Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has plenty to celebrate. In the first half of 2025 alone, the brand has debuted 49 new hotels across Japan, India, China, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The collection now spans over 620 properties in more than 90 countries.
The momentum builds on a record-breaking 2024, giving travellers more choice than ever. Think city escapes, secluded nature retreats, and properties that blend local culture with world-class design. Many new openings also join SLH’s Considerate Collection — the largest portfolio of GSTC-recognised sustainable luxury hotels — proving that high style and responsible travel can go hand in hand.
SLH Asia Pacific Highlights
Japan — Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto
FAUCHON L’Hôtel Kyoto
In Osaka, Cuvée J2 Hôtel Osaka by Onko Chishin pairs minimalist luxury with a playful twist. Each suite draws inspiration from a prestigious Champagne house, complete with crisp white interiors and curated bubbly experiences. Kyoto’s FAUCHON L’Hotel Kyoto fuses Parisian indulgence with Japanese precision. Guests sip afternoon tea at the pink-accented Salon de Thé or savour refined French-Japanese dishes at Grand Café FAUCHON. In Tokyo, TAKANAWA HANAKOHRO offers just 16 ryokan-style suites. Tatami floors, hinoki wood baths, and views of a private garden with 200 cherry trees create a serene hideaway in the heart of Minato.
India — Himalayan Foothills and Goa
Amaya
Perched high in Himachal Pradesh, Amaya is a sanctuary of stone, timber, and silence. Designed by architect Bijoy Jain, it champions slow living with hand-built structures and star-filled skies. In Goa, Baale Resort blends Balinese elegance with Goan charm. Its private villas feature open-air showers, shaded verandas, and pools surrounded by tropical gardens — a setting made for long, languid days.
China — Xi’an, Shaanxi
Younch Hotel Xi’an
With only 16 rooms, Younch Hotel is an intimate retreat at the gateway to the Silk Road. Its pared-back interiors and warm hospitality make it a peaceful base just minutes from Xi’an’s ancient walls.
Australia — Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula & Yarra Valley
Lon Retreat & Spa
Lon Retreat & Spa overlooks Port Phillip Bay from a family-owned coastal farm. Seven suites and a mineral spa draw from the natural springs below, offering a wellness escape shaped by land and sea. In the Yarra Valley, the soon-to-open Levantine Hill Hotel will deliver 33 suites, sweeping vineyard views, circular soaking tubs, and a private helipad. A sculpture walk winds through the grounds, adding an artistic flourish to wine country.
Thailand, Malaysia & Indonesia — Phuket, Penang & Bali
Thailand
In Phuket, Twinpalms Tented Camp redefines glamping. Air-conditioned tents with private plunge pools connect guests to Twinpalms’ sister resorts and award-winning dining. In Penang, Bertam Wellness Spa & Villas offers lagoon views, lush gardens, and spacious villas for privacy and calm. Bali’s The Ungasan Clifftop Resort crowns Uluwatu’s dramatic cliffs. Each villa comes with a private butler and access to Sundays Beach Club, balancing barefoot luxury with panoramic ocean views.
This year’s openings show SLH’s strength in storytelling and sense of place. From Champagne-inspired suites in Osaka to mineral-spring therapy on Australia’s coast, each hotel delivers an experience that is both unique and deeply local. It’s a powerful mix of style, intimacy, and sustainability — the hallmarks of modern luxury travel.
(Images from SLH)
