Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), an independent group of luxury properties around the world, has just completed a week-long roadshow in North America, including a recent stop in Toronto. The brand brought together nearly two dozen partner hotels from the most far-flung corners of the world as well as properties a little closer to home, in order to give travel agents the chance to meet with hotels' execs first hand.

Speaking at the event, SLH CEO Filip Boyen praised travel agents for their ongoing support of the brand’s properties. “Nearly 75 per cent of all sales are through retail travel agents,” said Boyen. “That’s a relationship that we want to continue to develop.”

For this year, SLH plans to welcome eight new properties to the family and it is also looking to roll out a new loyalty program later this year.

With not quite 500 properties in its portfolio, SLH has also noticed distinct trends developing among its luxury traveller guests, so it has also released its first-ever SLH Travel Trends for 2017 study. Among the findings:

Smaller is Bigger
SLH says that a ‘major’ trend continuing into 2017 is the luxury travellers’ preference for small, independently owned boutique hotels. Of the 57 new hotels to recently join SLH, the average number of rooms is 28, considerably less than the brand-wide average of 48 rooms for the entire portfolio of 510 hotels. Among the additions are the eight-room Tower Suites Reykjavik, Iceland; the two-bedroom Mahana Villa, New Zealand and the three-bedroom El Alma Soul Retreat in Costa Rica. These two properties are the smallest hotels in the SLH family.

Experiences of a Lifetime
More than ever consumers are seeking to define themselves in ways that delve beyond accumulating possessions. In travel, guests want one-off experiences that distinctly suit their personalities. Among its recommendations, SLH suggests visiting Dar Ahlam in Morocco, which celebrates its 15th anniversary next year. The property will offer 15 weekends of surprises throughout 2017, each featuring a distinct Moroccan experience. Or for a truly once in a lifetime experience, try paragliding with Hotel Santavenere. Located in Maratea, which has its own Christ the Redeemer statue, paragliding embarks from the statue and ends right at the hotel.

Love of Local
There’s no end in site for the love affair with local says SLH. Design, décor, F&B offerings and even off-site tours are most popular when they incorporate local elements. For truly unique experiences, the beachfront Sikelia in Italy serves up a local wine created from rare UNESCO Heritage Zibibbo grapes. At the Yemaya Little Corn Island Resort & Spa in Nicaragua, your French fries are made using a local breadfruit instead of potatoes.

Disconnect to Reconnect
While travellers remain firmly entrenched with their digital devices, more consumers than ever before are looking to ditch the devices (at least for a while) to reconnect with loved ones. SLH properties like Kokomo Island, Fiji and the El Alma Soul Retreat, Costa Rica have done away with in-room electronics and invite guests to enjoy their time away through massages, walks and enjoying the tropical views.

Sophisticated Simplicity
More hotels are adopting a less is more mentality and using materials like bamboo and rattan to create a laid-back, eclectic atmosphere. Sikelia, El Alma Soul Retreat and the brand’s newest hotels in Tulum, Mexico have all adopted this simple life aesthetic.

For more information, visit www.slh.com.

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