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Matters of Design
Members of Design Hotels around the world are known for their interior visions, some of which are created by up-and-coming designers and others by industry heavyweights. Be it the former or the latter, our properties excel in establishing visionary interior design concepts. The signature aesthetic languages found at these eight hotels—from New York City to an Italian village to a Maldivian atoll—are particularly worth highlighting. Located among the bustling streets of Midtown Manhattan, The Whitby Hotel showcases the carefree spirit of its award-winning Original Kit Kemp throughout its 86 individually designed rooms and suites. Each room features its own distinct color scheme, though Kemp’s signature touches—including oversized headboards, some even…
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The House Hotel Old Tbilisi Celebrates Georgian Culture Both Old and New
Located in a historical property once on the verge of demolition but now marked as a cultural heritage building, The House Hotel Old Tbilisi honors Georgia’s history while simultaneously celebrating and supporting the city’s latest creative movements. Hand-painted murals by acclaimed local artist Musya Qeburia in every room allude to historic tales, while at the in-house restaurant Blue Fox, international cuisine is infused with local flavors. In addition, original wood balconies blend seamlessly into the surrounding neighborhood, furniture was crafted from upcycled wood, and the well-preserved, handwoven ancient rugs in rooms are available for purchase. Click here to view The House Hotel Old Tbilisi on designhotels.com. Operated by the international group Kerten Hospitality,…
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Introducing Eight New Members
At the newest properties to join Design Hotels, guests can enjoy Michelin-starred cuisine in the foothills of the Alps, bask in the Mediterranean sun surrounded by contemporary Cycladic architecture, or hang out in Lisbon’s coolest quarter and get inked downstairs, among much more. Contemporary minimalism meets historical elegance at Parkhotel Mondschein in Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy. The building was initially constructed in the 14th century and then extended in 1890 in the Belle Époque style, with wide corridors, high ceilings, and stucco decoration—all of which was restored and is now augmented by oak floors, walnut furniture, and naturally hued fabrics. Three in-house dining options range from casual bites at Luna…
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Behind Every Door Is a Visionary
There are hotels and then there are cultural destinations, places where guests become part of the local ecosystem, properties that truly push the boundaries of what hospitality means today. And behind the doors to each of these places is a person or a team with a vision—and the drive to bring that vision to life. These eight Design Hotels members and their Originals especially exemplify such visions becoming realities around the world, from Mediterranean and Jamaican shores to serene countryside villages. Founded by world-renowned art collector Dakis Joannou,YES Hotels group is known for making waves in Greece’s hospitality scene with museum-worthy art and design concepts. One of their first properties,…
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A Curation of Creativity
Hotels are often gateways to cultural hotspots, but they can also be such hotspots in their own right. Through world-class art collections, pop-up events, live music sessions, and DJ sets, these eight properties do more than showcase local art and culture: they create it. And as a result, they draw in local creatives and guests alike. At Runo Hotel Porvoo in Finland, biannual exhibitions showcase rising regional artists. Currently, the hotel acts as a stage for pieces by Inka Bell, Linda Linko, and Lisa Maaranen—three young Helsinki-based female artists. A figurative ceramic sculpture by Riku Riippa also makes a statement on the ground floor, and every guestroom features a unique…
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Design Hotels releases original Art Prints Series inspired by its latest book
Following the recent launch of Taste and Place: The Design Hotels Book, the trendsetting brand has published an Art Print Series that captures the book’s broad and inclusive exploration of food. In a first for Design Hotels, its much-loved annual book focused on a single topic: delving into the holistic connectivity of food and its integral role in purposeful travel. The book’s accompanying Art Print Series spotlights two photographs from two of its most inspired food stories, capturing the essence of a dish and its emotional ties, which start from the ingredients and expand out into the community and wider world. Chapter three of Taste and Place, “Homegrown,” spotlights hotels…
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Ein neues Gemeinschaftsgefühl im Vocabolo Moscatelli
Ein italienisches Dorf im Mini-Format – genau so könnte man das neu eröffnete Vocabolo Moscatelli beschreiben, das sich in den Mauern eines ehemaligen Klosters aus dem 12. Jahrhundert kleidet. Ursprüngliche Stein- und Ziegelkonstruktionen werden um frische, moderne Linien ergänzt. Hinter der Kapelle fällt der Blick auf eine maßgefertigte Pergola aus Eisen. Kräuter- und Blumendüfte aus dem Garten liegen in der Luft. Tische mit Sonnenschirmen säumen die zentralen Piazza und jeder Raum hat sein eigenes individuelles Design. Außerdem gibt es den ganzen Tag über Frühstück und die Gäste werden Teil einer engen Gemeinschaft. Und all das in der Umgebung einer entspannten, historischen Oase mit einem unverwechselbaren modernen Touch. Vocabolo Moscatelli öffnete seine…
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FREIgeist Göttingen Nordstadt: The Heart of a New Contemporary Hub
What was once the footprint of a sprawling factory in a central German city is now home to a vibrant creative complex, and at the center is FREIgeist Göttingen Nordstadt. Here, industrial sleekness meets Mediterranean warmth through a perfectly balanced medley of black steel and cast-iron accents, colorful Turkish rugs, and creative art installations. Italian fare is the focus at the in-house dining outlets, and a timeless bar surprises guests with unique blasts from the past. Click here to view FREIgeist Göttingen Nordstadt on designhotels.com. For nearly 120 years, the northern part of Göttingen, Germany, was known for its factory owned by Sartorius, a leading life science research and biopharmaceutical…
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Mykonos Theoxenia Reimagines a 1960s Modernist Gem
With a focus on Greek heritage and contemporary design, the recently reimagined Mykonos Theoxenia reflects the past and present. Modernist marble and stone preserved from the 1960s complement bright and airy spaces adorned with flowing linen and ceramic vessels, resulting in a contemporary take on timeless Greek aesthetics. Located at the edge of Mykonos Town, guests can retreat into pure serenity or venture through the maze of stone streets lined with white-washed Cycladic architecture. Click here to view Mykonos Theoxenia on designhotels.com. When post-modern architect Aris Konstandinidis initially envisioned Mykonos Theoxenia in the 1960s, his dreams were nothing less than revolutionary: it was to be the island’s first five-star hotel, with the…
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Hotel Hotel, a Cultural Oasis in the Center of Lisbon
At Lisbon’s new Hotel Hotel, creative collaborations take center stage. The interiors and exteriors alike have been custom created by local artists and designers, with unique site-specific artworks appearing throughout the hotel. A vibrant lobby gives way to an open-air courtyard and pool, while downstairs guests and locals come together in a room dedicated to immersive yoga experiences as well as a full-fledged tattoo studio. Click here to view Hotel Hotel on designhotels.com. The newly opened Hotel Hotel, situated in the heart of Lisbon, a stone’s throw from Avenida da Liberdade, is “not about traveling,” says Original Alexandre Martins. Rather, “it’s about feeling connected with a culture and with people.” A creative hub for…
