Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has doubled its Australian portfolio, adding five new properties from Salter Brothers Hospitality, including two newly restored heritage hotels.
Two Ardour Hotels & Estates and three Spicers Retreats will join Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection of more than 700 hotels in 100 countries, including newly rebranded Ardour Milton Park Bowral and Ardour Lilianfels Blue Mountains (main image).
The additions will double the boutique luxury hotel collection’s Australian footprint.
Ardour Milton Park Bowral, built in 1910 as a country estate, reopened in February 2026 after a A$10 million redesign.
The transformation saw every space in the hotel transformed. Guest lounges, the bar, billiards room, terraces, and private dining areas were all refreshed while “honouring the original architectural bones of the manor”.
Ardour Lilianfels Blue Mountains, reopened following a multi-million-dollar refurbishment in June 2026.
Originally built in 1889 as the summer residence of NSW Chief Justice Sir Frederick Darley, the 89-room estate took its design cues from grand English garden estates.
Spicers retreats to join the collection include Spicers Potts Point, an intimate 20-room retreat across three restored Victorian terraces in Sydney, while Spicers Balfour Brisbane occupies a restored Queenslander overlooking the Story Bridge.
Completing the additions is Spicers Peak Lodge, an all-inclusive mountain retreat in the Scenic Rim, where 12 suites sit within World Heritage-listed wilderness.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World senior vice president Asia Pacific Mark Wong says Australia has remained one of the most important source markets globally for independent luxury travel.
“We are delighted to welcome Salter Brothers Hospitality to the SLH community as we continue to expand our presence across the region.
“Each Ardour and Spicers property has its own distinct identity, reflecting the diversity, connection to place, and commitment to exceptional, authentic hospitality that align with the SLH brand.
“We look forward to introducing these independently spirited hotels to our global community of discerning travellers.”
The additions build on an Australian collection that already includes Chalets at Blackheath, Le Mas Barossa, Smiths Beach Resort in Margaret River, Islington Hotel in Hobart, and recent entries Lon Retreat and Levantine Hill Hotel in Victoria.
For more information, visit Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Doubling a portfolio in a single deal signals how much value SLH places on Australia as a source market for independent luxury travel, and it hands advisors a batch of design-led, heritage NSW and Queensland retreats under a globally recognised booking network. For sellers, the Ardour rebrands and the all-inclusive Spicers Peak Lodge round out a domestic luxury offer that now competes squarely with the big soft brands.
