Long-established magazine Condé Nast Traveler complied a list of the sixteen best hotels for design in 2010 around the world, selected by its readers. Among those, we'll share our top five favorites so you can get your summer planning (or daydreaming) into high gear.
1. 21C Museum Hotel, Louisville, Kentucky
Created in buildings that were once tobacco and bourbon holding facilities, this hotel is filled with fascinating contemporary art and fine modern decor.
2. Milestone Hotel, London
The guest quarters here are all done in different traditional schemes, and your personal color preference determines which room will be yours.
3. One&Only Palmilla, San José del Cabo
Situated on the Pacific coast of Mexico, this hotel offers comfortable, colorful, and highly unique design touches scattered about its massive and pristine property.
4. Tides Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen
Another perfect Mexican spot, these interiors were designed by Kelly Wearstler in a more restrained and beachy style than her norm.
5. Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur
This hotel in India features colonial furnishings interspersed with colorful artifacts from the native culture.
Via: Condé Nast Traveler
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Comments (8)
Thanks for putting together and providing these links. I especially liked the Tides Riviera Maya in Mexico.
Ahhh holidays! You are so far away yet!
Thanks for so much daily inspiration!
The 21c Museum Hotel in Kentucky is fabulous (the figures in this shot are by the wonderful artist Judy Fox represented by PPOW in New York http://www.ppowgallery.com) . We have also stayed in the Oberoi Villas in Jaipur - which is delicious as well.
Cripes, 21 Museum Hotel, pedophilia anyone? I wouldn't sit near anyone at that bar for a million bucks. blech.
I stayed at the 21C Museum Hotel in Louisville. It was interesting, to say the least. One piece of artwork gave me nightmares. A disembodied pair of heads, lying on pillows, inside a glass box, having a conversation with each other. CREEPY!
But the hotel is cool, modern, has a lovely bar, and nice staff. Definitely nicer and a more creative space than a Hilton or Marriott would have been.
And the red penguins are sorta creepy cool.
@bb99 "That bar" is actually the hotel's reception desk. As @hesiod said, the children sculptures are by acclaimed artist Judy Fox. You can learn more about them:
http://www.21cmuseum.org/museum/exhibits/judy-fox.aspx
21c believes art can and should be part of daily life, rather than something that can only be seen on a planned trip to a formal institution. At 21c, art is an unexpected encounter, a new idea, a starting point for lively conversation. The galleries are free and open to the public 24/7 and guests are encourage to explore and engage.
Louisville is a hotbed for a vibrant arts scene, a haven for foodies (especially 21c's own Proof on Main - a locavore's dream - YUM!) and a historical charmer with parks, architecture and festivals at every turn. It makes a great weekend getaway and 21c offers some fun packages to aid in the exploration: http://www.21chotel.com/hotel/explore/packages.aspx#
As a local in Louisville KY I frequent 21c museum and Proof (their restaurant), so I am lucky to see the wonderful exhibitions orchestrated by William Morrow. One of my favorite shows up is "Msyitc Truhts" works by Russel Hulsey a well known artist in Louisville, KY. His works span the last decade among them are my favorites the "Verses I and II". This is Hulsey's most recent body of work and an homage to some of the most renowned and infamous American poets. Dylan and Kerouac to name a few. You must check out this link and see for yourself. Enjoy!
http://www.21cmuseum.org/museum/exhibits/hulsey-verses.aspx
Moni-ka in ky, I did go look at her work online. Telling me she is an acclaimed artist means nothing to me. I actually think for myself. I see the aspect of her work that others commend but as a survivor of rape as a child, and as a friend to many other victims of pedophiles I also know that there is a huge subset of people who would find that work traumatizing to see and another subset who would find that work titillating. That is as real an assessment as anyone else. Perhaps not the popular or common one, but absolutely real. It creeps me out. I don't condemn it but I also know there are more levels of perception than the acclaim you refer to. Perhaps if more people understood how commonplace child rape is there would be more people who would find this work somewhat chilling.
Sorry for any discomfort my reality caused you.
The Milestone is one of the most gorgeous places on earth. Every room is just. so. Happy happy.