5 exciting new hotels to book now
These recently opened hotels are bucket list-worthy, says NATALIE EVANS-HARDING
AMANYANGYUN, Shanghai
Fifteen years ago, upon learning that a much-needed reservoir was to flatten a 10,000-tree camphor forest and an ancient village, local entrepreneur Ma Dadong negotiated with Chinese officials to painstakingly relocate each tree and brick to a new site over 430 miles away. Unsure what to then do with his restoration project, he invited some friends around to discuss the situation over dinner. One guest, then-Aman-hotelier Adrian Zecha, insisted that they collaborate to create Amanyangyun, a state-of-the-art spa retreat situated in the relocated forest just outside downtown Shanghai. Guests can stay in faithfully preserved Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, while delving into ancient Chinese healing practices and customs, from tai chi and acupuncture to tea ceremonies and calligraphy classes.
SIX SENSES, Bhutan
Landlocked in the Himalayas between Tibet and India is the last Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan – the self-proclaimed ‘happiest country in the world’ – where the government measures quality of life using a Gross National Happiness index (the population is 91% happy, by last count). Only caving to globalization pressures relatively recently (television and internet were banned until 1999, and a traditional dress code used to be enforced) and strictly regulating its tourist industry to this day, Bhutan preserves a distinct identity. It’s so engaging for visitors that eco-experts Six Senses weren’t content with designing just one hotel here – instead, they built five luxury lodges. Guests are encouraged to travel between them to better absorb the cultural heritage and spirituality, hiking through blooming, subtropical valleys into pine-forested mountains, spotting giant gilded Buddhas and red-robed monks along the trails as temple bells ring out over fortressed clifftops and terraced rice paddies.
ARCTIC BATH, Sweden
With a nostalgic nod to Sweden’s timber-floating days, architects drew inspiration from Arctic Bath’s Lule River surroundings to create this innovative, crown-like structure. Giant logs once sailed down this natural thoroughfare, purposefully cast out by lumberjacks to be transported by the current. Except, that is, when felled trunks occasionally clashed together, forming Mikado-like islands bobbing on the river. Now, a floating island has appeared again, anchored in place this time and hosting a luxury thermal spa. In the open-aired middle of the structure is a cold plunge bath, surrounded by saunas for when guests need to warm up. Six exclusive hotel cabins sit alongside, equipped with wood-burning stoves, Scandi-chic furniture and expansive skylights, perfect for watching the northern lights twist and morph.
PROPER HOTEL, San Francisco
Proper began a campaign to claim the Golden Gate City’s ‘hippest hotel’ title after they had the vision to purchase, gut and meticulously restore the iconic Beaux-Arts flatiron building in the heart of Mid-Market, San Francisco, then sealed the deal by hiring Gwen Stefani and Cameron Diaz’s eclectic interior designer, Kelly Wearstler, to deck it out. After five years of masterminding, this 131-roomed hotel is now full-to-bursting with texture, print, design-led furniture and objet d’art. With its views of the Bay, the rooftop bar is so in demand that queues to sit on the stripy loungers in front of XL fire pits regularly go around the block. Following such success, Proper will next be rolling out its concept to its ‘creative types’ clientele in LA, Santa Monica and Austin.
&BEYOND VIRA VIRA, Chile
Anyone wondering why Africa specialists &Beyond would decide to open a sprawling working farm lodge in Latin America clearly hasn’t visited Araucanía, known as the Lake District of Chile. At the foot of snow-capped volcanoes, by shimmering lakes and natural lagoons, is the remote Vira Vira, offering luxe-boho suites and villas. Guests can ski in winter (in this region, the best months are July-September), horse ride with huaso cowboys in summer (think December to February in particular), white-water raft, paddle board, fly over the active Villarrica volcano using the on-site helicopter, or simply stargaze from open-air hot tubs by night. Study the 1,000-bottle Chilean wine list before wholesome farm-to-table dining on the banks of the nearby river. There’s even an on-site cheese factory.