AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado
Lisbon, Portugal
Located on the peaceful Praça de Munícipio is AlmaLusa Hotels’ debut boutique hotel AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado. The 28-room hotel, originally the city’s arsenal, emphasises all things Portuguese for a historically rich and elegantly contemporary feel. The in-house Delfina restaurant serves up delicious traditional Portuguese dishes with a brasserie vibe, while designer Giano Gonçalves weaves in the 18th century building’s original framework with modern comfort and technology. With each room designed in an individual style, this new Lisbon jewel promises to deliver a stylish stay infused with Portuguese culture.
Find out more about AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado here
Twr Y Felin Hotel
Pembrokeshire, UK
Recently refurbished by Hong-Kong based designers Aedas Interiors, this 21-room hotel has turned into a sleek gem in the Welsh countryside. Inspired by its location on the St Davids peninsula, Aedas produced interiors featuring customised furniture in a mix of dark browns and greys that complemented the property’s natural surroundings. Thoughtfully hypoallergenic, their designs also preserved original architectural elements such as the interestingly shaped rooms and bronze traceried windows. Colour brings the rooms to life in the form of specially commissioned artworks by both international and local artists such as Harry Adams.
Writer: Daven Wu, Elana Wong
Find out more about Twr Y Felin Hotel here
Palazzo Dama
Milan, Italy
Owned by the Malaspina family, the Palazzo Dama is a 30-room hotel located in Rome. The five-star hotel is one of the few independent palazzos open to the public, featuring a Mediterranean garden, petite outdoor pool and an exclusive subterranean nightclub. Architect Antonio Girardi has ensured the villa retains its decadence, maintaining much of its original grand details and adding only the finest furnishings such as vintage Venini glass fixtures and lithographs of Warhol and Picasso pieces.
Writer: Emilee Tombs, Elana Wong
Find out more about Palazzo Dama here
Urban Cowboy Bed and Breakfast
Nashville, USA
Located in the up-and-coming area of East Nashville, this little hotel surrounded by hip boutiques, dive bars and craft coffee is not your usual bed and breakfast. A restored 19th century Victorian mansion, it contains eight unique suites, an onsite bar and two communal parlours. Each individually designed by owner Lyon Porter, the rooms are an unexpected combination of the original Victorian features, including clawfoot tubs, with the artistic culture of Nashville.
Writer: Logan Leasure, Elana Wong
Find out more about Urban Cowboy here
Hôtel Saint Marc
Paris, France
Built in 1791, the mansion in which the Hôtel Saint Marc is housed is filled with French history. After owners Nadia Murano and Denis Nourry acquired the 26-room property in 2013, they tasked Italian designers Dimore Studio with its restoration and interior design. It is now fitted with a small heated swimming pool, a Turkish bath and a glass-topped courtyard converted from the central room. Combined with art deco furnishings, top quality fabrics and a colour scheme of pastel blues, reds and blush, the mansion has been restored to a new bright, but luxurious, glory.
Writer: Daven Wu, Elana Wong
Find out more about Hôtel Saint Marc here
Hotel Panache
Paris, France
Located just ten minutes from the famous Galaries Lafayette, this 40 room, three-star hotel emanates quirky Parisian soul. Owned by Hotel Paradis’ Adrien Gloaguen, with Dorothée Meilichzon at the design helm, they have embraced the strange configurations and shape of the rooms with unexpected furnishings, while continuing the theme in an adjoining restaurant offering up quality French neo-bistro food and natural wines. With a colour scheme of blues, greys and rusty accents, set against a backdrop of punchy black and white patterns, the hotel delivers a graphic, retro feel with a sophisticated touch.
Writer: Rooksana Hossenally, Elana Wong
Find out more about Hotel Panache here
The Axiom
San Francisco, USA
Inspired by San Francisco’s tech scene, the former historical Turpin Hotel has been revamped into a boutique property. Under the direction of New York-based designers Stonehill & Taylor, the building has become a tasteful merging of both worlds, combining the original iron features with new innovations such as ‘glitchings’. The in-house Turn Café offers up fresh, organic dishes in line with millennial culture, such as artisan sandwiches and handcrafted cocktails.
Writer: Ella Marshall, Elana Wong
Find out more about The Axiom here
The Axiom
San Francisco, CA
Dressed in a neutral colour scheme with punchy accents of magenta and blue, combined with midcentury style furnishings, the hotel feels at once modern and classically sophisticated.
Writer: Ella Marshall, Elana Wong
Find out more about The Axiom here
The Late Birds
Lisbon, Portugal
Situated in a quiet spot on the vibrant Bairro Alto, this unique hotel by Carlos Ruiva and Sónia Santiago is an all-male gay guesthouse with an emphasis on community. Portuguese architect Pedro Domingos was tasked with redesigning the 18th century heritage building, creating 12 rooms, including three suites and cosy public spaces, and a pool courtyard. With a classic, simple look from the use of natural materials, the interiors were furnished with custom pieces by local designer Marco Sousa Santos, combined with antiques collected by the owners, such as an African totem pole.
Writer: Chadner Navarro, Elana Wong
Find out more about The Late Birds here
Brae Accommodation
Birregurra, Australia
Brae Accomodation is a hotel with a purpose. Located in the town of Birregurra, chef Dan Hunter and his team opened Brae Accommodation to provide for overnight stays as demand in the area grew in response to his hit restaurant Brae. Comprising six suites on the 30-acre property, it was designed by Melbourne-based Six Degree Architects and interior design firm Studio Round.
Writer: Carrie Hutchinson, Elana Wong
Find out more about Brae Accommodation here
Brae Accommodation
Birregurra, Australia
Designed to mirror the restaurant, the rooms are spacious and contemporary and feature sleek custom furnishings. In line with Brae’s emphasis on a connection with the land and locality, the building is constructed and maintained with sustainable materials and feature artworks by local artist Rhys Lee.
Writer: Carrie Hutchinson, Elana Wong
Find out more about Brae Accommodation here
Bill & Coo Coast Suites
Mykonos, Greece
With private pools and luxury services on offer, this small property in Mykonos could be every couple’s dream Greek honeymoon. The 15 spacious suites look over the Aegean Sea, ensured by landscape architect Greenways, which built natural screens that protect from the wind and sun without compromising the view. Inside, British interior designer k-studio used an elegant colour scheme of white, shades of light grey, and accents of pale wood and black. With notably smooth surfaces and marble floors, Bill & Coo reflect and complement the simple Mykonian aesthetic with a sleek, sophisticated twist.
Writer: Daven Wu, Elana Wong
Find out more about Bill & Coo here
Setouchi Aonagi
Matsuyama, Japan
Located on Shikoku Island, outside the city of Matsuyama, is a small luxury hotel overseen by architect Tadao Ando. Overlooking the Seto inland sea, the retreat contains seven rooms, a visually striking outdoor lap pool and Japanese restaurant Minagi, which carefully prepares fresh kaiseki multi-course dinners that emphasise the local seafood.
Writer: Jens H Jensen, Elana Wong
Find out more about Setouchi Aonagi here
Setouchi Aonagi
Matsuyama, Japan
With designs overseen by Tadao Ando, the property reflects his signature minamalist style with large exposed concrete surfaces and open spaces in clean lines and neutral colours.
Writer: Jens H Jensen, Elana Wong
Find out more about Satouchi Aonagi here
Senato Hotel
Milan, Italy
Run by the Ranza family, this Milan boutique hotel was once their private family residence. Now housing 43 luxury rooms, architect Alessandro Bianchi was tasked with transforming the residence, and produced the sleek, luxe interiors featuring marble surfaces and wood parquets.
Writer: JJ Martin, Elana Wong
Find out more about Senato Hotel here
Senato Hotel
Milan, Italy
Employing top quality Milanese talent to build his custom designed furnishings, he dressed the rooms in a striking colour scheme of white, matte black, dark green and gold for a quiet, regal elegance.
Writer: JJ Martin, Elana Wong
Find out more about Senato Hotel here
Azur Real
Córdoba, Argentina
Built in 1915, Azur Real fits right into the vibrant historic city of Córdoba. Local architect Lućia Roland of Capó Estudio and Buenos Aires-based interior designer Sofía Camps have updated the building to contain modern hotel services such as the outdoor terrace and pool. Creating a neutral palette of soft browns, greys and beiges, accented by occasional bright lime furnishings and the original brick detailing, they create a balanced space of old and new in harmony.
Writer: Mariana Rapoport, Elana Wong
Find out more about Azur Real here
Azur Real
Córdoba, Argentina
The 16 light-filled rooms, though having undergone a bigger transformation, feature sleek, warm wood designs with woven fabric furnishings to continue an elegant rustic feel.
Writer: Mariana Rapoport, Elana Wong
Find out more about Azur Real here
Arenales Hotel
Buenos Aires, Argentina
In a pioneer location in Barrio Norte, Daniela Mourente opened the Arenales Hotel steps away from Santa Fé Avenue. Designed by architect Julio Oropel, the 1970s building was revamped using a distinctive trio of mirrors, white steel sheets and Slavonian Oak. Using a colourscheme of soft greys and whites, Oropel adds colour to the 37 rooms with locally produced furnishings and vintage items. The hotel also contains a restaurant-bar offering up gastronomic cuisine and artisanal desserts.
Writer: Mariana Rapoport, Elana Wong
Find out more about Arenales Hotel here
Marktgasse Hotel
Zürich, Switzerland
In the heart of Zürich’s Old Town is the Marktgasse Hotel, formerly one of Zürich’s oldest inns, dating back to the 1200s. Updated by Basel-based firm Miller & Maranta, interior designers Kessler & Kessler and IDA14, the ancient building has undergone a restoration and renovation to become the chic hotel it is today.
Writer: Daven Wu, Elana Wong
Find out more about Marktgasse Hotel here
Marktgasse Hotel
Zürich, Switerland
Featuring 39 rooms, a café and an adjoining bar and restaurant, the designers have balanced the original stucco work, wall panelling and columns with sleek Scandinavian minimalism and Italian furnishings.
Writer: Daven Wu, Elana Wong
Find out more about Marktgasse Hotel here
Hôtel Providence
Paris, France
Housed in an 1854 Haussmannien building, this lavish hotel is located in the young, trendy Eastern district of Paris. Opened by Pierre Moussié, the property features 18 individually decorated rooms as well as a hotel bar and restaurant serving up fine regional cuisine. The rooms contain luxury amenities such as iMacs, and feature bold colour schemes of rich, dark primary colours punctuated by plush furniture and patterned wallpaper. Furnishings like marble fireplaces and art deco light fixtures stand out in the hushed ambience of the hotel, giving the atmosphere of an English hunting lodge-meets Parisian home.
Writer: Rooksana Hossenally, Elana Wong
Find out more about Hôtel Providence here
Casa Fayette
Guadalajara, Mexico
In the arts district of Guadalajara is Casa Fayette, the latest of Grupo Habita’s boutique design hotels. It is split into two sections: the old colonial house containing the hotel’s public areas, and a new tower block housing the rooms, pool and spa. Curated by Milanese designers Dimore Studio, the 37 rooms feature pale green headboards against dominant colours of blue, grey and white, and marble bathrooms with clawfoot tubs.
Writer: Michelle McDermott, Elana Wong
Find out more about Casa Fayette here
Casa Fayette
Guadalajara, Mexico
In the public spaces of the main building, colours are richly dark and sophisticated, evoking a midcentury modern meets Jalisco artisan feel, particularly the bar, as the Barragán-inspired palette echoes brilliantly lush tropical prints.
Writer: Michelle McDermott, Elana Wong
Find out more about Casa Fayette here
The Buchanan
San Francisco, USA
Situated at the edge of San Francisco’s Japantown, The Buchanan draws decorative inspiration from its location’s heritage. Nicole Hollis Interior Design contrasts textures of crisp cotton and worn leather, and combines distinct materials and furnishings like earth-tone pottery and Japanese whiskey barrel staves to evoke the rich cultures embedded in the neighbourhood.
Furnishings such as shibori-print pillows in the rooms, set against a colour scheme of charcoals, whites and deep greens combined with sophisticated matte blacks and modern fixtures, provide a contemporary reference to Japanese culture.
Writer: Chaney Kwak, Elana Wong
Find out more about The Buchanan here
Cumbres Lastarria
Santiago, Chile
Located in the boho district of Lastarria, Santiago, this boutique hotel has drawn attention from both hip locals and visitors alike. Local architect and owner Rodrigo Errázuriz designed its striking, daring façade, while interior designers Enrique Concha and Andrés Martínez combined custom modern furnishings with old-style accents for a contemporary twist on Chilean heritage. With luxe rooms containing replica Masters decorative headboards, and quality services such as a heated swimming pool and Mediterranean restaurant, there's no wonder it has become the place to be.
Writer: Mariana Rapoport, Elana Wong
Find out more about Cumbres Lastarria here
The Club
Singapore
Situated in Singapore’s vibrant Chinatown quarter, The Club is a hospitality and lifestyle destination containing a 20-room boutique hotel, two trendy bars and two restaurants, including the award-winning The Disgruntled Chef. Housed in a row of perfectly preserved 20th century shophouses, every space has been reimagined and utilised, such as the Peruvian rooftop bar and a basement bijou lounge.
Writer: Daven Wu, Elana Wong
Find out more about The Club here
The Club
Singapore
Designed by Singapore-based interior design firm Distillery Studio, the rooms and lobby space feature a muted palette of rust, olive greens and mustard set against vintage furniture, customised marble and wooden furniture that evokes Singapore’s colonial houses.
Writer: Daven Wu, Elana Wong
Find out more about The Club here
Rivertown Lodge
Hudson, USA
Located a two hour train ride away from Manhattan, in the town of Hudson, New York, Rivertown Lodge is a 27-room hotel housed in a former 1920s motor inn. Revamped by Brooklyn-based design firms Workstead, the hotel contains a built-in kitchen, a tavern offering crafted cocktails by mixologists Natasha David and Jeremy Ortel, and a restaurant menu by Jean Adamson.
Writer: Pei-Ru Keh, Elana Wong
Find out more about Rivertown Lodge here
Rivertown Lodge
Hudson, USA
Featuring homey shades of soft blue and yellow, against largely white walls, clean lines and wood detailing, Workstead also added vintage pieces such as wood burning stoves. The rooms continue this theme with rustic furnishings, such as brass lighting and cast iron accents, to evoke an aesthetic dubbed ‘early American modern’.
Writer: Pei-Ru Keh, Elana Wong
Find out more about Rivertown Lodge here
H10 Duque de Loulé
Lisbon, Portugal
Opened by Spanish H10 Hotels, this 89-room boutique property is, unusually, located in Lisbon’s financial district. The hotel now also offers the services of a large meeting room, the Azul e Branco restaurant and the beautiful Equestre library bar. Converted from a former 18th century convent, designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán, having previously worked on projects such as Cotton House Hotel in Barcelona, was inspired by the famous azujelos decorative tiles.
Writer: Chadner Navarro, Elana Wong
Find out more about H10 Duque de Loulé here
H10 Duque de Loulé
Lisbon, Portugal
Working with local talents, he combined traditional features such as wood-panelled ceilings with contemporary furnishings, and used a palette of clean, fresh whites punctuated by pale woods and bright shades of blue. Adding to its charm is the Limão rooftop bar terrace, boasting views over downtown Lisbon.
Writer: Chadner Navarro, Elana Wong
Find out more about H10 Duque de Loulé here
Tuve
Hong Kong, China
Hidden in an enclave off Causeway Bay, devoid of signage, is nondescript boutique hotel Tuve. Designed by Hong Kong firm Design Systems, the hotel contains 66 rooms with their own distinctive look of sharp angles, minimalist furniture and smooth, clear surfaces of marble, wood and concrete offset by pale, elegant furniture in neutral colours.
Writer: Jonathan Hopfner, Elana Wong
Find out more about Tuve here
Tuve
Hong Kong, China
Despite its simplicity, the hotel offers luxury in the form of fine linens, complimentary smartphones, gourmet snacks and beverages, as well as innovative restaurant Silver Room, which serves Japanese influenced Italian fusion cuisine on the ground floor.
Writer: Jonathan Hopfner, Elana Wong
Find out more about Tuve here
Hotel Monteverde
Lixa, Portugal
Located on Portugal’s Rota da Vinho, family-run Quinta da Lixa winery has opened a new hotel. Designed by local architect Fernando Coelho, the ruins of two worker’s homes have been transformed into a property that includes 15 guestrooms, a restaurant, bar, spa and two swimming pools. In a palette of warm rusts and greens the architecture, which is created out of granite and shale and clad with Portuguese pine, pays respect to the landscape, inviting guests to immerse themselves in its fruits.
Writer: Justin Jaekle, Elana Wong
Find out more about Hotel Monteverde here
La Fiermontina
Lecce, Italy
Located in Lecce’s historic quarter, owner Fouad Filali opened La Fiermontina after acquiring the 17th century house and observing the lack of good hotels in the area. Refurbished by Puglian architect Antonio Annicchiarico, the hotel contains 16 unique suites, an outdoor swimming pool, private olive garden and a restaurant offering a modern twist on traditional Pugliese cuisine. Featuring traditional pietra di Trani floors and the original baroque architecture, a neutral colour scheme of beige and blush is complemented by original art and furnishings from Filali’s personal collection, including pieces by Le Corbusier, and darker accents.
Writer: Cynthia Rosenfeld, Elana Wong
Find out more about La Fiermontina here
Hôtel du Ministère
Paris, France
The Hôtel du Ministère, located near the Champs-Elysées, has unveiled its new extension, which added 18 rooms to its pre-existing 24. Designed by interior designer and architect François Champsaur, the rooms have a Mondrian-esque scheme of bright primary colours against a neutral backdrop, combined with furnishings such as graphic curtains and mid-century Italian furnishings. Other areas of the hotel, including the new breakfast room, also received the same neo-modernist feel, along with a host of artworks by artists such as David Lynch.
Writer: Jessica Klingelfuss, Elana Wong
Find out more about Hotel du Ministere here
Primero Primera
Barcelona, Spain
Located in the residential Les Tres Torres neighbourhood, this property, built almost 60 years ago by Carlos Pérez-Sala, has been spruced up into a 30-room hotel. Now containing a garden pool surrounded by well-maintained, yet lush, foliage and a bar, Pérez-Sala’s descendents have kept the building’s 1950s façade but updated the original interior framework for a more contemporary feel.
Writer: Lauren Ho, Elana Wong
Find out more about Primero Primera here
Primero Primera
Barcelona, Spain
The public spaces have colour schemes of either an earthy combination of muted greens and browns, or neutrals punctuated with pops of red, while the individually designed rooms are light and airy in neutrals of white, browns and dark blues. Odd original furniture pieces and the aged timber flooring, as well as the addition of rich furnishings such as leather armchairs and Persian rugs to the common areas, add luxurious warmth.
Writer: Lauren Ho, Elana Wong
Find out more about Primero Primera here
The Hoxton
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Housed in four historic merchant’s houses, the Hoxton Shoreditch has launched a new branch on Amsterdam’s Herengracht canal. Overseen by local studio Nicemakers, their Rijksmuseum-inspired design features a warm palette of rich blues, greys and mustards combined with locally crafted furnishings and vintage pieces.
Writer: Rachel Moloney, Elana Wong
Find out more about The Hoxton here
The Hoxton
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
One notable feature are the hotels walls: the rooms and certain public areas, including Italian restaurant Lotti’s, boast fine wood paneling, while other spaces have charming tiled walls that juxtapose against the luxurious furniture.
Writer: Rachel Moloney, Elana Wong
Find out more about The Hoxton here
Hôtel Bachaumont
Paris, France
Located in the 2nd arrondissement neighbourhood of Sentier, is the debut hotel by fashion retail magnate Samy Marciano. The 49-room property was re-designed by Dorothée Meilichzon, who paired dark wood furniture, marble floors and her signature art deco furnishings with a neutral colour scheme of whites, beiges, rich blues and black accents that parallel the façade.
Writer: Rooksana Hossenally, Elana Wong
Find out more about Hôtel Bachaumont here
Hôtel Bachaumont
Paris, France
Restaurant Bauchamont’s interior follows the same vein. Run by the owners of the Experimental Cocktail Club, the addition of brightly printed blue and purple fabrics, combine with luxurious brasserie-style furnishings, encapsulates a glamorous retro style with a contemporary touch.
Writer: Rooksana Hossenally, Elana Wong
Find out more about Hôtel Bachaumont here
Chetzeron
Crans-Montana, Switzerland
On the slopes of Crans-Montana, Swiss Lebanese hotelier Sami Lamaa has repurposed an abandoned cable car station into a boutique property. Designed by Lausanne-based architects Actescollectifs, the hotel now contains 16 rooms and suites, a restaurant and an airy lounge area with breathtaking views. The rooms, dressed in a pale, neutral colour scheme and bespoke furnishings, stand in elegant contrast to the view.
Writer: TF Chan, Elana Wong
Find out more about Chetzeron here
Amastan
Paris, France
Placed between rue do Faubourg Saint-Honoré and the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, Amastan is inspired by the classic codes of Parisian apartment architecture. Local studio NOCC have filled the space with luxe detailing and finishes, including ombre marble, ash, lacquered oak, copper and brass. On the ground floor, a bespoke tapestry by designer Jan Kath drapes one wall, while floors are sheathed in petrol blue herringbone parquet; an unexpected twist on a classic. Guests seeking nightcaps and snacks may find themselves cosseted in the quietly eclectic bar, Anouk, where a collection of thirty different species of trees, plants and flowers are scattered amongst rock shelving that also doubles up as seating. Elsewhere, a two-floor library and a publicly accessible project space showcasing thought-provoking ollaborative pop-up installations entice both guests and locals, and announce Amastan’s arrival on the city’s active hotel scene, loud and clear.
Writer: Ella Marshall
Find out more about Amastan here
Chetzeron
Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Restaurant Chetzeron serves up a refined take on Alpine cuisine paired with Valaisian wines while the terrace areas, overlooking the beautiful Rhône valley, are fitted out with picnic tables, loungers, sheepskins and a pool for outdoor après-ski relaxing.
Writer: TF Chan, Elana Wong
Find out more about Chetzeron here
The Landsby
Solvang, USA
Located in the Danish-style town of Solvang, the former Petersen Village Inn has been revamped into The Landsby. Renovated by Santa Monica-based Studio Collective, the hotel contains 41 rooms, a new bar and lounge, as well as a restaurant serving up wine-country cuisine. With a neutral, clean colour scheme combined with woods, white oak floors and handcrafted furnishings in blue or mustard, the property receives a contemporary feel without compromising its Scandinavian aesthetic. Handmade wall tapestries have been dotted throughout the space along with LA artist Rachel Brown’s colour animal portraits, which add a playful touch.
Writer: Carole Dixon, Elana Wong
Find out more about The Landsby here
Tribute Hotel
Hong Kong, China
Located in the Yau Ma Tei neighbourhood, British architect Alex Jones has launched the Tribute Hotel. Referencing local influences through quirky details such as a check-in desk inspired by traditional dim sum trolleys, the hotel lives up to its name. Fitted out by interior designer Candace Campos, the 24 rooms feature understated, earthy hues and bold works by local artist Trevor Yeung, custom-made ceramics and other bespoke Hong Kong-inspired furniture. Despite the lack of restaurant, Tribute’s room service delivers some of the best local fare, including eatery Sham Tsai Kee’s famous wonton noodles.
Writer: Catherine Shaw, Elana Wong