© Soneva Secret
Ultimate privacy at the Soneva Secret resort
November 12, 2024
Marianne von Waldenfels
Unique design, first-class service, impressive location, finest cuisine: new hotels for the highest standards – from Capri to New Zealand
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Even the location is spectacular: With only 14 beach and overwater villas, including 'Castaway', the only floating villa in the Maldives, Soneva Secret is located on the edge of the almost untouched Haa Dhaalu atoll. Super exclusive: Each villa comes with a team of three service staff, a Barefoot Guardian, a Barefoot Assistant, and a chef, to fulfill guests' (almost) every culinary wish.
For those who don't like dining alone, the restaurant 'Out of This World' offers like-minded guests. However, it is only accessible by boat or via an 80-meter long zipline. Secluded - but not completely off the beaten path: Soneva Secret is about 75 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport in Malé. soneva.com
© Estelle Manor
Quintessential British country life in Oxfordshire
Extraordinary mix of private member club and hotel: The imposing, listed mansion sits in a 3000-hectare parkland with ancient trees. The 108 rooms are styled with colorful velvet furniture, antiques from around the world, modern classics, and contemporary art, and the minibar includes not only fine drinks but also silk eye masks.
Gourmets also get their money's worth: The Billiards Room, for example, offers excellent Chinese cuisine with a focus on dim sum and bao by former Hakkasan chef Ah Tat Ip. Hotspot: the huge outdoor pool, which exudes Côte d'Azur charm with its red and white striped umbrellas, and the 3000 square meter Roman-inspired bathhouse. estellemanor.com
© Hotel La Palma/Oetker Collection
Old school glam at the Hotel La Palma in Capri
Capri's first hotel, dating back to 1822, experiences a highly elegant revival and is now part of the exclusive Masterpiece Hotels of the Oetker Collection. Maltese designer Francis Sultana was inspired by Art Deco and neoclassical style: artistic mosaic floors, white lamps reminiscent of Greek amphorae, cabinets shaped like classic columns.
The beauty products in the bathrooms come from Officina Profuma di Santa Maria Novella. All 50 rooms and suites feature balconies or terraces. For gourmets: the hotel has its own patisserie under the direction of pastry master Carmine Di Donna, and the two-starred chef Gennaro Esposito heads the in-house restaurant. Absolute hit: the hotel's Gioia Beach Club. oetkercollection.com
© Stefan Giftthaler
Passalacqua: Cinematic Setting on Lake Como
Just opened, the hotel has already been awarded first place atthe "World's 50 Best Hotels" awards. Reason: It shows Lake Como at its most glamorous and luxurious with a touch of bohemian flair.
The 18th-century villa, once home to composer Vincenzo Bellini, is set amidst spectacular terraced gardens. The magnificent retreat with unparalleled views over the lake and just 24 rooms features original frescoes and ceiling carvings, gilded mirrors, 19th-century portraits, and Murano chandeliers. passalacqua.it
© One & Only/Kerzner International Limited
Luxury hideaway in Greece on the island of Kea
Kea, die westlichste bewohnte Kykladeninsel, liegt zwar nur etwa 20 Kilometer südöstlich vor der Küste Athens, ist aber dennoch wunderbar abgeschieden und relativ unbekannt. Die Villen des gerade eröffneten Resorts garantieren absolute Privatsphäre: mit ein oder zwei Schlafzimmern und einem grandiosen Blick aufs Meer durch die raumhohen Fenster.
Wer sein Zimmer nicht verlassen will, entspannt auf seiner privaten Außenterrasse mit Infinity-Pool und Feuerstelle – perfekt für den Sundowner. Auch der dreistöckige Spa lässt keine Wünsche offen. Er wurde auf dem Prinzip der Sophrosyne konzipiert, dem altgriechischen Ausdruck für die Balance zwischen Körper und Geist. Die Behandlungen sind von der griechischen Mythologie und der heilenden Wirkung natürlicher Wirkstoffe inspiriert. Einfach traumhaft: der Yogapavillon mit Meerblick. oneandonlyresorts.com
© Lisa Sun
Flockhill: Adventure in the New Zealand Wilderness
„Die schickste Schaffarm der Welt“, schrieb die britische Financial Times über das Anwesen am Fuße der Alpen auf der neuseeländischen Südinsel. Es gehört zu einer 36.000 Hektar großen Farm und ist der perfekte Ausgangspunkt für die Erkundung der wilden Schönheit des Landes.
Jedes der Zimmer bietet durch deckenhohe Glasfenster spektakuläre Ausblicke, die Einrichtung ist detailverliebt: moderne neuseeländische Kunst, Glaspendelleuchten von Monmouth aus Auckland, Wärmflaschenbezüge aus Merinowolle und Geschirr von lokalen Herstellern. ErfahreneGuides accompany guests on their tours to waterfalls, lakes, and caves, for fly-fishing, e-biking, kayaking, and paddling. flockhillnz.com
