Buying guides

By Daven Wu Last updated 19 October 22

With a postcard-perfect panorama of cobbled streets, ancient ruins and yellow trams, its no wonder Lisbon is such a hot destination. And now with a burst of fresh hotels to match, checking in has never been so easy. Take a look at our pick of the best Lisbon hotels to check into right now.

By Melina Keays Last updated 19 October 22

Not to brag, but we may well have solved the dilemma of finding a destination that’s far from the madding crowd of mass tourism. Whether a swanky aerie overlooking the Mediterranean or a powdery white beach in South East Asia, every resort on our list makes the grade for stylishly designed digs and attentive service, alongside a postcard-worthy setting that has us longing for island life.

By Daven Wu Last updated 19 October 22

The pleasure of bathing has never been so passionately pursued, with hotels throwing themselves wholeheartedly into the creation of spaces that are less amenity and more amusement. No longer a side thought, the best of these new personal pleasure palaces, often clad in enough marble to make an Emperor sigh, range from onsen minimalism to technological trickery. Take a look at the hotel bathrooms that have us lingering for longer.

By Warren Singh-Bartlett Last updated 19 October 22

With thousands of islands dotting the sparkling azure waters around mainland Greece, there’s little wonder why holidaymakers flock to the Aegan Sea in droves for more than just fun in the sun. The crown jewel of the Greek islands is undoubtedly Santorini, famed for its whitewashed villages, sublime sunsets and theatrical views of the caldera. From the mythical isle of Crete to nightlife-friendly Mykonos, there’s an island for every kind of traveller. Here are ten high-design Greek island resorts for the discerning island-hopper.

By Jessica Klingelfuss Last updated 19 October 22

By Mary Cleary Last updated 19 October 22

Coffee is akin to religion in New York. Independent and small-chain coffee shops now outnumber the behemoth brands, as the thirst for the perfect cup of coffee grows. While Instagram overfloweth with spumescent squares of pristine latte art, we’re inclined to temper our caffeine cravings in divine surrounds, committed to a daily ritual of refined ristrettos and ambrosial Americanos. From a Roman and Williams-designed espresso bar to a Japanese/Scandi matcha café, these are the best-designed spots in New York City to get your java fix.

By Jessica Klingelfuss Last updated 19 October 22

Chicago is a-whirl with a burst of fresh hotels, from hipster to high-end, that have been springing up across The Windy City from the Gold Coast all the way to Wicker Park. Take a look at our pick of the best Chicago hotels to check into right now.

By Harriet Thorpe Last updated 19 October 22

It’s little secret that New York’s outer boroughs have been undergoing a renaissance over the past couple of decades, with rollicking siblings Brooklyn and Queens jostling for attention in NYC’s crowded hotel scene. No longer just a hipster mecca, Brooklyn’s grown up in a big way. Artists have been flocking to Williamsburg since the 1990s, and it’s a boom that’s spilling over into once-quiet enclaves like Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill. Queens, meanwhile, is hot on its heels – 40 hotels are currently in the pipeline, while Long Island City is fast becoming the borough’s answer to Brooklyn’s Dumbo. No wonder then, that vacationers are trading Manhattan’s mayhem for dazzling views, characterful piles, and charming neighbourhoods. Lay your head to rest in the finest boutique hotels that Brooklyn and Queens have to offer.

By Jessica Klingelfuss Last updated 19 October 22

From the hedonistic vibes of Ibiza to the laid back chill of Mallorca, the Balearics present a full barometer of options for any type of jaunt to this idyllic corner of Spain. We round up the top ten hotels worth checking into this summer. Whether you prefer a party hub or a mellow retreat, each of these properties place the beauty of the Balearic landscape centre stage.

By Melina Keays Last updated 19 October 22

Rajasthan is the jewel in India’s crown, a parched expansive land, home to vibrantly colourful festivals, thrilling wildlife experiences, fairytale palaces and epic forts – many of which have been transformed into modern-day luxury hotels. We take you on a tour of the best Rajasthan hotels to lay your head.

By Lauren Ho Last updated 19 October 22

By Elly Parsons Last updated 19 October 22

Insiders will tell you that one of Philadelphia’s greater pleasures, besides re-enacting Rocky Balboa’s dash up the steps of City Hall, is its culinary scene. While the city centre has its fair share of admirable eateries, more adventurous chefs are to be found in the city’s suburbs, especially in East Passyunk and Fishtown, where historic warehouses and factories, especially, are being repurposed for a new generation hungry for both imaginative food and artfully designed spaces.

By Daven Wu Last updated 19 October 22

By Melina Keays Last updated 19 October 22

With such landmarks as the Eiffel Tower, the instantly recognisable glass pyramid at the Louvre and the grand Napoleonic arches of the Arc De Triomphe, Paris has a timeless familiarity, making it the ideal weekend stopover for first-time visitors as well as discerning pros looking for a quick pick-me-up getaway. But, with over 2,000 hotels to choose from, where to bed down is the million dollar question. Here, we bring you the 12 properties worth checking into right now.

By Melina Keays Last updated 19 October 22

There must be something about all that sunshine and blue-on-blue sky, but Palm Springs has long lured a particular tribe of traveller – savvy, design-conscious, and fastidious about their choice of lodgings. Aiding the cause is the area’s haul of classic mid-century architecture, many of which, thanks to generous proportions and outdoor spaces, have been successfully co-opted or refurbished as bright and cheerful hotels.

By Daven Wu Last updated 19 October 22

By Melina Keays Last updated 19 October 22

Stoked by the advent of the digital age, the photobook has become increasingly central to artists’ practices – the ‘supreme platform to disseminate work’, notes collector and photographer Martin Parr. As we hurtle into a new decade, the Wallpaper* photography desk picks out its favourite recently published titles for your perusing pleasure.

By Jessica Klingelfuss Last updated 19 October 22

Not just about towering glass skyscrapers, Vancouver’s location against a spectacular mountain backdrop is what sets it apart. And with hotels that are often within mountain-ogling locations, all the better to linger longer and explore this cosmopolitan and compact Canadian city.

By Lauren Ho Last updated 19 October 22

In many ways, Miami’s charms – dominated principally by a culture of beach and sea – are best experienced on the ground level. Less expected though is the heady experience of floating, figuratively speaking, over the landscape, inevitably in an aerie atop a hotel building. And with a chilled drink in hand and the stopwatch set for sunset, the moment is, as they say, priceless. Herewith, our pick of the best rooftop bars in Miami.

By Daven Wu Last updated 19 October 22

Whatever the state, whatever the city, US urban hotels have stepped up their design nous with a cutting edge list of properties that offer more than just rooms. Whether carved from an historic pile or a modern new build, each of these hotels will appeal to the most hardened design aficionados.

By Melina Keays Last updated 19 October 22

By Melina Keays Last updated 19 October 22

Our bi-monthly dissection of technology happenings the world over

By Elly Parsons Last updated 19 October 22

By Daven Wu Last updated 19 October 22

By Daven Wu Last updated 19 October 22

From Thimphu to Tokyo, our Best Urban Hotels shortlist, plus the jet-set judges picking the winners

By Daven Wu Last updated 19 October 22

Best known for its wide array of restaurants, vibrant street art and its ridiculously good coffee, Melbourne might be Australia’s creative capital, but for reasons unknown, its hotel scene remained curiously unmatched. Recently though, a slate of local hoteliers have picked up the pace, peppering the hospitality landscape with a much-needed dose of contemporary cool. From an all-you-can buy urban apartment to an art-laden winery hotel, take a look at the seven properties that are putting the city on the map.

By Lauren Ho Last updated 19 October 22