The Best Hotels Around the World for Design Inspiration
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Summer is well underway, which means there’s a good chance you’re gearing up for a vacation abroad. There’s no shortage of options when it comes to deciding where to stay during your trip, so we’re here to help you pick a hotel that offers great service and great design inspiration! Below, take a look at our list, which includes design-centric hotels across the globe, in Greece, France, Denmark, Africa, Italy, Morocco, England, Mexico, and Dominica.
Le Sirenuse, Positano, Italy
Originally a summer home to Carla and Antonio Sersale, Le Sirenuse has welcomed guests into its oceanfront hotel in Positano since 1950. The eclectic interiors are furnished with antiques from the personal collection of Franco Sersale, Antonio’s father. Book a stay at Le Sirenuse here.
Soho Hotel, London, England
With interiors designed by Kit Kemp, the Soho Hotel in London features no shortage of impeccably decorated spaces, including numerous rooms and suites. Expect to see maximalist headboards galore (like the one pictured above!) and patterned wallpaper aplenty. Book a stay at the Soho Hotel here.
The Silo Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa
A former grain silo reimagined by architect Thomas Heatherwick, the Silo Hotel boasts views of Table Bay and its neighboring mountains. Its interiors—which were designed by Liz Biden—feature a mix of modern and antique furnishings, complemented by industrial architecture (and those trademark faceted windows). Book a stay at the Silo here.
Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
This one is a must for any midcentury modern fanatic. Designed by Danish architect Arne Jacobsen, the Radisson Collection Royal Hotel opened to the public in 1960 as the Royal Hotel, thanks to its owners, King Frederick IX and Queen Ingrid of Denmark. This building was the first skyscraper in Copenhagen, and it was the tallest high-rise building in all of Denmark until 1969. Book a stay at the Radisson—formerly known as the SAS Royal Hotel—here.
The Ritz Paris, Paris, France
Since 1898, the Ritz Paris has welcomed numerous notable guests, many of whom now have spaces in the hotel named after them—case in point: the Coco Chanel Suite and Hemingway Bar. This iconic hotel even makes appearances in several famed novels, including The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, and Tender Is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Book a stay at the Ritz here.
Claridge's, London, England
Claridge’s in London, England opened to the public in 1856, and has since welcomed guests including Audrey Hepburn, Alfred Hitchcock, Mick Jagger, Joan Collins, and Whitney Houston, to name a few. Its interiors were designed by Sir Ernest George, a British architect and watercolorist. Book a stay at Claridge’s here.
Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes, France
Located on the French Riviera, the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is perhaps best known for being a celebrity-approved hot spot during the Cannes Film Festival. Stars who have stayed here over the years include F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, John F. Kennedy, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who honeymooned here.
You may recognize the hotel for its appearances in several Slim Aarons photographs. It also served as inspiration for the fictional Hôtel des Etrangers in Tender Is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Before it became a resort, the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc was a private mansion, built in 1869. It became a hotel in 1887. Book a stay at this iconic hotel here.
Royal Mansour Marrakech, Ocher City, Morocco
Designed by King Mohammed VI of Morocco, the Royal Mansour Marrakech opened in 2010 and boasts a bevy of imposing design elements. Its architecture was inspired by North African, Moorish, and Spanish structures, while its interiors feature mosaics on both its floors and walls. And we can’t forget to mention Sesamo, the hotel’s Italian restaurant, which counts Massimiliano Alajmo—the youngest chef to be awarded three Michelin stars—as one of its chefs. Book a stay at this impeccably designed hotel here.
Secret Bay, Dominica
Located on the Eastern Caribbean island of Dominica, Secret Bay is a resort that boasts 10 freestanding villas made of sustainable materials. With Guyanese Greenheart hardwood floors and handcrafted furniture made of Dominican Red Cedar, these villas are both environmentally friendly and pleasing to the eye. Book your stay at Secret Bay here.
Anemoessa Luxury Villas, Ikaria, Greece
Ikaria—a Greek island that’s best known for the long lives of its inhabitants—has no shortage of stunning beaches and scenic mountain-top views, so we definitely recommend staying at a hotel that’s located near the water. Case in point: Anemoessa Luxury Villas, which boasts no shortage of impressive amenities, including an outdoor pool, a garden, free breakfast every morning, a picnic area, a terrace, and even a children’s pool. Book a stay at Anemoessa here.
Rosewood Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Mexico is certainly a popular destination spot, and Rosewood Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen is definitely an ideal place to stay when vacationing here. Between the many lagoon-side suites and a spa that’s located on its own island, this resort has plenty to offer, beyond its beachfront location and scenic views. Book a stay at Rosewood Mayakoba here.
Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, Champillon, France
Located just 45 minutes outside of Paris, the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa in Champillon, France offers Michelin star dining, a 16,000-square-foot spa, and wine tastings at numerous local houses. This 47-room property was originally a 19th-century home, and its interiors were more recently designed by Sybille de Margerie. Book a stay at the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa here.
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