echo the sea views with photography of the famed stilt fishermen, who can be spotted along the water’s edge. Come for the holistic wellness and the sea views, but stay for the tea plantations. | thereverie.life
CENTRAL AMERICA
Mérida, Mexico
The Yucatán Peninsula’s design capital is home to the charming jewel that is the Hotel Cigno – a stunningly restored 19th-century mansion with a perfectly preserved Neoclassical facade, which unfolds over several levels. From the library to the courtyard or rooftop pools and the plush bedrooms, its seamless indoor-outdoor design makes the most of the climate and the eclectic architectural style. Rooms feature the famed artisanal mosaic tiles and billowing canopy beds, while the restaurant and two bars are all ceramics, views and mezcal; you really get the best of both worlds, with romance and entertainment rolled into a single space. And the city of Mérida is steeped in history – it dates back to the Mayans. | cignohotel.com
AFRICA
Marrakesh, Morocco
Maison Brummell Majorelle recently flung open the doors to its deeply chic eight-room riad. Just how chic? Well, it’s situated right next door to the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech at the iconic Jardin Majorelle. The space echoes a traditional Moroccan aesthetic, resplendent with terrazzo floors, smooth tadelakt- plastered interiors and textile hangings, while the decor is all modern designer classics – modular sofas, suspension lamps and contemporary art. This intimate boutique hotel makes for an ideal reprieve from the buzz of the Medina, balancing all that this colourful, vibrant city has to offer with hours spent lounging in the pink-tinged enclosure of the courtyard pool, or relaxing in the property’s marble-clad hamman. | maisonbrummellmajorelle.brummellprojects.com
Platte Island, Seychelles
Platte Island’s sandy shores have long been home to migratory seabirds and turtles, protected by their own lagoon and coral reefs – and now they also play host to a glamorous new eco-resort in the form of the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island. The collection of sprawling, earthy-toned seafront villas was inspired by the shell of the native hawksbill turtle – multifaceted in architecture and organic-looking in design, they blend seamlessly into the landscape. The entire resort is focused on two things – serenity and sustainability – so you’ll find it both a haven and almost entirely off the grid, creating a sanctuary for the diverse flora and fauna of the island… and for you. Days can be spent beachside or poolside, or enjoying one of the outdoor activities, including fly-fishing, coral planting, stargazing – and even an outdoor cinema. | hilton.com
EUROPE
Serra da Estrela, Portugal
The sensitive renovation of Casa de São Lourenço has preserved the history of the original property, which was designed in the 1940s. The hotel integrates into the surrounding mountain landscape, complementing its retreat feel with a contemporary interior influenced by Portuguese design. You’ll find pieces repurposed from the original hotel, which had been decorated by Maria Keil – one of the country’s most celebrated visual artists of the 20th century – as well as works by the likes of Nuno Gusmão, Marco Sousa Santos, Vicara, Util, Grestel, Bordallo Pinheiro, Bartolomeu Gusmão, Vanda Guerreiro and Burel Factory. The use of burel – a locally spun wool fabric – is a common thread; even the walls are lined with embroidered poetry in this Mid-century mountain haven. | casadesaolourenco.pt
Don’t forget to sign up to our weekly newsletter for the latest architecture and design news.
