FALL into EUROPE
Record crowds—not to mention temperatures—made for a busy summer abroad, but the time to really enjoy cultural sights and new hotels is now. With many properties extending their seasons to attract off-peak visitors, fall is the ideal time to wander city streets and even hit the beach when the days are still sunny but cool
BY CHRISTINA OHLY EVANS
Coastal Getaways
A 1960s design aesthetic meets pure Mediterranean chic at Borgo Santandrea, a cliffside perch overlooking the centuries-old fish- ing village of Conca dei Marini in the heart of the Amalfi Coast. From its breathtaking 30 rooms and 16 suites—each with an expansive sea view—guests are immersed in la dolce vita with scents of rosemary and jasmine wafting through the air. Furnishings are a mix of traditional and modern, with noted Italian makers such as Molteni&C in the mix. The just-opened Marinella Beach Club, with its own pebble beach and jetty, is the place to be by day or evening for an aperitivo before popping next door for coastal-inspired cuisine at the ever-stylish restaurant. borgosantandrea.it
Anantara Convento di Amalfi, a 13th-cen- tury Capuchin convent that’s built into the cliffside, is the latest jaw-dropping prop- erty from Anantara Hotels. Travel verti- cally from the outskirts of Amalfi to this truly unique perch—one with the coast’s most spectacular views—and check into one of the 52 minimalist rooms and suites where monks once slept. With its original cloister and chapel beautifully preserved and a passeggiata dei monaci—monk’s walk—bursting with bougainvillea, a stay here offers equal parts history lesson and pure pampering by way of service, an indoor-outdoor spa and attentive staff. The infinity pool with the sea below is a stun- ner, as are the pizzas made in an oven that was dropped in by helicopter to this moun- tainous idyll. anantara.com
Great in Greece
Founded in 1996, the Belvedere is a family-owned luxury boutique hotel in Mykonos offering sweeping views of Chora and the Aegean Sea. This elegant Mediterranean property offers a wide array of rooms, suites and private villas enriched with hilltop and waterfront views. The relaxing Pool Club, peaceful Six Senses Spa and bustling Belvedere Bar are just a few of the onsite offerings.
Recently, the Belvedere debuted 26 residential-style hilltop rooms and suites up the hill from the main complex that are easily accessible via shuttle service. These rooms blend an elegant Greek aesthetic with modern amenities, employing raw materials such as plaster, marble and wood.
The hotel’s Matsuhisa restaurant just celebrated its 20th anni- versary with the opening of an alfresco omakase bar. “Not only was it the first Matsuhisa in Europe, but also the first open-air Nobu Matsuhisa in the world,” says chef Nobu Matsuhisa. “I arrived in 2003 and quickly fell in love with the energetic atmo- sphere of the island. I love going to the beach, swimming daily, exploring the small villages and indulging in Greek food and culture.” belvederehotel.com
Nordic Nice
Oslo is having a cultural moment, and Sommerro is the place to stay—or try its newly opened sister property, Villa Inkognito, just next door. In the heart of the city’s West End, Sommerro has quickly become a hub with its seven bars and restaurants—includ- ing the rooftop Nordic-Japanese favorite TAK Oslo—drawing visi- tors and locals alike. Set in a historic building from the 1930s, each of the 231 rooms and luxury suites features sleek Norse accents, and the entire property is fueled by renewable energy and uses electric transport. Villa Inkognito is equally magical, but much more intimate in scale and approach. Housed in a former residence that was built in the 1870s, the reimagined villa boasts 11 suites, a private gym and dining spaces, as well as an intimate bar for use by house guests. Rooms feature an eclectic mix of antiques, original artwork and classic Scandinavian furnishings—all with art nou- veau and Japonisme touches. In addition to the feel of staying in a royal residence, Villa Inkognito guests also have full use of Sommerro’s endless amenities, including Vestkantbadet—the hotel’s 15,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art wellness center. sommerrohouse.com
Loire Living
Until recently, in order to play at the Les Bordes Golf Club in the Loire
Valley, France, a 1,400-acre estate amid a UNESCO World Heritage site,
Golf Club members and guests could only stay in one of 36 lakeside member cabins. Much of the appeal of this legendary location is its two world-renowned golf courses designed by Robert Von Hagge and Gil Hanse—and its proximity to Paris (about a 90-minute drive) and bucolic French villages like Tours, Blois and Orléans, not to mention the stunning Chateau de Chambord. Now, you can live there, too. The first and second phases of the Cour du Baron residences have launched, encompassing a total of 42 private homes ranging in size from 1,800-6,000 square feet. All but a few are already spoken for, and all should be ready for residents to move in early next year. It’s a European adventure to be sure, a bit like a Loire Valley version of Silo Ridge, the private gated community in Amenia, New York, but here, you can also practice your parlez-vous français. For guests not quite ready to make a commitment who want to dip their putters into Loire Valley life first, Les Bordes Estate also has a Six Senses Hotel and Residences opening in 2026. lesbordesestate.com