5 Sublime Hotels That Design Aficionados Should Visit
If impeccable interior design is high on your priority list when planning a vacation, look no further than these utterly exquisite hotels, filled with beautiful pieces and unique character. By KATIE BERRINGTON
El Fenn, Marrakech
Nestled in the bustling Marrakech medina, the kaleidoscopic interiors of El Fenn mirror the artistic spirit and vibrancy of its setting. This gloriously vivid riad, complete with three pools and a dazzling rooftop space, is a feast for the eyes and senses, with every corner a sight to behold. Steeped in saturated colors, laden with jewel-toned tiles and touch-me textiles, and adorned with a wealth of hand-crafted objects and furnishings, the property even boasts its own magnificent art collection. Don’t forget to look up to behold the intricate ceilings, too.
Ett Hem, Stockholm
Dating back to 1910, the intimate Ett Hem hotel is situated in a peaceful part of Stockholm and originally comprised three private townhouses. Its thoughtful reimagining – under the expert gaze of owner Jeanette Mix and interior designer Ilse Crawford – has maintained an inviting, cozy, characterful air of a home (which is exactly how its name translates) while adding a host of luxurious, contemporary touches. The art-filled aesthetic of its 25 rooms and suites, for example, blends modern and vintage pieces in elegant, eye-drawing style – think book-stacked shelves and coffee tables with sculptural furnishings and statement light fittings. Look out for slipper baths and vast showers tucked into intriguing corners, too, while a verdant courtyard garden awaits outdoors.
Broadwick Soho, London
A fantastical recent addition to London’s most storied neighborhood, the Martin Brudnizki-designed Broadwick Soho is a flamboyant blend of influences. Disco glamour, jazz-age opulence, English eccentricity, la dolce vita elegance, and more, come together in spectacularly maximalist fashion. Plush furnishings are enveloped in walls covered with a burst of prints and lavish fabrics. Don’t miss the rooftop Flute bar, either, which serves cocktails from an onyx centerpiece beneath mirrored ceilings, surrounded by joyful animal-print accents.
Aristide Hotel, Syros
Old meets new at Aristide, an exquisitely restored mansion on the Greek island of Syros. The melding of neoclassical and art deco architecture provides a serene base, while statement accents include a dramatic marble staircase and patterned tiled floors. The property’s nine suites are imbued with contemporary features and characterful charm – from bold bedlinens to sculpted freestanding tubs – while a permanent collection of art is displayed throughout, and a dedicated gallery hosts exhibitions by resident artists. The heavenly design reaches the roof, too, with a stunning outlook across the Aegean Sea and joyous forest-green and sunshine-yellow seating to enjoy it from.
Hotel Les Deux Gares, Paris
With Luke Edward Hall behind the playful, attention-grabbing interiors at Hotel Les Deux Gares (the first hotel that the renowned British designer turned his wonderful, whimsical hand to), joyful maximalism is at the core of this bijou property. Practically every inch is covered with bold hues, candy stripes or punchy tiles, but the gym (rarely the most design-forward of spaces) deserves a special mention for its red-and-white checkerboard floor and floral-motif wallpaper.