Every March, Women's History Month gives us the perfect excuse to spotlight the incredible women shaping the hospitality industry. In true HAP style, we're celebrating female hoteliers we admire—each at the helm of a standout boutique hotel.
Sterrekopje (Franschhoek, South Africa)
Tucked into South Africa’s Cape Winelands just outside Franschhoek, Sterrekopje is a restored 17th-century farmstead blending regenerative farming, soulful hospitality, and richly layered interiors. The retreat invites guests to slow down through seasonal food, nature-led rituals, and restorative countryside living.
Partners in life and business, Nicole Boekhoorn and Fleur Huijskens created Sterrekopje after years of global travel and research into well-being practices. Together they revived the estate’s ancestral land, cultivating indigenous plants while building a female-led team grounded in care, creativity, and community.
5 Stars | Website | Cape Town International Airport | 11 Rooms & Suites | Amenities: Regenerative farm gardens; Natural swimming pool; Farm-to-table dining
Thyme (Cotswolds, England)
Spread across 150 acres in the English countryside, Thyme is a restored Cotswolds estate where honey-stone cottages, flourishing gardens, and farm-to-table dining define the rhythm of country life. What began as a family restoration project evolved into a destination retreat centered on seasonal food, botanical wellness, and the art of slow living.
Founder Caryn Hibbert left a career in medicine to bring Thyme to life, initially launching the property as a cookery school before expanding into a 31-room countryside escape. Today, her daughter Milly Hibbert oversees day-to-day operations, carrying forward the family’s vision of hospitality rooted in nature, creativity, and connection.
5 Stars | Website | London Heathrow Airport | 31 Rooms | Amenities: Farm-to-table restaurant (Ox Barn); Meadow Spa; Botanical gardens
Crillon Le Brave (Provence, France)
Perched atop the hilltop village of Crillon-le-Brave in Provence, this 17th-century retreat unfolds across a cluster of restored stone houses overlooking vineyards and lavender fields. The 33-room hideaway blends rustic Provençal charm with contemporary comforts, offering panoramic views of Mont Ventoux and a pace of life defined by long lunches and golden-hour sunsets.
Sisters Kimberley Cohen and Leslie Kouhana lead the family-run Maisons Pariente hospitality group. For them, Crillon Le Brave remains especially meaningful—a place where village life, heritage, and landscape come together in timeless Provençal style.
5 Stars | Website | Marseille Provence Airport | 33 Rooms & Suites | Amenities: Outdoor pool; Le Table de Ventoux restaurant; Spa and fitness center
57 Nord (Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom)
Set in the bucolic Scottish Highlands, 57 Nord is a countryside boutique hotel built for the slow-kind of traveler. Minimalist Scandinavian style permeates the two chic accommodations: Hill House and Sky House.
Inspired by a business trip to the area, Mumtaz Lalani created 57 Nord after spotting the lack of upscale stays in this picture-perfect destination. After opening the boutique oasis, she elevated her hospitality career by earning her Court of Master Sommeliers certification—a perfect pairing.
5 Stars | Website | Inverness Airport | 2 Houses | Amenities: Outdoor decking and firepit; Full-equipped kitchen; Laundry
The Wildset Hotel (St. Michaels, Maryland, USA)
Set along the Chesapeake Bay in St. Michaels, Maryland, The Wildset Hotel is a renovated 19th-century schoolhouse with the charm of a timeless seaside cottage. Its 34 guestrooms are bedecked in modern farmhouse and coastal-inspired motifs: think rustic brass fixtures, neutral floors, and fresh wood walls.
Sisters KC Lager and Allie Balin combined their talents—Allie as a renowned sommelier and entrepreneur, KC as an interior designer—to create a youthful boutique hotel that celebrates women through artwork, curated products by women-led brands, and a wine list highlighting female winemakers.
5 Stars | Website | Airport: Washington International Airport | 34 rooms | Amenities: Free WiFi; Outdoor deck; Breakfast included
Passalacqua (Lake Como, Italy)
When we think of "La Dolce Vita," Passalacqua in Lake Como comes to mind. This glamorous estate presents three opulent villas—Palazzo, Villa, and Casa al Lago—each adorned with velvet couches, antique trunks, and mid-century Italian rococo headboards.
At the helm is Valentina De Santis, a third-generation entrepreneur and Lake Como resident. Her passion for hospitality has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of Italy's 100 most successful women by Forbes in 2019 and receiving the Patrizio Cipollini Award as "Italian Hotelier of the Year" in 2021.
5 Stars | Website | Airport: Milan Malpensa | 24 rooms | Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool; Spa; Fitness center
Bingham Riverhouse (Richmond, United Kingdom)
Tucked along the River Thames in Richmond, London, Bingham Riverhouse is the UK’s only Certified B-Corp boutique hotel, blending sustainability with style. Its 14 rooms feature cherry-picked Naturalmat beds, hand-forged copper tubs, and eco-conscious touches at every turn. The hotel even had a star moment—its Riverhouse Restaurant appeared in Ted Lasso.
Founder Sama Trinder transformed her parents’ former B&B into a chic, wellness-driven retreat. A yoga teacher and the mind behind Bhuti, the hotel’s holistic brand, she infused the space with yoga classes, treatments, and a commitment to mindful living.
5 Stars | Website | Airport: London Heathrow Airport | 14 rooms | Amenities: Spa; Yoga Classes; Breakfast; Free Wi-Fi
Hotel Figueroa (Los Angeles, California, USA)
Hotel Figueroa has a longstanding history as a women-focused hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Spanish contemporary architecture decorates the 268 guestrooms and suites: bright white walls, dark accented furnishings, and pops of artwork dress the chambers.
Since its founding in 1926, the women-driven stay was facilitated by the YWCA—a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women—as a haven for solo female travelers. Continuing to honor its tradition of being a space for women, the hotel hosts a highly curated selection of artworks created by female artists.
4 Stars | Website | Airport: Los Angeles International Airport | 268 rooms | Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool; Fitness center; Bar
Blue Apple Beach (Tierra Bomba Island, Colombia)
Located on Tierra Bomba Island, just 30 minutes from Cartagena, Blue Apple Beach is a boutique bungalow hotel and beach club offering a tropical paradise. The 10-key property shares beach-infused haciendas with hut roofs, sandy-toned floors, and deep blue accents. With a palm-fringed pool, outdoor lounge, and full-service restaurant, it’s the ultimate escape.
Owned by Portia Hart, Blue Apple Beach is a certified B-Corp for its environmental and economic impact on the community. Portia also founded the Green Apple Foundation, the island's first glass-recycling program, creating local career opportunities.
5 Stars | Website | Airport: Rafael Núñez International Airport | 11 rooms | Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool; Fitness center
Violino d’Oro (Venice, Italy)
Just minutes from Piazza San Marco, Violino d’Oro is the latest addition to the family-run Collezione Em luxury hotel collection. This 32-key boutique bolthole pays homage to Venetian art and culture, spotlighting intricate hand-painted frescos in the chic Il Piccolo Restaurant and Bar, ornate chandeliers in canal-facing suites, and bespoke antiques throughout.
Owner Sara Maestrelli comes from a 30-year family legacy in hospitality, beginning with Florence’s Grand Hotel Minerva. She and her aunt, Elena, joined forces to create Violino d’Oro, a space she describes as such: “Imagine you had a Venetian friend who was an art collector—Violino d’Oro is probably what their home would look like.”
5 Stars | Website | Airport: Venice Marco Polo Airport | 40 rooms | Amenities: Room service; Breakfast; Free Wifi
Ambiente A Landscape Hotel (Sedona, Arizona, USA)
Set amidst Sedona's red rock terrain, Ambiente, a Leading Hotels of the World member, is a landscape hotel comprising 40 elevated atrium-fitted rooms. Floor-to-ceiling windows, rooftop decks, and outdoor firepits allow guests to immerse themselves in scenic surroundings from the comfort of their modern stay.
Colleen TeBrake and Jennifer May own the hotel, originally envisioned by their father in 1959, who wanted to open a luxe hotel overlooking the red rocks and Sedona's Coconino National Forest.
5 Stars | Website | Airport: Flagstaff Airport | 40 rooms | Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool; Spa; Private rooftop deck
Lily of the Valley (La Croix Valmer, France)
Perched on the outskirts of Croix-Valmer in Saint-Tropez, Lily of the Valley is a five-star luxury haven and a proud member of the Leading Hotels of the World. With four wellness programs—focused on weight loss, better aging, detox, and sport—guests can choose their path to a healthier lifestyle, all while soaking in the stunning beauty of the French Riviera.
Lucie Weill, a self-taught entrepreneur, launched Lily of the Valley as a family project at just 25. A true global learner, Lucie’s travels influence her, constantly elevating the guest experience at this exceptional retreat.
5 Stars | Website | Airport: Nice Côte d'Azur Airport | 52 rooms | Amenities: Beachfront; 2 Outdoor swimming pools; Spa
Hotel Santa Caterina (Amalfi, Italy)
Hotel Santa Caterina features 72 spacious and luminous rooms and suites adorned with classic interiors, embodying Mediterranean design and Amalfi-style villas: hand-painted majolica floors, marble bathrooms, and balconies offering enchanting views of the sea and gardens dress these pristine spaces.
Dating back to 1904, Dr. Gambardella’s wife helped open the first six-room Hotel Santa Caterina. Today, the family-owned stay is in the hands of Giusi and Ninni Gambardella, assisted by their children, Crescenzo Gargano and Alessandro and Beatrice Camera, who directly manage the day-to-day operations of the hotel.
5 Stars | Website | Airport: Naples International Airport | 72 rooms | Amenities: Private beach area; Outdoor swimming pool; Spa
Washington School House (Park City, Utah)
Hailing from Park City’s silver mining era, Washington School House is a landmark boutique hotel embodying chic alpine lodge aesthetics. The 12 luxurious guestrooms boast soaring ceilings, gilded French mirrors, and an impressive white lacquered chandelier. Cap off a day on the slopes with the perfect après-ski activity—relaxing in the heated pool.
A visionary within the hospitality sector, Marcy Holthus is a committed hotelier serving as the CEO of Pilot Hotels. Her passion lies in unwavering dedication to exceptional design work and the preservation of historical elements.
5 Stars | Website | Airport: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) | 72 rooms | Amenities: Heated outdoor swimming pool; Spa; Free valet; Gear storage
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