Hi (HAP)pers,
I just got back from Paris, where The World’s 50 Best Hotels ceremony was a blast. Major congrats to all the winners—or as we say in Jewish culture, “Mazal Tov!”
While the industry toasted its biggest names, I checked into Hotel Noucha in the 16th arrondissement. Was it my favorite stay ever? No. But at under $400 a night in Paris, it had plenty going for it: a great location, a rooftop, a friendly staff, and fantastic coffee.
After a few days of celebrating the world’s most famous hotels, I’m glad to get back to the ones most lists never find: yours. Today’s batch has 24. They range from a 4-room lighthouse in Ischia, 155 steps below the road, to a Serengeti camp that packs up twice a year to follow the Great Migration. As promised, each one has 20 rooms or fewer.
Scroll to the bottom for a map of every hotel I’ve featured on Hotel Espresso so far. I’ll keep adding to it as the rollout continues. You sent in hundreds of submissions, so bear with me while I sift through them for the ones that are truly HAP-worthy.
One favor before the list. I’m looking for a freelance illustrator for HAP. If you know someone great, leave their name and website in the comments—or email me at BrandonBerkson@HotelsAbovePar.com.
Enjoy today’s 24—and don’t skip the map.
- Brandon Berkson, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Hotels Above Par.
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24 More Hotels With Under 20 Rooms:
Château de la Treyne (Lacave, France)
“The warmth of the hospitality made my stay. I was there for a photo shoot, but they made me feel completely at home from the moment I arrived—everyone, from the director to the waiter at the Michelin-star restaurant.” - Ana
Stay Ombi (Key Largo, Florida)
“It’s a hotel unlike any other in the U.S. They have 3 floating bungalows that you can only get to via boat. It’s an incredibly surreal experience you’d expect in the Maldives, yet it’s right here in the U.S. The service is impeccable and completely personalized.” - Maggie
Siringit Tarangire Camp (Manyara Region, Tanzania)
“I love this one because it gives travelers a reason to spend more time in Tarangire, which still feels incredibly under-the-radar compared with the Serengeti... it feels intimate, beautifully designed with its unique egg shape and very connected to the landscape.” – Jessica
Siringit Migration Camp (Serengeti National Park, Banagi, Tanzania)
“The logistics behind this camp are honestly pretty incredible. It’s a fully mobile, eight-tent camp that moves twice a year to follow the Great Migration, yet guests still have proper en-suite bathrooms, running water and hot showers.” – Jessica
Casa Cedo Porto (Porto, Portugal)
“A very intimate and low-key but perfectly curated experience with tasteful details like a tailor-made playlist, a welcome aperó with local grocers’ products, a cocktail inspired by Byredo Plus, a very charismatic hotel majordomo made the stay feel like visiting a beautiful house of a very cool and stylish friend.” – Anna
Sparrow’s Lodge (Palm Springs, California)
“Off a main street in Palm Springs but feels like you are completely disconnected from the outside world. Amazing onsite restaurant, beautiful design, incredible place to host a small offsite...” – Kelsey
Shinta Mani Wild (Southern Cardamom National Park, Koh Kong Province, Cambodia)
“Commited to the environment and wildlife; zipline entrance” – Chris
The George (Napa, California)
“The owner’s outstanding decorating touch, classical modern that complements a wonderfully renovated nine-room Victorian inn.” – Laurie
Winvian Farm (Morris, Connecticut)
“Nineteen individually themed cottages that tell a Connecticut-born story, all spread across a gorgeous landscape.” – Laurie
Nobnocket Boutique Inn (Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts)
“Deliciously curated homemade breakfasts, cozy breakfast and common area with tea, coffee, and spirits available for guests, beautiful outdoor oasis space, individually decorated rooms, each with its own decor theme...” – Meghan
Don Totu (San Cassiano, Italy)
“From the street, it’s a modest, unassuming facade, but behind it opens onto generous grounds filled with art, and a house so cavernous and historic it feels less like a hotel and more like being at someone’s (chic) home. It only has six rooms...” - Anonymous
Faro Punta Imperatore (Ischia, Italy)
“The surreal feeling of solitude and peace, 177 meters above the Tyrrhenian Sea and 155 steps below the road access. Set in a lighthouse perched on the westernmost part of Ischia, the 4-room boutique hotel has panoramic views over an endless seascape...” - Anonymous
Firelight at Shope Creek (Asheville, North Carolina)
“Aside from the polished, hand-curated interiors, personal hot tubs and wood-burning mini-stoves that crackle at night time, my favorite detail is the homemade scones and hot chocolate that the owners put out in the morning.” – Megan
Hemingway’s Eden Residence (Nairobi, Kenya)
“The original owners, Anna and Tonio Trzebinski, salvaged wood from a dhow that got wrecked and washed ashore. It’s now been turned into an eight-room hotel, still full of some of their original furniture and other original art pieces.” – Bailey
The Osprey (Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands, The Bahamas)
“The intimacy is my favorite part—with just a handful of villas, cottages, and suites, it never feels like a resort. It feels like you have a private stretch of Great Harbour Cay’s five-mile beach to yourself...” – Francisco
MUSE Saint-Tropez (Ramatuelle, France)
“Surrounded by technicolor greenery reminiscent of a bygone era of cinema, MUSE Saint-Tropez channels the glamour and spirit of French film. Each of its 16 suites is named after an iconic actress from the Golden Age of Hollywood...” – Victória
Ovo Patagonia (Santa Cruz, Argentina)
“A disruptive experience where guests can only arrive there by hiking up through a native forest. Four transparent capsules set on an impressive rock wall, at a height of 270 meters, provide unbeatable views of Patagonia’s natural wonders.” – Laurean
Hotel Crocodile (Seattle, Washington)
“Hotel Crocodile features 17 oversized rooms, each adorned with murals from local artists that blend old-school rock and grunge with modern culture. For concert-goers, the hotel offers the unique opportunity for them to see their favorite artist perform and then head to their room just upstairs...” – McKayla
La Valise San Miguel de Allende (San Miguel de Allende, Gto., México)
“Nestled in the vibrant cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende, the six-suite La Valise is a testament to the exuberant design choices, which make each space feel as though you’re stepping into Wes Anderson’s wildest dreams.” – Olivia
Casa de Las Flores (San Miguel de Allende, Gto., México)
“The largest suite has an enclosed patio and a little soaking pool that has utmost privacy.” – Samantha
Ignacia Guest House (Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico)
“Complimentary homemade masa breakfast steals the show. ” – Anjali (@nicheeats)
Casona Los Cedros (Espita, Yuc., México)
“Its design, food, and peaceful atmosphere are my favorite parts.” – Cristina
Tributary Hotel (McMinnville, Oregon)
“It’s a spectacular property, perfectly located in the heart of McMinnville. It’s expensive, but it’s also worth it, with every single touch perfectly curated.” – Dan
De Durgerdam Boutique Hotel (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
“The original staircase from the 1600s is divine.” – Valeria
View the full map of this week's and last week's picks.
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Also, I co-lead Mexzine, a Substack newsletter about boutique Mexico travel, published twice a week.
Have a story you want to pitch or a hotel you think I should write about? Shoot me an email at BrandonBerkson@HotelsAbovePar.com.
This is a such a cool list of hotels. Thanks for sharing - hard to know where to stay! I am not sure I would be able to sleep in the pods on the side of the mountain in Argentina!
Chateau de la Treyne looks amazing! Thank you for this list!