Best Small Luxury Hotels of the World

The 42-room Sant Francesc Hotel Singular sits in the historic center of Palma de Mallorca. Once a private mansion, the restored 19th-century space features some original moldings and frescoes throughout. Elegant yet modern guest rooms offer wood beamed ceilings, free Wi-Fi access, Bluetooth speakers, Nespresso coffee makers and – in some cases – private verandas. Most recent guests were pleased with their rooms, though a few noted that considerable hallway noise seeped in at night. Beyond your accommodations, you can visit spa treatment booths for massages, get your heart rate up at the 24-hour gym or reserve a workout session with a personal trainer. When it's time to dine, guests can take a seat at the Quadrat Restaurant & Garden for curated Mediterranean dishes, visit the Lobby Bar & Mallorcan Patio for cocktails and snacks or head up to the rooftop terrace for food and drinks accompanied by panoramic views of the city below. Before booking, note that the Sant Francesc Hotel Singular is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. This means you may be able to receive extra perks by signing up for the INVITED benefits program.

This ornate hotel boasts one of the best addresses in the City of Light: it's just north of the Musée du Louvre and adjacent to Le Palais Royal. A smaller hotel with just 68 rooms and suites, the Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal occupies an 18th-century building and receives praise from guests for its ideal location, accommodating employees and more affordable room rates compared to other nearby five-star properties. Accommodations feature showers or bathtubs (some are equipped with both), complimentary Wi-Fi access and 24-hour room service, and select rooms and suites include private balconies with Eiffel Tower, Louvre or Montmartre vistas. This property also houses a bar and restaurant and offers plenty in the way of relaxation, with an on-site fitness room, spa and Turkish hammam. Recent travelers were impressed by the attention to detail at this property, from fresh in-room flowers to tailored restaurant recommendations from the concierge and front desk employees.

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. 

With plenty of seclusion, a wide range of amenities and outstanding customer service, La Casa Que Canta is a compelling pick for travelers seeking an off-the-beaten path getaway. Perched along the Pacific Ocean about a mile south of central Zihuatanejo, this resort boasts a spectacular infinity pool that features postcard-worthy coastal panoramas, as well as a saltwater pool surrounded by craggy cliffs. The accommodations are just as impressive: Filled with wooden furniture and Mexican artwork, each room offers complimentary wireless internet access, a fresh fruit basket and an expansive terrace equipped with a table, chairs and sun loungers. If you're willing to splurge, past visitors recommend upgrading to one of the pool suites, which boast their own private infinity pool. When you're ready to venture beyond your well-appointed digs, La Casa Que Canta offers complimentary activities, such as snorkeling and cooking classes. Golfers will also appreciate the two nearby courses, while luxury-seekers will enjoy soothing treatments at the on-site Clarins Spa. As for dining, the resort also houses Mar Y Cielo, which serves traditional Mexican specialties like red snapper, grilled octopus with risotto, and churros, while Luz de Luna, La Casa Que Canta's bar, offers zesty margaritas and striking Zihuatenejo views.

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. 

Quinta da Casa Branca is a boutique property set amid gardens in Funchal on the island of Madeira, a Portuguese archipelago off the coast of Morocco. According to recent guests, its picturesque and quiet location is one of its greatest assets. In fact, many describe the hotel as an "oasis" and a "hidden gem." Visitors have their choice of garden or premium rooms, or deluxe suites, all of which come equipped with minibars, free Wi-Fi access and a furnished terrace or balcony. Step outside your room to experience the hotel's wealth of amenities. You could go for a stroll in the botanical garden, take a dip in the outdoor pool or work up a sweat in the health club's fitness center. The health club also houses a Jacuzzi, a sauna, a relaxation room and men's and women's locker rooms and showers. And when you get hungry, savor drinks and snacks at the Casa da Quinta Bar or head to the hotel's main restaurant for a refined meal.

This boutique hotel in Istanbul is all about attention to detail. That's because Tomtom Suites only has 20 rooms, leaving plenty of extra room for personalized service. And guests were able to pick up on this strategy right away. Lodgers loved staff's eagerness to provide recommendations and appreciated that any and all inquiries were met with a smile. The large rooms were also a standout, with standard suites starting at 474 square feet. Pillow menus, LCD TVs with DVD players, Nespresso coffee machines, loaner iPads, homemade chocolates and minibars are just a few of the in-room amenities you can expect to take advantage of during your stay. The hotel also has 24-hour concierge, in-room spa and express checkout services, as well as a complimentary breakfast buffet. In their downtime, guests can brush up on their knowledge of the city and Turkey itself at the on-site library, or grab a bite to eat at Nicole, which serves Mediterranean dishes both indoors and outside on a terrace overlooking the old town. Outside, guests can wander the historical area of Galata and Pera or take the metro, located just a couple blocks away, to nearby top attractions such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. What's more, this property is one of the more affordable options on the Best Hotels in Europe ranking.

According to recent travelers, Hayfield Manor feels like the set of "Downton Abbey." As you pull up to this property in southern Ireland, you'll notice foliage climbing along much of the three-story building's brick exterior. Inside, you'll find traditional manor house features like dark wood furniture, neutral color palettes and crown molding throughout the hotel's 88 accommodations. Though the property maintains design elements from its early 19th-century roots, it also embraces the needs of 21st-century guests: Each guest room and suite offers a variety of modern amenities, including a heated towel rack in the marble bathroom, a flat-screen TV with a DVD player, free Wi-Fi and a voltage power converter. To work on your putting game before hitting the links (there are five golf courses within 15 miles of the property), practice with your in-room golf putters. When you're ready to explore the property, visit the on-site spa or enjoy afternoon tea or dinner in Orchids Restaurant. On select evenings, you can participate in wine tastings, which are paired with dishes chosen by Orchids Restaurant's executive chef. And once you've decided to venture off the property, you'll discover Ireland's famous Blarney Castle is located less than 6 miles northwest.

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.