When it comes to booking accommodations, there are two camps: those who believe that a hotel is just a place to crash at the end of a busy day of sightseeing, and those who view it as a destination in and of itself. Design lovers typically identify with the latter. So, instead of following the traditional order of operations, why not plan your summer holiday around a high-design hotel or home rental rather than the location? We’ve rounded up four options at the top of our list — from California to Tasmania and everywhere in between.
Kimpton Los Monteros, Spain
If your vision for Euro summer includes a visit to the Spanish Riviera, look no further than the Kimpton Los Monteros. Located on the outskirts of Marbella, along the picturesque Costa Del Sol, the hotel, newly renovated by El Equipo Creativo, feels appropriately luxe (the original Los Monteros Hotel was Spain’s first to receive a Michelin star, and has hosted aristocrats, celebrities and even royalty). Referencing the building’s 60s-era architecture, the designers put a vintage twist on local motifs to create a space that feels at home in its context.
Walking into the lobby, visitors are greeted by a rich interplay of colour and pattern that mirrors the Mediterranean locale — “the green of the landscape, the blue of the sea and sky, and the warmth of golden sunlight.” The region’s cultural heritage was another driver of the design: From the reception desk to the built-in niches in the lounge, colourful, hand-painted murals emulate the curvaceous, feminine forms of Picasso’s works (the artist was born in nearby Malaga). The lobby bar is the heart of most hotels, and the Kimpton Los Monteros is no exception. A hotspot since the hotel opened in 1962, Azul Bar has been bathed in blue, from the upholstered banquettes to the bar itself, which is clad in 3D ceramics. The nearby Jara restaurant, meanwhile, takes a more understated approach, with green tiles and lush greenery that make for a soothing and serene dining experience.
But the hotel’s outdoor spaces are truly a cut above. At the pool bar, terracotta tiles and latticework bring in a distinctly Spanish sensibility, and a wooden pergola filters light and casts playful shadows. The pool is lined with vintage-inspired furnishings in bright corals and yellows that contrast with the turquoise water. The rooftop deck takes things to the next level, comprised of stepped platforms that form distinct zones. The checkerboard deck in terracotta hues adds to the hotel’s retro vibe, complementing — but not competing with — the stunning seaside views.
Populus Hotel by Studio Gang, Colorado
Centrally situated between Denver’s civic, arts and commercial districts, the Populus Hotel makes the perfect home base for exploring the city — or an outdoor adventure. In fact, the hotel’s proximity nature served as the starting point for its design, courtesy of Studio Gang. “Denver strikes a unique balance between being a vibrant city and a gateway to some of the country’s most awe-inspiring natural landscapes,” explains founding partner Jeanne Gang. “Our goal was to draw from this distinct urban character and rich ecology to create a building that would help define the skyline of this thriving city.” The resulting building creates an instantly iconic architectural language. Its sculptural façade, made from acid-washed glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels, features vertical scallops that evoke the dark, eye-shaped patterns that develop on Colorado’s native Aspen trees as they grow, shedding their lower branches. The “lids” of each window are both a design feature and a practical solution that shades the interior spaces while also channelling rainwater.
These apertures vary in size and shape in response to the interior program. At ground level, the expansive glazing rises to 30 feet to create a welcoming face for the pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood. In the guest rooms, porthole-like windows frame views of the nearby State Capitol, Civic Center Park and the Rocky Mountains (some even feature built-in seating to create a cozy nook in which to commune with nature). Complete with on-site restaurants, event spaces, a coffee shop and a gym, there are no shortage of amenities to explore. Our recommendation: A trip up to the rooftop bar to enjoy a cocktail — with a side of panoramic skyline views.
Vipp Tunnel, Tasmania
Perhaps you’re searching for something more remote? Vipp Tunnel, the latest hospitality venture from the Danish design brand, more than fits the bill. Located on Tasmania’s Bruny Island, the guesthouse is a 20-minute ferry ride from the capital of Hobart and is completely off-the-grid (the west-facing façade is clad in solar panels, allowing the building to be entirely energy-sufficient). Daringly cantilevered over a hill and surrounded by lush wildlife, the concrete structure designed by Hobart firm Room11 sits in stark contrast to its context. True to the home’s name, its layout stretches 30 metres long, with wall-to-wall glass on either side to provide unobstructed views. “The dramatically elongated proportions of the structure respond to the landscape by purposely framing the D’Entrecasteaux Channel with a broad expanse of frameless glass,” explains architect and studio director Thomas Bailey. At one end, a terrace floats above the landscape, seeking to elicit “the sensation of being at the edge of the world.” The entire experience invites guests to slow down and reconnect with nature.
Both inside the home and out, design and art converge. Ceramic sculptures by Danish artist Lin Utzon dot the landscape, interspersed with the property’s red gum trees. But the pièces de résistance are the colourful skylights, inspired by the Aurora Australis, which utilize chromatic glazing in different hues to create an ever-changing lighting effect that reflects off the polished concrete floors and walls. “Designed to respond to seasonal transitions, the installation ensures that no two visits are ever the same,” says owner Dane Taylor. Like Vipp’s other guesthouses (now 11 in total), the home is outfitted with Vipp products that range from the new all-aluminum V3 kitchen to a swivel chair upholstered in Australian sheepskin in the auxiliary studio space. Elegantly marrying Australian and Danish design culture, Vipp Tunnel is the ultimate destination for design lovers.
DWR x Boutique Rental Home, California
If you’ve ever walked into a furniture showroom and wished you could move in (at least, temporarily), this vacation rental in Palm Desert, California is your chance. To celebrate the launch of Maharam’s Paul Smith Collection, Design Within Reach (DWR) teamed up with Boutique to deck out the historic Wave House in the new line. Even before the collaboration, the home was a design landmark in its own right. Built in 1955 as a getaway and sculpture studio for Miles C. Bates, who turned it into an artistic and social hub, the building is a paragon of mid-century design. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and opened to the public in February 2020 following a restoration by Stayner Architects.
When scouting a location for the new vacation rental, Wave House was a no-brainer. “We chose to launch the experiential aspect of the collection in the ‘Wave House’ because of the home’s original and bold design that parallels the collection,” explains DWR’s SVP and creative director Omar Nobil. “The property stands out amongst the many iconic mid-century homes in the community due to the eccentric gesture of the roof design which is set amongst the dramatic landscape of the low desert. This allows guests to be fully immersed in this unique experience.”
Indeed, DWR has curated a cohesive interior that embodies both vintage charm and modern flair. Pieces upholstered in Paul Smith’s sophisticated textiles — which riff on classic motifs like stripes, plaids and dots, playing with colour, scale and proportion — are complemented by fan favourites from DWR’s product range (including classics like the Noguchi Table and Heller’s instantly iconic Fortune Chair). And if anything catches your eye during your stay, the entire home is shoppable online. The result is a one-of-a-kind travel experience perfect for design history nerds and contemporary collectors alike.
4 Design-Forward Destinations for Your Summer Sojourn
We’ve rounded up four stunning hotels and home rentals to inspire your next getaway, no matter where you’re headed.