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Best Design Hotel in the world -- what are your favorites?
Looks like I started somewhat of a trend with the W thread, but I'm curious to hear what the best of each brand is, even as we get into the lower-end ones.
Other threads: - W: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...favorites.html - Le Méridien: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...worldwide.html - St. Regis: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...worldwide.html - Luxury Collection: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...favorites.html - Tribute Portfolio: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...favorites.html - Four Points: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...favorites.html - Westin: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...favorites.html - Sheraton: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...favorites.html - Design Hotels: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...favorites.html - Aloft: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star...favorites.html -- This is starting to get fun again, because I love brands which have a chance to bring a unique flair and create a wide variety of different experiences. But, for me, one clear winner emerges from the Design Hotels portfolio: Mira Moon, Hong Kong - a lovely boutique hotel in Wan Chai, with a wonderful happy hour for guests to enjoy 2-for-1 drinks and free tapas. And the room rates are usually about half that of the W HK, my previous go-to in HK. I'm quite partial to The Mira, too, especially knowing the history that the Snowden revelations came out in one of their rooms earlier this decade. |
Admittedly only stayed at I think 5, but the Ten Bompas in Johannesburg, South Africa was very nice. Small certainly, but the staff was so eager to please. Rooms were suites and very spacious.
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Rotterdam is interesting, especially if you get a room with a huge bathtub and water views.
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I like Ovolo Southside in Hong Kong when the rate is ~HK$1100 a night but not for more. They give all guests free drinks in the evening and breakfast if you book direct (you'll still get SPG points and credit but can't book through SPG).
The worst has to be Wanderlust in Singapore for its total absence of SPG recognition and many service and room issues. |
We loved our stay at the Gramercy last December.
We had drinks at Palazzina G yesterday and it looks amazing. Our son stayed there in January and loved his room. |
Originally Posted by ftrichard
(Post 28996591)
The worst has to be Wanderlust in Singapore for its total absence of SPG recognition and many service and room issues. |
Originally Posted by ftrichard
(Post 28996591)
I like Ovolo Southside in Hong Kong when the rate is ~HK$1100 a night but not for more. They give all guests free drinks in the evening and breakfast if you book direct (you'll still get SPG points and credit but can't book through SPG).
The worst has to be Wanderlust in Singapore for its total absence of SPG recognition and many service and room issues. |
My absolute favorite Design Hotels experience so far has to be The Guesthouse Vienna, which has since left SPG. Stunning hotel, excellent location by the Albertina and Wiener Staatsoper, friendly staff, lovely room upgrade to an opera-view room with window seat, four (!) complimentary full-sized bottles of Austrian wine, excellent food at the restaurant... you get the gist. A real shame it's no longer part of the portfolio.
That aside, the Rooms Hotels in Tbilisi and Stepantsminda/Kazbegi were both fabulous properties and real gems to have in the SPG portfolio with their characterful buildings, quirky idiosyncracies and zesty staff. khabah |
So far I've stayed at: The Robey, Le Roch, Vertigo Hotel Dijon, C-Hotel & Spa. All great places, but my favorite of those 4 would be Le Roch.
They absolutely spoiled me last January with an upgrade to the largest St Roch Suite for my birthday. Suite had a private in-room hammam.... balcony, front sitting area, large walk-in closet, and large bathroom. Service was fantastic as well, and I like that they are on top of their Instagram/ Social Media feed. |
The two Design Hotels at which I most yearn to stay are unquestionably:
Gramercy Park Hotel, NYC Kenoa Beach Resort, Brazil The first two Design Hotels at which I will stay are: La Bandita Townhouse, Pienza, Italy (Oct 2018) Atlantis by Giardino, Zurich, Switzerland (Oct 2018) They both look quite impressive, too. Anyone been to either? |
Having stayed at the Sir Adams Design Hotel in Amsterdam I have to say it's a new favorite in the city. The rooms are small, but so well executed, the price is good, the Ambiance is top notch, and the location is super convenient a quick 24h 3min ferry ride across the main train station.
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Originally Posted by bhrubin
(Post 29237051)
The two Design Hotels at which I most yearn to stay are unquestionably:
Gramercy Park Hotel, NYC Kenoa Beach Resort, Brazil The first two Design Hotels at which I will stay are: La Bandita Townhouse, Pienza, Italy (Oct 2018) Atlantis by Giardino, Zurich, Switzerland (Oct 2018) They both look quite impressive, too. Anyone been to either? Atlantis by Giardino has a spectacular hard product. One of the best, if not the very best, conversions I’ve ever seen from an old Sheraton hotel. The service could use some work, though, but it will be a great hotel option for many. |
Us Swiss are not known for having the best service… ��
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I stayed at the Gramercy Park before it was renovated and became a design hotel. It was interesting and the key to the park was fun, but my room was horrible and I did not appreciate having to carry luggage down the fire stairs when all elevators were out of order and it was time to leave for the airport. Even with the changes, I'm not sure I want to go back, although I did have some good meals during that weekend in NYC. For an interesting design (a semicircle standing on the curved end), São Paulo Design Hotel (that's its name) is potentially fun. It seems to have some lively bars and a rooftop place with good views as its located on the top of a hill or ridge overlooking the park with the art museum and the university campus. |
Originally Posted by bhrubin
(Post 30546337)
La Bandita Townhouse was spectacular. Highly recommended. We’d return in a second. Atlantis by Giardino has a spectacular hard product. One of the best, if not the very best, conversions I’ve ever seen from an old Sheraton hotel. The service could use some work, though, but it will be a great hotel option for many. We really want to visit La Bandita. We really loved our stay at Gramercy Park but it's because of the beautiful hotel/room/location/bar and not the service. Nothing went wrong, but there was zero Platinum recognition (which was true for our son at another Design Hotel- Palazzina G) When SPG (Marriott) says "Limited Benefits" I think they mean it :) |
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