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We have created a European portfolio, which includes a small, carefully selected collection of the very best hotels in France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal.
The places in this portfolio have been hand-picked by our experts because we know them well and know they are places that our clients will love. They are also easy to get to and are available for you to visit this September and October, so that you can extend your summer and spend it in Europe.
Whatever you’re dreaming of, we will organise your trip from start to finish so you dont have to worry about a thing. Scroll down to see our portfolio in full.
La Réserve Ramatuelle, Provence
When our Destination Expert, Venetia Stanley, stayed at this glamorous hotel in Provence, she fell in love with it. “Tucked away in the hills, La Réserve overlooks a beautiful bay. It is really quiet and peaceful and yet you’re just 20 minutes from Saint-Tropez. The service was excellent too and we can arrange anything for you in Saint-Tropez and its surroundings. My favourite experience was going on a boat trip to Chez Joe, a restaurant on a tiny island where they cooked seafood and lobster on hot stones. There wasn’t another tourist in sight.”
Every one of the 27 chic rooms and suites have breathtaking views over the Mediterranean Sea. We recommend the Junior Suites for their floor-to-ceiling windows revealing stunning panoramic vistas. Generally, we think La Réserve is more suited to adults rather than families, but if you are travelling with your children, we recommend the two-bedroom Suite Camarat or one of the 14 private villas, which have from three- to seven bedrooms and private swimming pools, while still offering access to the hotel’s restaurant, spa and services, including the 30m-long, heated outdoor pool.
Venetia was blown away by the food on her stay. The three restaurants here include La Voile, whose chef Eric Canino has two Michelin stars to his name as well as a Japanese fusion rooftop restaurant. “The food here is so delicious, mostly created using produce from the hotel’s organic vegetable garden. Cocktails and sushi – or ideally dinner – on the roof terrace overlooking the sea is an absolute must. The sunsets here are phenomenal.” We also love the spa, perhaps the star of the show, which has 11 treatment rooms, 24 treatments to choose from, a steam bath and a lovely indoor pool with a jet lane.
Grand Hotel de Cala Rossa, Porto-Vecchio, Corsica
We believe that the most effective way of having a positive impact is to work with individuals who share our values. In that respect, we tend to prefer locally owned, small-scale lodges and hotels that reflect the personality of a place. The Cala Rossa ticks this box and more. This beautiful, family-run hotel – part of the Relais & Chateâux collection – has just 39 refined, stylish and elegant rooms decorated in gentle, soothing hues. There is also a cool and quirky treehouse (or ‘cabane dans les arbres’) called Bamboo, which is very comfortable with a large bedroom and bathroom as well as a south-facing terrace offering ocean views. We recommend this for honeymooners or those looking for something different.
The hotel is set in a fabulous location in a secluded spot surrounded by pine trees beside the bay of Porto-Vecchio on the Cala Rossa peninsula. There is a golden, sandy beach reserved for hotel guests and plenty of lovely terraces overlooking the sea. The Beach Bar is our favourite place to sit and sip a glass of Champagne or cocktail as the sun goes down. The three restaurants serve dishes designed around what is at its best in their organic vegetable garden, and we can arrange for you to have dinner in some creative spots around the hotel for a very special evening.
There’s plenty to do at the Cala Rossa; for example, set off on a boat trip from the pontoon to the Lavezzi Islands to enjoy a delicious picnic on a quiet sandy beach and swim in a secret cove – we’ll make sure the staff pack your favourite drink – or explore the charming town of Porto Vecchio. Corsica’s third biggest town has four bastions and is bordered to the east by the Tyrrhenian Sea and to the west by the Ospedale and Cagna mountains, and we can recommend some of the cosiest bars and most elegant boutiques here. Following any expeditions beyond the hotel, return and unwind on the beach or enjoy treatments in the 500sq-m Nucca Spa, a haven for relaxation and wellbeing.
Aman Venice
When our Destination Expert, Venetia Stanley, visited Aman Venice, she was astounded by the beauty of this opulent hotel. With its chandeliers and frescos, this hotel is located in a beautiful old palazzo, right beside the Grand Canal, which winds its way through the heart of UNESCO-protected Venice. The ancestral home of the Arrivabene family, Palazzo Papadopoli was built in the 16th century, and offers an unusual feature in this floating city – two beautiful gardens. There is no doubt this is an incredibly special place to stay.
We feel there is nowhere better to stay in Venice and suggest staying at least three nights here but there is more than enough to see and do if you were to stay for a week. It is an awe-inspiring experience from start to finish – from the moment you arrive, most likely by boat, and enter the beautiful Reception Hall, where a sweeping staircase rises through two levels. Almost all of Aman Venice’s 24 rooms and suites overlook the Grand Canal, and many have unique architectural and artistic features – from painted frescoes to carved fireplaces – by greats such as Tiepolo and Sansovino. “Since they are in what was a private palace, the rooms are absolutely stunning,” says our Founder + Co-Owner, Henrietta Loyd. “The hotel feels like a museum in itself and there is even a library, which houses a selection of antique books from Count Arrivabene’s private collection.”
The spacious rooms of the old palazzo are truly spectacular. The elegant lounge is in what was once the ballroom, with a balcony overlooking the Grand Canal, and in the Yellow Dining Room adjacent, Aman’s signature Italian restaurant Arva offers sweeping Grand Canal views and has a ceiling painted by Cesare Rotta. The bar overlooks the leafy Canal Garden and is a really beautiful spot to watch the colours changing on the canal at sunset. We can arrange an unforgettable private dinner in the Blue Dining Room or the Palazzo Kitchen for you.
“Aman Venice is one of the few properties on the Grand Canal that has a private garden. The leafy garden terrace is an amazing place to have drinks and dinner while watching the gondolas drifting past on the Grand Canal,” says Venetia. “The food is delicious too and it’s a lovely atmosphere. This wonderfully preserved palazzo embodies Venetian elegance.”
Hotel Il Pellicano, Tuscany
This is our favourite boutique hotel on the Tuscan coast. Just 90 minutes from Rome, it is easy to reach and the perfect place to retreat to for anything from a few days to a few weeks. We particularly love its stunning location – spilling down the rugged cliffs of Monte Argentario into an exquisite and pristine cove on the Argentario Coast of Tuscany. There is nowhere like it.
The hotel is small and family-run, and has a great story: in 1965, two lovers – a charismatic American socialite and dashing British aviator – created a romantic hideaway in a secret cove. In 1979, Roberto Sciò fell in love with the hotel and bought it. Today, his daughter and creative director, Marie-Louise Sciò, hosts the guests and keeps that Pellicano style right up to date. There is no doubt Il Pellicano is beautiful and understated. The suites are elegant, comfortable and effortlessly stylish, many with private terraces and views of the sparkling azure sea. This is a sophisticated, private and peaceful place that we feel is perfect for couples or families with older children.
It’s also a great choice for foodies as the food here is superb. Choose to eat at the chic Pellicano Restaurant, where Michelin-starred chef Michelino Gioia serves up delicious fresh and local dishes such as lobster, shrimps or oysters straight from the sea, Tuscan lamb and Mediterranean vegetables and herbs from the garden. This is creative fare made with ingredients from the ‘Tuscan terroir’ and you can expect a wide-ranging and sumptuous feast here. Or for a more laid-back option, we recommend Pelligrill Tuscan Grill, where you eat outside overlooking the sea and enjoy fresh and delicious dishes, such as clams tossed in homemade spaghetti. This is the perfect Tuscan retreat to enjoy good food, relax and enjoy the Tuscan sunshine.
La Fiermontina, Puglia
“La Fiermontina is wonderful for those looking to explore Puglia and it’s particularly suitable for art lovers,” says Jenny Wilkinson. “In our view, three or four nights is the ideal length of stay but you could easily stay for longer. September and October are the perfect time to travel here, as the beaches are quieter, the sea is a lovely temperature and the weather is still great to allow for sunbathing until mid-October at least.”
Located in the centre of the charming city of Lecce, we think La Fiermontina is the perfect place to stay to explore this beautiful region of Italy. “I believe the charm of Puglia is that it is a lesser-known region of Italy and enjoys a wonderful, romantic and more rustic culture for the curious traveller to explore,” says our friend on the ground. “For me, Puglia represents timeless simplicity. There are so many things to do here that suit guests with a variety of interests – from the history and beauty of the Baroque city of Lecce to stunning coastlines and beaches, sailing, unique private vineyard tours and visits to meet local artists in their studios.”
Staying at La Fiermontina is a very special experience indeed. With spacious gardens and a lovely swimming pool, La Fiermontina is an urban sanctuary. Being a family-run hotel with just 18 bedrooms, the atmosphere and service are very personal and authentic. The owners invite every guest for an aperitivo. The hotel gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in art – incredible artwork features throughout and the hotel has its own private family museum nearby – the local culture of the Salento region and the ‘soul’ of Puglia. There is so much to do in the area and we can arrange for you to explore the town of Lecce with a top guide, set out on a private boat trip to a hidden cove for a scrumptious picnic and swimming in clear waters or taste some of the best local food and wine.
Sublime Comporta, Portugal
This fabulous hotel lies in a spectacular 17-acre estate, just an hour south of Lisbon, on Herdade da Comporta, a vast stretch of coastline between the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve and the sea. Surrounded by umbrella pines and cork trees, wild sand dunes, emerald rice fields and more than 60km of pristine, white-sand beaches, we think Sublime lives up to its name and is a wonderful, unspoilt place to stay.
The elegant and wide-ranging rooms, suites and villas are spread out in several buildings, so the hotel feels intimate and small. There are some excellent restaurants, including Sem Porta, serving delicious regional dishes, Tasca da Comporta, a seasonal outdoor restaurant where you can enjoy the classic Portuguese petiscos, and our favourite, The Food Circle, where you dine in the middle of the organic experience garden. This is an incredibly special experience. We also love the excellent spa here, which has a focus on sustainability as well as wellness. The hotel’s slick style and sophisticated vibe make it perfect for couples but if you’re travelling with children, there are family-friendly villas, a kids’ club and a children’s pool.
With its beautiful and tranquil coastline, which is home to Portugal’s best beach, Herdade da Comporta is a wonderful spot. We can arrange for you to enjoy scrummy picnics amid the dunes or on the beach or horse riding and bicycling adventures. You can also go sailing and fishing, surfing, wine tasting, oyster tasting or birdwatching or just relax in this serene place. With so much to do here, you could easily spend as much as a week here.
Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal
We adore Six Senses hotels in a number of countries we specialise in, such as Bhutan and the Maldives, and are really excited about the new Six Senses Shaharut, just south of the Negev Desert in Israel. Set in its own 19-acre estate in the picturesque, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley, this hotel is a very peaceful place to stay. The setting is truly magical, with the River Douro winding through the valley and the oldest wine-producing region in the world. In September and October, you can even get involved with the grape harvest, making this a great time to go. We love this hotel for its setting, restaurant and the spa. We suggest spending three or four nights here.
The 60 stylish rooms and suites, spread throughout the beautiful old manor house, have fantastic views over the vineyards. At the Vale de Abraão restaurant, which celebrates the region and fresh and local produce, you can choose to sit in the more relaxed Open Kitchen and Terrace, with its wood-fired oven, The Dining Room, with its stylish and classic decor, or the Wine Library and Terrace, where you can enjoy tapas and wine tasting. There is an organic garden growing vegetables and herbs, which find their way into the many delicious dishes you will feast on. Another fun culinary experience we like to arrange is for clients to enjoy a surprise menu in a surprise location, usually down by the river. We also recommend the cooking classes here.
As a brand, Six Senses knows how to do spas – and this one is particularly special, with 10 treatment rooms and serene indoor pool and top-notch gym. There’s even a Nail Bar that offers wine and cheese tastings. There’s a stunning outdoor pool with jaw-dropping views over the surrounding valley as well as a large yoga deck if you would like to have a private yoga lesson.
As well as enjoying the pool and the spa, there is plenty more to do here. We can arrange for you to visit prehistoric rock art sites in the Côa Valley and the Douro International and Alvão parks, go to some of the oldest wineries in the world and even meet the winemakers, wander around picturesque villages, historic churches and castles in the area or set off on boat expeditions along the Douro River. You can also go walking, explore by electric bicycle or join a tile-painting workshop, a wonderfully relaxing experience. In our opinion, staying here is the ultimate treat for food, wine and spa enthusiasts.
Cap Rocat, Mallorca
Set on 88 acres of private land, Cap Rocat has two kilometres of private coastline on Mallorca, the biggest of the Balearic Islands. It is a truly heavenly Mediterranean escape. This superb hotel is a former 19th-century military fortress, a national monument that was ingeniously built into the cliffs and transformed into a gorgeous 30-suite hotel. It is a magnificent place, retaining original features, such as huge walls, ramparts, a drawbridge, bunkers and trenches. Its architecture and history makes it particularly special, in our opinion.
Cap Rocat has 30 rooms and suites, which are wonderfully private, particularly our favourites, the Sentinel rooms. They are chic, understated, incredibly comfortable and beautifully decorated with local fabrics and Moroccan rugs. Many have private outdoor spaces, such as terraces or private gardens. There are two excellent restaurants: La Fortaleza, a fine-dining restaurant in the beautiful, spacious dining room, which serves seasonal food “based on Mallorcan recipes with a twist” and the Sea Club, a lovely, breezy, open-air restaurant beside the sea. We can arrange for you to have a private dinner on your own terrace or another romantic set-up in one of many beautiful spots dotted around the hotel.
Whether you’re staying here for a long weekend or a week, there is plenty to do. You will spend your days relaxing by the beautiful outdoor infinity pool, playing tennis, enjoying some morning yoga or pilates or setting out on kayaks or stand-up paddleboards if you’re feeling energetic. Wildlife enthusiasts can go birdwatching and, of course, snorkelling to spot some of the diverse marine life off the coast. We also recommend making the most of the spa, which was voted the best spa on the entire Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection in 2019 – with good reason. It’s an idyllic place with a striking indoor saltwater swimming pool and serene treatment rooms. The hotel does not allow children under 15 years old, so we recommend this fabulous hotel for couples.
Six Senses Ibiza
We are very excited about the new Six Senses Ibiza, which opened in August 2021 and is a superb Mediterranean escape. Set within its own 20 acres, beside the beautiful bay of Cala Xarraca with its crystal-clear waters, its interiors are contemporary, sophisticated and stylish, and the 116 rooms, townhouses, pool suites and beachfront caves maximise the sea views. The hotel also has the most fabulous infinity pool, which is exquisitely beautiful, where the pool seems to merge with the sparkling sea and you can watch sailing boats drift past. The hotel is great for families as there is a brilliant Kids’ Club and a very cool outdoor cinema for teenagers too. We recommend staying for at least a week. This is the ideal base to just relax and stay on the island and do as much or as little as you like, enjoying the hotel and its wonderful spa.
Food and wellness are at the core of any Six Senses hotel and this one is no different. The food here is organic, seasonal, responsibly sourced and delicious. Well-known chef Eyal Shani dishes up amazing culinary creations in the hotel’s numerous restaurants: Farmers’ Market, Orange Orchard, Mediterranean Piazza, Green Bar and Live Cave. Known for his love of vegetables, there is a particular focus on vegetables grown in the hotel’s organic vegetable garden and its farm in Santa Gertrudis, which has a 400-year-old olive press. There is also a cooking school, where guest chefs share culinary secrets – a really fun experience that we would strongly recommend.
In keeping with the Six Senses brand, this is also an incredible wellness retreat, offering everything from yoga, crystal healing and sunset sound healing to underwater guided meditation and shamanic journeys. As well as making the most of this amazing spa, we recommend heading out paddleboarding, snorkelling in those gin-clear waters and cliff jumping, a must-have experience in Ibiza.
“This is very much the Six Senses we know and love,” says our Founder + Co-Owner, Henrietta Loyd. “The spa facilities are great and it is positioned in the quieter north of the island. They have created their own little beach area, which is rocky, as you will see, but the sea is lovely and it’s a fabulous bay.”
Amanzoe, Peloponnese, Greece
We love Aman’s hotels, particularly in many of our Asian destinations, and this one lives up to every expectation. Situated on a hilltop on the east coast of Greece’s Peloponnese Peninsula, Amanzoe is in a stunning location that is within easy reach of the region’s wealth of ancient archaeological sites as well as the islands of Spetses and Hydra. We suggest a private boat trip to these islands during your stay, an amazing day out.
With a strong influence of classical Greek architecture, Amanzoe oozes elegance and style. The 38 rooms, cabanas and villas are dotted on the hillside overlooking the Aegean Sea and many have their own terraces and private swimming pools. The hotel offers some incredible places to eat too, all in spectacular settings. Our favourites include The Restaurant, with its large terrace and sweeping sea views, and The Pool Restaurant, which transforms come evening into Japanese venue Nama. Another standout quality of this wonderful retreat is its spa. Typical of Aman, it is fantastic, boasting six treatment rooms, a Thai massage room, a Watsu pool, a hair salon, hydrotherapy areas, hammams, saunas, steam rooms, cold plunge pools, a Pilates studio and a yoga pavilion. There are also two tennis courts for sporty guests.
We think Amanzoe is a great choice for families as there are two 25m pools, a pool for teenagers and one for children at the nearby Beach Club, where there’s also endless supplies of watersports equipment. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple or with friends, we can arrange some fabulous boat trips along the peninsula for you or secure one of the four private Beach Club Cabanas for you to have all to yourselves, each with an air-conditioned bedroom and bathroom, a terrace, large private garden, outdoor massage area and private swimming pool. We suggest staying for a week at least to make the most of this incredible place.
