Decor, ambience and service give a hotel its distinct personality. For a select few, this personality is an extension of an already eclectic character; a top fashion designer turning their creative hand to interiors. Suites and foyers abundant in their own inimitable style embody what they look for in luxury lodging Writer Zoe Louise Cronk
Decor, ambience and service give a hotel its distinct personality. For a select few, this personality is an extension of an already eclectic character; a top fashion designer turning their creative hand to interiors. Suites and foyers abundant in their own inimitable style embody what they look for in luxury lodging Writer Zoe Louise Cronk
1 Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, Monaco
As an international hub of luxury and style, Monaco is an obvious choice for a rooftop social space created by legendary designer and photographer, Karl Lagerfeld. Decked out in the Chanel creative director’s signature monochrome, the ‘Odyssey’ sits atop the fabulous Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo. Crisp white cabanas and lush landscaping look chic alongside a swimming pool and dining by Joël Robuchon, but it’s the 18 backlit glass screens that encircle the area to form a frescostyle mural that instantly catch the eye. Lagerfeld, who was inspired by Greek mythology and Homer’s poems the Iliad and the Odyssey, decided to photograph each of his modern-day muses dressed in togas. These photos were then superimposed onto an image of the Greek coast in the 1850s that was brought in from his personal archive and etched onto the glass. The combination creates an intimate, sophisticated ambience that works impeccably for the Metropole. As for the hotel itself, behind its belle époque facade awaits a wealth of luxury and the only ESPA in France, where guests can savour personalised treatments and Greek-inspired rituals. www.metropole.com
2 Hotel Icon, Hong Kong
Drawing inspiration from her home in New York City, Chinese-born fashion designer Vivienne Tam created an eponymous suite at the celebrated Hotel Icon in Kowloon. It is the fusion of influences from the East and West that makes her fashion lines stand out, and her foray into interiors is no exception. The colour palette mixes cool taupe and deep reds, with vibrant art and furnishings sourced from the US and Asia that include a Chinese ceiling screen, courtesan plaques and Tam’s own artwork in Swarovski crystals. Smooth wood furnishings and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors create a sense of space which is sought after in Hong Kong, yet the suite still offers all the technological amenities you could wish for; tastefully hidden away so as not to upset the aesthetic. The minimalist vibe and use of feng shui render the suite the ultimate in chic simplicity, with its 27th-floor location granting sweeping views of Victoria Harbour. www.hotel-icon.com
3 The St. Regis New York, USA
The St. Regis New York is the epitome of timeless glamour; with two top-tier names behind the accommodation. The first is the Tiffany Suite. Its 1991 design was modernised two decades later to become as lust-worthy as the brand itself. The dining room is designed to look the inside of a Tiffany box, with eggshell blue walls and a glossy white table set off by a pearl-strewn crystal chandelier. Two floors below and reminiscent of a Parisian atelier is the equally decadent Dior Suite. The design is serene and sophisticated, featuring Dior grey hues, Lady Dior prints and bows throughout, with classic neutral decor and luxe fabrics like lace, silk and tulle. As for the suite’s pièce de résistance, the watercolour painting by fashion illustrator and Dior Beauty’s first artist-in-residence Bill Donavan depicts four silhouettes in dresses that showcase Dior style through the ages. Both suites span an extensive 1,700sqft with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Fifth Avenue and Central Park. www.stregisnewyork.com
4 Palazzo Versace, Australia
Australia’s Gold Coast is home to the equally spectacular Palazzo Versace. Statement pieces reminiscent of the famed Italian label and the panache of Gianni Versace himself are everywhere you look, as it was his vision for elaborate elegance that influenced the design. Perfect examples are the parquetry floors, vaulted ceilings gilded in gold and stunning antique chandelier imported from Milan. The 200 bedrooms and stately suites contain beautifully bespoke Versace furniture and bath products from the Versace range, and many also boast Juliet balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the broadwater. As well as a sleek cocktail bar and private marina, the grandeur of Palazzo Versace is reflected in twin bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantoms; chauffeur-driven for guests going to and from the hotel, and enriched with the Signature Versace Scent and an orchestrated soundtrack. www.palazzoversace.com.au
5 Hôtel Le Bellechasse, France
With butterflies and strong imagery throughout, the Hôtel Le Bellechasse in Paris is a quirky gem of interior design. The same extravagant and natureinspired theatrics that drew the world to the couture house of Christian Lacroix can be seen across his 34-bedroom hotel on the left bank of the Seine. It’s skilfully divided into three categories: Discovery, Original and Privilege, each showcasing the designer’s love of sumptuous fabrics through an abundance of satin, silk and velvet. Alongside vibrant printed wallpaper and bright ceiling murals, the 19th-century influences work well in the 176-yearold hotel building set in the historic district of Faubourg Saint-Germain. And with bold artwork making every room unique, this is undoubtedly one of the French capital’s trendiest hotels. www.lebellechasse.com
6 Claridge’s, England
Claridge’s Grand Piano Suite is one of the most coveted hotel rooms in London. The iconic hotel is renowned for its superior five-star service and art deco heritage, and was once called “the most glamorous in the world” by fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. In fact, this globetrotting style icon stayed so often that when she began to notice her preferred space needed a refresh, she was the natural choice to refine it to perfection. The sprawling two-bedroom suite is a showcase for the vivid yet understated elegance that has characterised her fashion collections for decades. From the hand-selected furnishings in contemporary DVF prints and a bold mix of colours, to the walls adorned with her own photographs taken around Europe, Africa and Asia; the eclectic designer has put her stamp on it all. A majestic golden-hued entrance hall, black leather-topped bar, marble fireplace and beautiful grand piano make this one-of-a-kind suite ideal for entertaining; particularly given the private butler on hand to cater to your every whim. www.claridges.co.uk
7 Halekulani, Hawaii
Vera Wang is a name considered sacred by fashionistas worldwide, in particular for the modern twist on traditional elegance that she has put on bridal couture since 1990. The New York designer is also the creative behind her self-named, one-bedroom suite at glamorous Hawaiian hotel Halekulani. As the setting of Wang’s own marriage proposal, the island has sentimental value, and her suite design is a sleek interpretation of romance and luxury. Soft cream and lavender hues contrast against the wenge-wood flooring, tropical accents and vintage furniture from Asia and the Pacific. The most noteworthy include a century-old Buddhist statue and Chinese desk that hails from the Qing Dynasty. The chance to live like Wang is completed with her favourite books, DVDs and food – and it gets better – the secondfloor suite and private veranda also overlook Oahu’s Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head; the extinct volcano and Hawaii’s most prominent landmark. www.halekulani.com
8 Hotel Éclat, China
Inside the extraordinary glass pyramid that is Beijing’s Hotel Éclat are eight individually themed pool suites designed to cater to a range of guests and interests. From the whimsical Alice’s Mad Hatter suite with its large cartoon sculpture by Chinese artist Gao Xiaowu, to the chic natural wood and lighting of hip Asian designer Chen Darui’s Scandinavian suite; the most intriguing is the one named Real Bape. Inspired by fashion brand Bathing Ape, their trademark ape statues immediately catch the eye. The suite manages to feel spacious and deluxe, yet still playful and lighthearted thanks to Andy Warhol banana cushions, Bape artwork on the walls and a mix of unusual furniture. Yet Hotel Éclat has more to offer than just innovatively designed suites. Sure to appeal to the artistic wanderer, it’s also home to the country’s largest contemporary Chinese art collection, and more works by Salvadore Dali than anywhere outside Europe. www.eclathotels.com
9 UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa, Brazil
Few places epitomise the word ‘escape’ more than the five-star Bohemian paradise of the UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa. As one of the few buildings on the lush Bahian coast in Brazil, its rustic boutique design is thanks to Wilbert Das; the creative director who turned Italian fashion brand Diesel into a household name. It was after visiting the cliff-top fishing village of Trancoso in 2004 that Das’ affiliation with the people and their culture inspired him to express his creativity in new ways. He wanted his next project to give something back, so began designing with sustainable materials and collaborating with local artisans. The earthy charm of UXUA’S 11 private casas comes largely from the stunning locally sourced wood in which they are crafted, and from the vintage furniture, art and Brazilian antiques that give each one its own unique theme and deliver guests a real sense of place. www.uxua.com
10 Tortuga Bay, Puntacana Resort & Club, Dominican Republic
Lending his imagination to an award-winning five-star hotel in his native Dominican Republic is esteemed fashion designer Oscar de la Renta. The villas he created as part of the Tortuga Bay, Puntacana Resort & Club in Bavaro are as striking as the show-stopping gowns he is known for. Nestled within the hotel’s 1,500-acre ecological reserve, the oceanfront villas allow nature to take centre stage with wicker canopy beds, stone bathrooms and a natural colour scheme that opens out onto five miles of pristine private beach. As one of the Leading Hotels of the World, this luxurious lodging has plenty to offer its guests including two 18-hole golf courses, Oscar de la Renta amenities and the tranquil Six Senses Spa where all-natural, Asian-inspired treatments deliver the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation. The charming interiors of the AAA Four-Diamond Bamboo Restaurant were also conceived by Oscar de la Renta, and there is an Oscar de la Renta boutique on-site too to truly complete the designer experience. www.tortugabayhotel.com
