The Raas Jodhpur is an excellent example of an independent hotel: sat amid the hustle and bustle of the old town, it affords stunning views of a 15th-century fort. Photo: Handout
From Palihouse West Hollywood to London’s The Hoxton hotels, these properties offer more authentic cultural connections than many global brands
When it comes to booking the ultimate luxury hotel stay, there is a list of go-to brands or hotel groups that seasoned travellers tend to look for, from Belmond and Four Seasons, to Mandarin Oriental, The Peninsula and Rosewood. These tried-and-tested names are popular for a reason and promise the best experience money can buy.
While these hospitality behemoths continue to dominate the market, seasoned travellers sometimes yearn for more intimate, less cookie-cutter hotels that still feel luxurious but forge a deeper emotional connection with their guests.
The low-key yet luxurious Palihouse offers a “home away from home” vibe in California’s West Hollywood. Photo: Handout
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Filling this demand is a new breed of independent stays that are a breath of fresh air compared to the more established names. Often found through personal recommendations, they resonate with travellers by offering experiences that can be extremely personalised.
“[These hotels] offer the experience of getting closer to the authenticity of the destination, while still providing excellent service and style,” explains Kelly Berlin, a travel adviser at luxury travel agency SmartFlyer. “While the larger hotel brands provide the highest standards of excellence and consistency globally, these smaller chains provide a unique perspective on the destination and an intimacy that’s difficult to match.”
For a start, many of these hotel chains have a more localised footprint and are based in under-the-radar locations or undiscovered neighbourhoods, making them pioneers or market leaders in the place they call home. London-based The Hoxton hotels rose to popularity thanks to their local-centric philosophy, which features hotels designed as “homes-away-from-home” for guests and locals alike, while Los Angeles-based Palisociety is known for its neighbourhood hotels that blur the lines between boutique and luxury properties.
Adler Spa Resort Sicilia is located in Agrigento province on the southern coast of Sicily. Photo: Handout
The latter opened its first outpost in 2008 in West Hollywood in Los Angeles. This was followed by multiple properties, operating under sub-brands like Palihotel or Palihouse, in hip neighbourhoods in the greater Los Angeles area such as Culver City and, more recently, celebrity enclave Brentwood. As the brand has expanded across California and further afield, it has chosen each location for its defined character, history and strong local culture, while the hotels themselves offer a mix of elevated comfort and eclectic charm.
“We’re not trying to be everything to everyone, and that’s exactly the point,” says Avi Brosh, Palisociety CEO and founder. “Where big players rely on uniformity and scale, we focus on individuality and intimacy. Each Palisociety hotel is one of a kind, designed with its own personality, rooted in its local context, and layered with rich, residential-style details.
“Our version of luxury is more emotional than formal; it’s the feeling of arriving somewhere that’s both beautiful and deeply personal. We want our hotels to be extensions of the communities they are in – not just places to sleep, but places to explore from,” he says.
Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti is nestled between the majestic peaks of Italy’s Dolomites. Photo: Alex Filz
