Photo Credit: Bvlgari Hotel Tokyo
THESE DESIGN-DRIVEN HOTELS BRING SERENE PALETTES, SLEEK LINES, AND ENDLESS GLAMOUR TO EVERY CORNER OF THE GLOBE.
BVLGARI HOTEL TOKYO, JAPAN
Photo Credit: Bvlgari Hotel Tokyo
The Bulgari Hotel Tokyo doesn’t just rise above the city — it redefines it. Located on the top floors of Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, this jewel-box of a property feels like stepping into a sanctuary suspended in the sky. What makes it exceptional isn’t only its vantage point, with sweeping views of the Imperial Palace Gardens and Mount Fuji on clear days, but the way Italian design heritage is seamlessly married to Japanese sensibility. The interiors, imagined by the powerhouse Milanese studio Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, radiate understated glamour: with its travertine marble, custom-crafted furniture, shimmering glass and bronze accents, every detail is a deliberate expression of Bulgari’s codes of timeless luxury. Light pours in from floor-to-ceiling windows, refracting off lacquered surfaces and drawing your eye out toward the city skyline. Then, there are the experiences layered into the design itself: an intimate eight-seat omakase counter at Sushi Hōseki, Il Ristorante curated by Niko Romito, and a Bulgari Bar that feels like a stage set for Tokyo’s most stylish nights. Even the Bulgari Spa is an architectural marvel — a temple of marble and onyx, anchored by an 82-foot pool that seems to float above the city. This is Tokyo as Bulgari sees it: dazzling, meticulous, and unforgettable. 2 Chome-2-1 Yaesu, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0028, Japan
CONRAD ORCHARD SINGAPORE
Photo Credit: Conrad Singapore Orchard
Conrad Singapore Orchard reimagines one of the city’s most distinctive architectural icons with a design story that is as bold as it is botanical. Originally envisioned by legendary architect John Portman, the 12-story atrium stuns, flooded with natural light and threaded with contemporary works by local and regional artists that reflect Singapore’s garden city identity. Statement pieces like Stephanie Scuris’ Harmony Fountain and Michio Ihara’s Singapore Shower anchor the space with timeless gravitas, while a curated collection of prints and installations by Singaporean creatives nod to the lush flora outside its walls. The 445 guest rooms take cues from refined residential living, layered with tropical accents, serene sand-and-cream palettes, and floor-to-ceiling windows framed by plantation shutters. Suites extend this sense of sanctuary, with terraces that blur indoors and out. Beyond the rooms, guests can linger in leafy alcoves by the pool, sip Cantonese tea at the Michelin-starred Summer Palace, or descend into the Golden Age glamour of Manhattan, one of the world’s most celebrated bars. 1 Cuscaden Rd, Singapore 249715
COMO UMA PARU, BHUTAN
Photo Credit: Como Uma Paro
COMO Uma Paro feels like a secret whispered by the Himalayas. Perched on a pine-covered hill with sweeping views of the Paro Valley, the retreat is a masterclass in balance: traditional Bhutanese craftsmanship — carved wood, hand-painted motifs, flickering butter lamps — paired seamlessly with COMO’s contemporary design. Its location — minutes from Bhutan’s most celebrated cultural landmarks — serves as the perfect gateway to experiences that range from a contemplative butter lamp ceremony to the legendary hike up to Taktsang Monastery (the Tiger’s Nest). Don’t miss the spa, COMO Shambhala Uma Paro, which features two private Bhutanese hot-stone bathhouses, the award-winning Bukhari restaurant, or Uma Bar for enjoying a fireside toast, Bhutanese style. Paro Valley Paro, 00000, Bhutan
THE SILO HOTEL, CAPETOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Photo Credit: The Royal Portfolio
Cape Town’s Silo Hotel is a living piece of art, a hotel where industrial heritage meets cutting-edge design. Rising above the V&A Waterfront in a transformed grain silo building, its striking pillowed-glass windows by Heatherwick Studio make the entire structure glow like a lantern over the harbor. Inside, every surface feels like a dialogue between history and modernity, from concrete bones and soaring ceilings to bold, contemporary African art that fills both private and public spaces. Design here isn’t decoration — it’s experience. This is found at the sky terrace, with its heated infinity pool that frames 360-degree views from Table Mountain to Robben Island, as well as at the Granary Café, Willaston Bar, and Silo Rooftop, which layer gastronomy into the esthetic narrative. Here is a hotel where luxury is defined by creativity. Silo Square, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
CAPE GRACE, A FAIRMONT-MANAGED HOTEL, SOUTH AFRICA
Photo Credit: Cape Grace, A Fairmont-Managed Hotel
Cape Grace has long held its place as one of Cape Town’s crown jewels, and following a sweeping nine-month transformation, the property, now managed by Fairmont, is shining brighter than ever. Perched on the city’s iconic V&A Waterfront, the hotel has been reimagined by 1508 London with interiors that weave South Africa’s story into every detail: locally sourced materials, hand-picked works by emerging and established artists, and a contemporary esthetic that mirrors Cape Town’s natural beauty. Each of the 112 rooms and suites offers uninterrupted views — whether of Table Mountain or the harbor — while the Fairmont Spa and a bold culinary program led by Wesli Jacobs offer pure indulgence. V&A Waterfront, W Quay Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
SOFITEL WINTER PALACE, LUXOR, EGYPT
Photo Credit: Sofitel WInter Palace
Sofitel Winter Palace in Luxor is an architectural jewel where French elegance meets Egyptian soul, set in a prime location just steps away from Luxor Temple, overlooking the Nile River and the Valley of Kings. Its sweeping terraces and manicured gardens create a stage where past and present intermingle; its ornate Belle Époque details, soaring ceilings, and gilded cornices set the tone for an atmosphere that is both regal and welcoming. Here, history is layered with quiet luxury: suites and guestrooms combine antique furnishings with signature modern comforts, while outlets like the Victorian Lounge, famed for its afternoon tea, or La Corniche restaurant, with its daily breakfast buffet and international cuisine, reflect both French and Egyptian artistry. Guests may also indulge in French fine dining at 1886 Restaurant. 17 Cornish El Nile St, Luxor, 11432, Egyp
IL SERENO, LAKE COMO, ITALY 
Photo Credit: Ted Gushue/Il Sereno
ll Sereno Lago di Como isn’t your typical Lake Como retreat — it’s a modernist jewel box where design and setting collide in the most spectacular way. Patricia Urquiola stripped away the faux-Renaissance nostalgia so often seen along the shoreline and instead, gave us something bold, sleek, and entirely of the moment. With just 40 suites, each opening onto a private lakefront terrace, the drama of Como is never just outside your window — it’s part of your room. Natural stone, wood, and silk are paired with clean, contemporary lines that echo both the timeless beauty of the lake and the forward-thinking edge of nearby Milan. Here, you’ll arrive in style on one of the hotel’s custom Ernesto Riva boats, linger over an afternoon in the infinity pool that seems to spill directly into the lake, or toast the sunset at the two-Michelin-starred Il Sereno al Lago, where chef Raffaele Lenzi’s seasonal menus are as artful as Urquiola’s interiors. From the Valmont spa carved into a historic boathouse to Patrick Blanc’s soaring vertical gardens, every detail has been considered and reimagined. Via Torrazza, 10, 22020 Torno CO, Italy
ROSEWOOD AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
Photo Credit: Rosewood Amsterdam
Rosewood Amsterdam, the brand’s highly anticipated debut in the Netherlands, is a masterpiece. Set within the city’s historic Palace of Justice — leaving its mark as the last hotel ever permitted in a monumental building in Amsterdam — the design is pure Dutch sophistication, with interiors by Studio Piet Boon layering historic grandeur and modern restraint. Outside, landscape architect Piet Oudolf has transformed the grounds into a living artwork, framing the canals with an almost painterly quality. Inside, every detail is deliberate, from the property’s more than one thousand artworks to the culinary program that highlights seasonality and story. At Eeuwen, chef David Ordóñez builds menus around the rhythm of nature, while its cocktail bar, Advocatuur, playfully nods to the building’s legal past. Prinsengracht 432-436, 1017 KE Amsterdam, Netherlands
REID’S PALACE, A BELMOND HOTEL, MADEIRA, PORTUGAL 
Photo Credit: Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel
Belmond Reid’s Palace is a clifftop icon that sets the standard for Madeiran glamour. With its sweeping ocean views, framed by subtropical gardens, it’s the kind of hotel that has always lured great names, including Winston Churchill and George Bernard Shaw. Here, design is a story in itself: Edwardian-inspired dining rooms glowing under Murano chandeliers, airy terraces at Villa Cipriani where handmade pasta arrives with the sound of the ocean, and manicured gardens bursting with bougainvillea, orchids, and palms. Even afternoon tea feels like theater — a signature ritual that seems like a scene out of a bygone era. Add in dinner at the Michelin-starred William Restaurant and luxurious afternoon tea in the 1891 Bar 1891 Reid’s Palace & Tea Library, and it’s easy to see why Reid’s remains Madeira’s crown jewel. Monumental 139, São Martinho, 9000-098 Funchal, Portugal
ARCTIC BATH, SWEDISH LAPLAND\
Photo Credit: Arctic Bath/Maria Brostrom
Located just south of the Arctic Circle, Arctic Bath is a floating sanctuary inspired by the region’s timber-floating era. Its striking circular main building, designed by Johan Kauppi and Bertil Harström, resembles a sculptural cluster of logs adrift on water. Inside the floating ring, you’ll find the spa, reception, lounge, and restaurant, while sleek water cabins drift nearby, linked to shore by wooden gangways. On land, minimalist Scandinavian-style cabins rise among the birch trees. The spa embraces its northern roots with saunas, an icy river plunge, and outdoor hot tubs, complemented by treatments steeped in local wellness rituals. Beyond the water, guided hikes, snowshoeing, Sámi cultural tours, and fishing expeditions are on offer. Dining is intimate and theatrical — native, northern fare has been reimagined via multi-course tasting menus. Ramdalsvägen 10, 961 78 Harads, Sweden
CHÂTEAU DE LA MESSARDIÈRE, SAINT-TROPEZ,FRANCE
Photo Credit: Renee Kemps
Perched high above the Bay of Pampelonne resides Airelles’ Saint-Tropez maison, Château de La Messardière, a 19th-century aristocratic residence that balances Provençal charm with the glamour of the Côte d’Azur. Christophe Tollemer’s interiors are a masterclass in detail thanks to clay tiles burnished by sunlight, mineral-hued lava stone, and golden wood. Each window frames a living canvas — sea, gardens, or pine forest — transforming the 86 room-and-suite château, which is set over 30 acres, into an ever-changing gallery. Beyond the interiors, there are five dazzling pools — including the Belvédère, whose 82-foot swim lane points directly at the Bay of Pampelonne. Wellness is an elevated affair in the Airelles Spa by Valmont, while dining brings in a culinary constellation courtesy of Jean-François Piège, Nobu Matsuhisa, and Cedric Grolet. 2 Rte de Tahiti, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
EXPLORA TORRES DEL PAINE, PATAGONIA, CHILE
Photo Credit: Explora Torres Del Paine
At the very heart of Torres del Paine National Park — not at its edge like so many others — sits Explora Torres del Paine, the Explora brand’s original lodge that still remains its most iconic. Gleaming white against the southern sky, the design is strikingly modern yet purposefully restrained, a frame for the granite towers, turquoise lakes, and glaciers that surround it. Each of the 49 rooms is pared back to essentials so that nature itself becomes the artwork on display, with vast windows pulling Patagonia’s drama inside. Adventure radiates in every direction here: horseback rides across wide pampas, catamaran crossings on Lake Pehoé, or hikes to Grey Glacier and the valleys of Cuernos and Francés. The lodge’s own stables, cared for by resident gauchos and supervised by a veterinarian, add authenticity to the experience. After days in the elements, Casa de Baños del Ona offers relaxation via heated pools and saunas with mountain views, while the restaurant plates flavors rooted in the region, paired with Chile’s celebrated wines. Torres del Paine National Park, Torres de Paine, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena, Chile
SB WINEMAKER’S HOUSE, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA 
Photo Credit: SB Winemaker Cottage
WALDORF ASTORIA NEW YORK
Photo Credit: Waldorf Astoria New York
The Waldorf Astoria New York has always been a legend — but with its long-awaited restoration, it feels more like a reinvention. The Park Avenue icon hasn’t just preserved its Art Deco heart, it’s elevated it, layering in modern touches that feel both glamorous and distinctly New York. Interiors by Pierre-Yves Rochon strike that elusive balance between timeless and fresh, with custom furnishings, marble-clad bathrooms, and soaring public spaces that still hum with history. Of course, design here doesn’t stop at the guest rooms. The culinary program is as transportive as the architecture itself — from chef Michael Anthony’s Lex Yard, with its brasserie-chic esthetic, to Yoshoku’s artful Japanese plates set against neoclassical murals, to a revived Peacock Alley that feels like sipping a cocktail inside New York’s own mythology. Add in the debut of the Guerlain Spa and a Grand Ballroom reimagined for a new century, and the Waldorf Astoria isn’t just reopening — it’s reminding the world why it’s the blueprint for design-forward luxury hotels everywhere. 301 Park Ave, New York, NY 10022, United States
ONE & ONLY MOONLIGHT BASIN, BIG SKY, MONTANA
Photo Credit: One&Only Moonlight Basin
In the heart of Big Sky, Montana, One&Only Moonlight Basin feels like an architectural love letter to the wilderness. Designed by Olson Kundig, every detail is shaped by its alpine setting — bold yet warm, with local stone, wood, and glass framing the drama of Lone Peak and the sweep of Montana skies. The 73 rooms, 19 freestanding cabins, and expansive private homes are cocooned in cozy textiles and anchored by floor-to-ceiling windows, fireplaces, and terraces that dissolve the line between inside and out. The design is deliberately elemental: roaring fires and daybeds piled high with wool throws, and outdoor hot tubs that offer views of snow-dusted pines. Cabins and multi-bedroom homes feel as if they’ve grown from the land itself, balancing rugged authenticity with refined luxury. Public spaces echo the same ethos — the Sky Lodge with its cinematic views, the speakeasy-style Moon Shack hidden among evergreens, and the Prohibition-style Dear Josephine Lounge shimmering in copper tones. This is mountain living reimagined with contemporary artistry, an alpine retreat where design is inseparable from the landscape it inhabits. 77 Roosevelt Rd, Big Sky, MT 59716, United States
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