Last week, we profiled five hostels around the world that are known for bringing design savvy into the realm of low-cost accommodation.
Now, we’re tossing the budget out of the window, and peering into the world of fashion designers who have translated their prowess with clothing and housewares into stylish accommodation.
Hotel Missoni, Edinburgh
The designer: Rosita Missoni
The concept: According to Rosita Missoni, the three vital elements at this hotel are the espresso machine, the Missoni bathrobes and toiletries and a large Corian seat in the walk-in rain showers.
The hotel is stylish and chic, but who knows who’s going to stay there, apart from British celebrities during Edinburgh Festival or Film Festivals in August, or extravagant shopaholics on a weekend break — Scotland is not particularly known for its fashion scene.
The style: the fashion house is known for its use of coloured prints — stripes and zig-zags and in bright colours — in its collections as well as its homeware, so expect them to run through the hotel too. Rooms are punctuated with walls of mustard, turquoise or fuchsia.
The site: www.hotelmissoni.com
Hotel du Petit Moulin, Paris
The designer: Christian Lacroix
The concept: Sadly, French designer Christian Lacroix’s fashion house went into administration earlier this year, but you can still celebrate his trademark flamboyant style at this bijou hotel in the heart of Paris. The theatrical designer transformed this pretty former 17th century bakery with a flourish of bows, acres of brightly-coloured fabrics, and his own personal collages and sketches, proving that he did actually get his hands dirty with this customization job.
The style: 18th century-inspired, with exotic murals, gilt mirrors, sumptuous soft furniture, luxurious furniture in deep jewel colours.
The site: www.paris-hotel-petitmoulin.com
The Pelican, Miami
The designer: Diesel
The concept: Italian high street jeans brand Diesel has made its mark on Miami’s lively Ocean Drive with its first hotel venture, housed in the historic Art Deco Pelican Hotel.
In true Diesel style, the hotel is casual and playful, and all 30 rooms are individually-customized by a Swedish interior designer, including a penthouse with rooftop hot tub, 50-inch flatscreen TV, huge round bed and giant fishtank.
The café terrace is a favourite for breakfast and people-watching with young, hip, fashion, music and media types.
The style: kitsch and fun flea market finds, with themes including the trashy-boudoir-style Best Whorehouse, jungle-look Me Tarzan, you Vain and ranch-inspired High Corral, OK Chaparral, each with their suggested soundtrack.
The site: www.pelicanhotel.com
Hotel Bulgari, Milan
The designer: Bulgari
The concept: This 58 room hotel designed by upscale Italian jewellery brand is one for the wealthy grown ups. The link to the jewellery is the high-end but understated styling, designed to suit the typical Bulgari client, who expects the finest of everything — from their tailored suit, to their Michelin-starred dining, and Wally yacht. They’ll be able to broker deals in the glamorous cocktail bar, chill out in the city’s only hotel garden and hire a Ferrari if they need some appropriate wheels. Bulgari also has a handsome cream-coloured resort in Bali.
The style: mature, formal and masculine, with black marble floor, contemporary art throughout and sophisticated neutral black, brown and beige tones in the rooms.
The site: www.bulgarihotels.com
Palazzo Versace
The designer: Versace
The concept: Donatella Versace was the pioneer of the fashion hotel, and launched this glitzy property in 2000. As you’d expect it’s a riot of glamour, large, over the top, with giant chandeliers, marble columns, and of course plenty of gold Versace homeware from crystal glasses to plates featuring the trademark Roman head. Right on the beach, with its own marina. Next year Versace opens their Palazzo Versace in the new Culture Village development in Dubai, UAE, with 217 rooms and suites all designed by Versace.
The style: classic Italian seaside style, with lots of marble,
The site: www.palazzoversace.com
More fashionable options
Alberta Ferretti at Carducci 76, Rimini, Italy
• A stylish 38-room hotel in a 1920 villa overlooking the beach in the village of Cattolica, near Rimini. The Italian designer puts her trademark delicate touch to an calm neutral-toned interior; www.carducci76.it.
Philip Treacy at The G Galway, Ireland
• As you’d expect from a hotel designed by a milliner best known for his extravagant designs, there’s an emphasis on opulence and glamour at this five-star Irish boutique hotel; www.theghotel.ie.
Armani at Hotel Armani, Dubai
• Armani is set to open two hotels featuring the Italian brand’s stylish Armani/Casa homeware. The hotel in Milan is scheduled to open this year, and next year Armani is set to open the doors to the 160-room Armani Hotel Dubai. The hotel is set over several floors of the Burj Dubai development, which will be the world’s tallest residential tower in the world when complete; www.armanihotels.com.
