La Nauve Hôtel & Jardin, a former distillery-turned-boutique accommodation is the definition of lush countryside living (Photo: La Nauve Hôtel & Jardin)
A wise man once quipped, “You should only travel if your lodgings abroad are better or more interesting than the home you live in.” And while that is a little self-limiting, there is something to be said for gorgeously set up accommodation that makes you feel like you are on a fantastical adventure somewhere exciting or soothing at home, despite being away from home.
The Salil Hotel Riverside
Bangkok, Thailand
Frenetic and sometimes frantic, Bangkok is almost always traffic-choked. So, it makes sense to choose a riverside hotel whenever one considers the Thai capital for work or play. Most good establishments come with a private pier and shuttle boats (some even use traditional refurbished rice barges). One new contender eschews the grand dame format of some of the legendary names that line the mighty Chao Phraya in favour of a sleek, modern aesthetic. Ladies and gentlemen, may we present The Salil Hotel Riverside?
Fully operational since March 2023, The Salil Hotel Riverside is part of a boutique hospitality group founded by former banker Salilla Atikarnbodee. Each property embodies an across-the-board European architectural concept and design philosophy but ensures the Asian aesthetic is well represented through textiles and works by local artists and creative storytellers.
The Salil Hotel Riverside’s lobby itself resembles a mini gallery, displaying Jay Soonthornsawad’s fantastical menagerie of dream-like beasts — from a Pegasus-esque seahorse to an antlered hare — while Jakarin and Chaned Aksravadeewat of Bangkok-based interior design outfit Be Gray conceptualised the interiors.
What sets The Salil apart from others is its fusing of house and hotel. Each of the 235 rooms comes fully equipped with a small kitchenette and washing machine while the generous array of F&B experiences, from an on-site dessert bar and cigar divan to a riverside craft beer lounge and Thai chocolate shop, ensure you need not even venture out to experience some of Bangkok’s most exciting offerings. Plans are also in the offing for a new rooftop space, serving unique cocktails and international tapas, all with views of the bustling city and serene river. What’s not to like?
The Hoxton Southwark
London, The UK
While most luxury hotels clutch desperately at any available strand of history to woo travellers big on heritage stays, an upstart like Hoxton is content to write its own narrative. The brand made its debut around 2006 in Shoreditch, east London’s coolest postcode synonymous with clubs, coffee and creative galleries. Southwark, having borrowed some of Hoxton’s boutique charm, finally has a stylish pad to accommodate chic holidaymakers heading its way.
Similar to most of its sister hotels, this outpost features the same exposed brickwork décor, punctuated by numerous plants and a medley of artworks curated by Jealous Gallery. Accents like marble tops and Art Deco lamps at the lobby lend a whiff of 1970s New York, while the rooftop restaurant Seabird overlooking the River Thames, which flaunts the city’s longest oyster list, sports wicker furniture and low-back stools at the bar. Make sure to check into the appropriately named room ‘Cosy’, decked out with red velvet headboard, rotary phone, framed prints, Crittall-style windows and retro brass fittings. If the citrus-scented body wash does not lull you into serene calmness, the radio tuned to the “Relax Chill” station will put you in a state of Zen-like suspension.
The communal and co-working areas, aglow with laptops, are often teeming with guests discussing their latest business pitch or what is showing at Tate Modern (only an eight-minute walk). Not one who gets terrifically jolly at the mere thought of avocado toast from Hoxton’s other casual dining option, Albie? Borough Market and a hearty serving of paella is just a train stop away on the Jubilee line.
La Nauve Hôtel & Jardin
Cognac, France
In an age in which flashy mega-resorts are aplenty, the mark of true luxury comes in the form of privacy, unmatched service and a scenic location. Checking off all three criteria is La Nauve Hôtel & Jardin. Located a stone’s throw from the city known for its amber brandy, this former distillery-turned-boutique accommodation is the definition of lush countryside living.
Guests may arrive at the bucolic sanctuary by car or, if conditions along the Charente river permit, by private boat from the heart of the city. Offering just 12 rooms and suites across the restored 19th-century main house and the more secluded petit chai (meaning “small cellar”), it sits on a patch of well-manicured gardens, perfect for a morning promenade or post-dinner stroll. There is also a heated pool for those who prefer swimming for their daily cardio intake.
In-room, spot warm marble lighting installations, an intimate walk-in closet and tall windows that open up to views of the grounds and birds chirping in the early morning. At night, ideally after dinner at one of the superb on-site restaurants, return to find the sumptuous beds expertly turned down and, if you are lucky, a freshly baked madeleine to end the night on a sweet note.
Sacher Hotel
Vienna, Austria
It might not be the most obvious fact but there is more than one Sacher Hotel (three in fact; one in Mozart’s hometown of Salzburg and the latest in the Tyrolean alpine town of Seefeld), although it is the original outpost in Vienna that is legendary. Still owned by the Winkler family (such a rarity in these days of hotel conglomerates), the 148-year-old Sacher in the heart of the Austrian capital, just a stone’s throw from the beautiful Stephansdom and right across from the Vienna State Opera, is best known for its rich, red furnishings and incredible floral arrangements — all by Zweigstelle Atelier who has been the hotel’s floral collaborator for 20 years.
Spread out over six buildings, no two rooms or corridors are the same. And this is exactly what makes staying in this Viennese grand dame so spectacularly charming. From the green dining room where one may enjoy Sacher Torte for breakfast or perhaps the city’s best martinis at the Blaue Bar, every nook and corner evokes memories of a gilded era. “It is particularly important to me that people feel comfortable and at home,” says Sacher co-owner Alexandra Winkler. “I usually like choosing rather neutral basic colours that can be wonderfully complemented with an intense one. I also consider different lighting scenarios with multiple light sources to be particularly important. They decide the mood and the feel-good factor of a room.”
Scent also plays a role in the Sacher sumptuousness. The family has teamed up with celebrated perfumer Pauline Rochas to create a signature fragrance that encapsulates the inimitable Sacher feel. There is also a trademark candle called “The Magic of Scent”, which enables guests to recreate the experience in the comfort of their own homes.
Palazzo Cordusio Gran Meliá
Milan, Italy
One of the most beautiful new additions to Italy’s hotel scene is the Palazzo Cordusio Gran Meliá. Located in the heart of Piazza Cordusio, an important commercial square of Milan and which takes its name from the Latin for “ducal court”, or Cors Ducis, its 19th-century façade is beautifully ornate, carved from stone and bringing to mind the alabaster grandeur of the Duomo, just the shortest of
strolls away.
As the Spanish group’s first property in Milan, a historic former palace no less, was chosen to house the Palazzo Cordusio Gran Meliá. Originally conceived by the great architect and architectural historian Luca Beltrami, it most recently served as the headquarters for Assicurazioni Generali, the Trieste-based Italian insurance giant. Significant restoration and refurbishment, overseen by Studio Marco Piva, was undertaken before the first guests were welcomed at the beginning of the year.
Described as both elegant and avant-garde, its interiors reflect the richness of all that the building has witnessed. It is grand, to be sure, but also contemporary. Spanish design house ASAH, a long-time partner of the Meliá group, was tasked to ensure each of the 84 rooms embodied more than a touch of the city’s palpable chic, yet be as welcoming and comfortable to guests. Small balconies allow one to let in light and air — and a little of the inevitable downtown hustle and bustle. If you would like a complete view of your surroundings, just head up to the expansive rooftop. Oh, and considering it is a Milanese hotel (and near the famous artsy and design-centric neighbourhood of Brera), expect all the big names of Italian design, such as Flos, Molteni and Fornasetti, to be represented somehow, somewhere. It is up to you to make the discovery.
Re’em at Helen and Joey Estate
Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
Here is one for the wine aficionados who love a stylish stay. Re’em, situated amid the sprawling vineyard of award-winning Helen and Joey Estate in the serene Yarra Valley, promises only excellence from check-in to check-out. Bearing the biblical Hebrew name for the mythical unicorn, which is also the winery’s logo, the 16-room property epitomises modern elegance in its contemporary architecture and furnishings.
The upper-floor rooms come with spacious balconies from which one can get a panorama of the land that extends as far as the eye can see, and a glorious look at the starry night sky. Inside, while the plush beds and chic décor are a lovely plus, the key element of the suites are the deep, round soaking tubs, with which one may have some well-needed R&R while sipping on a selection of the house libations.
Of course, food can make or break an experience, and we are happy to say the fare offered at the restaurant downstairs is worth planning a return trip for. The menu, which focuses on local seasonal produce, is brought to you by chefs Mark Ebbels and Abe Yang. Complimented by a range of Asian flavours, from numbing sichuan peppercorn and chilli sauce to fermented bean paste and black sesame, the dishes pay homage to the winery owners’ Chinese heritage, pairing beautifully with the wines to create the definition of fusion cuisine.
Amba Taipei Ximending
Taiwan
Famous for its rich history, diverse culture, exciting shopping outlets and vibrant nightlife, the Ximending neighbourhood in Taipei is a highly recommended destination for tourists visiting Taiwan for the first time. Amba Taipei Ximending, which opened its doors in 2012, is strategically situated in the heart of the bustling district. It is only five minutes away from Ximen station, where a section of the road in front of the stop is painted in rainbow colours, another attraction in New Taipei.
Comprising 162 rooms, the six-storey boutique hotel is made up of three elements: creativity, connectivity and conservation. Its artistic features can be admired everywhere around the premises, starting from its lobby, adorned with paintings, crafty pieces and stickers by local artists. On the same level, you can spot Chiba restaurant, which offers an expansive breakfast buffet, as well as row upon row of bookshelves filled with comic books and miniature cartoons.
The thoughtfully designed lodge is equipped with environmentally conscious details, with furniture at the reception and rooms largely made from reused wood and recycled barrels. Basic amenities such as shampoo and body wash provided in the room will not be replenished daily to avoid wastage, but patrons can easily request for replacements as needed.
Staying at Amba Taipei Ximending will especially be a treat for bibliophiles and xenophiles, as it is housed in the same building as popular bookstore Eslite Spectrum Ximen, which was transformed from an old cinema into a space that incorporates a blend of traditional and contemporary Taiwanese culture.
This article first appeared in issue No. 113, Autumn 2024 of Haven.
