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The hotel written in your stars
After nearly 100 hotel check-ins, travel writer and Nordic Boutique Hotels author Nicole Kavander matches each zodiac sign with the hotel she'd happily spend her summer obsessing over.
Words by Nicole Kavander
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Last year alone, I visited 33 hotels while researching my book Nordic Boutique Hotels. Add a few international assignments, a handful of personal trips and a slightly concerning number of check-ins, and the total is probably closer to 100.
Some people choose destinations first and hotels second. I'm the opposite. I've always believed you can tell a lot about a person from the hotel they choose. Some travellers dream of remote islands and adventure. Others are willing to cross continents for a beautiful room, a memorable breakfast or a hotel bar they'll still be talking about years later.
So, what does your star sign say about your hotel preferences? I consulted the stars, which is to say I spent an unreasonable amount of time matching zodiac signs with hotels. After hundreds of check-ins, countless spa visits and more than a few room-service orders, here's my entirely unscientific but highly considered verdict.
Aries
Union Øye, Norway
Arriving at Union Øye feels a little like stumbling into a Nordic fairytale. The historic dragon-headed hotel sits at the edge of a fjord, surrounded by towering mountains and waterfalls that seem to appear out of nowhere. For more than a century, mountaineers, explorers and adventurers have made the journey here.
If you're an Aries, you're rarely interested in taking the obvious route. You want the story nobody else has, and few hotels deliver one quite like Union Øye.
Taurus
Villa San Michele, Florence
Set within a former monastery overlooking Florence, Villa San Michele is the kind of place where lunch effortlessly turns into dinner. Think terraced gardens, cypress trees, perfectly chilled wine and views over Tuscany that make you wonder why you ever rush through anything.
If you're a Taurus, pleasure is never an afterthought. It's the whole point. Ruled by Venus, you're drawn to beauty, comfort and life's finer details, making Villa San Michele a near-perfect match.
Gemini
The Newt, Somerset
At The Newt, no two days look quite the same. You might spend the morning wandering through the gardens, the afternoon tasting cider produced on the estate and the evening lingering over dinner before somehow finding yourself discussing apples with a stranger.
Geminis thrive on curiosity and variety. A hotel that constantly offers something new to discover feels far more appealing than one that expects you to sit still. If any hotel understands the joy of following your interests wherever they lead, it's this one.
Cancer
Hoshinoya Kyoto
Reached by boat along the Oi River, Hoshinoya Kyoto feels wonderfully removed from modern life. The sound of water, the rhythm of the seasons and the thoughtful rituals woven throughout the stay create an atmosphere that's difficult to describe and even harder to leave.
If you're a Cancer, you're not necessarily looking for spectacle. You're looking for somewhere that makes you feel something. This is the kind of hotel you'll find yourself recommending years later.
Shop Notes
Leo
Soleil Nile Cruise, Egypt
Waking up to ancient temples outside your cabin window before spending the evening watching the sun set over the Nile with a cocktail in hand feels wonderfully cinematic. There is something deliciously old-world about travelling this way: slow days on the water, golden light on deck, the sense that every arrival deserves its own entrance.
If you're a Leo, holidays should come with a little drama. A Nile cruise isn't just a place to sleep, it's a full storyline, ideally involving linen, gold jewellery and at least one photograph that looks like it belongs in an old film.
Virgo
Hotel du Couvent, Nice
Hidden behind centuries-old walls in the heart of Nice, Hotel du Couvent feels like a masterclass in thoughtful design. The gardens, architecture and slower pace of life all work together without ever feeling forced.
If you're a Virgo, you'll appreciate the attention to detail. Nothing feels unnecessary and nothing feels overlooked. It's not luxury that shouts for attention, but the quieter, more considered kind that gets every detail exactly right.
Libra
Forestis, Dolomites
Breakfast comes with one of the most spectacular views in Europe. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Dolomites, the spa feels like an extension of the landscape and every detail has been considered without ever feeling overdesigned.
If you're a Libra, this is about as close to perfection as it gets. Forestis is a masterclass in balance, beauty and restraint, the kind of hotel that somehow makes everything feel calmer the moment you arrive.
Scorpio
Canaves Oia, Santorini
Whitewashed suites cling to the cliffs above the Aegean, private pools overlook volcanic landscapes and every sunset feels slightly theatrical. It is polished, seductive and just secluded enough to make the rest of the island feel very far away.
If you're a Scorpio, you're probably less interested in being seen than in finding somewhere with atmosphere. Canaves Oia is sensual, private and impossible to forget. The sort of place that lingers in your memory long after you've checked out.
Sagittarius
Borgo Santo Pietro, Tuscany
One long lunch turns into a walk through the gardens, a conversation about olive oil and the sudden feeling that you could quite happily stay for a month. With its organic farm, gardens and deep farm-to-plate philosophy, Borgo Santo Pietro feels less like a hotel and more like its own little Tuscan universe.
If you're a Sagittarius, you'll appreciate the sense of discovery woven into every part of the experience. There is always another path to follow and another story waiting just beyond the cypress trees.
Capricorn
Heckfield Place, England
Set on a Hampshire estate surrounded by ancient trees, kitchen gardens and rolling countryside, Heckfield Place is one of those rare hotels that never needs to prove itself. It has the quiet confidence of a place where the food, design, service and sense of place all seem to work in perfect order.
If you're a Capricorn, you'll understand the appeal immediately. Heritage, craftsmanship and exceptional hospitality are at the heart of everything here. It doesn't chase trends or shout about luxury. It simply does everything exceptionally well.
Aquarius
The Fife Arms, Scotland
There is simply nowhere else quite like The Fife Arms. Part hotel, part art gallery and part Highland fever dream, it is filled with museum-worthy art, wildly eccentric interiors and, most recently, a secret Chanel-inspired room hidden behind a trompe-l'œil door.
If you're an Aquarius, you'll probably love the fact that it refuses to fit neatly into any category. Creative, unconventional and delightfully strange, it feels designed for people who have never wanted to be predictable.
Pisces
Ästad Vingård, Sweden
Surrounded by forests, lakes and vineyards, Ästad Vingård feels a little like stepping into a Scandinavian version of the Shire, if the hobbits happened to be obsessed with architecture, natural wine and Michelin-starred dining. Days drift between cold swims, floating saunas, quiet forest paths and unforgettable meals at ÄNG.
If you're a Pisces, you're not just looking for a holiday. You're looking for somewhere that transports you completely.