Tag Archives: design hotels

Top-rated neighborhood hotels in London

If you’re keen to mix with the locals and see the real London, stay at these top-rated neighborhood hotels. The city comes alive outside Zone One. 

This Italian-owned haven for the well-heeled of Chelsea isn’t cheap, but for a neighborhood hotel, it is something special. The 19 rooms are styled like scenes from the Renaissance, with rag-painted walls and voluminous drapes in vibrant colors. Antique furniture and four poster beds complete the look.

All the shops you could ever want are on the doorstep, as well London’s top museums and the Royal Albert Hall. The Five Fields which critics have tipped as one of London’s top restaurants for 2020, is just around the corner. Frommer’s says this hotel delivers, “divine Italian luxury at its most romantic and English-accented.” In other words – it’s got wow factor.

+44 (0)20 7581 5757, from £250 per room per night, www.sandomenicohouse.com

The Portobello Hotel Notting Hill

At the height of the punk rock era, some legendary showbiz moments happened at the Portobello Hotel. The Beastie Boys were arrested there, the Sex Pistols were thrown out, and Patti Smith was a regular. Later, it was where U2 signed a record deal, and Damon Albarn was a bartender. Despite this, the hotel remains low-key – apart from the décor, which Travel + Leisure describes as, “seventies Marrakesh madness meets faded country-house glamour.”

Located in the heart of Notting Hill, the antique shops and artisan bakeries of Portobello Road are on the doorstep. And you can walk to  Hereford Road a popular neighborhood restaurant where the menu is as intriguing as your accommodation.

+44 (0)20 7727 2777, from £190 per room per night, www.portobellohotel.com

Town Hall Hotel  Bethnal Green

You know your hotel is cooler than you when events – sorry – “happenings” include life drawing classes of… wolves. But don’t let that put you off, because this former Edwardian town hall is a beautiful design hotel, with some fabulous restaurants, and being this far from Central London, feels like a steal.

Explore the arty neighborhood of Bethnal Green, which has character, grit and great nightlife. On a sunny Sunday, walk to Columbia Road, which is full of independent shops, cafes as well as flower market A word of warning – this isn’t the best hotel if you’re seeking peace and quiet. There are frequent hipster weddings and photo shoots and you might also find instagrammers running riot.

 +44 (0)20 7871 0460, from £135 per room per night, www.townhallhotel.com

York and Albany Camden

An eight-room hotel owned by Gordon Ramsey, the York and Albany has tasteful décor – original fireplaces and four poster beds – and a buzzy restaurant. The hotel just pretends to be in Camden – in fact, it’s on a lovely hill (with a Whole Foods, no less) leading directly to Regent’s Park But it’s in easy reach of the grungier side of Camden if you’re keen to explore.

This hotel is a good choice if you have children and animals in tow. Kids eat free in the restaurant, and the park and London Zoo are within strolling distance. For live music-fans, The Blues Kitchen is just down the street, as is, of course, The Jazz Cafe, which everyone should visit at least once.

+44 (0)20 7387 5700, www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/york-and-albany/hotel/, from £230 per room per night.

Fifteen years ago, Shoreditch was a hinterland. At night, you didn’t stray far from Great Eastern Street. But then, prices shot through the roof, and soon cocktail bars began appearing on every corner. The hugely popular Hoxton Hotel, built out of a converted car park, was one of the first cool places to spring up and it’s still cool, years later.

Considering the Hoxton is located in what the Telegraph calls “the heart of hipster heaven” it’s surprisingly affordable, friendly, and has great perks for travelers like free phone calls all over the world. There are dozens of places to eat nearby, but for a magical lunch or dinner, head to Rochelle Canteen – a restaurant in a converted school bike shed that is worshipped by locals.

+44 (0) 207 550 1000, from £130 per room per night, https://thehoxton.com

The Milestone Kensington

Opposite Hyde Park and Kensington Palace the Milestone is a traditional English hotel with elegant furnishings, and a quirky horse-racing themed bar. Known for its exceptional service, there are two members of staff for every guest, which says it all really. There is a suite named after Meghan Markle, and if you stay here, expect to be treated like royalty too.

With grand white stucco fronted houses, and more than a dozen imposing embassy buildings, Kensington might feel intimidating at first. But wander down the cobbled streets and you’ll find classic pubs, all peeling paint and chandeliers, and some pretty garden squares. On the street behind the hotel is  Launceston Place a fine dining restaurant loved by well-to-do locals.

+44 (0)207 917 1000, from £350 per room per night, www.milestonehotel.com

40 Winks Stepney Green

This two-room bed and breakfast is owned by flamboyant interior designer David Walker, described by Elle Decor as the “enfant terrible of British design.” As you might expect, staying here is like walking into an exploded jewelery box. The idea is to offer guests a fairy-tale experience. Rooms are filled with  objects and curios (each one has a story) given to the designer by photographers, artists and the like.

Once you’ve recovered from this overdose of English eccentricity, have a wander around Stepney Green. A little rough around the edges, it has some good pubs and Bangladeshi, Turkish and Pakistani restaurants. The Tower of London the City, and Spitalfields Market are all nearby.

single room £115 per night, double £185 per night. Both rooms can be hired together, www.40winks.org

10 of the most breathtaking design hotels in the world

Frank Gehry one said, “architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness.” That’s a motto to live by when it comes to designing a hotel. From gilded 19th century wonders to steel and glass in the desert, these 10 hotels are some of the best examples of timeless design.

The Biltmore Miami

Leave party-crazed South Beach behind in favor for stately and refined. “Built in 1926, the iconic Biltmore (a national landmark) brings timeless luxury to a hotel scene overwhelmed by skin-deep glitz” (Oyster.com).

Parker Palm Springs

An extensive renovation in 2007 gave a much needed facelift to a Palm Springs institution. With two outdoor pools, a full-service spa and stunning interiors designed by Jonathan Adler, the Parker is at once classic and modern — Palm Springs in a nutshell. Surrounded by 13 acres of lush, green grounds, the Parker remains a favorite of privacy-seeking celebs. Tablet says this town, after all, used to be where the stars fled to from Hollywood—and the Parker is a conscious attempt to recapture the glamor of those bygone days.”

Hotel 1898

An extensive renovation in 2007 gave a much needed facelift to a Palm Springs institution. With two outdoor pools, a full-service spa and stunning interiors designed by Jonathan Adler, the Parker is at once classic and modern — Palm Springs in a nutshell. Surrounded by 13 acres of lush, green grounds, the Parker remains a favorite of privacy-seeking celebs. Tablet says this town, after all, used to be where the stars fled to from Hollywood—and the Parker is a conscious attempt to recapture the glamor of those bygone days.”

Park Hyatt Tokyo

Designed by famed architect Kenzō Tange, the Park Hyatt practically floats above the frenetic city below. “Lose yourself in the dizzyingly hypnotic luxury of this Shinjuku lodge, star of Sofia Coppola’s iconic film, Lost in Translation” (BlackBook).

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi

You can expect any hotel in Abu Dhabi (one of the richest cities in the world) to be above and beyond. Notable on the list of top hotels is the Yas Viceroy, a futuristic abode looking more like an airport hanger than hotel. Built around a Formula 1 circuit, stand out features include a LED canopy, 11 dining options, a traditional hammam and access to a 18-hole golf course. Travel + Leisure says, “this 499-room hotel has brave-new-world bravado and future-is-now daring to spare.” When in Abu Dhabi, excess is expected.

The Langham

“Architect Mies Van De Rohe’s River North centerpiece the Langham Hotel is simply bursting with luxury” (Time Out). Van De Rohe is considered among the pioneers of modern architecture, along with Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier.

Hermitage Hotel

Named one of the Historic Hotels of America, the Beaux Art Hermitage is a bastion of elegance in honky tonk land. “The Rolls Royce of Nashville hotels, the Hermitage has been a favorite overnight stop for presidents, visiting royalty, and a slew of celebrities” (Concierge.com).

Belmond Hotel Monasterio

Machu Picchu may get all the attention, but we think this hotel in Peru is a world wonder in of itself. “One of Cusco’s top hotels, this beautifully restored 1592 monastery of San Antonio Abad is a national historic monument” (Fodor’s).

Ett Hem

Ett Hem isn’t the typical modern, Scandinavian hotel when you think of Stockholm, but that’s why we love it. Looking like something out of Architectural Digest, the 12-room hotel (translating to “home” ) is just about the prettiest home away from home. In a townhome dating back to 1910 and dripping in pure country luxury, Ett Hem reflects the city’s desire to step away from harsh design and into something much more appealing. Travel + Leisure notes, “we especially appreciated how every member of the staff, from the chef to the housekeeper, stopped to offer us a warm välkommen.”

The Prince

Melbourne is one of the coolest cities in the world right now, so why shouldn’t their hotels reflect that? “Cutting-edge design, contemporary artworks and sculptural furniture, and spare yet inviting luxury make this boutique hotel perfect for aficionados of unfussy elegance” (Fodor’s).