Some of the finest hotels around the world
BT More picks some of the finest hotels around the world that are
designed by iconic fashion labels and celebrated couturiers. If you love
their suits, chances are you will like their suites as well.
Hotel Missoni's futuristic looking main entrance
If designers define the trends for us, who sets the standards for them? There's consensus that the current must-have for any major fashion label isn't so much the It bag but the It hotel. For every designer worth his stitch, from Oscar de la Renta to Giorgio Armani, moonlighting as a hotelier is the biggest fashion statement. In the last decade, a number of fashion houses have reinterpreted tailormade hospitality by lending their name and aesthetics to new hotels. Either in collaboration with big hotel brands or working independently, these designers have created an entirely novel boutique experience. The material switch from needle and thread to mortar and cement has been executed with their trademark panache and attention to details. These hotels not only lift the look of an otherwise by-the-book industry but also run as smoothly as a zip. Fashionistas and will find the allure of hotels inspired by Versace, Oldham, or Ferragamo as hard to pass on as their latest autumn collection. The rooms are as gorgeous as their couture, as comfortable as their custom-made creations, and as distinct as their design imprint. We bring you the eight most fashionforward retreats, and give you the right reasons to kick-back, relax, and revel in the dolce vita.
HOTEL MISSONI
Edinburgh, Scotland
Stamped with the label's trademark hectic patterns, signature Missoni zig-zags, and psychedelic stripes dominate this Scottish luxury hotel. The 136-room, modernist property is situated just off the Royal Mile-the busy main street for the Old Town, leading up to Edinburgh Castle. It's a rather clever choice, since the upbeat quirkiness, clean lines and modern architecture of the hotel rather stands out amidst majestic Edinburgh's old and storied backdrop. Each room has its own specialised dcor, right down to the individually styled bathrooms with their jewelbright tiles. Bland white towelling bathrobes get a designer do-over in a kaleidoscope of colour.
Rosita Missoni, the hotel's creative director, has also incorporated iconic pieces by some of her favorite designers, including Marcel Wanders, Eero Saarinen, and Arne Jacobsen.
Why stay This modern hotel offers dramatic views of the past and the future, with its 60s style fringing, a pop-art chair, Bose TV, and large loos.
Carry along: Missoni sunglasses
Tariff: A night at this hotel can cost from upwards of Rs 15,500 for a double room, with breakfast
Contact 1 George IV Bridge;
Tel: 011-131-0220-6666;
hotelmissoni.com
PALAZZO VERSACE
Queensland, Australia
The queen of haute couture, Donatella Versace, recently established herself on the Gold Coast strip in Queensland, Australia. A tribute to her late brother Gianni, this glamorous, opulent, waterfront hotel is luxury like the flamboyant designer would have loved. The property has 200 lavish bedrooms with floor-toceiling windows and private balconies.
Everything on the premises is strictly Versace; Donatella has managed to balance the boldness of brand Versace with a muted medley of sorbetsoft tones that are tastefully tinged in dull gold. The Italian architecture and craftsmanship have recreated a Renaissance splendour and elegance. The Palazzo Versace announces 'Versace' everywhere: the brand's signature prints and symbols like Medusa head and lion silhouette can be spotted on everything from cushions to china, all across the hotel. And while the resort is the first word in fashion, it also does not compromise on its comfort quotient. Imported sand on the edge of the outdoor pool and a Roman bath-style spa keep the guests moored away even from the fabled beaches of the Gold Coast. There's also a Versace boutique at the hotel, in case guests want to blend in.
Why stay For die-hard Versace fans, this is a pilgrimage. For everyone else, it's a firsthand experience of the Versace love for all things luxe.
Carry along: A Versace duffle bag
Tariff Rooms are available from upwards of Rs 38,000 for a double room with breakfast
Contact Sea World Drive, Main Beach;
Tel: 011-61-75509-8000;
palazzoversace.com
ARMANI HOTEL
Dubai, UAE
Towering high above downtown Dubai in the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower, Armani Hotel is the world's first hotel designed and developed by Giorgio Armani. Soaring lines and a restrained yet chic palette connect Armani's timeless designs to the hotel's decor; from the Eramosa stone floors to the zebrawood panels.
The 160 rooms and suites hotel, features a decadent Armani Priv lounge for some retail indulgence, and covers a range of world cuisines from Indian to Italian. The rooms come decked in Armani/Casa furnishings range and are done in glossy greys and chocolate browns. If that's not over-the-top enough for you there's always the vertigo-inducing view of the Persian Gulf.
Why stay To witness high fashion merge with sky-high hospitality.
Carry along: An Armani suit.
Tariff Starts from Rs 35,850 for a double room with breakfast
Contact Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai.
Tel: +971 4888 3888
dubai.armanihotels.com
MAISON MOSCHINO
Milan, Italy
Rossella Jardini, creative director of Moschino, adds the brand's wicked mix of whimsy and wit in the hotel Maison Moschino in Milan. The idea is to transport guests into a fantasy where beds are dressed as ballgowns, gigantic Alice in Wonderland teacups transform into tables and wolf is tucked into a Red Riding Hood bed. The hotel is inside an 1840s neoclassical railway station, on the Milan-Monza route. The exterior has been restored to its original facade, while the interiors have a dash of the surreal. This 65 rooms and suites hotel can be the setting for a playful photo shoot or a stylish stay.
Why stay For the key motif, fairytale forest room, the Milan model crowd, or all of the above.
Carry along: Moschino moccasins
Tariff: A night at this fairyland can cost upwards of Rs 34,000 per person on double occupancy
Contact 12, Viale Monte Grappa
Tel: 011-39-02-29-00-98-58
maisonmoschino.com
SCHLOSS HOTEL
Berlin, Germany
Chanel bon vivant, Karl Lagerfeld slips into his native Germanic grandeur to deliver the Schlosshotel suites. Lovers of the label will recognise the nipped-in precision of each Chanel suit, in the hotel's finely crafted details. For the full treatment, choose the luxury Kaiser Suite (Rs 3.2 lakh a night). At a regal 1,829 sq feet, the suite has two king size canopy beds, period oil paintings, sculptures, silk sofas in the salon, and a historic library room.
Why stay: To be transported in time to a 1912 manor where everything is a cut above the rest.
Carry along: A Chanel parfum
Tariff: Starts from Rs 14,200 a night.
Contact: Brahmsstrae 10, D 14193
Berlin, Germany
Tel: +49 030 895 84 0
www.schlosshotelberlin.com
The Gallery Hotel Art
Florence, Italy
For those whose heart beats for art, there isn't a better hotel than The Gallery Hotel Art, a part of Lugarno Hotels-the family-run firm of Salvatore Ferragamo. This minimalistic yet marvelous little boutuqie retreat, whose public areas, such as the lobby and the Fusion Bar & Restaurant, are home to contemporary art exhibitions, offers a tranquil, atmosphere that is in-tune with the Florentine spirit. It's perfectly placed, just next to the Ponte Vecchio by the banks of the Arno, and within walking distance to the Uffizzi Gallery.
Why stay When the splendours of Renaissance art get overwhelming beat a retreat to the contemporary.
Carry along: A colourful Salvatore Ferragamo pocket square.
Tariff Rs 22,116 for a double room
Contact Vicolo dell-Oro 5, Florence, Italy.
Tel: 00 39 055 27263;
www.lungarnohotels.com
THE CLARIDGE'S
London
In 1983, Diane Von Furstenberg sold her cosmetics business, flew to London, and ensconced herself at The Claridge's in Mayfair, a hotel that has hosted some of the world's most high-profile guests since it opened in 1812. This long-time guest has now collaborated to design 20 of the Claridge's rooms, bringing her unapologetically exuberant style to this Art Deco landmark. The DVF rooms feature headboards blooming with Chinese roses and floors covered in the label's trademark silk leopard-print rugs, along with finishing touches like custom-made cashmere blankets, zebra-print bathrobes and Art Decoinspired furniture like dressing tables and leather travelling trunks.
Why stay It's the hospitality equivalent of the iconic wrap dress.
Carry along DVF scarves .
Tariff The Piano Suite goes for Rs 2.8 lakh a night on twin sharing
Contact 49 Brook Street, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom
Tel: 020 7629 8860.
www.claridges.co.uk
TORTUGA BAY
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Oscar de la Renta captures the essence of beach when it comes to his citric and mint-fresh resort collections. The breezy, laid-back asthetics of his creations are infused in this luxe Caribbean hideaway of 13 spacious villas. Tropical-chic interiors are signature a la Renta, who's a Dominican Republic native and owns a home nearby. Set on 16,600 private beachfront acres, with a Six Senses spa and two golf courses the property has that European elegance and resort-like glamour in the paradise setting of Punta Cana.
Why stay For interiors that match the unbelievable outdoors.
Carry along: Panama hat and Havana slippers
Tariff: This tropical bliss is available at Rs 30,517 for a night
Contact: Tortuga Bay, Punta Cana, Higey; 888-442-2262
puntacana.com
HOTEL MISSONI
Edinburgh, Scotland
Stamped with the label's trademark hectic patterns, signature Missoni zig-zags, and psychedelic stripes dominate this Scottish luxury hotel. The 136-room, modernist property is situated just off the Royal Mile-the busy main street for the Old Town, leading up to Edinburgh Castle. It's a rather clever choice, since the upbeat quirkiness, clean lines and modern architecture of the hotel rather stands out amidst majestic Edinburgh's old and storied backdrop. Each room has its own specialised dcor, right down to the individually styled bathrooms with their jewelbright tiles. Bland white towelling bathrobes get a designer do-over in a kaleidoscope of colour.
Rosita Missoni, the hotel's creative director, has also incorporated iconic pieces by some of her favorite designers, including Marcel Wanders, Eero Saarinen, and Arne Jacobsen.
Why stay This modern hotel offers dramatic views of the past and the future, with its 60s style fringing, a pop-art chair, Bose TV, and large loos.
Carry along: Missoni sunglasses
Tariff: A night at this hotel can cost from upwards of Rs 15,500 for a double room, with breakfast
Contact 1 George IV Bridge;
Tel: 011-131-0220-6666;
hotelmissoni.com
The opulent lobby of Palazzo Versace
Queensland, Australia
The queen of haute couture, Donatella Versace, recently established herself on the Gold Coast strip in Queensland, Australia. A tribute to her late brother Gianni, this glamorous, opulent, waterfront hotel is luxury like the flamboyant designer would have loved. The property has 200 lavish bedrooms with floor-toceiling windows and private balconies.
Everything on the premises is strictly Versace; Donatella has managed to balance the boldness of brand Versace with a muted medley of sorbetsoft tones that are tastefully tinged in dull gold. The Italian architecture and craftsmanship have recreated a Renaissance splendour and elegance. The Palazzo Versace announces 'Versace' everywhere: the brand's signature prints and symbols like Medusa head and lion silhouette can be spotted on everything from cushions to china, all across the hotel. And while the resort is the first word in fashion, it also does not compromise on its comfort quotient. Imported sand on the edge of the outdoor pool and a Roman bath-style spa keep the guests moored away even from the fabled beaches of the Gold Coast. There's also a Versace boutique at the hotel, in case guests want to blend in.
Why stay For die-hard Versace fans, this is a pilgrimage. For everyone else, it's a firsthand experience of the Versace love for all things luxe.
Carry along: A Versace duffle bag
Tariff Rooms are available from upwards of Rs 38,000 for a double room with breakfast
Contact Sea World Drive, Main Beach;
Tel: 011-61-75509-8000;
palazzoversace.com
Armani Hotel's facade
Dubai, UAE
Towering high above downtown Dubai in the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower, Armani Hotel is the world's first hotel designed and developed by Giorgio Armani. Soaring lines and a restrained yet chic palette connect Armani's timeless designs to the hotel's decor; from the Eramosa stone floors to the zebrawood panels.
The 160 rooms and suites hotel, features a decadent Armani Priv lounge for some retail indulgence, and covers a range of world cuisines from Indian to Italian. The rooms come decked in Armani/Casa furnishings range and are done in glossy greys and chocolate browns. If that's not over-the-top enough for you there's always the vertigo-inducing view of the Persian Gulf.
Why stay To witness high fashion merge with sky-high hospitality.
Carry along: An Armani suit.
Tariff Starts from Rs 35,850 for a double room with breakfast
Contact Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai.
Tel: +971 4888 3888
dubai.armanihotels.com
The whimsical Ballgown Room at Maison Moschino
Milan, Italy
Rossella Jardini, creative director of Moschino, adds the brand's wicked mix of whimsy and wit in the hotel Maison Moschino in Milan. The idea is to transport guests into a fantasy where beds are dressed as ballgowns, gigantic Alice in Wonderland teacups transform into tables and wolf is tucked into a Red Riding Hood bed. The hotel is inside an 1840s neoclassical railway station, on the Milan-Monza route. The exterior has been restored to its original facade, while the interiors have a dash of the surreal. This 65 rooms and suites hotel can be the setting for a playful photo shoot or a stylish stay.
Why stay For the key motif, fairytale forest room, the Milan model crowd, or all of the above.
Carry along: Moschino moccasins
Tariff: A night at this fairyland can cost upwards of Rs 34,000 per person on double occupancy
Contact 12, Viale Monte Grappa
Tel: 011-39-02-29-00-98-58
maisonmoschino.com
The stately artchitecture of Schlosshotel
Berlin, Germany
Chanel bon vivant, Karl Lagerfeld slips into his native Germanic grandeur to deliver the Schlosshotel suites. Lovers of the label will recognise the nipped-in precision of each Chanel suit, in the hotel's finely crafted details. For the full treatment, choose the luxury Kaiser Suite (Rs 3.2 lakh a night). At a regal 1,829 sq feet, the suite has two king size canopy beds, period oil paintings, sculptures, silk sofas in the salon, and a historic library room.
Why stay: To be transported in time to a 1912 manor where everything is a cut above the rest.
Carry along: A Chanel parfum
Tariff: Starts from Rs 14,200 a night.
Contact: Brahmsstrae 10, D 14193
Berlin, Germany
Tel: +49 030 895 84 0
www.schlosshotelberlin.com
A minimalistic room at The Gallery Hotel Art
Florence, Italy
For those whose heart beats for art, there isn't a better hotel than The Gallery Hotel Art, a part of Lugarno Hotels-the family-run firm of Salvatore Ferragamo. This minimalistic yet marvelous little boutuqie retreat, whose public areas, such as the lobby and the Fusion Bar & Restaurant, are home to contemporary art exhibitions, offers a tranquil, atmosphere that is in-tune with the Florentine spirit. It's perfectly placed, just next to the Ponte Vecchio by the banks of the Arno, and within walking distance to the Uffizzi Gallery.
Why stay When the splendours of Renaissance art get overwhelming beat a retreat to the contemporary.
Carry along: A colourful Salvatore Ferragamo pocket square.
Tariff Rs 22,116 for a double room
Contact Vicolo dell-Oro 5, Florence, Italy.
Tel: 00 39 055 27263;
www.lungarnohotels.com
DVF's signature prints grace the rooms designed by her at The Claridge's London
London
In 1983, Diane Von Furstenberg sold her cosmetics business, flew to London, and ensconced herself at The Claridge's in Mayfair, a hotel that has hosted some of the world's most high-profile guests since it opened in 1812. This long-time guest has now collaborated to design 20 of the Claridge's rooms, bringing her unapologetically exuberant style to this Art Deco landmark. The DVF rooms feature headboards blooming with Chinese roses and floors covered in the label's trademark silk leopard-print rugs, along with finishing touches like custom-made cashmere blankets, zebra-print bathrobes and Art Decoinspired furniture like dressing tables and leather travelling trunks.
Why stay It's the hospitality equivalent of the iconic wrap dress.
Carry along DVF scarves .
Tariff The Piano Suite goes for Rs 2.8 lakh a night on twin sharing
Contact 49 Brook Street, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom
Tel: 020 7629 8860.
www.claridges.co.uk
A bright and breezy room at the Tortuga Bay
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Oscar de la Renta captures the essence of beach when it comes to his citric and mint-fresh resort collections. The breezy, laid-back asthetics of his creations are infused in this luxe Caribbean hideaway of 13 spacious villas. Tropical-chic interiors are signature a la Renta, who's a Dominican Republic native and owns a home nearby. Set on 16,600 private beachfront acres, with a Six Senses spa and two golf courses the property has that European elegance and resort-like glamour in the paradise setting of Punta Cana.
Why stay For interiors that match the unbelievable outdoors.
Carry along: Panama hat and Havana slippers
Tariff: This tropical bliss is available at Rs 30,517 for a night
Contact: Tortuga Bay, Punta Cana, Higey; 888-442-2262
puntacana.com
