Kiwi Curated
Out-of-the-box Architectural Hotels
by Darren DunneAs the defining factor between a hotel and a landmark, architecture plays an increasingly important role in today’s hospitality experience. Click through for our round-up of architecturally unique hotels with a look and vibe that’s entirely one of a kind.
Out-of-the-box Architectural Hotels
The stunning Marqués de Riscal is the brainchild of famous architect Frank Gehry, who set out to connect the historic wineries of old with modern art and nature. The result is a totally unique hotel that juxtaposes colorful titanium and steel panels against the picturesque medieval village of Elciego. The structure sits on pillars to create an aesthetic reminiscent of an animal galloping freely through a field. Inside, the decor is surprisingly minimalist, with Gehry intending for nothing to distract from the true protagonist – the building itself and its connection to nature.
Out-of-the-box Architectural Hotels
In a career that spans almost 60 years, Japanese-Brazilian architect Ruy Ohtake has played a pivotal role in shaping the cityscape of his native Sao Paulo, counting more than 300 projects in the city alone. When Ohtake was handed the brief for Hotel Unique he faced one of his career’s greatest challenges: craft a design that will become a landmark.The result is widely regarded as Ohtake’s magnus opus, a high point in global hotel design and quintessential symbol of Brazilian society’s upward trajectory in the 21st century.
Out-of-the-box Architectural Hotels
Located just 35 minutes outside Paris, the magical surrounds of Tiara Chateau Hotel Mont Royal Chantilly transport guests straight to the pages of a fairytale. This palatial French countryside manor was constructed at the behest of composer Fernard Halphen in 1911 around the themes of hunting and music, two of his life’s passions. Today, the interior decor blends French tradition and contemporary touches with equestrian motifs. Chantilly is known as the “capital of the horse” and it’s a theme that permeates the entire property.
Out-of-the-box Architectural Hotels
Boston’s iconic Copley Square is replete with architectural gems, and Fairmont Copley Plaza sits comfortably alongside jewels such as the Boston Public Library and Trinity Church. Since its prestigious opening in 1912, much of the classical architecture and decor has been preserved across the seven-floor limestone structure. The hotel’s entrance hallway has been called Peacock Alley since the 1920s due to the ongoing parade of elegantly dressed Bostonians strolling past to attend tea dances and social events. The majestic lobby (pictured above) boasts a 21-foot-high gilded coffered ceiling with Waterford Crystal chandeliers and Italian marble columns, while a French and Venetian Renaissance theme is found throughout.
Out-of-the-box Architectural Hotels
The term “Sukhothai” translates from Thai as “dawn of happiness” and it’s the symbolic inspiration for the architecture at The Sukhothai Bangkok. The tree-lined drive into the hotel is a calming one, with guests passing six acres of flower gardens and lotus ponds along the way. Upon arrival, the low height and lush vegetation within the hotel grounds make it an oasis at the center of Bangkok. Inside, the interior design of the public spaces and rooms echoes the royal style of old Bangkok. Each room and suite features rich Thai fabrics, teakwood, marble, mirrors, and custom-designed furniture and lighting.
Out-of-the-box Architectural Hotels
An artful mix of traditional, Shu-style architecture and modern glass towers, The Temple House has been turning heads since entering Chengdu’s luxury hotel market. Guests enter the hotel via a beautifully restored Qing Dynasty heritage building called “Bitieshi” at the corner of the site. This traditional welcome soon gives way to the ultra modern, with the cutting edge rooms and suites arrayed with spa-style bathrooms and interactive TVs. A commitment to technology extends to the hotel’s check-out experience, with guests simply sending an email to reception to confirm they’ve checked out.
Out-of-the-box Architectural Hotels
Inspired by the architecture of a 17th-century Malaysian Palace, Tanjong Jara Resort is a recipient of the prestigious Aga Khan Award of Architecture for its use of traditional art forms and craftsmanship in creating a spectacular tropical resort. Sitting on a crescent-shaped golden beach on the east coast of Malaysia, the resort is anchored thoroughly in sucimurni, the ancient Malay way of life that embraces tranquility and purity through wholesome living. Nowhere is this philosophy more apparent than the Tanjong Club Spa, which promotes a full slate of Malay healing treatments.
Out-of-the-box Architectural Hotels
Bearing the iconic name and design swagger of the legendary Italian fashion house, Armani Hotel Milano sits within the beautiful Manzoni 31, a rationalist style building originally designed by Enrico Griffini in 1937. This location places guests in the world famous fashion district of Quadrilatero della Moda, a short stroll from the luxury shopping streets of Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga. Each element of the 95 guest rooms and suites at Armani Hotel Milano was personally designed by Giorgio Armani and chosen for their sculptural and aesthetic qualities. The idea is to foster a “home away from home” experience couched in luxurious comfort and immaculate interiors.
Out-of-the-box Architectural Hotels
Pier One Sydney Harbour embraces a proud maritime tradition from an unbeatable location at the foot of Sydney Harbour Bridge. In creating the hotel, designers looked to the original structure of the wharf it inhabits for design cues, counterbalancing the industrial look with a palette of subtle coastal decor. This raw approach saw existing dock structures repurposed, including exposed wooden beams and original steel framing. Reclaimed timber wall cladding and a generous ceiling height lend a sense of grandeur to the hotel’s bustling lobby. Elsewhere, the zinc island bar, the stunning centerpiece of the property, sits beneath a canopy of glassware surrounded by plush velvet sofas.
Out-of-the-box Architectural Hotels
Complete with drawbridge and cannons, Cap Rocat sits within the shell of a former military fortress transformed into a picturesque luxury hotel. This imposing structure is housed in the most secluded area of Palma de Mallorca’s bay, an idyllic setting for a retreat. Three classes of guest accommodation await at Cap Rocat, each housed in repurposed sections of the fortress. Rocat rooms are former shooting pads that offer private terraces and panoramic views. La Muralla are smaller rooms housed in the original soldier’s quarters, and El Cabo is a single, stunning suite with private pool and gardens.
Out-of-the-box Architectural Hotels
In a city well stocked with cookie cutter resorts and forgettable all-inclusives, the opening of Mar Adentro has created an instant icon along Cabo’s dramatic coastline. The resort’s futurist aesthetic is the work of architect Miguel Angel Aragones, who set out to create a resort where the horizon and ocean informed the entire design process. Each room is a self contained cube, built in a factory and delivered to the site in boxes. Assembled in a matter of days in modular fashion by local hands, each one provides a unique, uninterrupted view of the ocean. State-of-the-art facilities lurk at every turn here, with an outdoor bar that resembles a bird’s nest (pictured above) as well as a fully featured fitness center and luxurious Mar Abierto Spa.
The stunning Marqués de Riscal is the brainchild of famous architect Frank Gehry, who set out to connect the historic wineries of old with modern art and nature. The result is a totally unique hotel that juxtaposes colorful titanium and steel panels against the picturesque medieval village of Elciego. The structure sits on pillars to create an aesthetic reminiscent of an animal galloping freely through a field. Inside, the decor is surprisingly minimalist, with Gehry intending for nothing to distract from the true protagonist – the building itself and its connection to nature.
In a career that spans almost 60 years, Japanese-Brazilian architect Ruy Ohtake has played a pivotal role in shaping the cityscape of his native Sao Paulo, counting more than 300 projects in the city alone. When Ohtake was handed the brief for Hotel Unique he faced one of his career’s greatest challenges: craft a design that will become a landmark.The result is widely regarded as Ohtake’s magnus opus, a high point in global hotel design and quintessential symbol of Brazilian society’s upward trajectory in the 21st century.
Located just 35 minutes outside Paris, the magical surrounds of Tiara Chateau Hotel Mont Royal Chantilly transport guests straight to the pages of a fairytale. This palatial French countryside manor was constructed at the behest of composer Fernard Halphen in 1911 around the themes of hunting and music, two of his life’s passions. Today, the interior decor blends French tradition and contemporary touches with equestrian motifs. Chantilly is known as the “capital of the horse” and it’s a theme that permeates the entire property.
Boston’s iconic Copley Square is replete with architectural gems, and Fairmont Copley Plaza sits comfortably alongside jewels such as the Boston Public Library and Trinity Church. Since its prestigious opening in 1912, much of the classical architecture and decor has been preserved across the seven-floor limestone structure. The hotel’s entrance hallway has been called Peacock Alley since the 1920s due to the ongoing parade of elegantly dressed Bostonians strolling past to attend tea dances and social events. The majestic lobby (pictured above) boasts a 21-foot-high gilded coffered ceiling with Waterford Crystal chandeliers and Italian marble columns, while a French and Venetian Renaissance theme is found throughout.
The term “Sukhothai” translates from Thai as “dawn of happiness” and it’s the symbolic inspiration for the architecture at The Sukhothai Bangkok. The tree-lined drive into the hotel is a calming one, with guests passing six acres of flower gardens and lotus ponds along the way. Upon arrival, the low height and lush vegetation within the hotel grounds make it an oasis at the center of Bangkok. Inside, the interior design of the public spaces and rooms echoes the royal style of old Bangkok. Each room and suite features rich Thai fabrics, teakwood, marble, mirrors, and custom-designed furniture and lighting.
An artful mix of traditional, Shu-style architecture and modern glass towers, The Temple House has been turning heads since entering Chengdu’s luxury hotel market. Guests enter the hotel via a beautifully restored Qing Dynasty heritage building called “Bitieshi” at the corner of the site. This traditional welcome soon gives way to the ultra modern, with the cutting edge rooms and suites arrayed with spa-style bathrooms and interactive TVs. A commitment to technology extends to the hotel’s check-out experience, with guests simply sending an email to reception to confirm they’ve checked out.
Inspired by the architecture of a 17th-century Malaysian Palace, Tanjong Jara Resort is a recipient of the prestigious Aga Khan Award of Architecture for its use of traditional art forms and craftsmanship in creating a spectacular tropical resort. Sitting on a crescent-shaped golden beach on the east coast of Malaysia, the resort is anchored thoroughly in sucimurni, the ancient Malay way of life that embraces tranquility and purity through wholesome living. Nowhere is this philosophy more apparent than the Tanjong Club Spa, which promotes a full slate of Malay healing treatments.
Bearing the iconic name and design swagger of the legendary Italian fashion house, Armani Hotel Milano sits within the beautiful Manzoni 31, a rationalist style building originally designed by Enrico Griffini in 1937. This location places guests in the world famous fashion district of Quadrilatero della Moda, a short stroll from the luxury shopping streets of Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga. Each element of the 95 guest rooms and suites at Armani Hotel Milano was personally designed by Giorgio Armani and chosen for their sculptural and aesthetic qualities. The idea is to foster a “home away from home” experience couched in luxurious comfort and immaculate interiors.
Pier One Sydney Harbour embraces a proud maritime tradition from an unbeatable location at the foot of Sydney Harbour Bridge. In creating the hotel, designers looked to the original structure of the wharf it inhabits for design cues, counterbalancing the industrial look with a palette of subtle coastal decor. This raw approach saw existing dock structures repurposed, including exposed wooden beams and original steel framing. Reclaimed timber wall cladding and a generous ceiling height lend a sense of grandeur to the hotel’s bustling lobby. Elsewhere, the zinc island bar, the stunning centerpiece of the property, sits beneath a canopy of glassware surrounded by plush velvet sofas.
Complete with drawbridge and cannons, Cap Rocat sits within the shell of a former military fortress transformed into a picturesque luxury hotel. This imposing structure is housed in the most secluded area of Palma de Mallorca’s bay, an idyllic setting for a retreat. Three classes of guest accommodation await at Cap Rocat, each housed in repurposed sections of the fortress. Rocat rooms are former shooting pads that offer private terraces and panoramic views. La Muralla are smaller rooms housed in the original soldier’s quarters, and El Cabo is a single, stunning suite with private pool and gardens.
In a city well stocked with cookie cutter resorts and forgettable all-inclusives, the opening of Mar Adentro has created an instant icon along Cabo’s dramatic coastline. The resort’s futurist aesthetic is the work of architect Miguel Angel Aragones, who set out to create a resort where the horizon and ocean informed the entire design process. Each room is a self contained cube, built in a factory and delivered to the site in boxes. Assembled in a matter of days in modular fashion by local hands, each one provides a unique, uninterrupted view of the ocean. State-of-the-art facilities lurk at every turn here, with an outdoor bar that resembles a bird’s nest (pictured above) as well as a fully featured fitness center and luxurious Mar Abierto Spa.