Hotels

The 101 Hotel’s thirty-eight rooms, including five suites, look like the definition of hip Scandinavian design: everything, from bed and desk to open closet and shelves, is angular and geometric; the sink is a bowl that’s part of a freestanding vanity in the bedroom; the shower stalls are lined with mirrors; color is nonexistent. Conceived by Ingibjörg S. Pálmadóttir—a Parsons graduate and, according to our guide, the richest woman in Iceland—the 101 is one of those rare breeds of design hotels that not only look good but are functional too. Except for a few missteps—the black stone floors in the shower got dangerously slippery when wet, and the massive doorknobs on the heavy doors were hard to turn—the in-room details worked well and made for cozy retreats at the end of a long day of sightseeing. Pálmadóttir has assembled an impressive and eclectic collection of Icelandic contemporary art throughout the hotel, including sculpture, paintings and installations, and even designed the unique façade at the rear of the building, visible from the breakfast room, made of white stone mounds.

Request a deluxe room on a high floor with a shower and a claw-foot soaking tub that’s positioned in the middle of the room. Just as at the Borg, if you value sleep and are staying over a weekend, ask for a room that faces the more tranquil back of the building, as the neighborhood around the 101 turns into party central (popular bar Islenski Barinn is right downstairs). The hotel itself is home to one of the most fashionable see-and-be-seen lounges in Reykjavík, decorated like a stylish living room with cozy seating nooks with fur-covered armchairs, a gas fireplace, long tables stacked with photography books and the requisite crowd of beautiful people who are dressed to the nines and don’t blink at the $20 cocktails. It’s a great spot to watch Iceland’s beau monde kick off their evenings.

There is a small, but adequate gym in the basement as well as a sleek steam room and Jacuzzi.

The subtle 11 Howard entrance sits next to a hard-to-miss blue and black mural facing Canal Street. This subtlety, in fact, persists throughout the property: guests are greeted not by a reception desk, but by a single staff member, iPad in hand, who assists with check in. The lobby is small but polished, and a flight up the industrial–style spiral staircase leads guests to the hotel's comfortable library and buzzing lounge bar, The Blonde.

The dimly lit, carpeted hallways are in stark contrast to the guest rooms, which are bright and airy with light wood floors, high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. Decorative accents in muted navy, gray and blush colors add warmth to the minimalist design (cultivated by New York's Anda Andrei and the Danish design firm Space Copenhagen). The Terrace Suite has a full kitchen, dining and living room with French doors that open to your own 12^th-floor private terrace, boasting views both up- and downtown. While there is no spa, the hotel can arrange in-room treatments and services and there is a small fitness center on the third floor.

11 Howard's commitment to conscious hospitality is ever-present, from the organic bathroom products to the ‘create your own’ minibar system that allows guests to choose from treats sourced through Conscious Commerce and Thrive Market. Other partnerships include those with Lauren Bush's FEED and NYC's Groundswell, a public arts initiative focused on using art as a tool for social change. Every booking at the property donates a portion of the proceeds to the Global Poverty Project.

The hotspot restaurant Le CouCou is another draw to the property. Curated by local restaurateur Stephen Starr and acclaimed Parisian chef Daniel Rose, the contemporary French restaurant is expectedly fabulous. Décor is old-school glam, featuring whitewashed brick walls, extravagant chandeliers and a trompe l’oeil mural. The cuisine is delicious, with dishes like white bean salad with pig ear and anchovy and toute le lapin (“the whole rabbit”).

A magnificent time warp, this 30-room hotel, across the Ping River from Chiang Mai’s bustling downtown, centers around the story from which it takes its name. In 1896, the son of Anna Leonowens’s (of The King & I fame) established the Northern Thai headquarters of the East Borneo Company in this area, which had been designated by the Thai king for foreigners to live. He brought four sprawling teak houses up from Bangkok and settled in one of them. More than two hundred years later, a Harvard-trained Thai architect bought part of this compound and worked closely with her team of historians and conservationists to meticulously reinforce the integrity of the original 1889 structure in which Louis Leonowens lived.

Amidst a verdant enclave of lady palms, mimosa trees and tropical flowers, this elegant, colonial-themed hotel takes its name from the profusion of pillars that support that building’s upper floor. Louis’ old house now hosts the property’s lounge, library, and gym, while the spa and 30 roomy accommodations occupy adjacent colonial-inspired buildings. Rooms and suites are thoughtfully appointed with large verandas, claw-foot Victorian tubs, and outdoor garden showers, then finished with woven rattan interior details, black-and-white photos of Old Siam and plenty of elephants. Even the entry level Rajah Brooks Suite is spacious, starting at around 600 square feet. Louis Leonowens Pool Suites work best for privacy-seeking couples who can play colonial dream house thanks to two levels, plus a swimmable pool and an outdoor dining and relaxation pavilion, all surrounded by flopping palms.

The spa’s Thai, Ayurveda and aromatherapy treatments suffice, although they are not Thailand’s finest. The real restorative draws here include the tropical gardens, where you can walk under elephant ear palm fronds and along the original elephant path, then cool down in the elongated swimming pool with plenty of cushy sun loungers. Switched on staff will arrive with cool towels and afternoon sweets.

While under the radar, the surrounding neighborhood of Wat Gate is one of this hotel’s strategic advantages, easily explored on foot or by borrowing the hotel’s bicycles. 137PH occupies a prime address along the Ping River and adjacent to the Wat Gate Khar Rham Temple with its multiple pagodas, monks’ living quarters and the charming Wat Gate Khar Rham Museum filled with quirky memorabilia of old Chiang Mai. To the north sits the teakwood house of a former Thai Prime Minister and to the south, you can peek into another teak residence with fine, slatted shutters affording both shade and air. A pedestrian footbridge, known as Sapan Khaek, crosses to Warorot Market just at the spot where the Lanna Kings boarded their royal boats.

Another colonial charmer, the 1708 House dates back to the eighteenth century and four of the rooms retain period details, including exposed ceiling beams, clawfoot tubs and period furnishings provided by 1708 House Antiques—a boutique also owned by the innkeepers, Skip and Lorraine Ralph. The rest of the B&B’s 14 rooms are newer, though wooden floors, antique furniture and Persian rugs maintain the historical atmosphere. All guestrooms, though, have been updated with modern luxury amenities like plasma TVs, Ralph Lauren linens and radiant tile heating in the bathrooms. In the back garden area, there are three 2-bedroom cottages, two of which have their own private kitchens. The cottages, which are ideal for small families as children under twelve are not allowed to stay in the main house, have a beachier feel with lighter woods and fewer antiques. The B&B’s convenient location steps from Main Street, right next door to Saks Fifth Avenue a block away from the shops and restaurants of Job Lane. The actual beach, though, is a good 20-minute walk away so if you’re lucky enough to score a room here, you should still bring (or rent) a car.

The 1770 House, like many Hamptons hotels, was built in the colonial period (in 1663 actually) and you’ll find antiques and exposed wooden ceiling beams located throughout the building. A 2002 renovation gave the property a fresher look and the six guest rooms are both rustic and chic, with paisley wallpaper, elegant curtains and headboards and modern and antique (though mostly modern) wooden and wicker furniture. All also have flat-screen TVs on the walls and some boast private entrances and fireplaces. In an absolute coup, owners Ben and Bonnie Krupinski snagged Kevin Penner who previously wowed diners at Della Femina for the hotel’s restaurant so, like the American Hotel and c/o Maidstone, evenings here tend to draw a lively crowd. For families and larger groups, there’s also a detached two-bedroom cottage called the Carriage House.

Napa Valley locals direct friends to this tiny bed and breakfast, outfitted with just five suites, two cottages and one private carriage house. Deep-red, cherry-wood panels line the Amica Dolcetto suite (the largest), while the upstairs Noble Noir has buttery interiors and a large skylight in its sloped ceiling.

Outfitted in mostly white furnishings accented by the occasional sand-colored dresser, the twenty-seven rooms at 21 Broad foster a beachy vibe and soothing atmosphere. Once a historic inn, 21 Broad has undergone a complete renovation and now features uber-modern amenities. Like 76 Main, 21 Broad has an outdoor courtyard with fire pits, but also offers pampering luxuries like steam and massage rooms, as well as a juice bar serving gluten-free pastries.

Visitors to Aix-en-Provence have long marveled at its lovely stone fountains and ornately sculpted, arched doorways. Savvy travelers, however, can experience one of the stunning private mansions up close. This exclusive bed-and-breakfast occupies a majestic 17th-century building, located in the quiet residential Mazarin neighborhood. The three-story maison sits just minutes away from Aix’s buzzing Cours Mirabeau and the Granet Museum. Interiors were conceived by the same design trio (Gil Dez, Charles Montemarco and Daniel Jouve) who masterminded the sumptuous Villa Gallici nearby. The owner has also refurbished the ground-floor reception area, as well as the first floor, which includes a comfortable salon and a breakfast room.

Ring the discreet doorbell, and you’ll be graciously ushered into what feels like someone’s dream home, complete with antiques, gilded mirrors and Murano chandeliers. A monumental staircase leads to the spacious rooms, each individually designed. Suite 1 is decked out with a canopy bed and sculptural light fixtures. Suite 2 is less grand but the two rooms can connect, so it’s great for families traveling with children. One floor up, Suite 3 boasts a private terrace, and Suite 4 has a Philippe Starck-designed bathtub. All are outfitted with fluffy duvets, flat-screen TVs, Bang & Olufsen speakers and velvety armchairs and sofas.

The owner is on hand to arrange special services--from private chefs and drivers to baby-sitters and guides--but chances are you’ll just want to relax in the jewel-box luxury between boutique and museum hopping.

An Indagare Insider based in Bangkok recommends this guest house, one of the most-established in Luang Prabang. It’s located on the main drag Sakkaline but further towards Xiengthong Temple, so it feels removed from the bustle. The three historic buildings that were joined to create the hotel give a nice sense of place, as do the local decorative touches that embellish the fifteen guest rooms. Like all of the guest houses within town, 3 Nagas doesn’t have a pool, so travelers looking for more of a resort feel will be happier at the Amantaka, La Résidence Phou Vao or Kiridara. The restaurant on the premises is one of the best to sample classic Laotian fare.

Located next to the Dorchester Collection’s flashy, eponymous flagship in Mayfair, the 45-room boutique Park Lane occupies a restored historic building, which used to house London’s Playboy Club but is now a far cry from 1960's bunnies. French designer Thierry Despont (interior designer for Bill Gates and the Carlyle among others) created lavish but cool interiors, with original contemporary art, including works by Damian Hirst, chocolate-brown suede walls and pretty limed mahogany.

The views of Hyde Park—all of the rooms look onto the green expanse—are a lovely destination-specific detail. The only “event” space in the hotel is a media room with super-comfy chaises and an intimate vibe (it seats a mere 10 people). With no reception and intimate interiors, 45 Park Lane feels more like a cozy club than a hotel. The only real glitz factor is an outpost of Wolfgang Puck’s Cut restaurant franchise, which has received some mixed reviews for its high prices and noisy rock n’ roll soundtrack (selected by Puck himself). At breakfast, try to sit by the windows, as you’ll get a chance to see the the royal horses out for their morning exercise. More winning is the cool Bar 45, on the first floor, which stays open until 1:30 am and serves innovative cocktails and popular bar snacks, like mini Kobe sliders and steak or tuna tartar.

Despite its location on Nantucket’s main thoroughfare, 76 Main is far enough removed that it provides a chic retreat from the crowds. With only twenty uniquely appointed rooms, it is a true boutique option, complete with the charms that come with a small property. The outdoor courtyard (complete with fire pits for cool summer nights) provides an attractive gathering space in the evening and the small café serves freshly baked treats. The main building features well-appointed rooms, and the cottage-like guest house rooms out back can accommodate families with one or two children, although the low ceilings can make the otherwise spacious accommodations feel a bit tight. For the ultimate preppy Nantucket experience, guests can rent the Vineyard Vines suite, designed in conjunction with the brand’s owners to feel like an authentic but chic beach house. If you’re visiting the island for great shopping and dining, the location is unbeatable, and the design-conscious will appreciate their modern take on Nantucket’s nautical theme.

This fifty-three-room hotel in the heart of the French Concession has many fans. It is certainly more intimate than the other high-end choices, but the service is a bit more limited. The décor mixes traditional Chinese furniture with contemporary pieces for a very chic Asian look. A small pool and room service are available, as are many rooms with kitchenettes.

ABaC offers subdued elegance and a refuge from the bustle of downtown Barcelona. Housed in two buildings, an historic landmark and its modern neighbor, ABaC comprises 15 rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant and an Elemis spa – all set within a verdant, welcoming garden. Located on Avenida Tibidabo, in the neighborhood where Barcelona’s bourgeoisie built their mansions over a century ago, the hotel is a short taxi or metro ride from downtown.

ABaC’s historic building was the home of Catalan art patron Madronita Andreu, whose American husband, Max Klein, was the U.S. Ambassador to Spain during the Spanish Civil War. The building served as the U.S. Embassy during the only time in history that Barcelona housed a national embassy. Today the 15 rooms and suites exude understated luxury, decorated in muted colors, hand-carved blond wood furniture, and featuring rain showers, impossibly comfortable beds and exacting attention to detail. The rooms are not excessively spacious, yet with large windows overlooking the trees, they feel airy and open. The most popular guest room is, in fact, the smallest, as it opens onto a spacious private terrace.

ABaC’s two Michelin-starred restaurant was called the best in Catalonia in 2011. Guests are welcome to walk through the kitchen to see the work of star chef Jordi Cruz, once the youngest Michelin-starred Spanish chef.

One of Africa’s most renowned safari camps, Abu remains one of the continent’s most famous lodges for many reasons. The abundant wildlife of the Okavango Delta, including lion, leopard, wild dog and elephant, may cross your path and since there is no roar of a Land Rover or boat engine, you will enjoy not just the sights, but the sounds of the spectacular pristine nature.

Abu occupies a concession of 450,000 acres (180,000 hectares) in the middle of the delta, and the elephant herd is the core of any visit. What makes Abu such a powerful experience is the intimacy that exists between man and beast, which includes you for the time of your visit. You meet the herd upon arrival, feed them and walk with the elephants. Each animal has a name, a story and a personality, so being at Abu allows for a much more intimate animal experience than you have elsewhere and adds a completely different aspect to your safari.

Abu, which is named after one of the camp’s original elephants, was started in 1994 by Randall Moore, an expert who rescued orphaned elephants from America and transported them home to pioneer elephant-back safaris in Botswana. His personal story and that of the herd and how he expanded it is fascinating and each of the six guest rooms contains a book with the history. Today Abu is owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen who was so smitten after his visit that he bought the camp in 2009. Many of the original elephants and their handlers remain and some say that Allen has introduced a gentler routine for the pachyderms. (They are no longer chained in the bush ever and the camp has stopped offering elephant riding as of late 2016.) The main pavilion footprint remains the same but Allen upgraded the décor in the public spaces and guests suites. He hired a stylish designer from Cape Town who added homey yet sophisticated touches like a library of African nature books and CDs; a pizza oven and a small outdoor gym (really a rowing machine). The guest tents include WiFi (very slow), copper tubs and homey touches like Africa books and objects.

In addition to walks with the elephants (which are at set times), other activities like game drives, guided walks, scenic flights (at an additional cost) or mokoro (wooden canoe) trips are available when a guest chooses. The resident manager acts as a host and sets up different “wow” moments, which could be the present of a special book or a surprise movie in the bush complete with popcorn. During high season when the weather is best, it's possible to spend the night in the Star Bed on a platform under the stars and next to the elephant boma, where the elephants sleep at night. At the end of the day there are campfires, sophisticated suppers and informal talks about the elephants and their conservation. This is truly an experience that ranks up there as one of the most memorable in Africa.

The appeal of the Palacio del Retiro is undeniable. Facing the Retiro Park, just a few blocks from the Prado and the restaurants of Salamanca, the hotel is peaceful yet conveniently located. Its rooms are spacious and its architecture elegant, yet the décor is modern with a stylish flair, falling somewhere between the traditional Ritz and the cutting-edge Hospes. And the staff, if not as numerous and as formal as the ones at some of the grander properties, is helpful and friendly, eager to make guests feel at home from the moment they arrive. The hotel’s few, minor drawbacks are balanced by homey comforts. It does not have a major lobby scene, but the quiet bar is a pleasant place to meet for a pre-dinner drink. And although it lacks a full-service restaurant, the pretty breakfast room serves a wonderful morning meal, and throughout the day guests can order light tapas or drinks while contemplating the park. A small fitness room is stashed in the basement, but a run or a bicycle ride (the hotel has free bikes for guests, although they may rent them out in the future) through the Retiro is infinitely more appealing.

A grand early 20th-century mansion, the Palacio retains the trappings of its aristocratic past. Throughout the property are original stained-glass windows from Paris and carpets manufactured by the Royal Tapestry Factory, as were the ones at the Ritz and the Royal Palace. The furnishings here, however, are sleeker, with platform beds and muted colors. Even the smallest of the hotel’s 50 rooms, a single with interior courtyard views, is spacious and has a modern marble bathroom complete with Molton Brown products. Today’s comforts are present in plasma televisions, Bose sound systems and WiFi, while the ancient iron keys (by law, landmarked properties cannot convert the door locks to modern card systems) link travelers to the past. The Palacio also offers free shoe shining and iPod docking stations in the rooms. Just avoid the few interior rooms that look out onto a brick wall.

Linda Whitlock used to take her then-three-year-old daughter to a deer farm on a hillside high above Lake Taupo to feed the animals. Today, Acacia Cliffs Lodge, which Linda runs alongside her husband, Rick, stands on the very spot. And even though the Whitlocks are well-traveled (they have also lived in Auckland and all over Europe), their heart is so clearly here — in the beautiful Taupo area. Acacia Cliffs is their dream lodge, built from the ground up and opened in 2008.

Unlike many New Zealand lodges, the architecture inside and out is contemporary. Rooms are built around floor-to-ceiling windows (three of the four guest rooms face the lake) and are done mostly in white, black and charcoal with touches of red and framed photographs of native birds adding bursts of color. Bathrooms are spacious and comfortable, but only one has a separate tub. Three rooms sit on the lower floor and one larger suite is located on the upper floor besides the large living room and open kitchen.

At Acacia Cliffs, you are sharing close quarters with other guests (travelers who do not like the idea of mingling over a glass of wine at the end of the day should book elsewhere). But a personal touch is what Acacia is all about. Linda and Rick are a wealth of information about the Taupo area and happy to make suggestions based on the weather, fitness level and personal interest. Rick also happens to be a chef (he has run restaurants for 30 years), and guests can pre-arrange dinner at the lodge for one of their nights. Otherwise, Taupo is an eight-minute drive away and there are many restaurant options in the area. Anyone coming from lodges where five-course meals are the norm might also welcome the idea of having a lighter night. Rick prepares canapés every evening – while I stayed, he whipped up a gorgeous, cold-smoked trout, which was served with delicious local bread slathered in butter and a touch of wasabi. Served with a glass of crisp Sauvignon, while I sat watching the Taupo lights twinkle in the distance as the lake turned dark, this was a wonderfully local, light dinner.