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Design Hotels Stories: Sophisticated Mountain Retreats
Mountain Magic A zen oasis carved out from Shangri-La’s rugged terrain. Ski-in ski-out access to idyllic pistes in Georgia’s Koktha-Mitarbi region and in the Austrian and Swiss Alps. Secluded relaxation in one of Europe’s most hidden valleys, and a luxurious upstate New York sanctuary. No matter their geographic location, these eight properties reflect and revel in their mountain landscapes. The Sunyata Hotel Meili in Shangri-La, China, was carved from a former Tibetan home cradled in a remote hillside and pays homage to the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi. Design details like rough-hewn furniture and uneven concrete walls reflect Yunnan province’s mountain terrain, while Tibetan references abound in elements like Buddhist murals…
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Beachy Keen
As the days grow shorter in the northern hemisphere, beaches with extended daylight hours and idyllic sunsets offer beacons of light, both metaphorically and literally. This collection of eight properties features an array of tropical escapes and more temperate seaside getaways—from the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Pacific coastlines, to the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Thailand. At Skylark Negril Beach Resort, in Negril, Jamaica, almost every studio offers views of the crystal-clear Caribbean waters. Here, guests can take a trip in a glass-bottom boat, enjoy Skylark Spa treatments in beachside cabanas, and dine beachfront at Miss Lily’s, the first Jamaican outpost of a beloved New York City restaurant known for its Caribbean…
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A Kaleidoscopic Journey at Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives
Imagine the colors of a coral reef above ground, surrounded by origami jellyfish or the lush greens of a tropical forest transformed into a soothing spa oasis. At Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives, such visions are reality. For the resort’s recent redesign, Muza Lab took inspiration from the natural beauty of the islands and the surrounding pristine waters to create a kaleidoscopic journey across its four dining options, spa, and 125 villas. For the recent relaunch of Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives, London-based design studio Muza Lab translated the tones, patterns, and textures of the surrounding environment into an understated elegance conveyed through an array of colorful, natural interiors. Home to about…
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Cultural Cues
Hotels are often gateways to cultural hotspots, but they can also be creative hubs in their own right. These eight properties house world-class art collections, offer access to unforgettable experiences, and weave themselves into the cultural fabrics of their locales. Located in the center of New York City’s hip Lower East Side neighborhood, The Ludlow Hotel acts as a living room for Manhattan’s creative class. An eclectic mix of vintage furniture and striking artworks adorn the guest accommodations, while the on-site restaurant Dirty French and nearby art spaces like the New Museum, 47 Canal, and Bridget Donahue draw in locals and visitors alike. Further uptown, The Whitby Hotel is just steps away…
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A roadmap for a conscious future
As we step back out into the world, we’re collectively contemplating how we will travel into the future, together. How will our first steps set us on a new path—one that meets the complexity of the moment with radical change and a whole new mindset? Much of the last year at Design Hotels has been spent ruminating on this, which is why the new issue of Directions, titled “Odyssey,” is especially close to our hearts. Over the beautifully illustrated pages of our annual magazine, we share some gentle expeditions taken on foot—from Peru’s Sacred Valley to the streets of Amsterdam, and we share a list that distills some of our feelings…
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Introducing Six New Members of Design Hotels
From a hotel spread across six historic townhouses to restored 19th-century Mexican and Grecian villas, the newest members of Design Hotels consider their locale’s past, present, and future. These six properties, located both in city centers and by the beach, place an emphasis on a renewed sense of locality. Grupo Habita’s Círculo Mexicano is housed within a storied building in Mexico City but keeps its eyes on the future. With its reinterpretation of a traditional Mexican floorplan known as a “Vecindad,” which places a communal patio at the center of a building, gatherings can take place in the hotel’s central open space, rooftop pool, and bar-restaurant. A feeling of privacy is enhanced in rooms…
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Abfahrt, Achtsamkeit und eine atemberaubende Aussicht
Mit einer neuen Definition der traditionellen Alpenkultur ganz im Sinne des modernen Entdeckergeists hat das Cervo Mountain Resort seine Position als ideales Tor zur rauen Schönheit und mystischen Bergwelt von Zermatt gefestigt. Neben drei verschiedenen Zimmerkonzepten mit unterschiedlicher Ausstattung bietet das Hotel auch ein ungezwungenes und doch exklusives Après-Ski-Programm sowie die Entspannungsoase „Mountain Ashram Spa“ mit Outdoor-Onsen, Naturpool und einem breit gefächerten Treatment-Angebot für ein unvergleichliches Winterurlaubserlebnis. Nach einem Tag auf den Skipisten, bei einer Schneeschuhwanderung oder beim Schlitteln bietet das Hotel mit seiner entspannten Umgebung im zeitgenössischen alpinen Stil Erholung pur und setzt dabei auf fortschrittliche Nachhaltigkeit. So wird das Resort beispielsweise fast ausschließlich mit Geothermie betrieben. Klicken Sie…
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Architectural Tales
David Chipperfield and Stephen Williams designed a contemporary complex in Hamburg and in Palma, Swedish firm Wingårdhs has reimagined a 16th-century Spanish island setting. Elsewhere, a dramatic A-frame is nestled into a cinematic coastline and a neo-gothic landmark stands out in a contemporary city center. These seven hotels with noteworthy structural histories have architectural tales worth telling. In the center of Cologne stands a neo-gothic landmark building from 1897 that is now home to The Qvest Hotel. Original pointed arch windows and doorframes give way to a lobby and suites that feature cross-vaulted ceilings measuring up to six meters high, with the standout Salon Suite even boasting a hand-painted medieval wooden…
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Upping the sustainability bar through conscious actions
Say the word “sustainability” and it’s easy to fall down a slippery slope. Beyond banning single-use plastics, what does it mean to be not just an eco-conscious but an actively eco-friendly hotel? Whether an urban retreat or mountainous resort, these five properties are raising the bar for what sustainability means in hospitality, and they let their actions speak louder than words. Nestled among the towering peaks of the Swiss Alps in Zermatt, Cervo Mountain Resort’s ethos is centered on conscious travel and sustainable actions. Following the property’s recent renovation, nearly 95% of its energy requirements are covered by geothermal energy and the remaining 5% are sourced from natural gas. Cervo also repurposes…
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A Need for Nature
There’s no better time to recharge than when surrounded by awe-inspiring natural sights. With breathtaking white-sand beaches, towering mountain views, and subtle rolling hills covered in lush flora, these eight properties offer inspirational stays through intimate connections with their surrounding landscapes. Click here for the online version of A Need for Nature. Situated in the Adelboden valley, The Cambrian offers 360-degree views and unparalleled access to the western Swiss Alps. Near the renovated 19th-century villa and its adjoining chalets is the Engstligenalp plateau, perfect for picturesque hikes in the summer and cross-country skiing in winter, and the Engstligenalp Falls, where water cascades from a height of 600 meters. Slightly further south…
