The Most Iconic Properties Owned and Run by Women
With Women’s History Month falling in March, what better time to recognize women who own some of the top hotels in the world? In a crowded space where properties open at a fast clip globally and have for the last decade or more, female hoteliers are still, surprisingly, a rare breed. From a former monastery on the Amalfi Coast and a safari camp in Kenya to one of the chicest spots in New York to hang your hat, below are seven women-owned hotels. We encourage you to book a stay for at least a night and ideally longer. You’ll get to experience travel with a feminine touch.
Nicky Fitzgerald sees a steady stream of repeat clients at her renowned safari lodge thanks to her lively spirit and exceptional service. Her daughter Kate also helps keep the property up to mark. Located in the Maasai Mara is one of the iconic spots from the film “Out of Africa”. Angama Mara offers decked-out tented suites complete with outdoor space and driving and walking safaris to view incredible wildlife.
Set in Copenhagen’s main city square, Kongens Nytorv, the Hotel d’Angleterre opened in 1755 and is a legendary institution in the city. Else Marie Remmen is the owner and has a passion for design. Her accomplishments include overseeing a multi-year, multimillion-dollar property renovation and reopening it in 2013. It features an elegant Scandinavian design, a Michelin-starred restaurant, a champagne bar, and a destination spa.
The chic Parisian art dealer Anne Caroline Frey owns this property in the heart of France’s Loire Valley that’s set amid 750 acres of forest. It has 18 luxurious treehouse lodges, each designed by a different contemporary artist, and art on display throughout the grounds that are from Frey’s private collection. Highlights for guests include nature walks and bike rides, spa treatments, and dining in the area’s many renowned restaurants.
The success of this collection of luxury lodges and resorts in South Africa—including The Silo in Cape Town, La Residence in the Cape Winelands, and the Royal Malewane safari lodge in Kruger National Park—is all due to owner Liz Biden. Impossibly stylish, she makes each guest feel like they’re her closest friend. She has also personally designed each of her five properties, including curating their extensive art collections, which are comprised almost exclusively of contemporary art from southern Africa.
Fashionable and personable, Dina De Luca Chartouni is the co-owner of The Lowell Hotel, arguably one of the toniest spots to check into in the city. She’s also heavily involved in every aspect of the hotel’s design, from the art that hangs on the walls to the renovation of the rooms and public spaces. When you’re at The Lowell, don’t miss visiting Majorelle restaurant and Jacques bar—both have a setting by the Yves Saint Laurent gardens in Marrakech.
A former Montessori nursery teacher, Bianca Sharma fell in love with an abandoned 17th-century monastery while vacationing on the Amalfi Coast in 2000 and decided on a whim to buy the property and turn it into a luxury hotel. Her dream came to fruition in 2012 when Monastero Santa Rosa eventually debuted. Carved into a cliff, it still has features of the original monastery including vaulted ceilings and arched windows. It now offers an infinity pool, picturesque landscaped gardens, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and the best spa on the Amalfi Coast.
Open for more than 100 years, the iconic Grand Hotel Tremezzo is owned and run by the charming Valentina De Santis, who prides herself on having a personal relationship with most of her regular guests. Set in an elegant Art Nouveau palazzo, the property has a sumptuous feel and offers views of the lake and mountains beyond. Among the amenities offered are several restaurants, including a lakeside seafood spot, three swimming pools, and a spa.
Source: Architectural Digest