Take home inspiration from some of the world’s most fabulous hotel interiors, from Miami high-rises to Parisian opulence
Words Catherine Hales
In every era, hotel rooms have provided the perfect backdrop to starlets and criminals, both onscreen and off. What would Lost in Translation have been without the moody wood-panelled walls and high windows of the Park Hyatt Tokyo? Julia Roberts singing Prince in the bathtub at the Beverly Wilshire captured the decadence of hotel life perfectly while the Chateau Marmont in LA became the real life stomping ground of every celebrity worth their salt from Marilyn Monroe and Hunter S. Thompson to Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. We have taken a look at the hotels from around the globe that capture the imagination, from cabin chic in Austria to lavish luxury in London.
Canopy Reykjavik, Iceland
The very first hotel to open as part of Hilton Worldwide’s new brand, Canopy Reykjavik is set across six interconnected houses in a vibrant part of the city, minutes from the sea. The idea is a low-maintenance, relaxed atmosphere; the rooms and suites are styled in shades of ocean and volcanic rock and the communal areas are open plan with high ceilings and industrial accents. Local art decorates the walls in the Destination Suites and the overall vibe is of a boutique hotel, rather than a chain.
Batty Langley’s, London, UK
Aside from the excellent name, Batty Langley’s is also a true testament to English eccentricity at its best. Currently, the interiors are grandiose and plush and consist of 28 rooms filled with a riot of richly coloured wallpaper, claw-footed baths and mahogany four-posters. Located a stone’s throw from Spitalfields Market, it is named for a 17th century drawing master who published popular books to help owners and their builders to plan Georgian houses. Its history is delightfully chequered, having been home to silk merchants, petty thieves, ladies of negotiable virtue and vagabonds.
Le Meurice, Paris, France
When in Paris, it doesn’t get much better than staying in a bona fide palace. Le Meurice was built in the 18th century and has been frequented by the likes of Salvador Dalí (for whom the hotel’s restaurant is named). Located between Place de la Concorde and the Louvre, it is decorated in the extravagant Louis XVI style and boasts stunning interiors from the renowned Philippe Starck. What you see will depend on which floor your room is on as each has its own distinct theme while diners at Restaurant Le Dalí need only look up to see a mural by artist Ara Starck.
EAST Miami, Florida, USA
EAST can be found on the roof of Brickell City Centre in downtown Miami. It is an all-American venture with interiors by New York’s Clodagh Design, architecture by Miami-based firm Arquitectonica and the rooftop bar, Sugar, put together by Los Angeles-based Studio Collective. The design is bright and clean with bursts of colour and hints of retro Americana. In the true spirit of Miami, Feng Shui, bio geometry, radiesthesia, and crystal healing methods are used throughout the hotel to ‘balance and harmonise the flow of energy’ – but if that doesn’t do it for you there is also a beautiful pool overlooking the city.
Blumen Haus Lech, Austria
All the character of an Alpine cabin with significantly more mod-cons, Blumen Haus Lech will be opening its doors to the general public this December. Luxury is the watchword here and its not hard to see why; the boutique hotel will be made up of nine super-suites bedecked with lavish furnishings by Italian studio Minotti. The rustic style will be tempered by a hypoxic chamber for high-altitude training, state of the art gym and fitness facilities and partnerships with brands like Pol Roger so guests can expect a little more from their après ski than a simple mug of glühwein.
