A thriving, cosmopolitan hub underpinned by a rich cultural heritage influenced by Moorish, Arabic and Spanish traditions, Palma de Mallorca is a city of intoxicating complexity. Rising from the age-old streets of La Calatrava – one of Palma’s oldest districts – El Llorenç Parc de la Mar captures the vibrant diversity of the city through mindful design that seamlessly marries past and present.

Design Hotels has welcomed the addition of the 204-room Cretan Malia Park to its stable in the Greek Isles. Owned by Greek hospitality company Phāea Resorts, Cretan Malia Park was originally built in the 1980s but has recently completed an extensive renovation.

Phuket’s Iniala Beach House ultra-luxe beachside property has joined the Design Hotels collection. The property comprises three villas, a penthouse, Kids Hotel and a fine dining restaurant. Owner Mark Weingard commissioned ten leading figures in the world of international design to realise his vision of an iconoclastic Thai retreat.

Ensconced in a serene landscape of verdant vineyards, sun-dappled orchards and brooding hills, Villa Arnica is a sublimely private, adults-only retreat in the heart of Lana. The sister property to 1477 Reichhalter, the 10-room hotel bears the trademark historical sensitivity and elegant design for which the Dissertori family’s projects are renowned, yet maintains a singular visual identity and concept.

Canberra’s Ovolo Nishi has introduced a new wing of 17 “micro-hotel rooms” to cater to the corporate traveller. Options include 14 Snug Sun rooms (the new category of lead-in room), two additional Original Sun rooms and a Creative Sun room which includes a balcony. “This innovative micro-hotel concept includes all the essential elements without sacrificing the level of design or the quality of the guest’s stay,” Ovolo said.

Australia has been pinpointed as a location of desired growth for the Design Hotels collection of independent properties. The Berlin-based company has 328 unique member hotels in 235 destinations across 59 countries, but its tally down under currently sits at just three – The Old Clare Hotel in Sydney, Adelphi Hotel in Melborne and Ovolo Nishi in Canberra.

Carved from an abandoned winery set directly on Kourouta beach, Dexamenes Seaside Hotel is a slice of Greek trading history wrapped up in a stunning industrial setting. Opening in May 2019, the reanimation by award-winning architecture firm K-Studio offers guests the singular experience of sleeping inside old wine tanks from the 1920s, which are now defined by a clean-lined aesthetic.

The Library has unveiled the final additions to its award-winning ‘Secret Chapters’, with the opening of The Writer and The Editor ultra-luxurious villas in September 2018 at the acclaimed Thailand property situated on Chaweng Beach in Koh Samui.

The village of Tsilivi on the Greek island of Zakynthos is home to the latest addition to the Design Hotels’ stable, the adult-friendly resort of Olea All Suite Hotel.