Best Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Situated on the northern tip of Santorini, Canaves Oia Santorini features classic Cycladic architecture (think white cliffside buildings with blue domed roofs). The property is divided into three areas (Canaves Oia Hotel, Canaves Oia Suites and Canaves Oia Villas), where guests will find suites and villas with white interiors, verandas with Aegean Sea views, free Wi-Fi and welcome bottles of wine. Some accommodations are also outfitted with private plunge pools. The highlight of this property is the picturesque sea vistas, but recent travelers also appreciated the hotel's top-notch service and the Greek and Mediterranean fare served at Petra Restaurant and the Infinity Pool Bar Restaurant. Other on-site dining options include the Elements fine dining restaurant and the Veranda Caviar & Oyster Cocktail Bar. If wellness is your main focus, pay a visit to the property's spa or gym, or take a yoga class with views of the ocean. Although most of Santorini's top attractions reside on the southern part of the island, you'll find multiple restaurants and a few cafes and art galleries within walking distance.

This property overlooking the Arno river in Florence underwent a major renovation in 2017, and travelers could not be more impressed. Offering stunning views of the Ponte Vecchio, Hotel Lungarno features nautical stylings and a living room suspended above the river. The blue, white and leather interiors extend to the accommodations, which boast antique furniture and original artwork. (The hotel features more than 400 pieces of fine art from artists like Picasso and Guidi.) More modern amenities include blackout shades, coffee and tea makers, flat-screen TVs, complimentary loaner iPads and free Wi-Fi access. Upgraded rooms and suites offer more square footage and extra perks like separate sitting areas, minibars and balconies with river vistas. Recent guests described their rooms as beautiful and comfortable. Travelers were also complimentary of the on-site restaurants, especially the Michelin-starred Borgo San Jacopo, which serves contemporary Italian cuisine and houses a wine cellar with 900 labels. For a lighter meal, visitors can dine at the Picteau Lounge Bar, which also offers afternoon tea and views of the river from its terrace. While past guests said the property was stunning and luxurious, they cited the friendly, attentive staff as the highlight of their stays. 

The Dylan hotel is conveniently situated within Amsterdam's central canal belt near the chic Nine Little Streets shopping area and several museums. Housed in a building that dates back to the 1600s, the hotel sits on a site that once featured a theater. After the original structure burned down in 1772, the locale was used as an office for the Roman Catholic Church until it was renovated and reopened as a luxury boutique hotel in 1999. Inside, recent guests were pleased with the accommodations' decor, though some wished that all rooms were accessible from the hotel's elevators. Standard guest rooms offer Bose sound systems, garden or courtyard views, minibars, complimentary Wi-Fi access and hardwood floors. Those who upgrade to suites will find unique details like exposed beams, 20-foot ceilings, bronze chandeliers and cast-iron staircases. Past travelers recommended dining at the Michelin-starred Restaurant Vinkeles for French cuisine and visiting Bar Brasserie OCCO for signature cocktails and coffee. 

The first newly built hotel on St. Barts in 20 years, Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa started welcoming guests in 2016 and reopened fully in October 2018 after repairing damage caused by Hurricane Irma. The luxury resort is perched directly on the beach, overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Le Barthélemy's rooms and suites feature garden, lake or ocean views and are decorated in neutral hues of tan and white with pops of green and blue or pink. The property is home to a fitness center and a spa with traditional services and amenities, plus a blow-dry bar, a nail salon and yoga classes. When it comes to dining, travelers can indulge in French-Caribbean fusion cuisine and take in the views at the alfresco Aux Amis and Aux Amis Plage. Visitors also have the option of booking half- or full-board meal plans with their rooms during the summer months. Meanwhile, those looking to enjoy drinks can head to the rooftop bar (live music is available on Friday and Saturday nights). Overall, previous travelers were blown away by the hotel's understated elegance, impressive service and inviting atmosphere. Thanks to its Small Luxury Hotels of the World ties, INVITED rewards program members can cash in accrued reward night vouchers for stays here.

The AccorHotels-affiliated Maison Souquet features traditional belle epoque decor dreamed up by famed French interior designer Jacques Garcia, who designed or refurbished parts of iconic buildings like the Musée du Louvre and Versailles Palace. All of the property's 20 guest rooms and suites are named after former members of various royal courts and showcase period-inspired details like rich color schemes and silk headboards. Standard rooms only offer 172 to 194 square feet of space but have smart TVs, Hermès toiletries and minibars. Suites, meanwhile, come with private entrances and more square footage. Outside the accommodations, lodgers have access to a bar and a spa with an indoor swimming pool and a Turkish hammam. When it's time for a meal, the on-site restaurant serves French-inspired dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Overall, recent guests enjoyed their stays here, citing the "fantastic" staff, "excellent" cocktails and "sumptuous" room decor as highlights. Other pluses include the delectable breakfasts and its location in Paris' ninth arrondissement, a culturally rich neighborhood that's home to many of the city's theaters, including the Palais Garnier. Note: This property participates in Le Club AccorHotels loyalty program, but members can only earn points while staying here.