Top 10 Hotels Celebrating Architecture and Design

With a focus on artistry and unique expression, the finest design hotels are a testament to the art of storytelling. Architects and interior designers collaborate to create narratives that reflect a specific time and place, with each piece of custom furniture or artwork revealing more about their tale. These hotels can take many forms—you instantly recognize a design hotel: a serene wellness retreat that blends with its desert environment; a stylish Scandinavian escape that feels like your trendy friend's urban apartment; the coolest airport hotel designed by Eero Saarinen; or a lavish Middle Eastern tower adorned with crystals and gold. As part of our Hotels We Love series showcasing the best hotels and resorts of 2023, we present 10 remarkable stays that capture the diverse and evolving design hotel landscape.

In no specific order, here are our selections for the 10 premier hotels focused on design and architecture across the globe.

1. Fogo Island Inn

Nestled at the edge of the North Atlantic on Newfoundland and Labrador’s secluded Fogo Island, Fogo Island Inn boasts a strikingly modern design by acclaimed architect Todd Saunders. Its unique silhouette evokes the shape of an iceberg from Mytour, with the elevated section reminiscent of traditional stilted fishing platforms. Up close, visitors notice the carefully layered wooden boards, all handcrafted. This artisanal spirit extends to all the furnishings, crafted by local artisans who collaborate with resident artists to create contemporary takes on traditional pieces; for example, Donna Wilson’s Berta Chair reimagines vintage barrel chairs made from unused flour barrels, while Elaine Fortin’s Punt Chair draws inspiration from boatbuilding using soft juniper timbers.

A stay at the inn is like experiencing a living artwork that pays homage to the island's heritage while looking forward to its future. All operational profits are reinvested into the inn’s sister charity, Shorefast, which bolsters the cultural and economic vitality of the local fishing community. The atmosphere feels like an expansive home, complete with attentive staff catering to every need. Guests can enjoy a private 42-seat cinema in partnership with the National Film Board, a vast movie collection, an art gallery, a well-stocked library, and even a selection of Gore-Tex hiking boots and outdoor gear for loan. The inn’s design showcases the breathtaking surroundings, making it easy to spend hours watching the sea for breaching whales, drifting icebergs, or stormy waves crashing against the rocks.

2. The Tasman, A Luxury Collection Hotel

The transformative MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) opened in 2011 in the suburbs of Hobart, rapidly establishing the Tasmanian capital as a must-visit art-world hub. However, it took ten years for the city to introduce a design hotel that matched its elevated status. Enter The Tasman, part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, which debuted in 2021. This innovative architectural marvel seamlessly connects an 1841 former hospital, a 1937 art deco structure, and a striking new glass annex that extends toward the harbor. Instead of disregarding its historical context, the designers embraced each wing's heritage in the decor: features include convict-hewn sandstone and restored fireplaces in the Georgian section, blackheart sassafras timber ceilings and sleek geometric light fixtures in the deco area, and plentiful contemporary art and natural light in the modern addition.

The St. David’s Park Suite offers the perfect spot to experience this blend of history and design, especially with its exquisite Tasmanian blackwood bathtub crafted by artisan Emanuel Oppliger, known for creating custom surfboard fins. (Beauty and the Bees, a Tasmanian eco-friendly skincare brand, has also created a special Leatherwood Honey Cream Bath for the suite.) Oppliger is one of many Australian artisans showcased throughout the property, alongside works by botanical quiltmaker and illustrator Ruth de Vos and Aboriginal artist Polly Ngale.

3. TWA Hotel

When the TWA Flight Center debuted in 1962 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (then known as Idlewild), the jet age was just taking off. This spirit of optimistic futurism was perfectly captured by Eero Saarinen’s sweeping design, the Finnish-American architect famous for the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Nearly two decades after the terminal closed in 2001, this iconic landmark reopened as JFK’s first hotel on the airport premises, featuring 512 guest rooms adorned with mid-century modern furniture, tambour walls, and walnut martini bars crafted by a family business from Ohio’s Amish Country.

Even if you don’t stay overnight, there are numerous ways to appreciate this architectural gem. Visit The Sunken Lounge, meticulously restored by New York–based architecture firm Beyer Blinder Belle to its original 1962 design, featuring a signature chili-pepper-red carpet and a cocktail menu that includes the Royal Ambassador, once served to TWA passengers in gold-flecked glasses. The Connie Cocktail Lounge occupies a beautifully restored 1958 Lockheed Constellation L-1649A airplane parked outside, with every detail considered, including eight vintage airplane seats reupholstered in a retro pink-and-orange plaid. Even the cockpit has been refurbished, complete with a hula girl figurine on the dashboard. The hotel’s highlight might be the rooftop infinity pool, overlooking the runway, inspired by the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on the French Riviera. Non-guests can purchase passes to enjoy the view of departing jets while swimming in heated water at 95º Fahrenheit during winter months.

4. The Siam

There’s no place in Bangkok quite like the Siam Hotel. Owned and operated by Thai rock star Kamala Sukusol and her son Krissada, this boutique hotel features midcentury timber buildings created by the famed silk magnate Jim Thompson, alongside modern structures designed by renowned architect Bill Bensley, emphasizing harmony and comfort. However, what truly sets The Siam apart is its unique design. It boasts a 1920s jazz ambiance infused with Asian colonial elements, channeling the opulence of King Rama V’s era from 1868 to 1910; the result is a captivating blend of natural light, antiques, potted plants, and a sophisticated black-and-white palette.

Throughout the hotel, guests will discover an eclectic assortment of design pieces and art objects, featuring imported Italian bathtubs, mounted taxidermy, whimsical tiger-shaped chairs, and a stunning bar installation adorned with vintage brass instruments. While the river views lack notable temples or landmarks, they provide a serene backdrop for watching boats drift by, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere. The service is both personalized and impeccably professional, as one would anticipate from such an esteemed establishment. In essence, this is as close as one can get to a resort experience in Bangkok, making it one of the most stylish options for accommodation.

5. Jack’s Camp

The father-son duo behind Jack’s Camp was scouting for a retreat site over Botswana when their plane crashed. To pay tribute to his father, who perished in the accident, Ralph Bousfield established this luxury tented camp in 1993, naming it after the legend of sDinogoi, a crocodile hunter turned conservationist. Nestled on the edge of the stunning Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, this camp remains one of the most exclusive in the nation, and it’s easy to understand why.

During the pandemic, Natural Selection seized the opportunity to entirely reimagine and reconstruct the cherished camp, introducing nine ultra-luxurious tents that blend a 1940s campaign aesthetic with a commitment to eco-friendliness; for example, the camp is now powered by solar energy, and tent poles are sourced from trees felled by elephants and collected by local communities. Enveloped by Mokolwane palms, each tent features its own plunge pool and bursts with a colorful array of global influences, including Persian and North African rugs, crushed velvet and brass accents, rich mahogany furniture, and Mamluk-style lanterns once found in mosques. When not visiting habituated meerkats or exploring the bush with members of the Zu/’hoasi tribe, guests can relax in the mess tent, filled with design treasures—art from as far back as 1660, an 1820s dining table for 36, and a complete natural history museum brimming with rare and extraordinary specimens.

6. Ett Hem

Ett Hem is more than just a hotel; its name translates to “a home” in Swedish. Guests have access to the kitchen at all hours, where they can enjoy homemade cakes and healthy snacks, as well as fine wines and freshly squeezed juices. The array of bright, thoughtfully designed rooms—blending modern aesthetics with curated vintage pieces worthy of Architectural Digest—invites visitors to unwind as if in a friend’s stylish living room or library, complete with cozy chairs perfect for sipping wine and reading.

A similarly designed conservatory opens up to a hidden garden, providing a serene retreat amid the bustling city. The gourmet, farm-to-table communal dinners foster new friendships and engaging conversations. Originally established in a 1910 arts and crafts house with 12 rooms, each space feels like a personal apartment, adorned in the signature style of celebrity designer Ilse Crawford and owner Jeanette Mix. Last year, to mark its tenth anniversary, Ett Hem expanded into two adjoining townhouses, adding 10 guest rooms, three long-term residences, and a stylish gym featuring herringbone wood floors, a muted color scheme, and potted plants along the windowsills.

7. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah

A stay at the Burj Al Arab is extraordinary in every way, from its striking sail-shaped design (inspired by the spinnaker of a J-class yacht) to the astonishing height of its 590-foot atrium and extravagant interior. Designer Khuan Chew, based in London, drew deeply from Arab culture—exploring art, astronomy, and poetry—to create a lavish dreamscape. The interiors feature real gold embellishments on ceilings and columns, thousands of Swarovski crystals, and bathtubs crafted from Statuario marble, the same rare type that Michelangelo prized.

An Inside Burj Al Arab tour debuted last year, showcasing the opulent Royal Suite, adorned with gold, silk, and leopard print, complete with rotating beds. Guests enjoy access to a sprawling terrace of over 100,000 square feet, featuring freshwater and saltwater pools decorated with 10 million gold and azure mosaic tiles, where they can indulge in champagne while basking in unparalleled Dubai luxury.

8. The Brando

Nestled on the Motu Onetahi coast of Marlon Brando’s exclusive island, Tetiaroa, the Brando boasts 35 private villas and ranks among the most luxurious retreats in the South Pacific. It stands out for its impressive sustainability: the first LEED Platinum–certified resort, it operates carbon neutrally through innovations like an air-conditioning system powered by cool ocean water, on-site composting, and a desalination facility providing fresh water. Thoughtful design features local, recycled, and renewable materials, including ironwood from the invasive aito tree and lush pandanus leaves for roofing.

Collaborating with the nonprofit Tetiaroa Society, guests can engage with naturalists and researchers for snorkeling, scuba excursions, and guided nature explorations. Those interested in Polynesian culture can also try out the resort’s traditional outrigger canoe to explore nearby private islets within the same atoll. Every villa at this all-inclusive haven features its own private pool and direct beach access; the spa offers a variety of healing treatments, including the traditional Polynesian taurumi massage.

9. Tierra Atacama

Located just a short drive from San Pedro de Atacama, Tierra Atacama is part of the Tierra hotel collection, owned by the Chilean-American Purcell family, which also manages Tierra Patagonia, Tierra Chiloé, and Ski Portillo. Originally a cattle corral, the site has been transformed by Chilean landscape artist Teresa Moller, who preserved ancient algarrobo and chañar trees and restored the adobe walls.

The bedrooms feature a palette of natural colors, adorned with local elements such as ceramics that line the sills of expansive windows and llama figurines carved from volcanic rock sourced nearby. Warm animal-skin rugs and cozy alpaca throws make for inviting spaces during the cool desert nights. All rooms offer stunning views of the iconic Volcano Licancabur, with the Poniente rooms being slightly larger and boasting enhanced vistas. The hotel fosters a welcoming communal atmosphere, and guests are greeted by the head guide in the main lounge upon arrival to select from a variety of group activities each day, including visits to ancient petroglyphs, lagoons filled with flamingos, or desert geysers.

10. Amangiri

Nestled in a stunning corner of southern Utah, the 600-acre Amangiri is located in a serene valley surrounded by national parks, canyons, and mesas of the Grand Circle. The resort’s architecture and decor celebrate the natural beauty of the area—interiors feature a minimalist aesthetic, utilizing materials like white stone, concrete, Douglas fir timber, blackened steel, and polished glass. While modernist in style, these spaces evoke a sense of timelessness, with subtle references to traditional Navajo hogan structures.

The 34 accommodations range from spacious 1,150-square-foot suites with mesa or desert views to larger options with private pools, including a four-bedroom home complete with living and dining spaces and a kitchen. Each unit boasts private outdoor areas (terraces or courtyards), fireplaces, and heated floors for cooler desert evenings. The cuisine reflects the local landscape with Southwestern-inspired dishes enjoyed against the backdrop of the expansive desert. The extensive 25,000-square-foot spa offers treatments influenced by Navajo healing traditions, starting with sage smudging ceremonies. When not exploring the area on guided hikes, horseback rides, or kayaking on nearby Lake Powell, guests can relax at the cold and heated pools or practice yoga in the dedicated pavilion.

This article was contributed to by Nicola Chilton, Lyndsey Matthews, Nikki Bayley, Sandra Ramani, Kate Thorman, Jenna Scatena, Jennifer Flowers, Gabriel O’Rorke, and Margot Bigg.