November’s a warm-up for Christmas; literally, throughout the Western hemisphere, where getaways involve cosying up by firesides in country pubs, donning your seasonal ‘food jacket’ at hearty feasts and tempering snowy escapism with luminous festivities. Others go for the ultimate SAD lamp: a break somewhere impervious to cold. Our editors have packed for both with their globe-spanning hotel picks for November.
The Shelborne by Proper
Miami, US
When you want to take the temperature of a place, just look at the songs it inspires. In the case of Miami, we’ve had Goin’ Back to Miami by Wayne Cochran, Only in Miami by Bette Midler and Will Smith’s to-the-point effort, Miami. Clearly, there’s something in the water…
It makes sense, because when life feels a little grey, the palm-lined and neon-lit boulevards of South Beach are there to deliver a sensory shot in glorious Technicolor. You’ll banish all November blues at The Shelborne by Proper, an oceanfront beacon of the post-war MiMo (Miami Modern) architectural movement. Newly emerged from a makeover by ADC Atelier, the hotel’s full of beachy blonde wood, art deco-inspired curves and Modernist furnishings that nod to its heritage. They’ve kept classic features like the original diving board from the 1950s; but the overhaul places the Shelborne firmly in the present, introducing an artisanal bakery, weekly wellness classes and hands-on cocktail-making workshops at the bar.
Don’t miss Love to kick back on the beach with a good book? You’ll find many a kindred spirit at the Miami Book Fair (16 to 23 November), the city’s premier literary festival, attracting hundreds of top authors and many thousands of readers to the city.
Hamish Roy, Senior Associate Editor
Hôtel Florida
Paris, France
With its Haussmannian façade, peacock-patterned marble floors and lobby soundtracked by a vinyl-stocked jukebox, Hôtel Florida leans into the 8th arrondissement’s air of late-night martinis, silk and Chanel No. 5 by evoking the Roaring Twenties of Hemingway and the Fitzgeralds. Upstairs, each room is a shrine to iconic French romance — Jane and Serge, Scott and Zelda, Édith and Marcel — with corner-wedge rooms flaunting floor-to-ceiling windows, some even spying the Eiffel Tower. We loved clinking minibar cocktails here served in vintage, stemmed coupes before stepping out for the short stroll to Place de la Madeleine, the Louvre and the Seine.
Don’t miss The grande dame of photography fairs, Paris Photo is a dazzling annual rendezvous where gallerists, collectors and budding photographers converge beneath the glass dome of the 8th arrondissement’s Grand Palais. From 13 to 16 November, you’ll be privy to vintage prints, cutting-edge works, rare books and whispered deals made over flutes of champagne.
Martin Dickie, UX & Production Editor
Gold-Diggers
Los Angeles, US
Coming upon Gold-Diggers will make music-lovers like me feel as elated as I would be if I’d found Kenny Barron’s rare pressing, Lucifer, for five bucks (IYKYK). The hotel’s line-up is impeccable: it’s owned by Maverick Records alumnus Dave Neupert; Justin Gage of serious-muso journal Aquarium Drunkard curates the selection of vinyl and vintage cassettes in each room (and the 12” vinyl mix guests can take home); and Parquet Courts’ frontman A. Savage created paintings for each room.
Plus, it has seven, real-deal recording studios, which artists from Slayer to Rebecca Black have graced over the years; and its own gig venue, where those staying are automatically on the guest-list. It has retained some sauce from its days as a bikini bar and Hollywood notoriety as the soundstage Bela Lugosi emerged from in Plan 9 from Outer Space — there’s a cacophony of coolness, and I’m itching to press play.
Don’t miss Stays here have a new soundtrack each night — just saunter along to the bar to see who’s playing. November cues up indie-sleaze nights, emotive songstress Sharon Siva’s album-launch party, dreamy instrumental outfit Yuuf and surf-rockers Trestles, among many more.
Kate Weir, Deputy Editor
Hotel Humano
Puerto Escondido, Mexico
I keep falling down design rabbit-holes on social media, saving photos of mid-century-modern Mexican interiors dressed in hibiscus-red tiles, low wooden chairs and lunar lampshades. Hotel Humano in Puerto Escondido is my inspiration folder incarnate, though its curation is more than its aesthetic, creating spaces to live in.
Wind down with rooftop yoga or spells in the sauna, then up the social ante with French-inspired dining and a bar that’s especially lovely at golden hour. Let’s just hope your other Smith isn’t disappointed when pillow talk — in a balcony-toting bedroom or on a poolside day-bed — turns to talk of home renovations…
Don’t miss You’ll get a feel for Puerto Escondido’s barefoot hedonism at the steps-away beach. It’s lively year-round, but November brings glimpses of migrating whales and a coastal take on Día de los Muertos celebrations, which mark the start of the month with street processions, fiestas in central plazas and creative workshops.
Millie Field, Content Writer and Editor
Schloss Elmau
Bavarian Alps, Germany
There’s no bad time to visit the Elmau Valley: this halcyon pocket of the Wetterstein Alps, where Bavaria meets the Austrian border, is a consummate scene-stealer. In November, autumn-burnished countryside sees its first dustings of snow, and crisp days under clear skies are best paired with the cosiest of basecamps.
On this front, resort hotel Schloss Elmau amply delivers: the hotel is more like a village, with a sports concierge, top-notch wellness offering (six spas) and a lively programme of retreats, concerts and talks. Rooms and suites are shared between the forest-flanked Retreat and the turreted grandeur of the original Hideaway. Between them they count 10 dining spots, including two-Michelin-starred Ikigai, a triumph of Japanese-French fusion cuisine.
Don’t miss Schloss Elmau hosts its annual European Jazztival, from 10 to 16 November. Curated by producer and manager Siggi Loch, this year’s concert programme opens with modern folk, slides to the bridge with a Miles Davis tribute and throws in some Greek bouzouki grooves alongside classic piano and sax.
Kate Pettifer, Senior Content Editor
The Coat & Bear
Berkshire, UK
It may be a long way from deepest, darkest Peru, but I’m sure Paddington would love this pub in Newbury, the hometown of his creator Michael Bond. Recently, some local youths caused uproar when they (gasp) defaced the statue of Britain’s favourite bear on the high street, but he has a safe space at this recently made over inn and boutique hotel, named partially in his honour.
What its menu lacks in marmalade sandwiches, The Coat & Bear makes up for with Sunday roasts and super-sized steaks. The restored Georgian building has a grand wooden counter as its centrepiece, with more formal tables in the restaurant and cosy seats by a log-burner — it’s the perfect place to retreat to after a successful or otherwise flutter on Newbury’s world-famous racecourse.
Don’t miss Autumnal fascinators at the ready, the Coral Gold Cup returns to Newbury Racecourse on the 29 and 30 November. The track is also in action at the start of the month, with fireworks on the 1st ahead of Bonfire Night.
Caroline Lewis, Senior Associate Editor
Tarabel Lisbon
Portugal
We’re firmly in the final quarter of the year, and with the festive season almost upon us, I find there’s no better a time for a breather than November. Lisbon’s a city that might not top lists for a calming autumnal break, but in the residential neighbourhood of Lapa, hideaway Tarabel Lisbon is skilled in getting you to slow down. Tucked behind a pale-blue façade, this 19th-century townhouse brings hushed palettes to nine bedrooms with bespoke design, seasonal plates to a convivial dining room, and a tiered garden dotted with lemon trees and overlooking the Tagus River.
Don’t miss Art installations, live concerts, guest speakers and screenings are hosted between 7 and 16 November during the Lisbon & Estoril Film Festival. Venues are spread across the city, but Lapa’s nearest is the Centro Cultural de Belém.
Ellie Nelson, Senior Content Writer & Editor
Keep some space in your calendar for our other new arrivals