Cover Nobis Hotel Palma in Spain, a member of Design Hotels (Photo: courtesy of Design Hotels)
Nobis Hotel Palma in Spain, a member of Design Hotels (Photo: courtesy of Design Hotels)
1 / 1
From a former diamond factory in Amsterdam to a Santorini hideaway for creative minds, Design Hotels’ portfolio features some of the world’s most unique and beautiful hotels
Stamba in Tbilisi, Georgia, is a former publishing house-turned-hotel that boasts a stunning brutalist design, where a soaring five-storey-high “jungle atrium” features foliage that cascades over the old print drying beam.
In Amsterdam, the Sir Albert Hotel occupies a 19th-century diamond factory; now a 90-key hotel, it boasts a different kind of treasure: limited edition works by renowned Dutch designers such as Piet Hein Eek and Joy van Erven.
Nous on Greece’s Santorini island offers an escape from the Instagramming crowds. Instead, it’s a humble retreat similar to those of days gone by where artists, writers and poets would go to find inspiration and create. Its owner, Cypriot art collector Dakis Joannou, says his “main interest is to share ideas, engage in dialogue and offer opportunities for people to see things from a different angle”
Read more: What’s it like to go on an Arctic adventure with Panerai
Nous in Santorini, Greece (Photo: courtesy of Design Hotels)
1 / 4
These hotels are one of one; the thread that binds them is that they’re all part of Design Hotels—a portfolio of 300 independent, design-driven hotels around the world.
“My mission is to maintain the innovative edge Design Hotels is known for—continuing to push the boundaries of travel, hospitality and design to keep our hotels at the forefront of culture and, in turn, attracting purpose-led guests that appreciate experimental hospitality,” says Stijn Oyen, managing director of Design Hotels. “Our commitment to this mission is anchored by our community of innovative, visionary owners—or Originals, as we like to call them.”
These Originals are as diverse and unique as Design Hotels’ portfolio, from Yoshitaka Nojiri of Tokyo’s Trunk Hotel—who, having witnessed the heyday of Shibuya in his teens, wants “to reignite the neighbourhood’s creative embers”—to surfer sisters Claire and Valia Gontard, who opened Somewhere on Indonesia’s Lombok island with sustainability and slow living in mind.
Says Oyen, “I’m excited to continue to nurture and build this unique community of hotel owners and inspire change across the industry by facilitating new relationships across other creative verticals, such as design, art, music and beyond.”
Oyen came on board as Design Hotels’ managing director in February this year, after spending 20 years working in the hotel industry with brands including Relais & Châteaux, St Regis Hotels & Resorts, and W Hotels.
“It [was] a bit of a ‘pinch me’ moment to work for [Design Hotels],” says Oyen. Recently, the Design Hotels team met at Manna, a newly opened property located in Greece’s Peloponnese mountains—one that Design Hotels didn’t hesitate to include in its portfolio.
“It was the perfect setting for our gathering, where we hiked through the lush forests of Arcadia and reconnected with each other over a fantastic local feast,” Oyen recalls of the event, which was a far cry from the typical hotel conference. “Some of my most memorable, lifechanging experiences have taken place in a hotel—and often [they’ve centred around] an interaction with a person or group of people. It’s almost intangible, but it’s those thoughtful moments that separate good from great, which can manifest themselves through the design, interaction or way that hotel tells its story.”
My mission is to maintain the innovative edge Design Hotels is known for—continuing to push the boundaries of travel, hospitality and design
Above Stijn Oyen, managing director of Design Hotels
Stijn Oyen, managing director of Design Hotels
1 / 1
As more travellers move away from the cut-and-copy hotel model in favour of accommodation that inspires imagination and creates a sense of place, the Design Hotels group has never been more relevant or in demand.
The company also frequently hosts events where Originals and other trailblazers in creative industries can connect. In April, Design Hotels held a pop-up at Milan Design Week to share its upcoming study on neuroaesthetics—the scientific study of how contemplating art affects us at the neurological level— in collaboration with German manufacturer FSB and Dezeen, an influential architecture, interiors and design publication.
“Neuroaesthetics have been particularly interesting to explore in terms of hotel design—and how colour, lighting, spatial layouts, textures and materials can transform how a guest feels when they enter a space, and how these can be adapted by designers to achieve the desired effect,” says Oyen.
Above Manna in Greece’s Peloponnese mountains
Manna in Greece’s Peloponnese mountains
1 / 1
Hotel design isn’t only about how a property looks. It can create immersion or isolation. It can foster connection or create distance. A hotel’s design can make a guest feel comfortable enough to embrace a destination—which often leads to that magical moment whe n the destination, in turn, embraces them. In short, hotel design can absolutely define a traveller’s experience.
“There’s a new wave of mindful travellers, who are prioritising community-driven and purposeled experiences. They’re seeking meaningful interactions, value immersion in local culture and transformative experiences rooted in sustainability,” says Oyen. “This new style of purposeful, slow, awe-inspiring travel is deeply embedded in our portfolio, championed by our visionary owners who lead by example. Every member of Design Hotels embraces cultural authenticity, prioritises sustainability and encourages travellers to embrace a slower pace—deriving meaning and transformation from their experiences, ensuring each guest enjoys a unique and enriching stay.”
Coco Marett is a writer and editor who grew up between Hong Kong and Melbourne. She currently heads the travel section for Tatler Asia, and manages the Tatler Travel account on Instagram. She is known for her features on unique, under-the-radar properties and destinations. She's also known for her in-depth interviews that paint a refreshingly candid portrait of influential figures across various industries —from artists to political figures, CEOs to celebrity chefs. Follow her on Instagram @cocomarett
