Design Hotels presents 12 new members in different parts of the world. Discover what makes Istanbul more exciting than ever, take a ski trip to the Alps, soak up some rays in Lisbon, Bali or the Caribbean, or find out what makes cities like Rotterdam or Sofia so enthralling.
Istanbul has never been more hip
It’s no question that Istanbul has become one of the most exciting design destinations. Canan Ozdemir and Ferit Baltacioglu have been key to the city’s burgeoning creative scene with their House Cafes, already setting the bar high. In 2010, the two of them joined forces with the acclaimed studio Autoban to create an equally impressive collection of hotels. The House Hotel Galatasaray resides in a painstakingly restored 19th century mansion to offer total inner-city tranquility. Original elements of the design have been kept, like the grand marble staircase in the lobby and polished parquet floors. With their high ceilings and marble bathrooms, the 20 crisp white rooms and suites are an ideal base for exploring the lively streets of the Cukurcuma neighborhood. The House Hotel Nisantasi is perfectly suited to its location on Abdi Ipekci Caddesi, Istanbul’s answer to Madison Avenue. The 34 rooms and ten suites offer views across Nisantasi’s chic cafes and bars. But no need to wander far to engage with the locals: the restaurant attracts them with its charming alfresco tables and tantalizing dishes. With 26 guest rooms and an unbeatable waterfront location near Ortakoy Mosque, The House Hotel Bosphorus was originally designed by the same dynasty of architects that created some of Istanbul’s finest Ottoman landmarks. This palatial retreat now seamlessly combines classical furnishings with touches of modern luxury.
Discover new wonders in The Netherlands, Australia and Bulgaria
Not only does Rotterdam boast Europe’s largest port, but the city has transformed itself into an insider tip for fans of architecture and design. The new Mainport will join this club come May, enticing with a waterfront location. Wellness is a recurring theme at the hotel, as many of the sleek, black building’s 215 rooms have facilities usually reserved for spas, like oversized hot tubs or private Finnish saunas. The informal eighth-floor Spa Heaven is fitted out with a sultry Turkish steam room and hammam complex. Hotel Hotel is situated on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra’s cool and cultural precinct NewActon. Sixty-eight hotel rooms and 31 hotel apartments are housed within the Nishi building, a sustainable ‘vertical village’ that contains the best of global cinema, independent book and pop-up stores, music cafes and bars. The hotel, opening mid-2013, was realized by a team of designers, artists and craftsmen, who used features such as bespoke joinery made from reclaimed oak, wallpapers made from natural fibers and earthen clay rendered walls to ensure no two rooms are exactly alike. Right above Sofia’s yellow-paved main boulevard Tzar Osvoboditel, Sense Hotel Sofia will beckon guests with its innovative shimmering glass facade. With 71 rooms and suites, a 14 meter-long stainless steel swimming pool, the restaurant serving up Mediterranean fusion cuisine and a panoramic rooftop bar, the hotel has finally placed Sofia on the design map.
By the coast beauties in St. Lucia, Indonesia and Portugal
Design and chocolate lovers alike will be wowed by Boucan by Hotel Chocolat on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. Surrounded by a 240-acre cocoa plantation, the 14 lodges each have private open-air rainforest showers and views of the cone-shaped volcano Petit Piton. The use of cocoa at Boucan Restaurant isn’t just limited to desserts. Chefs show that it is a perfect complement to seafood, leafy salads and estate-grown herbs and fruits. In the town of Seminyak on Bali, a new “studiotel”, Luna2 Studios, opens this February. From the ’60s-inspired facade to the lobby inspired by the work of Piet Mondrian, iconic art references are present throughout. Each of the 14 studios features a primary color and offers modular open-plan lounges, equipped with the latest technology. Those seeking a respite from the sun can retire to the Lunaplex – Luna2 Studios’ own 16-seat cinema - or dine at the intimate Orbit restaurant, with just 30 seats. This June, Memmo Alfama will greet guests with a cozy living room in lieu of a traditional front desk, coaxing them to feel at home. The hotel offers countless avenues to take in the allure of Lisbon, from authentic Portuguese gastronomy to the stunning terrace, bar and pool area. There’s also Living Alfama, the hotel’s inventive approach to local integration that pairs staff suggestions for neighborhood to-dos with inside tips from locals.
Europe continues to entice with Italy, Germany and Austria
On the shores of Lake Como, Casa sull’Albero, opening in April 2013, will allow guests to embrace the natural beauty of Italy. The sister hotel of C-Hotel & Spa, self-made architect and hotelierAndrea Colzani has built 12 loft suites with glass facades, letting the mountain and lake scenery flood into the room. Local stone and natural wood make up a large part of each suite’s design, enhancing the connection with nature. A timber-framed building in the heart of Germany’s Duderstadt, Hotel zum Lowen brings together the best elements of a traditional German guesthouse with modern design. The local owner added to the renovation of this beloved hotel with his own whimsical touches – such as handpicked original artwork from Andy Warhol and eclectic souvenirs from world travels. The 17th century house has its own resort-quality spa, two restaurants, vaulted wine cellars and, from mid-2013, an in-house microbrewery overseen by a local Braumeister. Wiesergut, in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, is a modern retreat exuding organic warmth and comfort in the Austrian Alps. Sepp and Martina Kroll’s vision of transforming this 14th century family estate into a contemporary alpine getaway is manifested in the 17 manor suites, seven garden suites, the farm-to-table restaurant and the spa. Local integration permeates every aspect of the hotel, from the sourcing of materials to the inspiration for its design aesthetic and its interplay with the surrounding landscape. Beautifully distressed wooden ceilings and floors sourced from the area contrast with natural stone, granite, glass, and exposed concrete.
