Eight Hotels with Exceptional Interior Design - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

A visionary transformation of a 16th-century setting in Palma by Swedish architectural firm Wingårdhs. Whether designed by an industry heavyweight or an artist as a gesamtkunstwerk, these eight hotels around the world boast visionary design languages worth knowing.

JAPAN

Situated within a former bank, renovated and designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune, K5 in Tokyo is a treasure trove of Swedish design, traditional Japanese grace, and living greenery. Cedar built-ins, dining tables, and stools produced by local craftsmen meld seamlessly with custom furniture by ADX, Time & Style, and Alloy, as well as pieces designed by Rune himself. Harkening back to the country’s architectural and design heritage, Japanese stucco gives way to ceilings painted using traditional techniques and an abundance of plants infuse every room with fresh air. 

AUSTRIA

Perched high in the village of Bad Gastein, the cōmodo strikes a perfect balance between creativity and nature. For the design team at weStudio, context was key in creating a coherent, unified interior concept that respects both the area’s history and its stunning location in the Austrian Alps. Custom-made furniture, bespoke wallpaper, natural wood flooring, and organic textiles showcase textures that reflect the landscape. Shades of rich wine and bottle-green offset original terrazzo floors, while local materials, such as oak and pine, offer a timeless aesthetic. In the lobby-lounge, a red Camaleonda sofa by Mario Bellini nods to the history of the nearby brutalist congress center, designed by Gerhard Garstenauer, where public areas were furnished with Camaledona sofas when it opened in 1974.

FRANCE

With an interior design by iconic fashion designer Maison Margiela, the entirety of La Maison Champs Élysées in Paris’s 8th arrondissement plays with visual trickery and inspiring, imaginative touches in luxurious ways. Classicism, seen most clearly in historic details of the renovated Haussmann-era building, contrast the avant-garde, expressed in features like curved headboards and entirely monochromatic rooms. Optical illusions in high-quality materials also abound, with mirrors, skeuomorphs, and trompe-l’oeil combining to bemuse guests. In one suite, the walls are painted black and parquet oak floor has been stained to match, while in The White Lounge a woolen carpet portrays a classical French ceiling. Elsewhere, a black cigar bar features dark burnt wood walls, discreet lighting, and black leather chairs.

Sited in the former France Telecom building from the 1930s in Paris’s 7th arrondissement, Le Cinq Codet boasts an architecture and interior design concept by Jean-Philippe Nuel. The renowned French designer’s Art Deco approach to modern elegance shines through here in contemporary design pieces paired with white wood, soft leather, and warm colors. Nuel and his team designed bespoke furniture in collaboration with Elisabeth Garouste, Tom Dixon, and Patricia Urquiola, while materials stand out due to seemingly contradictory pairings, such as oak and glass or leather and steel. Finding a harmony in such differences, the result is a world tinged with masculine chic and rationalist charm—augmented by original photographs and paintings by artists such as Véronique Durruty, Caroline Touzet, and Cyril Destrade-Léveillé.

SPAIN

In an historical part of Palma de Mallorca, the celebrated architecture and design firm Wingårdhs transformed a 16th-century setting into Concepció by Nobis. The surrounding Tramuntana mountains help define the hotel’s color scheme, with black ceiling beams and doors contrasting brilliantly with white walls and green-and-white custom-made Huguet tiles, which serve as a leitmotif throughout. The contemporary ceramic flooring pairs perfectly with pieces by Artek, B&B Italia, and OX Denmarq, while vintage and bespoke items crafted by Mallorcan artisans using local materials establish an undeniable connection to the island. Such contrasts create a welcoming world characterized by authenticity and sustainability, underlined by a striking Scandinavian presence. 

MONTENEGRO

Designed to give guests time to think, move, make, meet, soothe, and share, Mamula Island presents a holistic design allowing each space to resonate based on its historic characters. The diligently restored 19th-century fortress off the coast of Herceg Novi, Montenegro, was designed by Piotr Wisniewski and his agency weStudio, who found inspiration in regional cultural references and artisanal trades, including pottery and traditional carpentry techniques, as well as minimalist mid-century styles. The result is a haven that echoes the beauty of the surrounding landscape: natural, earthy tones mix in contrasting harmony with bright hues of the sky and sea; local stone and solid oak are complemented by aged brass and breathable, organic textiles. Custom geometrical furniture is paired with select lamps, chairs, and lounge pieces by Gubi, Roda, Santa&Cole, Flos, and Menu. With such a distinct design language, Mamula Island is at once sophisticated and refined yet deeply connected to the vernacular of the island and region.

MAURITIUS

Cobalt-blue skies, pink sunsets, green sugarcane fields, and the explosion of colors that coat Mauritian houses inspired the happy interiors at SALT of Palmar. The bold design for the hotel, located in the coastal town of Palmar Belle Mare, was created by artist Camille Walala. “I was blown away by the vibrant colors around the island. People paint their houses in the most amazing tones that really stand out against the emerald green of the plants and the ever-changing colors of the sky,” Camille says. “I wanted to marry these tones with my signature pop colors.” The hotel’s façade is painted peach with royal blue accents, the daybeds are a vibrant turquoise with orange piping, and even the beach towels are canary yellow. Plus, the entire range of furnishings at the hotel—from the woven chairs by the pool to the rug in the library to mosaic tables, cushions, and sunbeds—were made by Mauritian artisans. 

IVORY COAST

The first boutique hotel in Abidjan, La Maison Palmier is a leafy oasis of contemporary design with vintage panache. The interiors, overseen by Maxime Liautard, blend sophisticated lines and local artworks to create a contemporary-meets-tropical style. Guestrooms are warm and welcoming, with expansive garden-view windows, bespoke furnishings, wood paneling, terrazzo floors, textiles curated by Senegalese designer Aissa Dione, and custom carpets in rich red or green. Spacious, light-filled bathrooms are styled with cream and sage-colored tiles and elegant Art Deco-influenced mirrors. Throughout all rooms and public spaces, guests will also discover photographs and sculptures by artists from the Ivory Coast.

Image Credit: © design hotels AG