Haute, Modern And Fashionable: 7 Hotels That Break The Mold
It's typical for four- and five-star hotels to offer the very best in luxe amenities, accommodations and services. More than likely when you're a guest, you're guaranteed the kind of upscale experience that you've grown accustomed to. But maybe, just maybe, instead of booking your normal go-to hotel on your next trip, maybe it's time to get more creative with your stay. We'll even get you started with our list of eye-catching hotels that range from fashionable designer-owned properties to incredibly decked out resorts and superbly inventive designs.
Hotel Habita Monterrey – Monterrey, Mexico
Black, white, grey and nothing more; Hotel Habita is minimalistic (to say the least). Inside a massive concrete circular structure, Hotel Habita features jaw-dropping 360-degree views and twin rooftop pools. Clean lines abound and a Japanese-style encompasses the property with beds resting on the floor. Since it sits in the middle of the city's social hot spots, it's a great place to experience Mexico's nightlife. Can you imagine walking into this hotel in a red dress? Sounds like a good idea to me.
Hotel Le Belleschasse – Paris, France
It's been described as a whimsical hotel with a flamboyant and bohemian spirit. How can you pass that up? Designed around Couturier Christian Lacroix's vision for a Parisian boutique hotel, Hotel Le Belleschasse was born. Wander through the halls and get inside Lacroix's imaginative head as you discover this psychedelic property dressed in baroque overtones. Eclectic and modern, the mismatched velour, lime green bathrooms, leather armchairs and quasi-neoclassic art create an atmosphere that is anything but traditional.
Palazzo Versace – Queensland, Australia
Versace is a household name among those who know fashion; and its luxurious and opulent styles made their way onto the hotel scene in 2000 with the world's first fashion-branded hotel. Expect glitz and glamour at every turn with every detail shouting Versace. A waterfront setting, marble and mosaic, vaulted ceilings (hand-detailed in gold) and antique chandeliers, Palazzo Versace is exuberant and beautifully showy. It has also have host to celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Kate Hudson, Owen Wilson and The Rolling Stones.
The Mira Hong Kong – Hong Kong, China
The edgy Mira Hong Kong is iconoclastic and distinct; boasting a hotel for the young-at-heart modern traveler. Trendy meets innovative at the seductive open-air Room One lounge where guests can sip on cocktails on scattered cabanas. Guestrooms and suites come furnished with Arne Jacobsen egg chairs and unique themes in each option. Notably, Suite 507 is designed by Miami-based Charles Allem and offers a private garden terrace. The best part? Accommodations come with a mobile phone that works throughout the city.
Hotel Marqués de Riscal – Elciego, Spain
The renowned architect Frank Gehry has done it again. Underneath a jumbled mix of silver, gold, and pink metals, Hotel Marqués de Riscal emerges as one of the most avant-garde hotels around. Gehry's signature flashy style is imprinted onto the hotel, so much so that guests have to walk through a glass-enclosed bridge inside a hill before reaching guestrooms. Situated in the middle of Spain's wine country La Rioja, daily wine tours and activities are available, including spa treatments utilizing grape juice.
Uxua Casa Hotel – Trancoso, Brazil
Along the shores of the Bahia Coast, Diesel's creative director designed 10 private bungalows constructed from organic and recycled materials to encapsulate the characteristics of its surrounding fishing village. Originally fishermen's cottages, the converted Uxua Casa Hotel makes its destination the focal point with the use of local products and cultural design elements. Guests can choose to stay in the romantic Tree-House or opt for one of the six casas in the secluded lush gardens. Rustic elements mix with contemporary design while breezy outdoor spaces easily merge into indoor spaces; creating an ambiance that has been coined 'rustic modernism.'
Emirates Palace – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
First off, it's a palace. So there's that. Covered in marble and gold from end to end and boasting a cupola, 1,001 Swarovski crystal chandeliers and sitting on a 1,100-yard property, you could say Emirate Palaces is awe-inspiring. The $3 billion hotel takes the cake for over-the-top accommodations, but that's to be expected in a place where five-star camel rides are offered. The Moroccan décor inside the rooms is brought to life with bright mosaics, buttery wood and richly decorated duvets. If you're hungry, stop in for an edible gold dessert or grab a gold bar in the vending machine, because, why not?