16 Boutique Luxury Hotels Under 20 Rooms for an Exclusive Getaway

As the adage goes, big things come in small packages. This couldn’t be truer for the following 15 small luxury hotels, where room counts are under 20 but thoughtful service and high-end amenities defy expectations. Considered design schemes make these hotels feel larger than life, too, but fewer guests mean intimacy and privacy of the highest order. Here, our picks for 15 of the best small luxury hotels with fewer than 20 rooms.

Nordelaia, Italy

Piedmont is full of incredible landscapes, plus unforgettable food and wine experiences, and this brand-new 12-room hillside inn lives up to those lofty standards. Surrounded by five hectares of rolling vineyards, Nordelaia itself is a tightly contained operation. The rooms are thoughtfully designed – one is dramatic with a four-post bed and heavy yellow drapes while another is made more whimsical with a fresh coat of mint paint and a beautifully molded ceiling. Two different pools, a gorgeous spa, and two restaurants (a casual bistro concept and a fine-dining space) from chef Charles Pearce make Nordelaia feel like a mini-resort that you never need to leave.

The Green O, Montana

This adults-only addition to the iconic The Resort at Paws Up in western Montana focuses on delivering customized and discreet service, starting with a pre-arrival survey that informs an on-property itinerary, which could include daily sound bathing in the forest and evenings fueled with sharp cocktails. Staying here inspires hiking and mountain biking, but if traveling on four wheels is more your speed, each of the 12 “hauses” comes with its own Lexus.

Villa Bokeh, Guatemala

One of Central America’s newest luxury hotels, this 15-room property on the outskirts of the colonial city of Antigua will make discerning travelers add Guatemala to their 2022 travel wish lists. A decades-old building modeled after Tuscan villas is now a genteel hotel that highlights Guatemalan creatives and makers. There’s always a sculpture, a photograph, colorful textile, or furniture to admire that was made by local talent. The culinary program is also decidedly Guatemalan, from the in-room coffee to the chef’s tasting dinners featuring cheese, fish, and produce sourced exclusively from the country’s farms and waters.

Beaverbrook Town House, London

Nestled on the border of Chelsea and Knightsbridge, the city sibling to the Surrey country estate of the same name thoughtfully incorporates modern conveniences into its Old World bones. Designer Nicola Hardingt transformed two 18th-century Georgian townhouses with a vibrant art deco aesthetic. A crayola box of colors was used to give every room its own personality and then elevated with sculptural light fixtures, mix-and-match ceramic tiles, and framed artworks from around the world. If you can’t be pulled away to explore London’s vast culinary scene, the on-property Japanese restaurant is ready to spoil you with a languorous 20-course omakase.

Posada Ayana, Uruguay

The tony, lively beach town of Jose Ignacio welcomed this rustic-chic, 17-room bolthole in December 2020 – but only locals were allowed in. It’s since opened its arms to the rest of the world as travel restrictions have eased, which was celebrated in November with the unveiling of a freestanding James Turrell Skyspace installation, the first in South America. The seaside-inspired hotel is swathed in plenty of sunshine-evoking yellows, easy-breezy paper-thin curtains, and furniture made of warm wood and bare concrete – all of which allow for a truly relaxing stay.

Mahali Mzuri, Kenya

The best safari lodging options are rarely very large, but Richard Branson’s 12-tent camp in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy in southwest Kenya is so special it was voted the No. 1 hotel in the 2021 World’s Best Awards. Handsome interiors that combine chocolate leather, striking artworks, clawfoot tubs, and plenty of outdoor spaces elevate the glamping experience. Plus, a fabulous culinary program (featuring locally sourced ingredients and fine wines) guarantees high-quality dining even in the most remote corners of the bush.

Pine Cay, Turks & Caicos

Previously the owners’ exclusive hangout, this dreamy, car-free Caribbean island recently opened up its 12 rooms to travelers – joining Relais & Châteaux as its only Turks & Caicos property. It’s all about enjoying a carefree holiday here, starting with the nearly all-white rooms and their three separate showers (two are outdoors) and direct beach access. Nightly happy hours with the owners add a fun social atmosphere for guests, but plenty of space (as well as dedicated tiki huts on the beach) ensures plenty of privacy, too. Worth noting: Children under 12 are not permitted on the island.

Da Licença, Portugal

This nine-room refuge might be hidden away deep in Portugal’s bucolic Alentejo region, but it’s as sleek and stylish as any boutique hotel in a big city. Owners Vitor Borges and Franck Laigneau re-imagined a former olive mill into an artsy retreat with museum-quality decor – from marble pieces in a rainbow of colors (sourced from local quarries) to sculptural furniture from the Jugendstil movement. Everything beckons to not only be studied but also touched. The nine guest rooms were meticulously decorated and each features a unique architectural blueprint, which means one has a massive pink-marble bathroom while another has a private plunge pool.

Hotel Ravesis, Sydney

Set on Sydney’s stunning Bondi Beach, the 12-room Hotel Ravesis has enticing pops of pastel – both on the hotel’s façade and interior – that play off the adjacent beach’s gold-and-blue palette. The suites offer ocean views, but that’s not the only hotel feature that capitalizes on the coastal locale; the restaurant serves oysters shucked to order. The restaurant and cocktail bar at Ravesis provides a glimpse into Aussie-style, farm-to-table dining, using locally sourced ingredients and an in-house pickling operation.

Gangtey Lodge, Bhutan

Inspired by the region’s historic farmhouses, this 12-suite Himalayan oasis cleverly blends traditional local design with luxurious modern amenities. Ornate woodwork, exposed beams, and Bhutanese-style pitched roofs are offset with freestanding soaking tubs, heated floors, and grand floor-to-ceiling windows that gaze out at the expansive valley. Start your day with a pre-breakfast blessing and prayer at the 17th-century monastery, followed by on-site cultural classes, including archery (Bhutan’s national sport), before retreating to your room for a rejuvenating rubdown.

Cours des Vosges, Paris

When discussing luxury hospitality, Paris may be better known for its opulent palaces. However, smaller boutique offerings are just as iconically Parisian, especially this intimate 20-room pied-à-terre in the fashionable Marais neighborhood. Opening onto Square Louis XIII and its pink-brick houses, the rooms and suites tucked into this discreet 17th-century building are designed to resemble modern apartments, featuring soaring ceilings, metallic accessories, pale blue textiles, and mix-and-match art pieces. A charming tea room is also available for morning coffee and croissants, encapsulating the true Parisian experience.

Ignacia Guesthouse, Mexico

Discreetly placed on a tree-lined street in CDMX’s trendy Roma district, this design-forward guesthouse offers a perfect hideaway from the capital’s thumping buzz. Ignacia provides a serene experience without sacrificing style or indulgence. The building itself showcases architectural flourishes, like stunning ceiling moldings, while decor throughout features layers of texture, including marble and velvet. The courtyard surrounding the guesthouse provides a relaxing garden as an ideal site for end-of-day mezcal cocktails.

Tenku, Japan

Set on a lush 148-acre property with stunning views of forests and mountains, serenity and solitude come easy at this five-villa hotel in Japan’s Kagoshima prefecture. The minimal accommodations encourage guests to explore the great outdoors. The natural beauty that envelops the property makes it a truly unforgettable stay. Staff can organize everything from unique meals set against the lapping waters of the Amori River to outdoor massages using freshly pressed sesame oils, and even helicopter rides for a breathtaking aerial view of the landscape. Do not forget to take advantage of the on-site onsens for relaxation.

Espacio, Oahu

If you’ve had your fill of Waikiki Beach’s energetic venues, consider the unique sense of privacy and unmatched space available at Espacio, where each of the nine 2,250-square-foot suites occupies an entire floor. Globally inspired interiors feature Italian marble and Moroccan metalworks alongside bright handmade carpets from China, highlighting top-notch amenities like fully equipped chef’s kitchens and spacious balconies. The local spa treatments include lomi lomi massages featuring volcanic clay. The opening of Espacio in 2019 also enriched Honolulu’s dining scene with the debut of Mugen, a fine dining concept by renowned Hawaiian chef Jason Yamaguchi.

Deplar Farm, Iceland

This converted sheep farm in Iceland’s remote Troll Peninsula is cloaked in black timber and crowned with a moss-covered roof. This unique design allows it to blend seamlessly with its stunning natural surroundings (you might even spot sheep wandering the grounds). The rugged terrain offers ideal conditions for outdoor excursions like skiing, sea kayaking, and whale watching, while the 13-suite Deplar Farm has been equipped with modern comforts to serve as the perfect retreat after adventures. Expect amenities such as Isopod flotation tanks in the spa and a geothermal pool from which you can watch the Northern Lights. A nearby small hill has been culturally recognized as a possible troll hill, adding an air of intrigue.

Virunga Lodge, Rwanda

This 20-year-old, rustic-chic hilltop hotel is a well-known starting point for gorilla trekking. However, the property has also become a beloved destination for its warm hospitality, locally inspired style, and unforgettable views. Half of the 10 suites (or bandas) face the craggy Virunga Volcanoes, while the other half overlook the shimmering silver waters of Lake Burera. A 2021 renovation enhanced every aspect of the hotel experience, introducing a workshop and sewing center that showcases Volcano Safaris’ commitment to sustainable design practices. A new spa offers each guest a daily massage, the perfect reward for a strenuous day of trekking.