Our in-house hotel expert, Yasmin Fahr, shares her bi-monthly picks for newsworthy hotels to keep on your radar. This week, we are highlighting some of the best design focused hotels around the world.
From magical infinity pools in Greece to sleek, clean lines in Beijing to the most authentically French hotel in France.
Eros Santorini For time alone with your beau
Set on top of a caldera, a short drive from the people (and donkey) filled streets of Santorini’s capital, is a private and serene hotel composed of five suites, complete with private plunge pools and unique decor. The hotel is spread out over three floors, allowing for stunning vistas from all levels, with the cubist style crafted by the Athens-based x2 Architecture firm. Italian designer Paola Navone created an oasis and uses local products to create a chic, minimalist setting that blends in perfectly with the crisp, white and blue backdrop of the property and ocean.
One of our favourite parts? Her hand-painted “carpets” where plump, cushioned lounge beds are set so that you can rest, feeling like the inside is outside.
For more information, click here
Palihouse Santa Monica For your Los Angeles home away from home
These residence-style rooms are perfect for anyone who wants the comfort of a home away from home but still wants to be in a hotel. Most rooms come with small kitchenettes—there isn’t a bar or restaurant on the premises—and impeccable design. From the wallpaper patterns to the rich, lush and colourful fabrics on the furnishings, you’ll be ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the thoughtful little touches found throughout the rooms. Each suite has a different layout, style and touches, so choose carefully, though we don’t think you’ll be disappointed with any of them.
For more information, click here.
The Opposite House For the love of local Chinese design
Next on our list of the best designed hotels is one that mixes contemporary and traditional Chinese design. The Opposite House in Beijing is owned by the Swire properties, a company that excels in hospitality. The lobby offers rotating installations filled with works from Chinese artists as well as quick, private check-ins done on an iPad in the lobby or in your own room. The exterior and interior comes from famed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, who used emerald glass for the exterior, large sweeping fabrics for the interior gallery and a mix of earth elements, such as wood and stone, for the rooms.
For more information, click here.
La Divine Comedie For that real je ne sais quoi
Intimate, special and historical are three words that capture the essence of this five-suite property that boasts the largest (and perhaps most idyllic) garden in Avignon. It’s no surprise that we’ve named it one of the best design focused hotels in the world. The rooms blend modern touches with historical elements of the original building, creating a museum-like feel without any stuffiness or pretension to it. In fact, it will be hard to get out of bed as the rooms are so beautiful and elegant. If you do manage to leave, browse through the walls lined with books, dine at the large wooden table overlooking the grounds through glass windows and pose for a photo with some of the sculptures. The property also supports local French artists and exhibits their works inside.
It’s basically, kind of, the picture-perfect French property.
For more information, click here
Kandolhu Maldives For endless views
With sparkling blue-green waters and 30 private, individually designed villas, this property is one to put on your bucket list. Each villa comes with a private sundeck and lounge beds, iPads, yoga mats and in-room mini wine cellars. The ocean pool villas are the ones to splurge on as they come with private walkways, bathtubs facing the Indian ocean and a sliding door so you can feel the cool breeze while soaking in the tub. The clean, contemporary lines of the property paired with the wooden elements used contrast the expansive and immersive feeling that come with being so close to the water without much else in sight.
For more information, click here
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Read our bi-monthly hotel hotlist edit here
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