The Not-hot list
In a world of perpetual, shiny new openings, we salute those hotels that have been getting it right for decades, or even centuries. Places with a genuine story and real staying power, always soaring above fads and trends, these hotels stand tall as the very best in the world. Harriet Whiting introduces our not-hot list…
Grande dames (that still rock our world)
Claridge’s, UK
New developments might be popping up around London, but this beauty always catches our eye. Since 1856, the hotel’s elegant position on Brook Street has welcomed the great and the good to its timeless, art deco interiors and high-spirits ambience. The Claridge’s of today comes with a cavernous spa designed by André Fu, while pastry chef Thibault Hauchard dreams up daily delights and a new bakery has just opened. Keep up the good work, Claridge’s.
Singita Sasakwa, Tanzania
She’s hard to spot, but there she is: a grand Edwardian manor perching on a rocky outcrop above the sweeping 350-acre Singita Grumeti Reserve in the Serengeti. Inside, chandeliers sparkle, antique furniture glows and service is at almost mind-reading levels. This is Singita Sasakwa, an iconic safari house, where an old-school atmosphere meets some of Africa’s best guiding, offering a perpetually brilliant and immersive safari experience.
Amanpuri, Thailand
The very first hotel from Aman, this Phuket property stood out as best-in-class from the off, leading the pack and spawning a raft of pioneering Aman resorts so beloved that their fans self-style as “Aman junkies”. Today, Amanpuri retains its original Ed Tuttle-designed feel – contemporary and Thai-inspired – with slick service, a superstar spa and a discreet ambience that has continued to attract a wealthy, hushed-luxury clientele to its idyllic Andaman shores.
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, USA
An Upper East Side institution since 1930, located just one block from Central Park and steps from The Met, The Carlyle feels like a world of its own. Consistently creating its own scene with theatrical art deco flair thanks to Dorothy Draper’s original designs, The Carlyle stays true to its original ethos of old-school hospitality and fun-forward freedom. The iconic black-and-white marbled lobby signals the start of your adventure – perhaps to the legendary Cafe Carlyle or gold-leaf-ceilinged Bemelmans Bar.
Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, South Africa
A pink-hued legend cradled between Table Mountain and Cape Town’s City Bowl, Mount Nelson has always exuded an easy charm that makes staying here so wonderfully laid-back. Receiving guests since 1899, the historic hotel, its lush gardens and two pools are a playground for young and old, who tumble between afternoon tea, the spa, all-day dining and outings to nearby arty Kloof Street. Its sense of old-school glamour keeps things civilised, with a loyal team of staff, some of whom have been here for decades – a testament to Mount Nelson’s all-round good character.
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, France
A deeply glamorous hotel set on its own peninsula, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc opened its doors in 1890 and has continued to be the French Riviera's hangout du jour. Encircled by pines with a retro-cool beach club set along the cliffs overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean, its sceney swimming pool was the location of THAT iconic Slim Aarons shoot. With discreet service and an illustrious list of past guests from F. Scott Fitzgerald and Picasso to Madonna, the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc remains an icon of the Cote D'Azur.
Marbella Club, Spain
This glorious white-washed finca-turned-hotel has sat on the sandy shores of Andalucia since the 1950s, blooming with bougainvillea and becoming an in-the-know hideaway for the global jet-set ever since. It retains that glamorous boho-flair, paired with exceptional service and spacious Grand Villas, whose pools are encased in greenery for privacy-seeking families. Marbella Club’s chic beach club is the spot to soak it all up and people-watch, while The Grill is perfect for candlelit dinners on the terrace.
Eden Rock St Barths, Caribbean
A laid-back, fun-filled playground, the Caribbean island of St Barths is just made for those that love bobbing around on boats, lounging on powder-soft beaches and dipping into the whirling social scene. At its heart lies Eden Rock St Barths, the first hotel on the island, with a beach club whose jaunty red stripes have become synonymous with good times. Long attracting Hollywood’s movers and shakers – from Howard Hughes and Robert Mitchum to Greta Garbo – this remains the place to see and be seen, with a good dose of fun (and frozen rosé) for good measure.
Porto Zante Zakynthos, Greece
Consistently winning awards, villa-only resort Porto Zante on Zakynthos has perfected the ingredients for fabulous summer holidays. It helps that the nine, ultra-private and spacious villas sit along a sublime stretch of beach with sparkling Ionian Sea views. Even better, each villa comes with a flower-filled garden, a private pool, two members of staff and complimentary watersports; if you can drag yourself away, the island offers crystal-clear waters to rival the Caribbean, best explored by private yacht.
POSTCARD FROM
“There’s something quietly special about returning to a truly timeless hotel. I’ve been lucky enough to visit the Marbella Club several times and it never loses its magic. Places like this draw you back effortlessly – through enduring design, exceptional service and the sense that they have a story to tell. But more than anything, it’s the feeling of familiarity. You slip back into your rhythm where everything feels instinctively easy. It’s like returning to somewhere that already feels like yours.”
Victoria Reynolds,
Scott Dunn Private UK
The Not-hot list
Modern-day makeovers (that stand the test of time)
Belmond Villa San Michele, Italy
Anticipation for the reopening of Belmond Villa San Michele is gathering pace for this fascinating reimagining that pays homage to the building’s life as a 15th-century monastery. Set in the hills of Fesiole above Florence and owned by Belmond since 2018, its Michaelangelo-attributed façade and restored frescoes are things of intricate beauty, framed by the work of local craftspeople in terracotta, marble and textiles. Modern artwork, a polished new Guerlain spa and a wellbeing calendar add a contemporary sheen, promising an ideal pitstop for modern-day Grand Tours.
Southern Ocean Lodge, Australia
A pioneer of adventure travel in style, Southern Ocean Lodge sits on the rugged shores of Kangaroo Island, continuing to make a dramatic impression since its rebuild following a devastating bushfire in 2020. Its low-slung architecture follows the contours of the scrubby cliffs, overlooking the surf-crested Southern Ocean, while vast, curved windows and natural materials of wood and limestone allow inside and out to seamlessly meld. The new-look lodge builds on its environmental commitments, offering a serene place to discover the island’s wild beauty.
Fregate Island, Seychelles
This year sees the return of one the Seychelles’s jewels: Fregate Island. Originally built in 1999, the resort has undertaken a much-lauded renovation, taking time to ensure its revival is in keeping with Fregate’s deep sustainable ethos. We’re excited to hear about rewilded tropical landscapes, flourishing biodiversity and conservation of the island’s wildlife, alongside environmentally-sensitive reconstruction work. The beachside villas are reconfigured to be more spacious, blending beautifully into nature, hewn from wood, stone and glass.
Huka Lodge, New Zealand
A low-key fishing lodge built in 1924 that evolved into one of New Zealand’s most exceptional stays has undergone a recent centenary facelift, cementing this North Island wilderness outpost as the ultimate hideaway for nature-lovers, fisherfolk and those looking to simply check out of life, if just for a few days. Before the word “mindfulness” became common parlance, Huka Lodge already had all the tools: natural beauty, extravagant birdsong, a gushing river and a slow-food mantra. Now a new spa crowns this New Zealand jewel.
Four Seasons Hotel Danieli, Italy
Three historic palaces have been brought together in a magnificent restoration story with a new steer from Four Seasons. Located opposite the lagoon on the Riva degli Schiavoni and just a few steps from St Mark's Square, Hotel Danieli opens the door onto Venetian life with under-the-radar experiences, while providing a stylish basecamp with a wellness zone and place-to-be rooftop terrace.
Rosewood Blue Palace, Greece
The family-run “Phāea Blue” located between the fishing village of Plaka and the elegance of Elounda, was always an emblem of Cretan hospitality and legacy. Now, with the clear vision of Rosewood and the sensitive design of Athens-based architects K-Studio, the hotel is gently morphing into an exceptional place to stay, due to open its doors in 2027. Cradled into the forested hillside and opening out onto a private beach, expect every experience to be deeply embedded in the culture of Crete.
Belmond Romazzino, Italy
Created by the billionaire Aga Khan as an in-the-know rendezvous for 70s jet-setters, there’s something about Sardinia’s pine-scented Costa Smeralda that still feels nostalgically glamorous. Perhaps that’s why Belmond felt moved to put its stamp on an existing beach resort in Porto Cervo. The white-washed hotel that tumbles down to the turquoise shoreline of Romazzino was part of the Aga Khan’s original developments and still embodies that sense of retro-glamour, brought bang up to date with Belmond’s signature service.
POSTCARD FROM
“Where ‘new’ and ‘what’s hot’ often dominate the conversation, true luxury is longevity done well. That one doorman who’s been there for years and still greets you, or the suites dedicated to glamorous guests of days past that imbue a hotel with soul. These are properties that have embraced modern comforts and design while safeguarding the character, stories and sense of place that made them iconic to begin with. This is the essence of the ‘Not-Hot List’: not what’s trending, but what endures when heritage is not a constraint, but an asset.”
Julie Durso,
Scott Dunn Private USA
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