7 astonishing hotels that celebrate vernacular architecture around the world

Alongside, public spaces that feature dark timbers, textured surfaces, and stone objects that exude gravitas, blue brick room numbers salvaged from historic shikumen buildings adorn the doors of the 186 guest rooms, including 94 spacious suites.

Inside, vintage Shanghai images adorn the walls amidst neutral palettes, delicate detailing, and organic patterns, as expansive windows bathe the spaces in natural light and provide stunning panoramic views of the Shanghai skyline.

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Designed by award-winning interior designer Sahar Al Yasser, the Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf in Dubai’s expansive Madinat Jumeirah resort is a sublime fusion of traditional Arabian hospitality and contemporary design.

Guests arrive via traditional abra boats, passing through majestic wooden doors into a world that blends authenticity with contemporary elegance, where sustainability also forms a core principle of the design, with thoughtful incorporations of natural fabrics, upcycled glass, and reclaimed timbers.  

Comprising nine to 11 private rooms and suites with seamless integration between the exterior and interior spaces, the reimagined collection of Arabian Houses feature a nuanced neutral palette punctuated by vibrant colour accents.

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Additionally, expansive terraces and secluded courtyards are reimagined with modern sensibilities, providing gathering spaces with multiple perspectives of the resort’s lush surroundings, to engage with local traditions, from the peaceful bukhoor burning ritual to shared moments in the communal majlis (sitting room), with multiple perspectives of the resort’s lush surroundings.

Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf guests can also indulge in access to the adventure and vibrancy that Madinat Jumeirah is renowned for. These include over 50 restaurants and bars, a private beachfront, the blissful Talise Spa steeped in holistic wellness, and a fully refurbished Kids’ Club complete with a mini-golf park–all within strolling distance or a scenic boat ride away.

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Situated at the base of Laax’s breathtaking ski slopes, one of the best ski areas in ski-rich Switzerland, Rocksresort is a striking ensemble of eleven cube-shaped buildings clad in 500 tons of 40-million-year-old quartzite stone, carefully selected to reflect the magnificent mountain landscape.

Designed by Domenig & Domenig Architekten, each building is strategically positioned, with some arranged around a central square and others nestled near the forest’s edge, ensuring that the structures do not obstruct the stunning views.

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With a thoughtful blend of modern aesthetics and natural materials, the interiors feature lighter elements that contrast with the rugged exterior, incorporating untreated gnarled oak, concrete, and design classics from Cassina. The spaces are also illuminated by extravagant gilded pendant lamps, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that feels both primitive and progressive.

Comprising 122 rooms, the Cubist property is entirely fossil fuel-free, utilising a state-of-the-art woodchip-burning heating system and incorporating innovative technologies like lift ticket-embedded room key cards.

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Located approximately five kilometres from central Ubud, Rumah Hujan–meaning “House of Rain”–embodies the essence of Balinese design and sustainable living. 

Crafted by internationally renowned Studio Jencquel, the estate spans 2,500 sqm of tropical gardens, accommodating up to 12 adults across the two three-bed-three-bath villas with private outdoor rain showers.

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Amidst the ancient trees preserved on-site, the architecture features traditional Indonesian craftsmanship, created almost entirely by hand using centuries-old techniques. 

Reclaimed wood, sourced from a riverbed in Borneo and an old bridge, forms the primary structural material, while locally harvested lava stones and indigenous artworks complete the minimalist aesthetic.

Embracing the slow, adaptive design principles, the large master suite features sliding glass walls that create a seamless connection with the surrounding nature, offering panoramic views of the Campuhan Ridge and Wos River. 

Spacious living and dining areas share the lofty open-air space with a modern kitchen, while a central pool acts as an architectural nexus, providing accessibility throughout the property.

A standout feature is the unique turtle-shaped bamboo pavilion–a collaborative creation between Ibuku and Studio Jencquel; a multi-functional space that exemplifies innovative sustainable design, serving as a yoga studio, playground, and community gathering point.

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In the ancient city district of Suzhou, the Hua Xu Boutique Hotel is profoundly embedded in the region’s Jiangnan architectural traditions, as local architect Zhang Haihua’s careful meditation on cultural memory transforms traditional spatial concepts into a contemporary hospitality experience.

Drawing inspiration from Suzhou’s unique urban landscape, particularly its intricate network of canals and narrow alleyways, the hotel maintains a traditional palette of grey and white, harmonising with the surrounding architectural context, while balancing preservation and innovation amidst its three existing residential buildings.

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The hotel’s most striking feature is its interior courtyard, a microcosm of the Taihu Lake Basin landscape. A small hill slopes towards the building, adorned with a Chinese tallow tree and seven tea trees, while local rocks nestle in moss, and a small pond with fish completes the miniature landscape.

On one side of the lobby area, the informal lounge space is slightly lowered, mimicking the perspective of viewing the city from a boat. The area functions as a modern version of a traditional Chinese central hall, incorporating Italian Cassina chairs and contemporary paintings, while a series of framed views echo spatial techniques used in original Jiangnan designs.

Furthermore, a strategically placed skylight in the atrium creates dramatic shadow play, while floor-to-ceiling glass doors in the tea room blur the boundaries between interior and exterior, as the elegant grey colour palette and wood furniture create an ambience of calm contemplation.

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Overlooking a 100-acre lake in Kolkata, the Taj Taal Kutir–designed by Studio Lotus and developed under the Ambuja Neotia-Taj partnership–represents a sophisticated reinterpretation of Kolkata’s 19th-century social club aesthetic with a contemporary twist.

Crafted by Salient Design Studio, the property’s distinctive C-shaped design creates a deliberate architectural choreography, orienting towards the surrounding lake, while encircling a central pool in the building’s premise–strategically disconnecting guests from the city’s external rhythms.

The façade pays homage to Kolkata’s Neoclassical architectural legacy, featuring a warm white exterior punctuated by elegant Juliet balconies, traditional black Bahama shutters, and iconic khorkhori windows of the Bengal region.

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Interior spaces continue this nuanced approach, embracing a monochromatic palette that speaks to understated elegance. Black-and-white terrazzo floors complement black-stained teakwood furniture, while regional crafts like Kantha embroidery and Ganjifa-inspired paintings are subtly integrated into design elements.

Public spaces further articulate this design philosophy. The speciality restaurant, with its deep red walls and Art Deco motifs, evokes the intimacy of modern jazz clubs, whereas the all-day dining area expands into a light-filled verandah overlooking the central pool.

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Nestled in the breathtaking Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, Hotel Valldemossa not only retains the original architectural massing of local buildings with traditional Mallorcan vernacular, but also its profound connection to the area’s natural and cultural essence.

A project by IT Mallorca, with interior spaces curated by designer Luis Fernández, the hotel’s design philosophy celebrates a delicate dialogue between historical preservation and modern interpretation amidst a refined yet relaxed atmosphere.

Prestigious mid-century furniture from iconic designers like Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, and Miguel Milà punctuate the suites and terrace rooms with wood-beamed ceilings and French doors that open out to the boundless scenery.

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Meanwhile, Cassina, De Padova, and Sancal contribute pieces that embody a subtle, understated luxury that respects the surrounding landscape, creating a sophisticated narrative that bridges past and present.

Selected contemporary art from Galería Alzueta adorns the piano nobile, adding layers of artistic dialogue to the architectural canvas. These include works from visionary artists like Richard Zinon, Aythamy Armas, Antonia Ferrer and Andrea Torres, whose brush strokes speak of profound meaning and emotion linked to the magnificent Mallorcan landscape.

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