Since launching in 1993, Design Hotels and its iconic properties have become synonymous with fun and glamorous escapes. Now with over 250 locations worldwide, it has released a 20th-anniversary Design Hotels Book 2013 that restores wanderlust to the coffee table. From Endémico to Vienna and Bali to Mallorca, Spain, see some of our favorite Design Hotels.
Courtesy of Design Hotels
This palatial hotel, which opened in 2003, takes full advantage of its jaw-dropping location. With multilevel terraces to capture the Mediterranean sun and grand arcades along the water, Hospes Maricel makes relaxation easy.
Courtesy of Design Hotels
Inspired by a gem-studded silver vase created by influential Viennese artist Koloman Moser, Hotel Topazz adds a modern edge to the historic center of Vienna. Opened in 2012, the environmentally conscious hotel is a tribute to the city’s turn-of-the-century modernism and has spectular views to match.
Courtesy of Design Hotels
Mixing traditional spa aesthetics with in-vogue, slick Scandinavian design, the third Standard hotel by André Balazs stands out even in hotel-packed Miami. Everything about this hotel, from its hallways to its pool, screams Miami cool.
Courtesy of Design Hotels
Check out that view! This Green Globe–certified hotel is all about the outdoors. Situated on a 100-meter cliff, Alila Villas Uluwatu gives guests a striking view of the Indian Ocean. Inspiration for the design, both internally and externally, was drawn from the lush foliage of Bali and reflects what the hotel's landscape designer, Lim Swe Ting, set out to do by "helping the soul of the place come alive."
Casadelmar is a salient example of what Design Hotels does best: find a place with raw natural beauty—in this case, Corsica—and design a hotel that fits seamlessly into the fabric of its surroundings. Opened in 2004, Casadelmar is calling for those looking for elegant tranquillity.
Courtesy of Design Hotels
As Portugal and its wines become more and more popular, Design Hotels has transformed a historic manor house in Caminha into a warm and inviting place to kick back and enjoy all this little country with a big history has to offer. Located along the vineyard-rich Minho River, Design & Wine Hotel also showcases Portugal's varied art tradition, with rooms decorated in styles ranging from traditional Portugese blue and white tiles to street art.
Courtesy of Design Hotels
Located in the growing wine hotspot of Baja California, Endémico's individual cabins offer guests an immersive experience in the Valle de Guadalupe. Just imagine a nice glass of wine while sitting outside taking in that stunning vista!
Courtesy of Design Hotels
Turning a 15th-century monastery into a hip hotel in fashionable Maastricht is a tall order, but Kruisherenhotel nails it with the fusion of Gothic and modern styles. Opened in 2005, the hotel's interior design caught our eye, with fascinating decorations that tastefully update the 600-year-old building and play well in the abundant natural light of the church-cum-reception area.
Courtesy of Design Hotels
Who doesn't love a 300-year-old palace with a love story? While renovating the hotel for its 2008 opening, workers discovered a manuscript detailing the tale of a 16-year-old girl and her lover, including their secret meetings in the palace's Tapis Volant, or “flying carpet” tower, which is still part of the hotel. What caught our eye however, were the sweeping views of ancient Marrakech from the hotel's rooftop.
Courtesy of Design Hotels
The Design Hotels Book 2013, with 800 pages of eye-popping hotels, is on sale now. To check out more of its world-famous hotels, head over to Design Hotels.
thies
