That great weather in London is a double-edged sword is no secret. If, over halfway through June, it's simply inevitable for a summer child like me to crave uninterrupted sunshine on the beach, all it takes to regret that wish is to spend a single hot day in the city center, where polluting cars, trudging crowds, and countless restaurants make high temperatures even more extreme.

But who said London can't benefit from the joys of a summer well spent, say, for example, an invigorating swim in a pool? And mind you, we are not talking about your usual lidos.

We know what you're thinking: outdoor pools in London? Why bother? But if my warning to you that the climate is changing everywhere, including in the Big Smoke, isn't enough to convince you that you should be on the lookout for places to refresh this June, these beautiful London hotels with pools will. So grab your favorite bikini, take your flip flops for a spin — summer is here.

The Berkeley

The Berkeley, Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL

Nestled at the intersection of the affluent Belgravia, Knightsbridge and Hyde Park, The Berkeley is known for many things: timeless design, Mediterranean-infused culinary feasts, and exclusive parties, for starters. But in summer, there's no aspect of the experience at this London hotel that beats the sun-filled views of its rooftop pool. Redecorated in response to a different mood every year, the 2026 re-edition of the hotspot channels the cerulean blue magic of Capri and the Amalfi coast, with lemon trees, oven-fresh pizza, spritzes, and a fashion beach club vibe. Order your celebratory cocktail of choice, and savor the city from sunset till night. (Note from the editor: only guests are allowed to swim).

Book your stay at The Berkeley.

Jumeirah Carlton Tower

1 Cadogan Pl, London SW1X 9PY

Contrary to what you might expect of a lifestyle editor, whenever I travel, I rarely get tempted by a swim in hotel fitness and spa facilities; in fact, there is often very little I find less tempting. That's largely because most hotel pools are hidden away in the lower grounds of the property, meaning no direct light gets through, giving them a cave-like atmosphere I can happily do without. Jumeirah Carlton Tower's The Peak turns my convictions on their head: instead of being underground, the spa and its naturally lit swimming pool sit beneath a double-height glass ceiling, lined with elegant, draped poolside cabanas a few meters above Cadogan Square. It comes with more benefits than you'd expect: it's one of the largest pools in the city, perfect for both unwinding and exercising, and it's even accessible to non-guests; simply book a spa treatment, and off you... swim!

Book your stay at Jumeirah Carlton Tower.

White City House

2, Television Centre, 101 Wood Ln, London W12 7FR

If there's one lifestyle group that raises the bar for outdoor furniture and pool clubs, it's Soho House. And while picking my favorite pool from their portfolio of private members' clubs in the capital was hard, I am fairly confident White City House's is the one. Housed inside the former BBC Television Centre in west London, the whole complex has a California-cool feeling to it — an aesthetic that, in this case, was inspired by the site's rich mid-century broadcasting heritage, former design director Linda Boronkay explained. Head to the 10th floor, and it's breezy LA at its finest — potted ferns, parasols, and 60s-style floral loungers completing a Palm Springs vintage motel fantasy that feels entirely at odds with, and entirely perfect for, west London. Views stretch from Wembley to The Shard. It's members and overnight hotel guests only, but worth every hoop.

Book your stay at White City House.

art'otel London Battersea Power Station

1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ

Named Hotel of the Year 2025 by The Caterer, art'otel Battersea Power Station is the brainchild of designer Jaime Hayon, whose bold, colorful, and playful aesthetic runs through every bedroom and public space, making it feel somewhat of a hybrid between an art hotel and a design gallery. The pool is, quite literally, the cherry on top. The large infinity pool and jacuzzi sit on the 16th floor with 360° views of the Power Station's four iconic chimneys and out across the city — probably the most cinematically charged backdrop of any hotel pool in London. Cocktails and snacks come from the Iberian restaurant JOIA and its rooftop bar, making the whole thing feel less like a wellness amenity and more like a proper event. The pool is heated year-round and exclusive to hotel guests — reason enough to book.

Book your stay at art'otel.

The Savoy

Strand, London WC2R 0EZ

The Savoy's pool is one of London's best-kept secrets, requiring some determination to find. Go up a lift, along a corridor, then climb a steep flight of stairs, and you discover the spa and gym perched atop the roof of the Savoy Theatre — that altitude earns it a double-height pavilion with high windows and rooflights suspended directly over the pool. The heated atrium pool at the centre of the wellness floor is naturally lit and fitted with a jet-stream for resistance swimming, more serious and quietly architectural than most hotel pools. The surroundings are pure Savoy: restrained, classic, and somehow both grand and calm. The rooms were refreshed in 2025 by G.A Group; the pool has always felt this good.

Book your stay at The Savoy.

In the mood for... holidaying? So are we here at Livingetc. And that's why I spent an entire day gathering insights on the very best new hotel openings of 2026 — so that you can skip the browsing, get booked in, and focus on your next itinerary.

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"Berlin is creative, a bit rough around the edges, and all the more interesting for it," London-based interior designer Rachael Gowdridge tells me of the base of her newest hotel project, The Dean Berlin, which she has learned to love over repeated visits throughout its WIP months, as well as thanks to a personal connection in the capital.

"One of my best friends lives in the city," she explains. "Seeing it through her lens gave me a real feel for it beyond the obvious", the suspicion that there is more to see besides the usual itineraries.

Gowdridge, who has inaugurated The Dean Berlin earlier this spring — 81 spirited, color-drenched guest rooms, a collector-worthy lounge stacked with some of the coolest designs of the past decades, and a buzzy ground-floor eatery, Benedict — now looks at it whenever she finds herself in need of new inspiring stimuli.

It's incredibly energizing creatively," she explains. "The architecture, art scene, and independent spirit all feed into how I approach design." And no trip to it is ever complete without a pit stop at these five favorites.

1. "You Can Only Visit on a Guided Tour" — Discover Under-the-Radar Art Hubs

Alexandrinenstraße 118-121, 10969 Berlin, Germany; Reinhardtstraße 20, 10117 Berlin, Germany

My favorite art space in Berlin is König Galerie. It's set inside a former Brutalist church in Kreuzberg, which makes the whole experience quite striking — huge concrete volumes, dramatic light, and these vast exhibition spaces. The program is always strong, but it's really the building that stays with you. Another memorable address in Berlin is the Boros Collection — a private collection of contemporary art housed in a former bunker. You can only visit on a guided tour, which gives it a very intimate feel. Moving through the raw concrete spaces, with contemporary art layered into them, feels completely different to a typical gallery.

2. "The Bar at the Top Is a Highlight" — Get a Multisensory Design Experience at Fotografiska Berlin

Oranienburger Str. 54, 10117 Berlin, Germany

I'm really drawn to Fotografiska Berlin, which sits within the reworked Tacheles building. It's a good example of how Berlin approaches historic structures; nothing feels overdone. The photography is always interesting, but it's also about the atmosphere. The bar at the top is a highlight, with surprisingly calm views across the city. Here, you'll also find a restaurant and a cafe-cum-bakery.

3. "It's Got That Rare Balance of Refinement and Warmth" — Test Drive Favorite Foodie Spots

Giesebrechtstraße 3, 10629 Berlin, Germany; Fasanenstraße 40, 10719 Berlin-Bezirk Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Germany

We discovered Bottega Seppel while working on our hotel project, The Dean Berlin, in Charlottenburg. It quickly became a favourite: the interiors, atmosphere, food, and wine are all exceptional, with that rare balance of refinement and warmth. If the evening runs late, it's worth finishing with a cocktail at The Rum Trader, a tiny, legendary bar nearby that feels wonderfully frozen in time.

4. "The Selection Is Brilliant" — Expand Your Artsy Book Collection

Stadtbahnbogen 593, 10623 Berlin-Bezirk Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Germany

I love browsing the books at Bücherbogen am Savignyplatz. It sits beneath the S-Bahn arches and is one of those places you could easily miss. The selection is brilliant — architecture and design books you don't often come across elsewhere. It's the kind of shop you dip into quickly and end up staying far longer than you meant to.

5. "It Feels Almost Endless" — Take a Break From It All in the Great Outdoors

Tempelhofer Damm, 12101 Berlin, Germany

Tempelhofer Feld is unique. The former airport runway has become this huge open park where people cycle, garden, or just sit and watch the sunset. The scale is what makes it — it feels almost endless, right in the middle of the city. There's something quite freeing about it.

One (Lesser Known) Thing

What people often don't realise is how close Berlin is to nature. The city is surrounded by lakes and woodland, and it's completely normal to head out of the city for a swim or a boat day at the weekend. It gives Berlin a very different pace: you get the intensity of a metropolis, but also a real sense of escape.

Where to Stay in Berlin

The Dean Berlin

IN A SENTENCE: Berlin's newest creative hub, The Dean Berlin, brings the namesake Irish hotel group's laidback-chic sensibility to Charlottenburg with 81 individually decorated rooms wrapped in an unexpectedly cheerful palette, offering travelers a colorful, art-filled antidote to the city's brutalist edges.

DESIGN DOWNLOAD: British designer Rachael Gowdridge's vision marries acidic greens, fire red, seashell pink, mint, and chartreuse with biophilic, earthy browns, all set against patinated plaster walls, original mosaic floors, and painted period paneling.

Curated by Thom Oosterhof under the name Wanderers, sculptural finds — from a Vico Magistretti Telegono Lamp to a biomorphic IKEA piece by Eva and Peter Moritz — sit alongside Memphis-inspired veneered shelving, checkered floors, and velvety, jewel-toned seating, giving the common areas a collector's home feel.

ON THE MENU: Benedict, the hotel's all-day restaurant and café, wraps guests in chartreuse, earthy brown gradients, and pops of pink and deep green — a fittingly playful backdrop for relaxed, all-day dining.

DON'T MISS: The retro-edged bathrooms with their statement color drenching, the cocooning red vestibules that greet guests on arrival to each suite, and rooms with private balconies or outdoor areas where the mint-green accents take center stage.

Château Royal

IN A SENTENCE: Tucked between the government district and Museum Island, just steps from the Brandenburg Gate, Château Royal is the 93-room embodiment of Berlin's cosmopolitan spirit — a hotel where reinterpreted Belle Époque grandeur meets a sprawling collection of contemporary art, all wrapped in the warmth of hosts who feel more like generous, slightly eccentric friends than staff.

DESIGN DOWNLOAD: Behind the careful restoration of the 1850 and 1910 buildings is David Chipperfield Architects, while interior direction from Irina Kromayer, alongside architect Etienne Descloux and designer Katariina Minits, breathes new life into the property's storied bones.

Original details from the city's former golden ages — ornate moldings, parquet, and grand proportions — are reinterpreted rather than preserved in amber, giving every space a lived-in, collected-over-time feel. No two of the 93 rooms and suites are alike, as each was designed by a different artist, with creative direction from Celia Solf tying the eclectic whole together.

ON THE MENU: Restaurant Château Royal serves modern Mediterranean comfort food built around dishes meant to feel like old favorites, while the hotel's connections to Berlin society staples like Grill Royal and Einstein Unter den Linden put some of the city's buzziest tables within easy reach.

DON'T MISS: Site-specific works by over 100 contemporary artists, curated by co-founder Kirsten Landwehr with Krist Gruijthuijsen of the KW Institute for Contemporary Art, woven through the bar, restaurant, corridors, and every guestroom — plus the hotel's own insider guide to Berlin, packed with hidden gems handpicked by the team and their friends.

Holiday Delights

Take Berlin's edge home with you with our curated selection of buys.

Keen for a vacation but still don't know where exactly to head? Dive into our recent hot list of design-worthy new hotel openings 2026 for a worldly edit of must-know stays.

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There are people who pick their holiday destinations based on their sightseeing credentials or continental breakfast buffets. While here at Livingetc, we can appreciate the allure of historical landmarks and the temptation embodied by meticulously sliced cheese and cured ham, our set of priorities when it comes to identifying unmissable new hotel openings puts extraordinary design front and center.

As an ever-growing creative field, hotel design is a year-long affair. But if you, like us, tend to be most fascinated with impromptu getaways when temperatures rise, well, what to say? You've landed in the right place.

Selected for interior design flair and the way in which their rooms push the conversation on local craftsmanship, sense of place, and storytelling into uncharted territory, the new hotel openings for 2026 gathered in this hit list are every design aficionado's midsummer night's dream — and will no doubt make it onto the list of the world's best design hotels.

1. Zannier Île de Bendor. Île de Bendor, FR

Ile de Bendor, Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 83150 Bandol, France

If there's a place that brings the magic of summer to mind, it's the French Riviera, the undisputed hotspot to visit in France outside of Paris when temperatures suddenly start rising. And so it is only fair that this list of design-worthy new hotel openings should start with Zannier Île de Bendor, the reinvention of the 17-acre island first dreamed up in 1950 by Pastis pioneer Paul Ricard, which just relaunched last month as a 93-room-and-suite boutique hotel. Nestled on the private idyll of Bendor, this sprawling stay is a collaboration between Hardel Le Bihan Architectes, in-house style experts Zannier Design Studio, who crafted the interiors, and landscape designers Niez Studio.

The vibrancy of the property's outdoors spills inside, where three design styles guarantee a dream sojourn for travelers of all kinds. All arches and stripes, the Delos suites revive the 1960s golden age of the French Riviera. The Soukana guest bedrooms rely on earthy tones and tactile detailing to aid groundedness and relaxation, while the Madrague accommodations breathe new life into traditional fishermen's houses through punchy color, rustic furnishings, and authentic Provençal charm. That variety continues in the dining offering, which includes three eateries guided by Michelin-starred chef Lionel Lévy, four bars and lounges, and Nonna Bazaar, a multi-sensory lifestyle and restaurant concept proving resort-core is yet to pass. Soak in the playfulness of the hotel's handmade murals and artistry. Arrive by private boat. Leave reluctantly.

Book your stay at Zannier Île de Bendor.

2. The Lake Como EDITION. Canedabbia, IT

Via Regina, 41, 22011 Cadenabbia CO, Italy

Edition Hotels opened a resort along the western shores of Lake Como in March 2026, taking over a 19th-century palazzo in the lakeside town of Cadenabbia. Bathing in the group's signature champagne tones, with floor-to-ceiling windows, staggering lighting, and thriving plants bringing its spaces to life, the hotel blends historic charm with contemporary furnishings, along with a floating pool, several dining options, and a modern spa overlooking the lake. It joins Il Sereno and its recently unveiled, collector-worthy Listening Suite as the second contemporary bolthole on the famed Italian lake. Award-winning chef Mauro Colagreco leads the culinary programme. A private dock, a longevity wellness area, and the lago framing every window: this is what quiet maximalism actually looks like. The ultimate highlight? Trust Livingetc and descend to the turquoise-clad spa for an hour in paradise.

Book your stay at the Lake Como EDITION.

3. St. Clement. London, UK

180, the Thames, 12 Temple Pl, Temple, London WC2R 2NF

People have called it the best hotel view in the whole of London. The Livingetc team has fallen for its mid-century modern-cool furnishings before its official opening, which, by the way, will be in September: St. Clement might be one of the British capital's latest new entries, but the superstar team behind it sure knew how to get people talking about it from the very beginning. A new venture by former Soho House CEO Nick Jones, the pioneer of the contemporary private members' club concept, St. Clement makes a discreet retreat for traveled globetrotters interested in savoring the city at their own pace, and has begun to welcome selected 'friends' for a soft launch summer run. The quietly luxurious interiors by Eagle + Hodges pair considered pops of color with refined fabrics, textural stone, and large-scale art pieces, while the generous sizing and fully equipped kitchens and terraces give every sojourn a residential feel.

Treat yourself to Perfumer H bath amenities, enjoy a listening night thanks to the immersive sound of Bang & Olufsen wireless speaker, or make the most of all services offered on-site: from the hyper-seasonal menu of the just-launched Café Clement, helmed by River Café former head chef Danny Bohan, and Bobbi's Bar's luscious cocktails, to the offerings of eatery Lunette and the hotel's invigorating health club, both landing this autumn. While you wait for the 'canvas' to be complete, make time to explore the wider 180 Strand development, whether stopping off at the exhibitions at 180 Studios, for coffee and pastries at Corner Shop, or a stellar meal at West African-infused eatery Ikoyi. This is where one of London's best hotels and London's best collide.

Book your stay at St. Clement.

4. Amanvari. East Cape, MX

Eureka s/n esquina con Sta Maria la Ribera, 23570 East Cape, B.C.S., Mexico

Everyone who has read our Travel Trends for 2026 report knows how big a fan I am of the soothing, theatrical aesthetic of the Aman group. Opening August 1, Amanvari, the portfolio's anticipated Los Cabos debut, raises the standards in indoor-outdoor living by letting the tropical landscape define its tones, textures, and lighting. Forget the non-stop pulse of Mexico City: at just 18 private suites, or casitas, Amanvari is a true boutique stay, and one of the most intimate ones in the region. Each guesthouse here comes complete with a private pool, floor-to-ceiling windows, and uninterrupted sea views across 82 square meters. Washed in sandy shades, they are as contemporary as they feel timeless, and were conceived in sync with their surroundings. There's a spa equipped with a modern temazcal, an open-air yoga pavilion, and countless curated wellness programmes, all steps away from the waves.

Book your stay at Amanvari.

5. Soho House Tokyo. Tokyo, JP

3 Chome-8-35 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan

Japan's hook on the design-driven traveler has never been stronger — and Soho House Tokyo, the cult group's 50th House and its first in the country, is the new hotel opening that confirms what the most switched-on globetrotters already know: that Tokyo's pull goes well beyond its landscapes and culinary scene. Instead, blame its nature-conscious, beautifully pared-back approach to interiors, artisanship, and material knowledge for its rapid rise (and rise). Boasting 42 bedrooms, a rooftop, an infinity-style pool, and a wellness studio across four floors, Soho House Tokyo calls the buzzy Aoyama district its home. The interiors, dreamed up by senior designer Domhnall Nolan over five years of on-field research, reinterpret Japanese-style heritage furniture, detailing, and materials through a distinctively British lens. The goal, he told me in a recent interview, was "to blend Japanese minimalist perfectionism with Soho House's more maximal approach to color, pattern, and form." It shows.

Washi paper-clad walls and softly glowing amber-hued ambient lighting envelop visitors in a soothing, golden aura upon entering, while mid-century furniture is paired with Japanese Art Deco ceiling lamps and a vibrant collection of paintings, sculptures, and installations by 40 artists born, based, or trained in Japan. The material storytelling runs deepest in two specific choices: urushi lacquer — a dying art in Japan that Nolan encountered at the Makino Urushi workshop in rural Kyoto — which he wove throughout the property to give each space a jewel-box effect; and sakiori woven blankets and tapestries made from old kimonos, crafted with artisans from Taitō's Public Crafts platform, which are now a key focus of the guest bedrooms. Even the ceiling of the main club space on level 13 rewards those who look up: it's modeled after traditional tatami flooring, not an exact replication but a playful riff on the original materials and proportions. The building itself, designed by Tadao Ando, does the rest. Perhaps there's no need for Soho House alternatives after all.

Book your stay at Soho House Tokyo.

6. The Cooper. Charleston, South Carolina, US

176 Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States

Charleston might not necessarily be a top destination for summer 2026, but a recently completed project by Livingetc-favorite and hotel design trailblazer Alexandra Champalimaud's firm Champalimaud Design could well have you change your mind about it. Inaugurated in March 2026, The Cooper is the city's first luxury waterfront hotel on the peninsula. It boasts 191 pleasantly bright and spacious rooms and a heated infinity-edge pool overlooking the harbor. Inspired by coastal Southern homes, interiors feature a serene neutral palette, wide-plank light oak floors, and classic shiplap wall paneling. Elsewhere in the property, a 7,000-square-foot spa offers cryotherapy loungers, red-light therapy beds, and experiential showers. A private marina with a fleet of luxury vessels available for guest excursions rounds out an address that has quietly made Charleston the most interesting new hotel opening 2026 in the American South this summer.

Book your stay at The Cooper.

7. Ytri. Træna Archipelago, NO

Fløholmen 8, 8770 Træna, Helgeland Coast, Norway

A spring 2026 hotel opening, Ytri is a cinematic island retreat nestled on the Træna archipelago 37 miles off Norway's coast. Born out of a desire to invite travelers to experience "a way of life shaped by the sea and community", its naturally lit, airy spaces do just that. The work of Vardehaugen Architects with warm, minimalist interiors by Bonaparte Interiør, the architecture draws on the old fishing villages along the Norwegian coast — resilient realities shaped by necessity, color, and craftsmanship — with buildings molded by the harsh coastal climate and connected to their surroundings by nature trails formed over thousands of years.

Wrapped in pale wood and fabrics, with wide views of its surroundings, the property comprises 38 rooms and suites, a Northern Lights lounge, a wood-fired sauna at the edge of the Arctic Sea, a seafood restaurant, a yoga and wellness area, a boathouse, and its own helipad. The name comes from Old Norse, meaning "the outermost point". The next stop from here is Greenland, and at Ytri, "the silence becomes luxury". Having just returned from Copenhagen's 3daysofdesign, I can't help but think of Scandi life as a synonym of standout style, food, and hospitality, and look forward to giving Norway and a coolcation a try.

Book your stay at Ytri Island Retreat.

8. W Sardinia. Poltu Quatu, IT

SP59, 07021 Poltu Quatu OT, Italy

Tucked into Poltu Quatu ("hidden port" in the local dialect) between the glamorous Porto Cervo and the spellbinding Baia Sardinia on the island's northeast coast, W Sardinia is the kind of opening that makes you reconsider what a resort can actually be. The work of acclaimed New York studio Meyer Davis, the 157-room property was envisioned "as a curated passage through land, sea, and story". The interiors are shaped by the island's rugged topography through movement, light, and spatial discovery. Rounded forms layered in sand, stone, and sun-washed wood tones, arched, cream-painted ceilings, rattan and wooden furniture in playful, bobbin-turned silhouettes, and turquoise stone accents are woven into everything from the structure of the furniture itself to one-off ceramics, tapestries, and tabletops, each one a direct, unapologetic nod to Sardinia's coruscating sea.

Local artisan contributions take center stage in the scheme: there are ceramic vessels by Assemini-based artist Walter Usai, sourced through multidisciplinary Sardinian studio Pretziada; wave-reminiscent tapestries by Fabrizio Sanna; abstract canvases by painter Cinzia Murgia; and aerial photography of the bay by Giuseppe Chironi. Meyer Davis's most quietly brilliant move yet? Their reinterpretation of ornament as function, from golden pendant sconces that read like drop earrings to cerulean blue, silver, and brass rings embracing the base of lounge tables, the whole place glimmering like a jewelry box left in the sun in return.

Book your stay at W Sardinia.

9. Villa Colette. Cap Ferret, FR

39 Bd de la Plage, 33970 Lège-Cap-Ferret, France

Philippe Starck's latest project in Cap Ferret, "the Hamptons of France", is not what you'd expect. Villa Colette rises on a thin strip of land surrounded on either end by water, overlooking the Arcachon Bay. Enclosed by dramatic pine forests, tidal salt meadows, and windy dunes, this tranquil retreat lies over 650 kilometers away from the city. The 28-room boutique hotel was modeled after a fictional 1930s–50s French actress who, in Starck's own imagination, escapes to a coastal home in Cap Ferret as her career winds down. Her presence, imagined and richly layered, haunts the whole place: shiny crystal tableware, beautifully framed paintings, spring florals, and vividly patterned cushions, rugs, and custom-made tables by STARCK that read as animated artworks.

The palette is a romantic powder pink and pale lemon yellow, the furniture, unusually classical for a Starck project: high-backed, polished-wood, upholstered. From here, you can spend your day out on rattan-heavy terraces, tracing the movement of light as it bounces off mirrored sconces and turns golden. Part coastal French, part Cape Cod, but unmistakably Starck at its core, Villa Colette is a hotel that asks you to stop what you're doing and tune in, like an actress waiting for the next chapter of her life to begin.

Book your stay at Villa Colette.

10. Four Seasons Hotel Mykonos. Mykonos, GR

Karapetis, Mikonos 846 00, Greece

Available for stays beginning June 26, the Four Seasons Hotel Mykonos is the brand's first property on a Greek island. Expect 94 rooms, villas, and suites spread across 650,000 square feet of dramatic land running from coastal cliffs down to the beach. Designed by legendary Greek architect Nicos Valsamakis with interiors by Wimberly Interiors, the architecture pays homage to timeless Cycladic style — whitewashed walls, hidden courtyards, traditional pathways — while a spectacular infinity pool overlooks the Aegean. Positioned on the island's quieter southeastern edge rather than in the thick of its well-documented, touristic chaos: a deliberate, intelligent choice that says everything about the audience this new hotel opening 2026 is actually made for.

Book your stay at Four Seasons Hotel Mykonos.

In the Big Smoke for the summer? Check out our selection of beautiful London hotels with pools.

For more hotels to enjoy the summer sun in, our edit of the most breathtaking hotel gardens is sure to inspire.

And for more travel and design ideas, subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter, and all the latest will be delivered directly to your inbox.

Saint Paul de Vence is a place steeped in art history. Set up on an idyllic hillside just a 30-minute journey winding up out of Nice, the town holds many stories of now-legendary artists – the likes of Picasso, Chagall, and Matisse – who exchanged paintings for rooms at the now iconic hotel, La Colombe d’Or. The phrase 'if the walls could talk' comes to mind when you walk into this place, which is now an incredible chic spot open for drinks and dinner, so you can stand awestruck with a rosé in hand as you admire the original works.

The town is also home to the modern art collection at Fondation Maeght – and it still draws new artists and gallerists from across the world. It is the perfect home for Toile Blanche, a boutique art-led design hotel that, just like the town, has artwork at its core.

The Leroy Brothers, Gilles, Gregory, and Nicolas, began the hotel in 2004 as a small bed and breakfast, and transformed a 1890s farmhouse into a family-run business. But before becoming hoteliers, they were (and still very much are) artists, working together on contemporary pieces that can be found throughout the hotel.

Since its humble beginnings, Toile Blanche has grown to 22 suites, dotted around the beautiful and sprawling grounds, in a mix of both new buildings and older properties that the brothers have acquired over the years.

Each suite has a unique feel and personal touch, everyone has its own entrance and outside space, and some come with private pools. No two rooms are the same, but all the interiors have the same thread of warmth, the perfect balance of minimalism, while still being inviting.

Pinkish clay tones and terracottas mix with linen, wood, and rattan to create beautiful layers, reflective of the Mediterranean location. There are plenty of artworks in the rooms too — work by the brothers themselves, and pieces carefully selected for the style of the suits.

And the artwork goes beyond just being hung in the rooms. There is also an on-site gallery: Toile Blanche Contemporary. The collection is a mix of artists, and changes regularly. This summer, the hotel has a busy art programme made up of four exhibitions from artists from all over the world — Holly Hendry, Kris, Dewitte, Tom Barman, and John Franzen.

The grounds of the hotel itself are also like an open gallery, a sculpture park for modern art from both local and global artists. But blink, and you might miss them, as the pieces are nestled among the lavender or disguised in the olive trees. This is a place that effortlessly blends modern art and luxury design.

If you are spending the day lounging around the many pools, stop to have a memorable lunch at La Guinguette, which has a beautiful seasonal menu of small plates to be enjoyed under the shade of the burnt orange sun umbrellas. Dinner is a slightly more formal affair at Le Restaurant, where the decor is moodier and more intimate, with the owners’ artwork lining the walls. For breakfast, which is included in the room's price, you pick the spot — on the terrace, by the pool, or in your bed. The menu is fresh, and the options are plentiful.

Toile Blanche may now be a luxury spot, but it hasn't lost its original roots. Artwork is still celebrated, and there's still an intimate family feel to the hotel. You'll likely spot one of the brothers on site, ready to talk art, food, family, and design.

Room rates start at €200 and include breakfast.

We live in an age of infinite connection and profound loneliness, where screens are omnipresent, while presence is rarely felt. The paradox of our time is that the more plugged in we are, the more cut off we feel — from each other, from our surroundings, from ourselves, and from those who create what we like to collect.

Design, at its best, has always been the antidote to that. And 3daysofdesign, one of the best design festivals in the world, exists precisely for this reason: to bring people back into the room, and get them to engage with the state of craftsmanship, innovation, and creativity as they stand today.

This year's theme, Make This Moment Matter, arrives like a rallying cry for designers and design lovers alike to slow down, look up, and choose meaning over noise. From June 10 to June 12, Copenhagen will again become a living reminder that the things we surround ourselves with tell a story — a vision that's become a motto here at Livingetc.

These are the highlights, the moments, the makers, and the ideas that we expect to linger long after the doors closed; the showcases set to be on everyone's mind for weeks and weeks after the event has come to an end. Because that's what the best design does — it stays with you, and gives you a reason to stay present.

3dayofdesign 2026 Highlights — 5 of the Best Things to See in Copenhagen June 10-12

Get to 'The Heart of Living' With Tekla's Exploration of Patchwork Quilt

When & Where: Kongens Nytorv 1, 1st Floor, Assembly Hall (Festsalen), 1050 Copenhagen K. June 10-12, 10AM-6PM

Tekla returns to Charlottenborg — the former palace-turned-art-institution in the heart of Copenhagen that proved such a fitting backdrop for the brand last year — with The Heart of Living, an exhibition that turns its attention to the tradition and craft of the patchwork quilt.

Displayed in cabin beds, the enclosed wooden sleeping structures used across Sweden until the 19th century, the pieces draw on colours from Tekla's own archive and reference the quiet rigour of 20th-century Swedish design, shown alongside the brand's heirloom-inspired broderie anglaise collection in a pairing that feels as considered as everything the Copenhagen label does. It is, in miniature, a neat encapsulation of what Tekla has always been about: the idea that the objects we sleep under, wrap ourselves in, and reach for day after day are worthy of the same seriousness of intent as any work of high design — made to be lived in, and made to last. The exhibition design is supported by Mentze Ottenstein.

Learn more about Tekla.

Celebrate One of the Greatest Design Icons With Louis Poulsen

Where & When: Kuglegårdsvej 19-23, 1434 Copenhagen. Pop-up café open June 10-12, 10AM-5PM

One hundred years since Poul Henningsen first presented his System PH to the world, Louis Poulsen is marking the occasion in characteristically considered style. Their 3daysofdesign programme is just as iconic as that design: the centerpiece is Into the Shades, a large-scale installation by Copenhagen design-build studio Penny that interprets the PH's legendary layered shade construction through fabric and wood, the gentle movement of the textile echoing both the lamp's soft, diffused illumination and — in a quietly poetic touch — Henningsen's lifelong passion for kites.

Talks run throughout the festival, including an intimate session with Mads Wille, the great-grandson of PH himself, who promises to reveal the man behind the myth: his views on light, liberalism and society, with stories shared publicly for the very first time. Then there is the collaboration that nobody saw coming but everyone will be talking about: the renowned Copenhagen patisserie La Glace taking up residence in Louis Poulsen's Kuglegården courtyard, transforming the brand's Hut into a pop-up café serving their world-famous assortment alongside a Louis Poulsen special edition made exclusively for the festival. As CMO Zorayda Perez Pedersen puts it, the week brings together design heritage, cultural relevance and bold innovation in one place. Plus, baked goods. I mean, what else could you ask for?

Learn more about Louis Poulsen.

Feel at Home With Fredericia: A Chronicle of Danish Design

Where & When: Fredericia Showroom, Løvstræde 1, 5th floor, Copenhagen. Exhibition open June 10-12, 9AM-6PM. Trisse Bar, June 10, 5-7PM. Thursday Bar, June 11, 6-9PM

Few furniture houses can marshal over a century of making into a coherent, emotionally resonant narrative — but Fredericia, it seems, can. The Danish brand arrives at this year's 3daysofdesign with A Chronicle of Danish Design, an exhibition that debuted in Milan Design Week 2026 before landing at the brand's Copenhagen showroom on Løvstræde. It does exactly what its title promises, tracing a continuous thread from the company's earliest works to its most contemporary, through archival material, material studies, and a cast of collaborators that reads like a who's-who of the Nordic canon — Børge Mogensen, Nanna Ditzel, Mogens Koch, Cecilie Manz, Barber Osgerby.

It is the kind of show that rewards slow looking, the sort where a joinery detail or a particular choice of timber begins to feel less like a design decision and more like a family trait, passed quietly down the generations. Those looking for a reason to linger will find two: a Trisse Bar on the 10th, and a Thursday Bar on the 11th — the former marking the relaunch of Nanna Ditzel's Trisse collection, with Fredericia extending an open invitation for "drinks, conversation, and an evening shared with friends of Fredericia celebrating craftsmanship and community." Consider this yours.

Learn more about Fredericia.

Meet the Man Behind the Artist at St. Leo's ¿Jaime, What Are You Doing?

When & Where: St. Leo, Trelleborggade 5, 2150 Nordhavn, Copenhagen. June 10-12, 10AM-6PM

There are exhibitions you admire because they show you new ways into art and creativity, and there are exhibitions you love for their emotional resonance. I suspect ¿Jaime, What Are You Doing? — staged at St. Leo's Nordhavn headquarters across 3daysofdesign — to feel like the latter. Conceived by the celebrated Spanish artist and designer Jaime Hayon as a tribute to his late mother, Raquel Benchimol, the show takes its title from a question she asked him throughout his life: simple, direct, and full of care. That gesture of maternal curiosity becomes the show's emotional spine, with sculptures, furniture, and artworks in glass, ceramic, marble, and bronze selected not for their formal qualities alone, but for their sentimental significance — each accompanied by personal anecdotes handwritten directly onto the plinths. It is, in other words, a show about what we carry: the optimism, the sensitivity, the restless imaginative drive that a mother transmits and that never quite leaves you. St. Leo — the Copenhagen interiors company whose mineral-rich wall finishes and plasters, inspired by the shifting of light and the subtle rhythms of daily life, provide a fittingly tactile and intimate backdrop — will keep its gallery, café, and atelier open to the public throughout the festival week.

Learn more about St. Leo.

Discover Some of Norway's Most Exciting New Makers in Volum 01

Where & When: Other Circle, Vermundsgade 40, 2100 Copenhagen. June 10-13

Timed to coincide with 3daysofdesign, Norwegian platform Volum returns to Copenhagen this June for its second edition, and, if the debut showing last year was anything to go by, it will be well worth seeking out. Volum 01, curated once again by the Norwegian-Italian studio Kråkvik & D'Orazio, takes as its subject the '(extra)ordinary': a meditation on the designed objects that populate our daily lives so thoroughly they risk slipping into invisibility — chairs, lamps, kitchen utensils, bowls — the exhibition asks, with quiet urgency, what it truly means for something to be ordinary today.

Across 14 pieces by some of Norway's most compelling makers, the selection champions material honesty and purposeful craft, from Anna Maria Øfstedal Eng's sculptural tin serving utensils and Tale Berger Hølmebakk's pared-back floor lamp in cast iron, Oregon pine and washi paper, to Nicholas Michalov's genuinely remarkable 'Decay Design' stool — 3D-printed in a bacteria-produced, biodegradable material that slowly decomposes over time, migrating from designed object to something altogether more elemental. For collectors and design enthusiasts alike, it's a persuasive argument that the objects most worthy of attention are not always the showiest, but those that earn their place through years of daily, devotional use. A show for both the eye and the heart.

Learn more about Volum 01.

Where to Stay in Copenhagen — A 3daysofdesign Holiday Home Special

It's not every day that one gets to stay in one of the best hotels in Copenhagen, so when you do get the chance, you might as well savor it till it lasts. Our curation of spiritedly furnished stays, first released on the occasion of last year's 3daysofdesign, has stood the test of time, and still gathers ten of the most exciting city boltholes for a design-conscious Danish escape — including Scandinavian furniture house Vipp's charming guesthouses, the soothing, golden-lit NH Copenhagen Grand Joanne, and the quirky Hotel Bella Grande.

Still, we hear there is a new icon in the capital, with communal areas crafted by prolific London-based studio A-nrd, the duo behind cult Big Smoke establishments including Fonda, Bar Lina, and Canal.

Sitting within Postbyen, Copenhagen's former postal district, currently in the throes of an energetic regeneration, Locke's first Scandinavian outpost called on A-nrd to transform the ground floor into a sequence of social spaces shaped by materials and everyday usability. The brief was a significant one: a vast, monolithic shell of exposed concrete, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and expansive terrazzo that the London studio had to coax into life — and their first hospitality project on the continent, to boot.

Rather than aiming to match the architecture's considerable scale, A-nrd's strategy strived to soften it through crafted furniture, layered zoning, and an earthy palette informed by Copenhagen's architectural landscape. Three core tenets guided the approach: formal clarity, a connection to nature, and a sense of home — with dusty pinks, moss greens, and tranquil blue-grey shades meeting refined lime surfaces and warm oak accents throughout.

The results are quietly assured. A peach-toned stone bar with a live-edge oak countertop pushes back against the exposed steel and concrete, while crescent-shaped banquettes form a sculptural centrepiece beneath softly diffused pendant lighting of A-nrd's own design. The café, meanwhile, pays homage to the understated mastery of Hans Wegner and Børge Mogensen — oak, stone, and cognac-hued leather evoking the timeless ease of a great neighborhood bakery.

As for the bedrooms, envisioned by Grzywinski+Pons, they come bathing in sunshine, blending artisanal warmth and functional simplicity, and wrapped in oak, bright concrete features, and sage green textiles for a comfortably stylish sojourn.

Book your stay at Locke Copenhagen.

Where to Eat in Copenhagen — A 3daysofdesign Guide to the Chicest Foodie Hangouts

Copenhagen's culinary flair precedes it, and it's only right to think of food and drinks as a complementary aspect of your 3daysofdesign itinerary.

To help you distinguish between worthwhile establishments and tourist traps, I have turned to my local intel in the Danish capital and asked them to identify trusted restaurants and bars where aesthetics, standout cocktails and meals, and great vibes are always on offer.

From modern rustic coves serving up the finest seasonal ingredients to tucked-away Asian-infused eateries taking Japan's painstakingly precise gastronomy to Mariehamngade, our edit of the best restaurants in Copenhagen is for those who care as much about the menu as they do about inspiring, out-of-the-box expressions of style.

Use it wisely, get snacking, and see how Scandinavian design is finding a new, bolder edge among the dining tables and outdoor terraces of the city's hottest reservations

As the global capital of organic wine, Copenhagen knows a thing or two about getting drinks just right, and that's one more of the pleasures you should indulge in during 3daysofdesign.

From the hippest breweries in town to the chicest addresses for people watching and a good glas af vin, our 3daysofdesign 2026 Map reunites Copenhagen's finest in one, easily navigable dashboard — whether you're looking to party or carry on exploring.

Save it on your smartphone for a seamless festival experience, or pin it on your mobile for a later Copenhagen visit. Oh, and don't forget to share it with friends.

4. Livingetc 3daysofdesign 2026 Map

Make the city your own with our all-in-one guide to Copenhagen's coolest festival, 3daysofdesign, or revisit our highlights from last year's edition with our deep dive into 3daysofdesign 2025, including three big thoughts that kept interiors editor Emma Breislin up at night after visiting the event last year.

Looking for holiday destinations that can help your mind switch off while cultivating your sense of style? Take time to digest our travel trends 2026 report for insights on the countries driving the conversation in hospitality, art, and decor.

Want to know how the festival actually went? Read our best of 3daysofdesign 2026 piece for fresh takes and insights.

Gardens aren't necessarily the first amenity one thinks of when booking a sojourn. But as the ongoing heatwave causes most of Europe to cope with unusually high temperatures, we expect the appeal of these leafy lungs to grow in demand in the coming months.

People reserving a suite in any of the traditionally sought-after summer destinations will want to keep an eye out for cool-ing patches of greenery this year. Luckily for us all, some of the world's most beautiful gardens are tucked inside just as spectacular hotels, from Italy and France to Morocco, South Africa, and the US.

They might not be real 'coolcations', but each of the seven design hotel gardens listed below captures the beauty that lies in immersing ourselves in nature — and more. Crafted by award-winning landscape designers into botanical heavens, spiraling mazes, and lush pathways, they both anticipate and complete what awaits visitors within.

La Mamounia. Marrakesh, MO

Avenue Bab Jdid, Marrakesh

That the world-famous gardens of La Mamounia were erected in the 18th century, decades before the site was converted into a hotel, proves that outdoor living sits at the heart of this Marrakesh gem. Spanning 18 acres, this One Thousand and One paradise was given by the Alaouite Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdallah as a wedding gift to his son, Prince Moulay Mamoun, a slice of Moroccan heritage bearing fruit to this day. Among ancient olive trees, citrus groves, rose-lined alleys, and burbling fountains, guests of the hotel are invited to discover the stay's most magical side yet. Expect Majorelle-blue accents and jewel-toned tilework in an atmosphere crafted to help you unwind, be present, and connect, thanks to a range of pop-up dinners and events. For more Marrakesh tips, revisit our spotlight on alternative design capitals.

Book your stay at La Mamounia.

Casa Newton. Pienza, IT

SC del Borghetto, Pienza

The greatest part of covering some of the world's most exciting hotel design openings is stumbling upon properties you didn't even know existed, but that feel like they have always been there. Wrapped in the rolling countryside of Tuscany's Val d'Orcia, Casa Newton is one of them. Dating from 1846 and built by namesake architect, Gervasio Newton, this working farm and guesthouse (or agriturismo) distils central Italy's charm across boldly inspiring interior design, hyper-local dining powered by its vegetable gardens and ingredients sourced from across the region, and Fabbrica Pienza, the property's on-site organic winery. Run by owner and architect Antonie Bertherat-Kioes and her husband, Philippe Bertherat, when seen from above, this 150-hectare wine and olive estate looks like a whimsical maze. Casa Newton itself has nine rooms and two garden suites, and pairs a mid-century aesthetic with stunningly choreographed exteriors and mouthwatering food served up at the stay's restaurant, Il Cervo.

Book your stay at Casa Newton.

The Newt in Somerset. Bruton, UK

Hadspen, A359, Bruton

Ask anyone for a list of the best farm getaways in the UK, and The Newt in Somerset will be in there. Known for its quirky-cool interiors and exclusive brand collaborations (see our coverage of their Burberry summer 2025 takeover, The British at Play, and Nikawi gardening tools collection), The Newt in Somerset unfolds as a marvel of intersecting orchards, gardens, and ornamental fountains for a total of 383 acres. It's as imbued with history (part of it rises above and revives remains of British-Romano settlements uncovered on-site) as it is devoted to sustainable horticulture and culinary arts. Unique sculptures and installations dot its grounds. Among them, the sinuous, snake-like Viper walkway and mesmerizing Parabola walled garden stand out: playing with texture and shape, these immersive highlights elevate gardening to an art form. In Bruton for the weekend? Complete your itinerary with a stay at Osip, another enthralling working farm and British hideaway.

Book your stay at The Newt in Somerset.

Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel. Cape Town, SA

76 Orange St, Gardens, Cape Town

South African fashion designer and all-around tastemaker Thebe Magugu recently gave Belmond's Mount Nelson Hotel two artful highlights with the launch of the Thebe Magugu Suite and House. But the craft-led interior of this beloved five-star address wouldn't be the same without the cues it borrows from its trailing exterior. Growing at the foot of Table Mountain, the property's nine-acre estate is a colorful escape from the city's hustle and bustle. Ancient trees and rolling lawns expand around two heated swimming pools, decorated with ever-so-trendy striped outdoor furniture. Also home to the hotel's legendary Afternoon Tea experience, hosted amid palm trees in the outdoor terrace, and speakeasy The Red Room, the exterior of Mount Nelson Hotel is where its integrated vision of hospitality — culture, cuisine, and sustainability — comes to fruition. (Bonus tip: waste from on-site eateries gets transformed into 'bug' tea).

Book your stay at Mount Nelson.

Hotel de Russie. Rome, IT

Via del Babuino, 9, 00187 Roma

There are hotels in Rome you dream of staying at at least once in your life, and hotels you'd want to spend your lifetime at: Hotel de Russie is part of the latter club. Hidden in plain sight in the beating heart of Rome where Piazza del Popolo, the Spanish Steps, and fashion destination Via dei Condotti intersect, this picturesque five-star hotel is a favorite of Italian-born-and-bred travelers and globetrotters alike. Part of the renowned Rocco Forte Hotels group, it's not just timelessly chic on the inside: its 19th-century, Giuseppe Valadier-designed Secret Garden is a dreamlike composition of terraced greenery, ancient trees, and shimmering fountains. Notorious past guests of this Roman institution include Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau, who, upon sleeping at the property in 1917, described it as "paradise on earth". Old cypress and citrus trees turn the courtyard into an aromatic oasis. Feeling hungry? Head to the chef Fulvio Pierangelini-helmed, panoramic Le Jardin de Russie and Stravinskij Bar for delicacies to savor in style.

Book your stay at Hotel de Russie.

Hotel Bel-Air. Los Angeles, CA, US

701 Stone Canyon Rd, Los Angeles

One of the most iconic hotels in Los Angeles, Hotel Bel-Air is mostly known as the go-to hotspot for A-listers like Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and Audrey Hepburn, as well as having served as the location of Marilyn Monroe's final Vogue magazine shoot. And while its grand Champalimaud Design-crafted interiors are well worth a mention, so are the spectacular 12-acre private gardens transforming its 1946 mid-century architecture and canyon setting into a peaceful retreat. Here, you'll find cinematic, palm tree-lined pathways wrapped in bougainvillea, ficus, and orange blossoms, on-site restaurant Wolfgang Puck, and the most charming, swan-inhabited pond, all within a short distance from the iconic Rodeo Drive.

Book your stay at Hotel Bel-Air.

Capelongue, a Beaumier Hotel. Bonnieux, Provence, FR

Les Claparèdes, 550 Chem. des Cabanes, 84480 Bonnieux

Anyone still searching for places to visit in France outside Paris for a summer holiday should have Beaumier Hotels' Capelongue in their books. Perched above the lush, hilly Claparèdes plateau, this five-star, 57-room-and-suite hotel caught my eye with its playful contemporary rustic aesthetic. Cypresses, lavender, and olive groves envelop the property, while layered, Mediterranean-style gardens sculpted into organic forms add movement to its grounds. There are pools, retro-inspired outdoor furniture, and plenty of experiences and workshops available both on-site and all around the massif of Luberon, including olive and wine tastings, scenic hikes, and intuitive painting classes held out in the property's dense vegetation.

Book your stay at Capelongue.

Get the Hotel Garden Look

After hotels with great pools in London, instead? We've got you covered, still.

For more refreshing retreats, revisit our design-driven edit of farm stays in the UK, where immersive vegetation keeps temperatures in check, or head to our full travel trends 2026 report for your latest insights into on-the-rise destinations.

Alternatively, discover the things that will make your own garden feel like the grounds of a luxury hotel.

Vibrating swathes of color left there either by accident or intention — there is something about drawings-filled walls that instantly evokes the mischievous playfulness of childhood, when creative flair needed not be contained and, before we knew it, ended up everywhere to the mixed reactions of our parents.

Unveiled last month at the Laura Gonzalez-designed hotel Casa Monti Roma, The Art Suite by artist Michael McGregor extends that irreverent energy to the layered interiors of one of its 36 guest bedrooms. And I promise you, it will change your view of sketched walls forever.

A first-of-its-kind activation for the hotel, which launched in May 2024 and grew to become one of the best hotels in Rome for lovers of layered interiors (and for its truly spectacular rooftop), The Art Suite sees McGregor reinvent its spaces into a canvas for his contagiously uplifting crayon-and-marker vignettes. The result, explains the property's team, is "a place to sleep, dream, and collect, where contemporary art meets Roman hospitality."

Inside the Art Suite at Casa Monti Roma — A Wall Drawing Fantasy

Anyone who gets to stay at Casa Monti Roma knows how much of a role the marble busts, stucco reliefs, and intricate sculptures styled throughout this bolthole play in defining the guest experience, alongside a maximalist play of contrasting tiled surfaces and fabrics.

Situated just a few minutes away from the Colosseum in the charming, liveable Rione Monti neighborhood, the 5-star luxury hotel prides itself on reinterpreting the Eternal City's storied past for the contemporary dweller with a nod to its legacy of arts patronage. A six-month artist residency collaboration, The Art Suite — nestled in suite 203 — carries that tradition forward through "a living, immersive work of art".

At Casa Monti Roma, "aesthetics, emotion, and culture shape every moment," explains the hotel team. They certainly do in The Art Suite, where McGregor — an avid globetrotter whose drawings often appear for the first time on hotel stationery during his travels, and who has called Mexico City, Los Angeles, Paris, London, and Italy home before most recently settling in Athens — lends his animated touch to anything from paper works and paintings to bespoke furniture, curtains, and ceramics.

Michael McGregor's "ROMA AMOR" and Living Artwork as the Antidote to Boring White Rooms

Now, it doesn't take more than a glance at Gonzalez's jewel box interiors for Casa Monti Roma to understand why McGregor's vivid scenes feel so naturally at home in them. But to make this partnership even more enticing is how it shows the life that colorful figurative artworks can bring into the home, particularly in the form of wall drawing. This is a diametrically opposite take to what off-white 2026 Color of the Year Cloud Dancer by Pantone suggests, or the need for a return to neutrally colored, essential walls.

McGregor's inspiration for this takeover came from an earlier stay at Casa Monti Roma, where, sketchbook in hand, he made the timeless silhouettes of landmarks like the Roman Forum and the city's terracotta palaces his own.

A drawing collection recasting the human and otherworldly protagonists of Rome's imperial past, mythology, and heritage through a bold, dynamic lens, ROMA AMOR, the limited-edition book guests of The Art Suite receive as part of their sojourn, allows them to take the vibrancy of that experience home. And it isn't the only amenity the bedroom comes complete with to let you do so.

From a limited-edition backgammon set to artist-designed tableware, custom textiles, and sculptures, everything you see in The Art Suite — yes, including the suite itself — can be purchased. It is a tempting, unexpected plot twist that, allowing people to experience living with a piece before acquiring it, explains the Casa Monti Roma team, facilitates the first encounter between collectors and their prospective collectibles. Plus, it proves that resort-core is alive and kicking.

Don't miss your chance to sleep inside a living canvas. Book your stay in The Art Suite at Casa Monti, available until October 15

Before You Go: How to Style the 'Artist Residence' Look at Home

1. If You Can't Draw It, Hang It

Not all of us can be as skilled in wall drawing as McGregor is. But don't worry: just because you won't author the murals and scenes adorning your home walls, it doesn't mean you shouldn't get a chance to get in on the fun of this artist residence-inspired look. Pick your favorite from our edit of wall art living room ideas with a Mediterranean pulse below.

2. Bring Some Unexpected Spark

No matter how good a wall drawing is, it wouldn't look so without the right kind of lighting. That's why, once you've settled on the wall art pieces you'd like to showcase in your living room or bedroom, the next step to get closer to the atmosphere of The Art Suite is finding some equally imaginative lamps and shades. Browse on.

3. Layer It All With Handpainted Textiles

If there's one thing that McGregor's activation at Casa Monti Roma successfully showed, it's that in an ingengiously designed maximalist setting where more is more, a vibrant wall drawing interior finds a life of its own when paired with similarly eccentric textiles. So bring on the fabrics!

Revisit a recent review of Nice's Hôtel du Couvent, one of McGregor's art inspirations, or refresh your travel essentials with a must-have kit for style-obsessed, serial globetrotters.

What better way to see the world than through the eyes of our favorite tastemakers? In Hidden Trails, we look at the places that feel most like home to our community of design insiders — wherever those might be — to help you uncover what their cities have in store for you.

"Lima is a city where pre-Columbian, colonial, and popular contemporary migrant cultures coexist and collide in a dense, chaotic, and deeply creative tension — a clash and celebration of diversity," RF Studio's founding creative director Rafael Freyre tells me of his hometown and artistic base.

His richly tactile exploration of craft, heritage, and the natural environment sees Freyre and his collaborators translate the region's nuanced textures and organic hues into one-off furniture pieces, abstract sculptures, and spaces that dissolve the boundary between inside and the outdoors.

A connection to Lima's ecosystems serves as the beating heart of RF Studio, along with a desire to preserve and honor them through its work. It's a relationship that started early on: the designer recalls his childhood as "deeply tied to Lima's geography" — the seaside district of Magdalena del Mar, facing the Pacific Ocean, and the desert edge.

"This environment shaped my sensitivity to material, light, and landscape, as well as to its 'hybrid' condition," Freyre explains. Just like his production, which spans art, product design, and interior architecture for restaurants and hotels, among others, Lima manifests in different forms, too, "through a mix of rural and urban cultures, street markets, migration communities, and craft traditions that continue to influence my work".

Below, Freyre shows us around the sights and workshops of artistry that make Lima one of today's most exciting rising design capitals, where a history-dense past continues to define the look, feel, and techniques of Andean style.

The Best Things to Do in Lima, Peru

Chart Lima's Manifold Cultural Layers on an Art Trail

Museo de Arte de Lima, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Lima, AMANO, Pre-Colombian Textile Museum

Both the Museo de Arte de Lima and the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Lima offer a compelling overview of Peru's artistic layers. The MALI connects pre-Columbian, colonial, and modern traditions in a single narrative, while MAC focuses on contemporary practices — installations, video, and performance. Together, they reveal the depth and continuity of Peruvian culture, from ancestral forms to experimental expressions.

The home to one of the most refined textile collections in the world, Museo AMANO reveals the skillfulness of pre-Columbian weaving — its techniques, symbols, and material intelligence. The precision and sensitivity of these pieces offer a deep understanding of Andean cultures, where textiles become language, identity, and a form of knowledge transmission. Quipus are a must-see.

See "Territory, Ecology, and Ritual" Converge at Two of the Americas' Oldest Architectural Complexes

Bandurria, Caral

Located a few hours north of Lima, these are among the oldest settlements and architectural complexes in the Americas. Bandurria sits between wetlands and the Pacific Ocean, while Caral reveals a highly sophisticated urban system. Both reflect an early understanding of territory, ecology, and ritual — architectures that feel archaic yet timeless, rooted in landscape and cosmology.

Embark on a Gastronomic Journey at Two of Lima's Coolest Food Think Tanks

Central Restaurante, Kjolle

More than restaurants, Central and Kjolle are research-driven experiences exploring Peru's ecosystems through food. Each dish reflects altitude, territory, and biodiversity, turning the meal into a narrative journey. They operate as laboratories where gastronomy, science, and culture intersect, redefining our understanding of ingredients and their connection to place.

Meet Peru's Master Artisans at Lima's Platform for Craftsmanship

Ruraq Maki

More than a shop, Ruraq Maki is a fair, a unique platform bringing together master artisans from across Peru. It's a living archive of techniques, materials, and cultural knowledge. Here, craftsmanship is presented with care and sophistication, where objects carry both artistic value and deep connections to territory and tradition.

Feel the Pulse of Peruvian Nature Along Its Wind-Swept Coast

Costa Verde, La Herradura Beach

A continuous edge between city, desert, and ocean, the Costa Verde is both landscape and memory, shaped by Pacific light and horizon. Growing up nearby, it became a space of connection with the body and nature. La Herradura is a hidden treasure — ideal for surfing and experiencing the rhythm of the sea.

One (Lesser Known) Thing to Know

Lima reveals another dimension at night. Beyond its daytime intensity, neighborhoods like the historic center and Barranco become spaces of experimentation — live music, salsa, bars, and underground art scenes. There's a raw, improvisational energy where different social worlds intersect through rhythm, movement, and shared atmosphere.

Where to Stay in Lima

We've rounded up two of the best hotels to stay in Lima if you care about interiors just as much as you're into the city's breathtaking views.

SOUMA Hotel

IN A SENTENCE An unexpected oasis of calm towering over the buzzy Malecón de Miraflores esplanade, SOUMA Hotel reinterprets Lima's raw natural beauty through considered and sophisticated spaces that let its ocean views set the atmosphere.

DESIGN DOWNLOAD Here, 214 earthily tinted rooms and suites are bathed in sunshine through generous floor-to-ceiling windows, while tactile wood and fabric details, suffused lighting, and sculptural forms add movement and character in schemes punctuated by trailing plants and curated artworks.

ON THE MENU Three worldly inspired culinary experiences are on offer at SOUMA Hotel: from the panoramic rooftop terrace restaurant 27 Tapas, where local ingredients serve as the beating heart of a Spanish-Peruvian feast made to share, and the grounding Ortega & Huamán, cooking up fresh Mediterranean meals for guests to enjoy under a leafy canopy, to Kimo, where the meticulous precision and artistry of Nikkei's cuisine meets the bold flavors of Lima in a moody-chic eatery. Head to the lobby bar for lighter fare and comforting American bites.

DON'T MISS The breathtaking views travelers will get to soak in from SOUMA Hotel’s rooftop infinity pool — a spectacle worth flying to the opposite side of the world for.

Book your room at SOUMA Hotel.

Fausto

IN A SENTENCE A characterful, beautifully restored 1920s guesthouse with only five individually crafted rooms, Fausto is the home-like alternative for travelers wanting to discover Lima at their own pace without renouncing the allure and attention to the details of a traditional hotel.

DESIGN DOWNLOAD An eclectic, modern farmhouse style imbues the address with a life of its own. Intricate textiles revive lived-in wooden floors and antique furniture, comfy beds are framed by artwork, colorful furnishings and lighting fixtures, while the fully equipped kitchen's open pantry makes for unexpected chats and a nonchalant way to start your day right.

ON THE MENU The in-house, all-day restaurant delivers Peruvian bites meant to be shared and enjoyed like you'd do in the comfort of your own living room, from freshly baked sweets and savory snacks to seasonal fruits, charcuterie bits, and refreshing drinks. While the Honesty Bar lets you linger in the pleasure of an evening well spent by granting guests access to wine, spirits, and soft drinks at your convenience.

DON'T MISS Everything the Miraflores district has to offer — from salty breeze-filled ocean views to lush greenery and cultural attractions — at your fingertips throughout your sojourn, and the leafy, tiled inner courtyard of the hideout, oozing with rustic Andean charm.

Book your room at Fausto.

Holiday Delights

Packed with color, pattern, and texture, this selection of Peru-inspired buys will bring some vibrancy into your wardrobe and home setting.

Wrote down all the coolest things to see and do in Lima but still craving for more trip inspiration? Revisit our travel trends 2026 report to discover all of this year's hottest destinations.

The confectionery-colored blush pink of The Grand Budapest Hotel is a dream-like shade that once seemed like it could only exist in cinema. For a time, the pastel world of Wes Anderson could only be experienced through a screen, watched from the comfort of a plush sofa on a slow Sunday morning. Yet that world has begun to seep beyond the frame, satisfying a wider cultural impulse, the desire not simply to observe films, but to inhabit them.

In the age of 'set-jetting', where itineraries are increasingly influenced by the silver screen, architecture, hospitality, and storytelling are becoming inseparable disciplines, as we found in our latest travel trends report. Hotels are no longer purely functional or destinations in themselves, but stories where every room feels like another chapter. Nowhere is this more elegantly executed than in the collaboration between W Hotels and the Design Museum, a partnership that reframes hospitality as an immersive cinematic sequence.

This growing fascination with inhabitable film worlds sits within a wider cultural shift toward highly aestheticized interiors and narrative-driven design: something Wes Anderson himself pioneered by letting the spaces in his movies tell the story through a distinctively Wes Anderson-esque style.

At the heart of this new initiative, titled The Director's Route by W Hotels, is the unique vision of Wes Anderson. A filmmaker whose worlds have perpetually brought together set design and interior architecture.

What began at the Design Museum with Wes Anderson: The Archives, the director's first major retrospective in London, and one of the best design exhibitions to catch in the city for a few more weeks, now spills beyond museum walls into lived experience.

Original props, costumes, and graphic artifacts are not just exhibits but thoughtfully integrated into the hotel experience, informing a trilogy of hotels across Europe at W London, W Prague, and W Budapest.

If Anderson's films are known for their satisfying symmetry, curated color palettes, and intricate details, The Director's Route translates these characteristics into an inhabitable space.

Across all three cities, storytelling becomes collectible, like a box set of Wes Anderson movies. Guests will encounter Wes-inspired suites, food and beverage, and even the menus are designed by graphic designer Annie Atkins, whose work has helped define Anderson's on-screen visual identity.

The hotels are embellished with thoughtful archival details: Library Cards to be stamped like passports for drinks and Polaroid cameras left around to encourage guests to document themselves within the cinematic story.

Unsurprisingly, in Budapest, the emulation of The Grand Budapest Hotel feels especially alive. The city's ornamental grandeur provides a natural extension of Anderson's fictional republics and meticulously constructed spaces. Ultimately, hotel design is no longer purely decorative, but a fully constructed story.

The rise of immersive hospitality reflects a broader cultural desire not just to watch films but to inhabit them, as cinema further merges with the travel industry. The Director's Route offers the chance to step into the frame, proving that real life can be composed with the same intentional beauty as cinema.

Revisit our analysis of the color scheme that made The Phoenician Scheme a must-watch for all interior enthusiasts, or take a piece of Wes Anderson's whimsy home with you with the curated edit of coffee table books and accessories gathered below.

Go Wes Anderson-esque, at Home

Somewhere between the enduring romance and charm of Sakura ("the cherry blossom season"), the natural spring-powered, immersive thermal experience of onsen, and a growing community of designers, artisans, and makers looking back to the country's storied heritage to expand its creative reach further, Japan has gained fresh appeal for globetrotters interested in sights, traditions, and artistry packed with plenty of offline authenticity.

Officially inaugurated last month, the launch of Soho House Tokyo, which marks the cult group's expansion into Japan, confirms what we at Livingetc have been saying for a long time: that the hypnotic, although bittersweet, portrayal given of the city by Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation isn't the sole thing to blame for the metropolis' growing popularity. Nor are Japan's spellbinding landscapes and culinary delights the only reasons for its rise and rise: its nature-conscious, beautifully pared-back approach to interiors, the arts, and craftsmanship more generally is what convinces creatively inclined and homeware-obsessed travelers alike to flock to its leafy villages and metropolises.

A de facto burgeoning design capital, Tokyo will likely appear on most of your most stylish friends' hot lists. Thanks to Soho House Tokyo, now they won't even think about it twice when it comes to picking where they'll be sleeping. Note down our predictions: this will become the premium example to draw from for a home environment that feels as rooted in an appreciation for the past and peaceful as it is daring, unexpected, and forward-thinking.

Enter Soho House Tokyo, Where "East Meets West" — And Past, Present, and Future Merge

Boasting 42 bedrooms, a rooftop, an infinity-style pool, and a wellness studio across four floors, and including two exclusive dining destinations, Soho House Tokyo calls the buzzy Aoyama district, near the lush Omotesando — known as the 'Champs Élysées of Tokyo' — its home. It is the 50th House of the pioneering private members' club concept to open in some of the most exciting destinations across the globe.

Dreamed up by the portfolio's in-house design team under the leadership of senior designer Domhnall Nolan, the creator of London's surreally cinematic queer clubhouse Roses of Elagabalus, the address keeps the cosmopolitan feel of all Soho House retreats at its heart by reinterpreting Japanese-style heritage furniture, detailing, and materials through a distinctively British lens.

Upon entering, guests' Japanese fantasy turns into reality: washi paper-clad walls and softly glowing, amber-hued ambient lighting instantly envelop visitors in a soothing, golden aura, while the fashion addicted among us can find joy in Soho House Tokyo's bespoke retail experience — expect a curated selection of vinyl records available to purchase, alongside a UNIQLO-powered vending machine that helps you collect the minimal-chic aesthetic widely sported by locals for when you're back in your city.

These are just a handful of the interior inclusions that make Soho House Tokyo's geography and time-traveling aesthetic tangible in its layout: finding a way to lean into Japan's rich culture and artisanal arts and craft, alongside the high-tech futurism that's synonymous with the city itself, was important for the London-founded lifestyle brand, the team explains.

The finished project raises the bar for homes and hospitality destinations that can't just settle for one — present or past, traditional or modern, minimal or maximalist — but instead fuse these contrasting worlds into an inspiring, cohesive look that embraces style beyond trends by...

1. Balancing "Japan's Minimalist Perfectionism with Soho House's Maximal Approach to Color, Pattern, and Form"

"One of the most important things when designing Soho House Tokyo was that it had to have a sensitivity and respect to Japan's longstanding visual culture," Nolan shares over email. Being Soho House Tokyo the first Soho House in Japan, "it needed to be very special," he adds.

From the get-go, Nolan knew the idea was "to blend that notable Japanese minimalist perfectionism with Soho House's more maximal approach to color, pattern, and form", three of the signature traits of the Soho Home look. British eccentricity is cautiously hinted at in the eye-catching patterned cabinetry of the lounging areas, and the tight tilework, recurring wood elements, and the vibrant palette of the stay's Asian-infused, country-chic bedrooms and suites.

Checkered fabrics and quirky vintage finds sourced from all over Europe are integrated seamlessly into the largest accommodations available on-site, bridging the club's Western roots with the Oriental sensibility of its hosting capital.

2. Bringing Material Knowledge and Craft to the Foreground

Looking around, you'll spot the mid-century furniture that's an undiscussed must of every Soho House paired with Japanese Art Deco ceiling lamps, and a vibrant collection of paintings, sculptures, and installations developed by 40 artists born, based, or trained in Japan, as well as by creatives belonging to the Japanese diaspora.

Even in the case of the artworks, though, which dot anything from the club's main F&B destinations — the House Kitchen and the House Brasserie — and bar to the lift lobby, the library, and the most unexpected nooks throughout the property, it's the tactile, organic materials that lend them a backdrop that makes each piece stand out.

Nolan stumbled upon a plethora of motifs and patterns while visiting artisan workshops across Japan in the research phase of the project, which took five years to complete, some of which he successfully wove into the final Soho House Tokyo design. I ask him to explain which feels most emblematic of the address's fusion of Western and Eastern traditions.

Japanese traditional urushi lacquer, which relies on natural resin to give surfaces a glossy, precious effect, appears to be the one: "I was lucky enough to visit Makino Urushi in rural Kyoto to see their workshop and see the possibilities of what they can do with this type of finish," the designer says, adding that, in the country, it's widely used in small tableware and jewelry items.

He made it one of the recurring features that guides guests across the different environments of Soho House Tokyo, giving each a 'jewel box' effect. "A dying art in Japan, it felt really important to showcase it to as many people in Soho House Tokyo as possible and capture the artistic potential that lies in it," Nolan explains.

They also worked with artisans from Taitō's Public Crafts, a platform dedicated to the reintroduction and preservation of heritage materials from Japan, to make Sakiori woven blankets and tapestries using old kimonos — "a storied technique that, although not typically implemented in this context, I knew I had to bring into the scheme, where it's now a key focus of the guest bedrooms". Both show how, rather than looking lived or even passé, when inserted carefully, ancestral elements can imbue your space with soul, character, and movement.

3. Using Light and Color to Make Rooms Feel "Warm, Eclectic, and Reverent"

Soho House Tokyo's genre-defying vibe takes the quirkiness and exuberance of maximalism and the peaceful essence of Japan's Wabi-sabi principles and merges them into one. While antique pieces and shimmering surfaces may be easier to spot across the club, there's one element that every hospitality design says shouldn't be overlooked in projects of this kind, along with choosing an appropriate palette: light.

"Soho House Tokyo carries the vibrancy of Soho House's signature ambient lighting (achieved, in this case, using predominantly bespoke Japanese washi paper fixtures)," Nolan explains. The ambiance is informed by the designer's extensive digging into Japanese artistry, where he found muted earthy colors, soft lighting, and handmade details to be prominent across decades.

Demonstrating how European and British vintage furniture can be juxtaposed with Japanese decor for a scheme that feels inherently daring, "Soho House Tokyo is warm, reverent, and eclectic," the designer adds.

One under-the-radar you should be on the lookout for? "The ceiling of the main club space on level 13 is modeled after Japanese traditional Tatami flooring," he reveals. "Although it's not an exact replication, it looks at the original materials and proportions and plays with them, resulting in a wonderful blend of an unconventional design detail."

Discover Soho House Tokyo.

Got the private members' club look and now want to get on with the social perks? See inside the Soho House alternatives currently redefining exclusivity and community in the British capital and beyond, beat the heatwave with our edit of design-worthy hotels with pools in London, or head to our lifestyle pages for a thought-provoking exploration of travel, leisure, and culture.

One of the most beloved destinations for high-end shopping aficionados in London, Liberty needs no real introduction. Its Tudor Revival-style hallways won't necessarily feature in your summer 2026 bucket lists, but trust me when I say that the brand's newly launched Marrakech Edit is enough of a reason to add a pit stop on Great Marlborough Street in your itineraries in the coming weeks — or, actually, as soon as you can.

To celebrate the return of the good season, Liberty, one of our favorite home decor brands, has turned its gaze to the buzzing-with-life streets of Marrakech, gathering some of the city's leading artisan workshops and Morocco-based design studios into an eye-catching curation of textiles, rugs, accessories, and ceramics.

Packed with the uplifting energy of a day spent outdoors with your loved ones, the selection introduces you to a cohort of "contemporary creatives crafting modern icons inspired by Moroccan design," the Liberty team explains. Among them are a handful of Livingetc favorites, including MORO, which appeared as a Marrakech must-see in our spotlight on rising design capitals, and the Belgian-founded LRNCE.

Informed by the northern African country's centuries-old heritage and traditions, Liberty's Marrakech Edit is your fast track to feeling the Moroccan sun, wherever you are. Crafted to last by hand, the pieces gathered in it will make a striking appearance when styled within the tablescapes of your summer soirées. So act now, as we suspect they'll sell out fast.

Ever heard of resort-core, or a growing trend that helps travelers cultivate the magic of a long-awaited holiday in their everyday life? Well, we have. And it's all about picking the right collectibles.

As temperatures rise again the closer we get to summertime, revisit our edit of design-forward fashion beach clubs for travelers looking to unwind in style. Which is your vibe?

In a travel industry that never stops, plenty of hotel openings pass, unfortunately, unobserved. But even as things wound down ahead of the bank holiday, that wasn't the case with the just-launched W Sardinia.

A marvel of contemporary craftsmanship by acclaimed New York studio Meyer Davis, this quirky, imaginative new resort calls Poltu Quatu ("hidden port" in the local dialect) — a secluded village tucked between the glamorous Porto Cervo and the spellbinding Baia Sardinia on the northeast coast of the Italian island — its home, making for an absorbing experience filled with panoramic views over the La Maddalena Archipelago and a celebrity-approved atmosphere.

Part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, the latest hotel design by Will Meyer and Gray Davis follows the success of their work on W Rome, one of the most characterful hideouts in the Italian capital, opened in 2021. If there, the duo had the Città Eterna's sumptuous palazzos and hidden-away inner courtyards to draw from, W Sardinia was envisioned "as a curated passage through land, sea, and story," they explain, adding that "the resort is shaped by the island's rugged typography, with interiors guided by movement, light, and spatial discovery."

An inventive and, in patches, charmingly fanciful take on coastal style, W Sardinia taps into the region-specific myths, traditions, and artisanry of the island to conjure up a stay that reflects its vivid storytelling and unexpected twists — starting from the way in which it brings precious stone-like detailing, jewel tones, silver, and gold back in vogue.

At W Sardinia, Poltu Quatu, Nature Manifests in Precious Stones and Jewel Tones

The coastline W Sardinia looks onto has been given its current, dramatic silhouette by crashing waves and blowing maritime winds over the centuries. The resort, which features 157 stylishly appointed guestrooms and suites, including two penthouses, seafood-led restaurant TANIT, alongside a WET Deck pool terrace, a next-generation fitness center (FIT), and an AWAY Spa, takes that texture inside.

A reference to the cyclicality and groundedness of island life, rounded forms dominate the space, "layered in a palette of sand, stone, and sun-washed wood tones," the designers explain. The ceramic vessels, stocked by local multidisciplinary studio Pretziada, are the work of Assemini-based artist Walter Usai. The waves-reminiscent tapestries are Fabrizio Sanna's, and mix seamlessly with the abstract canvases of painter Cinzia Murgia, while aerial photography by Giuseppe Chironi restitute a bird's eye view of one of Italy's most coveted natural bays.

From Glimmering Ornaments to Functional Pieces — The W Sardinia Look in Brief

A specific detail from its irreverent scheme caught our eyes: throughout the property, from its otherworldly lounge (captured above) to its eatery's breathtaking terrace and its artfully furnished bedrooms, turquoise stone accents — a direct nod to Sardinia's coruscating sea — are everywhere, whether integrated directly in the structure of the bobbin wooden furniture that recurs across the hotel, or as pops of color in the form of one-off ceramics, textiles, paintings, and tabletops, some of which were created in collaboration with native makers and artisans.

Here, the connection to local heritage is "expressed through sculptural forms, layered lighting, and a palette of sand, stone, and marine blues," the co-founders of Meyer Davis explain. "Natural pigments and locally sourced materials anchor the design, enhancing the sense of exploration and grounding the experience in the site."

The crystal-clear waters of Sardinia are, hands down, its most distinctive trait, and so it only makes sense that Meyer Davis is punctuated by glazed and reflective details that echo the look of precious jewelry. From pendant earrings-like, golden sconces oozing with a suffused warmth to the cerulean blue, silver, and brass rings embracing the base of the tables in the lounge, W Sardinia seemingly reinterprets ornaments into functional pieces — and we're well into it.

Shop a W Sardinia-Inspired Edit

...and make this summer's resurfacing look yours.

In love with W Sardinia? Browse our latest travel trends 2026 report for more design-inspired Mediterranean escapes, or revisit our deep dive into resort-core to explore how to keep the holiday feeling alive year-round.

Stuck in London for the summer? Browse your options for beautiful hotels with pools to stay cool even amid the highest temperatures.

Don't forget to hit our directory of valid Airbnb alternatives for design aficionados for trips that score high on style, and low on negative impact.

The smell of baking-in-the-sun citrus fruit filling the streets from dawn to night, shareable platters of the juiciest tomatoes you've ever got to taste, and the feeling that, even if just for a couple of days — or weeks — nothing matters more than making room to soak in your surroundings, forget about the rest, and, finally, unwind. There is something about Mediterranean holidays that hits differently, and the just-unveiled boutique hotel Villa Colette, the latest architectural design marvel by French tastemaker Philippe Starck's eponymous studio, keeps that spell-like sensation at the heart of the experience.

Located in Cap Ferret, a glamorous celebrity hideaway commonly referred to as "the Hamptons of France" in the country's South West, Villa Colette blends the rustic charm the nation is known for — which recently earned it a spot in our latest travel trends report — with the designer's irreverently bold, sleek look.

With 28 rooms and suites and uninterrupted natural views to immerse yourself in, Villa Colette allows every guest to feel like a native Cap Ferretian. Its airy accommodations, located within walking distance of the beach, are equipped with private gardens and fully decked-out, rattan-heavy terraces, portraying the indoors and the surrounding environment as "joyfully intertwined". Revived by considered splashes of color across artworks and textiles, the stay's gentle powder pink and pale lemon yellow interiors let, in quintessentially Mediterranean interior design style, the beauty of the outside shine.

Enter Villa Colette, a New Lush Retreat in Chic Cap Ferret

A true retreat, Villa Colette rises on a thin strip of land surrounded, on either end, by water, and overlooks the Arcachon Bay. It lies over 650 kilometers southwest of Paris, which makes it a hotspot worth ticking off your hot list outside of it, and looking at the dramatic pine forests, tidal salt meadows, and windy dunes enwrapping it, the city couldn't feel further away. This is a territory known for its oyster-farming communities — and its le bout du monde ("end-of-the-world") feel lends itself naturally to a summer escape.

To bring the stay to life, the designers at STARCK leaned into it. Contrary to the studio's most recent projects, including the Livingetc instant favorite that is Brach Madrid, the champagne beige-tinted, upholstered wooden furniture they picked for the terrace restaurant and in-house cocktail destination Le Bar feels unusually classical — though, undoubtedly, elegant. Their generous seat and polished wood frame look straight out of a high-end 1930s residence, but like with everything in a STARCK design, this is no coincidence.

Crafting a "Happy Nostalgia" — How Starck Envisioned the Hotel Off the Life of an Imaginary Actress

Villa Colette itself is modeled after a fictional 1930-50s French actress who, in Starck's own imagination, pursues a calmer, simpler way of life away from Paris as her career begins to wind down. She finds refuge in a coastal home in Cap Ferret, which soon becomes a living archive of her artful existence — dotted with precious finds she collected along the way and echoes of her theatrical performances.

Intentionally placed across the hotel, you'll find shiny and crystal tableware, beautifully framed pictures and paintings, spring florals, and plenty of Mediterranean-inspired decor (just take a look at the kitchen pass on the terrace), with vividly patterned cushions, rugs, and tables custom-made by SPARCK doubling up as animated artworks.

The "End-of-the-World" Feeling of an Unforgettable Holiday — At Villa Colette, Taste Goes 360-Degree

A global exploration of taste overseen by chef Benjamin Six, the kitchen at Villa Colette serves all-day delicacies inspired by the most remote corners of the world — whether you're after red shrimp curry, grilled beef fillet, or a luscious wild sole.

Part coastal design, part Cape Cod, but still 100% STARCK at its core, the F&B areas look as good in the day as they do at night, bathing in a softly glowing, golden, romantic aura. Mirrored sconces and frames refract and reflect the light throughout, mismatched prints add a touch of playfulness to the oversized banquettes, and sea life-inspired tableware makes for some colorful dinners.

You may be planning your next getaway trip or simply seeking inspiration for a Mediterranean interior design scheme that works well even miles away from the sea; it doesn't matter: Villa Colette wants you to stop what you're doing and tune into its atmosphere, like an actress waiting for the next chapter in her life to begin — one lulled by crashing waves, a slower rhythm, and the freedom to pay attention to nothing but what lies around you.

Book your stay at Villa Colette.

It may not be Cap Ferret, but the Balearic Islands are having a design moment, too, and we recently broke down the trendy aesthetic for you. Sign up for the Livingetc newsletter for more style advice on the latest sensations while they're still hot.

Seasonal decor doesn't appeal to everyone in the same way. Yet, if there's one collection that captures the invigorating freshness and vibrancy of spring visually this year, it's Anthropologie's Spring 2026 collection. Through an irreverent, maximalist blend of botanical motifs, green furniture accents, and sunshine-shaded homewares and artworks, the line welcomes the return of the good season by bringing the Philadelphia brand's spirited aesthetic back into everyday life.

But it doesn't just do that. In Anthropologie's latest hospitality design collaboration with Philly-based hotel Anna & Bel, the clothing and furniture platform has reinterpreted the Anna Suite by Anthropologie Home — the suite it first debuted at the property in April last year — incorporating a series of charming Spring 2026 buys into a nature-inspired scheme with a bright interior style.

Hosted inside one of the most beautiful design hotels in Pennsylvania, an 18th-century former women's asylum converted into a 50-room-and-suite characterful stay, the Anna Suite by Anthropologie Home takes over 950 square feet and features two bedrooms. Against a soothing beige backdrop, a tapestry of textural furnishings — from pendant lanterns and standing lamps in wood, ceramic, and rattan to soft, colorful quilts, wavy accessories, and quirky-chic serveware — evokes the sensory immersion of spring, underpinned by floral references, woody details, and stone surfaces.

The suite is located on the hotel's fourth floor, with pieces like a patterned sofa in custom Anthropologie Irena fabric and Hollis Chairs conveying the comfort of a plush private residence. Enlivened by a sense of play, the kitchen and dining area unfold around a Modella Curved Bench and a statement wooden table, in a well-executed synthesis between modern rustic charm and contemporary interiors.

Velvet, woven details, and light blue accents serve as the distinctive traits of the primary bedroom, where the natural leitmotif that runs throughout the Anna Suite by Anthropologie Home takes center stage on the wallpaper, as the queen-sized bed leans into the energizing warmth of colors like ocher.

The spring-inspired experience continues on the suite's terrace, where pastel-tinted furniture in fabric and rattan heightens the destination's subtle heritage style, thanks to selected designs from Anthropologie's sister outdoor and home brand Terrain — imagined "for slow, open-air living".

"Every detail, from the hand-selected art to the signature scent, marries our hospitality sensitivities with Anthropologie's distinct aesthetic, creating the kind of immersive experience that today's travelers crave," says Galli Arbel, director of brand at Foyer Project, of the exclusive stay, envisioned in collaboration with the hotel's owners and interior designer Sigita Stravinskaite.

A MICHELIN Key address, Anna & Bel is at the forefront of the new age of travel, where curated art collections, one-off events, and bespoke amenities make for sojourns rooted in community and creativity.

The best part yet is that, in total resort-core fashion, the full Anna Suite by Anthropologie Home is shoppable — whether via an in-room QR code or from elsewhere in the States or abroad — meaning you can now take its sunny look home. Scroll to learn more.

Shop the Anna Suite by Anthropologie Home Edit

Want to see more? Browse the full Anna Suite by Anthropologie Home collection.

The Anna Suite by Anthropologie Home experience and Spring 2026 edit is just one of the lifestyle brand's hospitality endeavors. Last year, the group's spirited furnishings graced the premises of Locke de Santa Joana in Lisbon, Portugal, within a limited-edition Locke x Anthropologie suite.

According to the latest travel trends, globetrotters are increasingly embracing stays that combine the look and ambiance of a hotel with that of a private residence, and the above Anthropologie activations are a fitting example of that.

To never miss a beat, make sure you sign up for the Livingetc newsletter, where all the latest in lifestyle, design, and stylish shopping finds for your home will be delivered straight to your inbox.

Few things lead me to question my travel essentials more than an impromptu trip to one of the world's foremost design weeks. That's because, for everyone at Livingetc, style isn't merely something we like to showcase inside our homes; it's a way of living. A 365-day philosophy that defines the way we present ourselves and like to be seen moving around the globe, including at the most anticipated design fairs.

As Milan Design Week 2026 prepares to descend onto the animated streets of the northern Italian city, with the earliest pop-up exhibitions scheduled to open this weekend already, you have only got a few days left to give your suitcase, tote bags, and accessories a fit-for-the-zeitgeist upgrade.

If you don't know where to begin, you're in luck: this is a dilemma I have had to ponder time and time again as the magazine's ultimate lifestyle and travel guru. So, before even delving into our guide to the latest edition of the Salone del Mobile-driven extravaganza, why not take some time to ensure you only stand out for the right reasons when strutting about town? Selected for their aesthetic potential and widely on sale right now, here are 12 luggage buys sure to keep you organized and at your style prime throughout the year's hottest design event — and far beyond.

Practical and Stylish Trip Accessories

Designer-Approved Suitcases

Travel Sets Worth Strolling Around

A luggage upgrade calls for some long-awaited adventures. Once you've settled on your favorite suitcase model, make sure to save some time to digest our latest travel trends 2026 report — gathering rising destinations, cultural phenomena, and hospitality news worth taking note of ahead of your next trip abroad.

What better way to see the world than through the eyes of our favorite tastemakers? In Hidden Trails, we look at the places that feel most like home to our community of design insiders — wherever those might be — to help you uncover what their cities have in store for you.

There is an ethereal quality to the work of emerging designer, artist, and artisan Steffany Trần, one that makes her deeply tactile lighting fixtures in paper, stone, and wood, and organically shaped objects, ceramics, and furniture hard to place in space and time. Crafted entirely by hand in her New York studio under the moniker Vy Voi, these fantastical creations radiate a life of their own: each of her softly shaped lamps emits a soft, golden glow that conveys instant warmth. The familiarity captured in Trần's tender designs finds, like her, its roots in Sài Gòn (also known as Hồ Chí Minh City), where her family is from.

"A city of dynamism, Sài Gòn's ability to adapt to and transform in response to the needs of its people, while embracing its principles, will charm any traveler, amidst its optimism," says the habitué of world-leading fairs and exhibitions like Milan and Paris Design Week and NYCxDesign. "My parents are both refugees from HCMC," Trần tells me. "So, despite being born and raised in California, Vietnamese was my first language. This aspect of my childhood allowed me the gift of communication with my family in Sài Gòn, and to experience the city through the lens of both a Việt Kiều (a Vietnamese person born abroad) and that of local Saigoners whenever I come back."

A curiosity for the often-overlooked beauty that lies in the mundane, and a keen interest in Vietnam's layered, natural materiality, guide her approach. And so does Sài Gòn itself: "the city feels like home to me," she explains. "An anchor to both how I want to live and how I design, every time I return, I am immersed in so much incredible craft that I leave feeling inspired — determined to tell these stories through my own practice." From her recently inaugurated, first-ever physical showroom in Manhattan's NoMad neighborhood, which doubles as both a workshop and a library, Trần shares the richness of Sài Gòn's and wider Vietnamese artistry, culture, and histories while letting the local community in.

Below, she shows us around the place that acts as a "lifelong bridge" to her ancestry, and continuously informs her designs, no matter the kilometers that set her apart from it.

What to Do in Hồ Chí Minh City

Discover Rising and Established Vietnamese Artists at Gallery Medium

240B Pasteur, Phường 6, Xuân Hòa

Gallery Medium is my favorite place for art in the city. It's a wonderful place to discover both established and emerging Vietnamese artists born in Vietnam and abroad, and features a mix of art and design works. The pieces are displayed throughout the building with tons of natural light and open courtyards, allowing you to experience pieces new and old in a contemporary multi-layered home. I highly recommend it as a destination to find talents that you may not have been on your radar.

Plan your visit to Gallery Medium.

Meet an Architectural Icon at the Independence Palace

Ben Thanh

A place I often find myself returning to is the Independence Palace. Completed in 1966, it's a well-preserved example of modernist architecture and interiors with a Vietnamese perspective. It's fascinating as both a historical time capsule and a space to draw inspiration from, with its rich lacquers, golden hues, and clean lines.

Plan your visit to the Independence Palace.

Enjoy a Vietnamese Grandma-Approved Meal at Quán Thuý 94

84 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Đa Kao, Tân Định

The first eatery that comes to mind when I think of Hồ Chí Minh City is Quán Thuý 94. I've been going here since I was a kid for miến cua ("glass noodles in light, crab-based broth") and chả giò cua ("fried egg rolls"). My grandma, who was notorious for her sharp tongue, rarely approved of food that she hadn't cooked herself, but she secretly enjoyed meals from here. It's the kind of restaurant I love in HCMC: it offers a focused menu of fresh ingredients prepared with expertise, and is a bit cramped but incredibly delicious.

Find New Treasures and Comfort at Nay Mai Tạp Hóa

40A Đ. Lương Văn Can, Phường 15, Phú Định

Nay Mai Tạp Hóa in the Binh Thanh district has got to be my favorite local shop. The owners, Tân Nguyễn and his partner Ý, are a lovely couple of visual designers who approach the space as a general store of sorts. Here, you will find a diverse array of goods from makers and illustrators around the world: zines, stickers, prints, clothing, jewelry, all presented in a casual and intimate setting, much like visiting your local tạp hóa ("bazaar") when you have a late-night craving for chips or find yourself in need of a poncho for the rain.

Browse the full Nay Mai Tạp Hóa collection.

Watch the City Transform at Sunset Along the Leafy Hồ Con Rùa

Xuan Hoa

Also known as Turtle Lake, Hồ Con Rùa is a spectacle no one should miss after the sun sets. It's another example of Vietnamese public architecture, with a towering lotus flower and walkable paths overlaid on a body of water. Today, it is a tender spot where you can find lovers, family, and friends hanging out, snacking together amongst a sea of vendors. There was once an ice cream shop within the roundabout that my family and I would go to and just watch passersby. It's a nice pitstop to hit to witness the city shift into a livelier mood as the evening progresses.

Carve Yourself a Moment to Unwind at Reading Cabin

Hẻm 18A/33, Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Đa Kao, Sài Gòn

When visiting home in Hồ Chí Minh City, Reading Cabin is a non-negotiable inclusion on my itinerary. It's a space designed to showcase local creative works and products for sale, such as stationery and upcycled pouches, and of course, to read. There are warm hideaways built in throughout the second floor of the building for you to pause, relax, and dive deep into your chosen stories. It's nestled on a little alley, so you'll also cross paths with neighbors playing ball or elderly family members busy grabbing lunch.

One (Lesser Known) Thing

Việt Nam has one of the largest young populations in the world, so there is a lot of fresh, creative energy that isn't afraid to fail and keep trying. I implore visitors to get offline and just explore while in HCMC, and to not be afraid of stopping somewhere to check it out.

There is a bounty of new restaurants, galleries, coffee roasters, bakeries, and stalls, ebbing and flowing at all hours in the city, each with a different point of view in how they approach their craft.

Because of this creativity boom, it almost necessitates that your approach be atypical, resulting in incredibly unique food, drink, and design that you won't experience elsewhere. I think this willingness to build, grow, and respond speaks greatly to a culture of resiliency that is unique to HCMC.

Where to Stay in Hồ Chí Minh City

Anima Saigon Boutique

IN A SENTENCE Set within a restored colonial-era townhouse in the heart of Hồ Chí Minh City, Anima Saigon Boutique distills quiet, design-forward luxury into an intimate urban retreat.

DESIGN DOWNLOAD Blending French colonial bones with a contemporary, gallery-like sensibility, the hotel leans into a restrained palette of natural textures, soft neutrals, and curated Vietnamese artworks. With just 32 thoughtfully composed rooms and suites, each space feels residential in scale — think high ceilings, warm wood accents, and clean-lined furnishings softened by artisanal details, all contrasting with the brutalist sensibility of bare cement ceilings. Panoramic windows usher in Saigon's ever-present energy, while interiors remain hushed and cocooning, offering a deliberate contrast to the city outside.

ON THE MENU Dining at Anima Saigon Boutique's ÚNU centers on a café-style, ingredient-led offering that transitions seamlessly from morning to evening. Expect a concise menu of colorful Vietnamese and international light fare, alongside specialty coffee and fresh juices served in a relaxed, design-conscious setting. The emphasis here is less on spectacle and more on thoughtful execution, perfect for slow breakfasts or unhurried afternoons.

DON'T MISS The hotel's curated in-room details — from locally sourced amenities to rotating art pieces — quietly reinforcing its connection to contemporary Vietnamese design culture.

An Lam Retreats Saigon River

IN A SENTENCE Hidden along the banks of the Saigon River and accessible by either boat (25-minute journey) or car (40-minute drive), An Lam Retreats Saigon River offers a tranquil, villa-style escape just beyond the buzz of Hồ Chí Minh City.

DESIGN DOWNLOAD Spread across lush tropical gardens, the resort's collection of spacious suites and private villas channels a refined, nature-integrated aesthetic. Traditional Vietnamese architectural cues — timber structures, tiled roofs, and open-air layouts — are reinterpreted with a contemporary lightness, while interiors layer rich woods, handcrafted furnishings, and expansive glass doors that dissolve the boundary between indoors and out. Many accommodations feature private pools or river views, amplifying the sense of secluded calm.

ON THE MENU Dining unfolds at Sen Vietnamese Dining, where local cuisine from the country's South takes center stage within an open, greenery-framed setting overlooking the river. Hit Sen Bistro & Cafe earlier in the day for either Vietnamese comfort food or all-day Italian bites, or head to the dazzling Riva Dining & Lounge for a transportative Mediterranean experience punctuated by lavish furnishings, a glamorous atmosphere, and rooftop views.

DON'T MISS A treatment at the resort's lush spa, where traditional therapies and massage techniques are delivered in serene pavilions immersed in spellbinding nature.

With the travel trends 2026 now revealed and the S/S 2026 holiday planning in full swing, there is no limit to trip inspiration — nor place or experience you can't reach. Revisit our past editions of The Weekend Itineraries, a lifestyle editor's take on some of the world's most art, design, and culture-rich cities, curated by yours truly, to see where the coming months may bring you.

I have been walking for a few minutes when the Pulcino della Minerva, a curious, fanciful sculpture standing tall in Rome's hyper-central yet mysteriously calm Piazza della Minerva, appears against a darkening sky to my right. Depicting a doe-eyed elephant carrying an ancient Egyptian obelisk (one of the 12 dotting the Eternal City's traveled piazzas, and the smallest of its kind), this fascinating landmark is the work of pioneering Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It has sat in the square since it was first unveiled in 1667, a symbol of the strong intellect (the elephant) and the divine wisdom (the obelisk) that, at least for Pope Alexander VII, characterized the Romans.

Now, picture how many travelers before me that statue must have seen over the past 359 years — how many love stories, adventures, crimes, and plot twists must have unfolded in the stretch that goes from the white-marble, affective grin of that colossal animal to the Pantheon, situated in Piazza della Rotonda behind its back. That's where the story of Orient Express La Minerva, the debut hotel in Rome of the namesake lifestyle brand, begins. Or better even, where, looking straight at it, it starts again, with one challenge as its incipit: "working with the existing traces of history present all around it to create a dialogue between the location, the building, and the identity of Orient Express," Franco-Mexican architectural designer Hugo Toro tells me.

A mission the Paris-based creative set out to pursue by looking into the numerous strati of heritage that characterize the Eternal City, starting from the most superficial one: the sun-baked, lived terracotta hue that imbues its edifici. And trust me when I say the result will make you want to repaint your home instantly.

Orient Express La Minerva — Crafting "a Total Work of Art" Begins With the Right Palette

Orient Express La Minerva calls the former Palazzo Fonseca, a 17th-century aristocratic mansion built around 1620, its home. The building was later transformed into a hotel in 1811, at the peak of the Grand Tour era: a merging of worlds Toro faithfully reinterpreted in his work.

"Rome is a city of controlled chaos, vibrant, layered, and deeply historical," he says. Its multiple facets — the papal rigour, the noble lavishness, the popular appeal of a city that's most alive along its worn vicoli — are all equally present in this stay's interior scheme.

The secret to its pervading beauty, it seems, lies in indoor spaces that borrow from Rome's outdoor frenzy. So that, when the tall doors at Piazza della Minerva 69 open up before you, the immersion in art, culture, and craftsmanship that distinguishes the Italian capital can continue.

"The plasters used inside the rooms are similar to the ones used on the exterior facades of the surrounding Roman buildings," the architectural designer explains, describing how the texture and the earthy choice of colors of the walls establish "a subliminal dialogue with the city."

In Rome, the sunset-tinted, golden light bouncing off legendary churches and palazzos and humble bottegas alike is the first thing to make you feel at home — and the memory that will keep you coming back time and time again.

At Orient Express La Minerva, the conversation between the city's nature and architecture and the hotel's own environment unfolds as a series of burned oranges and ochres, deep reds, cream notes lighting up the solid browns, and lush greens, whether applied straight to its surfaces or integrated through thriving plants and striking tilework.

It's a chromatic range that makes the magic of Rome collectible, and even easy to replicate in your home (especially with this Little Greene Clay paint, or this Terre D'Egypte and Sudbury Yellow by Farrow & Ball).

... and Proceeds With More Carefully Sourced or Fully Bespoke, Layered Touches

What I find most refreshing about Orient Express La Minerva is that, despite its majestic setting, every design detail seems to beg to be touched, to be lived, by those who come across it rather than simply being there to be observed.

It's a relationship that starts at the reception, where a marble-topped desk guides guests' fingers as they wait for check-in along its wavy inlets, while shelves styled with carefully placed antiques and objects d'art keep their eyes engaged.

"Rome itself is a city built on stratification — of ruins, materials, and textures," Toro adds. All around it, "you see rough plasters, stone frames, fragments of earlier structures. In the hotel, we introduced another layer, often through polished wood elements."

This contrast between raw and precious materials became a guiding theme throughout the property, its 93 rooms and suites, communal areas, and eateries.

Concretely, this was achieved with a standout curation of bespoke and meticulously sourced elements. "Around 95% of the furniture, lamps, and carpets were designed specifically for the project," Toro explains. "Each of the rooms has a different layout, creating a very unique experience for guests."

All headboards, for example, cast from wood and inlaid with silky, pastel-shaded panels, were painted by hand to harmonize with the Roman skies.

"They're all unique," assures the designer, who drew from the look of 1920s steamer trunks to evoke the glamour of the golden age of travel (Orient Express La Minerva is the first overnight stop for globetrotters embarking on any Rome-departing itinerary of La Dolce Vita Orient Express, one of the hottest luxury train rides of the moment).

My room, a Junior Suite situated on the fourth floor, had an opalescent sky-like headboard, crafty pendant glass lamps emanating a soft glow on either side of the bed, and a velvety corner couch, curtains, and bathroom tiles all painted a bright pale blue. Oh, and plenty of spectacular artwork hung around its spacious, amber-toned interiors, too.

It's Rooted in "Continuity" — Or Time-Traveling Yet Cohesive Choices

While all the rooms share the same design DNA, some suites include special elements that reinforce the narrative: "for the Exclusive Suite, I designed sculpted fireplaces with bas-relief decorations, which bring a very particular ornamental dimension to the space," Toro says.

Bas-reliefs also appear in some of the bathrooms and other parts of the hotel, such as the cinematic Minerva Bar (captured above) and the Spirito area. As "for me, continuity is important," the designer adds. Although that kind of architectural detail will be harder to incorporate (or frankly, to justify budget-wise) into your home, this doesn't mean you can't start small.

Getting into art and antique collecting, for instance, could help you retrieve elegantly framed paintings, photographs, and illustrations, precious ephemera, and one-offs that can give your place that Orient Express La Minerva-inspired modern classic look. Simply dig into the archive of 1stDibs, one of the world's leading platforms for all things vintage decor and fashion, and get searching.

Last but Not Least: Stimulate All the Senses

The idea of travel underpins the atmosphere of the hotel. "What interests me is the idea that travel does not necessarily require movement: you can travel emotionally through architecture and interior design, through atmospheres, scents, music, textures, or even the way light enters a space," Toro explains.

The communal areas of the stay, from the One Thousand and One Nights-like, wood-sculpted hammam and spa to the panoramic terrace of Gigi Rigolatto Roma, the address's rooftop restaurant and bar, and the Minerva Bar, the latter of which currently hosts a temporary takeover by Campanian culinary gem Paolino Capri that will transport you straight to the lemons-dotted Amalfi Coast, make for "a complete, immersive, 360-degree experience".

"Rome is a Mediterranean city, very solar and radiant, yet we sometimes forget that it is also close to the sea," the designer says of the concept behind Gigi Rigolatto, one of the most spectacular rooftops in the whole of Rome, as seen in the latest season of Emily in Paris.

The restaurant's wide, hyper-fresh seafood offering — think stunningly plated crudo and fish tartare, perfectly grilled octopus, and yes, ever-so-delicious, melt-in-your-mouth squid 'tagliatelle' — is complemented by romantic, yacht-style upholstered wooden seating and banquettes, sculptural table lamps, and wavy, striped drapery keeping guests warm and dry at night.

"I wanted to evoke a more maritime atmosphere," Toro says of the hotspot. "I painted motifs using more blue tones, and we introduced references to shells and marine mythology, inspired by the many fountains in Rome depicting sirens and tritons."

The standout gastronomic experience one can savor here, where Roman staples like juicy artichokes and nutty pecorino are enjoyed alongside invigorating fish mains and comforting pastas, shouldn't be seen as separate from the terrace that hosts it.

In Toro's vision, "architecture, interior and furniture design, decorative arts, and details must all come together as a unified composition," he says. The Paris-based creative thinks of his hotel designs "as a kind of gesamtkunstwerk, where different artistic disciplines converge to create something singular". One thing is for certain: I have never seen anything quite like Orient Express La Minerva anywhere else.

Book your stay at Orient Express La Minerva.

In more Orient Express news... did you know that the legendary train is set to hit the tracks again next year? Read on to learn more. Meanwhile, elsewhere in Rome, at the kaleidoscopic Palazzo Talìa, director Luca Guadagnino's first designed hotel, another storytelling-led stay unfolds minutes away from the Spanish Steps.

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Some people say the success of a hotel lies in impeccable service. Others think it's all in the attention to detail: from the care put into rooms that ooze sophistication without lacking the nonchalant comfort of a real home to covetable amenities that pamper guests while traveling abroad, and a truly mouthwatering, beautifully served gastronomy offering that puts local culture and customs center stage. Recently, though, I have come to think that color itself may have something to do with it — and, trust me, you'll think so, too, after seeing The Dean Berlin.

A newcomer on the capital's hospitality scene, The Dean Berlin takes the artsy-cool vision of the namesake Irish hotel group to continental Europe for the first time. Launched in Charlottenburg in February, the stay competes with the best hotels in Berlin, largely thanks to British interior designer Rachael Gowdridge's infectious creative vision. Not only that: with its pastel-led choice of colors, it might have just given us a shortcut to a home that feels as quirky and inspiring as it feels fresh.

A Look at The Dean Berlin — Where the City's Vibrancy Steps In

Simply looking at the collectibles-filled interiors of The Dean Berlin, a peaceful escape where the city's boldly expressive culture and its rich history converge, you wouldn't necessarily be able to tell that the 81-room hotel takes over a 19th-century building.

And that's not only due to the large amount of collector-worthy objets d'art that populate its shelves, including an iconic Telegono Lamp by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, a post-modern, biomorphic sculpture by Eva and Peter Moritz for IKEA, and a rare, glazed, oversized teapot, interspersed with paintings and illustrations.

Collectively titled Wanderers, the creations showcased inside the property were handpicked by independent curator Thom Oosterhof to reflect Berlin's "ever-shifting rhythm and the people who move through it". Gathering contributions from a handful of local artists, the curation marries the characterful spirit of the city, as do the hues that cover the walls it sits on.

To make The Dean Berlin ultra-contemporary is the irreverent color scheme Gowdridge picked: a sublimely orchestrated mix of sensorial browns, red oranges (or, simply, reds), seashell pink, and chartreuse, as well as aquamarine, greens that faithfully embrace the big color trends of the moment.

In a city like Berlin, where many of the high(est)-end establishments boast a style that, drawing from brutalist architecture, is neutral-toned, minimalist, and severe, this addition to the capital's travel industry makes for a welcome and welcoming alternative.

Red, Green, Pink — An Unexpected Combo for a Stylish Interior Twist

We know northern European destinations like Berlin can risk feeling a little gray. And that's precisely why Gowdridge's chosen palette works wonders at The Dean Berlin.

To reflect the German hub's electrifying feel, the designer leaned on acidic tones of green — including lime, forest, and mint — paired with fire red surfaces, playful, checkered floors, and touches of rose and bright pink across all decor and accessories.

These are colors she has also woven into her maximalist reinvention of The Netty, a recent project for which Gowdridge transformed Oxford's Victorian-era public toilets into a two-suite, jewel box of a stay.

If the natural colors part of the scheme, also referenced across the soft, velvety seating and cushions in the common areas of The Dean Berlin, are 'biophilic' shades known to be calming, the reds and pinks feel rather uplifting.

Combined, they strike the balance between peaceful and energizing interiors; a blend that feels made for hotel design, and for guests to enjoy throughout their leisure time. But who said these can't come in handy inside your home, too?

Compared to other areas of the house, incorporating brighter colors in the bedroom can feel like more of a commitment, and understandably so.

What if my sleep routine gets disrupted by it? What if I get tired of it? How will I get rid of this? are just a few of the questions I have heard people ask themselves when debating whether or not to paint theirs.

Take that Dean Berlin Feel Home With You — or Dare to Be Brave

The Dean Berlin shows you how even the most unexpected of hues can be styled together and to a pleasing effect with... caution. For example, darker hues like the bordeaux and musk green shown above are exclusively brought in through attentively layered furnishings and decor, rather than applied directly to the walls.

Reds, which welcome guests upon entering the suite in a cocooning vestibule, and greens are balanced off via off-white tilework and careful insertion across ceilings and mirrors, again, largely appearing like statement inclusions in both the lounge area of the room and the bathroom, as opposed to a totally color-drenched look.

All around the hotel, the vibrancy of patinated plaster walls bounces off the sheen of the original mosaic floors, while the lived-in timber elements appearing here and there grant the address a home-like sense of place.

Together with the stay's iconic color palette, these time-traveling echoes capture the beauty that lies in designing across eras and genres — and call for us all to be braver with the choices we make inside our homes. Now, if you can excuse me, I am going to look for ways to give my bedroom that Dean Berlin look... starting with these Romesco, Phorphyry Pink, and Sap Green paints by the trusted color gurus at Farrow & Ball.

Book your stay at The Dean Berlin.

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Safe to say The Hoxton is synonymous with London hotels, with boutique offerings in Holborn, Shepherd's Bush, Southwark, and Shoreditch. However, the brand's most recent extension in the Scottish capital, House at the Hoxton, Edinburgh, might be its coziest venture yet.

Situated on the calm yet central Grosvenor Street, the hotel has extended its blend of contemporary design sprinkled with preserved architectural accents into three fully catered homes — something a little different for this design hotel.

The concept feels like a holiday in a home that is fitted with all the little luxuries of a hotel. From private chef hire that lets you dip into dishes without the need to head anywhere to breakfast baskets delivered right to your doorstep, here's what you can expect from House at the Hoxton, Edinburgh.

Checking Into House at the Hoxton, Edinburgh

Once you idle your way off the cool streets of Edinburgh and into the muraled walls of The Hoxton, you'll travel through the building to the House. Compared to the slightly industrial facade dating back to the 1860s, a look inside offers contrarian splashes of color and cozy minimalism.

The regular rooms in the hotel go from 'snugs', situating two adults in a bunk bed setup (for when you're on a budget but you don't want to forego style), expanding all the way to 'biggy ups', which spaciously house two adults, a child, and a pet, too. However, the House at the Hoxton, Edinburgh has been designed for when you're traveling in a group.

Each of the three new Hox Houses can accommodate six people, with three bedrooms and three bathrooms up for grabs. Let's say you're visiting the Scottish city for a wedding, a graduation, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, or simply to experience the charming capital as a pack.

Rather than split yourselves into rooms and only spend time together as you're stepping out, the Hox House provides ample space to carve out alone time in personal bedrooms while creating common lounging zones to share together.

Where Lived-In Interiors Meet Hotel Escapism

Now, let's talk design. The main open living, dining, and kitchen area flows gently into each other while creating clear distinctions between the vibe of each zone. The kitchen comes completely kitted out with all your essentials, in case you fancy testing out a recipe.

Not to mention, the gorgeous stone island is blanketed in warm sun rays during the day from the sweet skylights above. There are a couple of stools to pull up to the island if you're playing sous chef or a keen taste tester along the way.

Moving onto the dining zone, there's a beautiful long table for families to crowd around and cozy armchairs that draw the space together. And right beside it is a lounge-worthy living area that's designed to feel convivial.

This living room-dining room combination allows you to switch effortlessly from feasting to post-meal games and calm conversations. And if you're not in the mood to banter about, you can flick into the curated library of reads waiting to be picked up.

Then there are the spaces that truly offer quiet time — the bedrooms. If you've stayed at one of the Hoxton hotels in London or elsewhere in the world before, then you can expect the same balance of dazzling colors and traditional architecture typical of the group's rooms. But if you're yet to book in, let me give you a taster.

Each bedroom features a plush queen-size bed, plus a crib, and little pet beds are a call to reception away. The beds are classically draped in crisp white linens, only to be interrupted by majestic statement headboards. Every bedroom also includes a gorgeous desk to fill in a postcard or remotely clock into work.

The primary room includes an inviting tub, while the remaining bathrooms feature sleek walk-in shower rooms. Picture harlequin black-and-white tiled floors with flashes of opulent gold hardware on Edwardian taps and showers.

Ennismore's integrated design team at AIME Studios has managed to weave together an equilibrium of contemporary style and traditional accents, resulting in a space that feels equal parts lived-in like a home and as fresh as a hotel.

Long-Stay Luxuries to Look Forward to

You might be wondering how this experience varies from checking into beautiful Airbnbs or homestay alternatives. Well, that's where the proximity to the Hoxton's main building and all its attached amenities comes in.

Firstly, take it from a two-time guest of the hotel, you have access to a wonderful reception and the HOXSHOP for souvenirs in the form of cute postcards, quirky (and iconic) 'deep-fried Mars bar' t-shirts, and Blank — the in-house brand of bath and body products that smell straight out of a spa.

When it comes to the House at the Hoxton, Edinburgh homes, you can look forward to laden breakfasts, picnic baskets, and more. If you wish to cook up a storm, the hamper of local Scottish produce and snacks is bound to pique your interest. And as for the mess, since you're not totally at home, you can always call for housekeeping.

You can also keep an eye out for daily treats from the team, alongside a fridge stocked with soft drinks for the taking. And if you have kids or furry friends along with you, the House at the Hoxton, Edinburgh manager will help with procuring special treats and toys for everyone. What more could you ask for?

Book your stay at The Hoxton, Edinburgh, or feel at home at House at the Hoxton, Edinburgh.

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After months of teasers and trepidation, Six Senses, the world-renowned urban wellness hotel concept, has finally landed in London, with interiors co-authored by award-winning studio AvroKO and EPR Architects. Housed within the masterfully restored, 56,700-square-meter former Whiteley's emporium on Bayswater's Queensway, now simply The Whiteley, Six Senses London brings its reinvigorating vision of leisure to the capital by combining its pillars of emotional hospitality, wellness, and sustainability with the organic, beautifully tactile nature of British craftsmanship. A perfect match for those looking for the best London hotels to recharge in style.

Steps away from lush Hyde Park, Six Senses London has 109 rooms and suites and 14 bespoke residences, an integrated wellness center distilling one-to-one advice on sleep, metabolism, and stress, and a longevity clinic offering advanced blood diagnostics, IV nutrient therapy, and hormone optimisation, among others. The 2,300-square-meter spa, inspired by the dynamism of London's underground, features a nervous system-aiding magnesium pool, treatment rooms offering services like cryotherapy, and a full-reset Biohack Recovery Lounge that's sure to put you back on track.

So how come that instead of being enticed by Six Senses London's futuristic sleep tourism amenities, I am far more intrigued by its Alchemy Bar, modeled after an Art Deco apothecary?

A Closer Look at Six Senses London's Alchemy Bar — Where Peace Is Crafted Through Touch

That the spa at Six Senses London is unlike any other spa in the UK was clear enough in its vaguely retro-inspired and yet boldly sophisticated layout. Here, a checkered pool bed echoes the patterned upholstered seats of London's iconic Tube trains, while sinuous, alcove-style booths recall the underground's arched tunnels and platform entrances.

But the real cherry on top of this brand new hotel lies, in my opinion, in the adjacent Alchemy Bar, where modern rustic decor and heritage maximalism go slightly witchy, magical.

Both its look and its name may have you mistake Six Senses London's Alchemy Bar for another one of its food and beverage destinations, which include Whiteley's Cafe, Whiteley's Bar, and Whiteley's Kitchen. But while somehow related to the restaurant side of things, this space of the hotel carries a different kind of charm.

A Workshop of Botanical Craft With a Modern Rustic Heart

A hands-on workshop helmed by head alchemist Charlotte Pulver, Alchemy Bar at Six Senses London is where calming rituals are created by hand. Guests staying at the hotel will get to prepare restoring remedies and tonics by helping themselves to the locally foraged herbs available on site. Think anything from scented tinctures for use in your favorite hammam and massage sessions to bespoke liqueurs employed in gastronomic and cocktail preparations.

Resembling an old-world apothecary for medicines, bathing oils, and home fragrance, this tranquil salon is furnished with towering vintage cabinets stacked with dried herbs, spices, and ointments rigorously presented in glass jars, à la Officine Universelle Buly.

Bunches of everlasting flowers, greenery, and plant cuts hang from the tall ceiling, tracing the full length of the smooth, central mid-century wooden table that, styled with matching stools in the room, sits underneath them. Herringbone terracotta tiles give the environment the look of a Spanish farmhouse dining room that's generously loved and lived by everyone: family, friends, occasional guests.

While the cream rope lantern pendants that dot the ambiance, along with wicker baskets and other texture-rich accents — from the marble sink basins framing the central mirrored wall to the stone, copper, wood, and ceramic kitchen essentials turning Alchemy Bar into an operative work station for modern elixirs (granite pestle and mortars — make for an Asian-inspired twist, referencing the Six Senses hotels open in Eastern design metropolises.

Why Alchemy Bar Makes a Convincing Case for a Dining Room That's Inviting, Timeless, and Calm

I know what you're thinking: strictly speaking, Six Senses London's Alchemy Bar isn't a dining room. But there's a reason why its woody interiors were the only one to truly catch my eye, despite the generosity of the hotel's architectural plan. In an increasingly online world, where now even our wellbeing depends on ever-regimented check-ups, preventive measures, and, frankly, slightly obsessive procedures facilitated by the latest technological setups, Alchemy Bar grants us, at last, some analog respite.

Drawing from the botanical and foraging knowledge from the past, it creates an atmosphere where things — be it the infinite drawers of the apothecary cabinets or the vessels stored on their shelves, down to the sensory accessories and dinnerware — are not merely styled to be looked at. Instead, they call to be touched, and for you to sit down, feel present, and linger around.

The long, tall central table was positioned here for workshops and other collaborative tasks. But it would look just as spot-on in a loft-style apartment for foodies who are into dinner parties. Because, let's be honest, lavish treatments aside, nothing feels better, more soothing, and energizing than off-screen company who knows how to enjoy a good time.

Book your stay at Six Senses London.

Take the Tactile Look Home

There is an ongoing fling between the arts and the hotel design scene. And judging by South African fashion designer Thebe Magugu's latest contributions to the Cape Town-cool retreat Mount Nelson, this flirtation isn't going anywhere in 2026. But hotel stays centered on creativity aren't the only things set to be huge this year — so is genre-defying design in interiors.

A kaleidoscope of color, texture, and pattern, the Thebe Magugu Suite and the Thebe Magugu House Cape Town embrace spaces that translate the multifacetedness of South Africa into eclectic, layered design. Since founding his namesake label in 2016, Kimberly-born Magugu, who won the 2019 LVMH Young Fashion Designer Prize, has emerged within culture's peakiest realm by combining South African heritage and a global outlook in his work, including in acclaimed collaborations with the likes of Pierpaolo Piccioli's Valentino, Adidas, and Dior.

Now, with the Thebe Magugu Suite and the Thebe Magugu House Cape Town, which mark the creative's foray into luxury hospitality design, a new chapter for him and Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel, has begun. Spoiler: it'll have the best design hotels in the world reconsider what time off should look like, and even convince you that, yes, you should have gone bolder with your home choices.

A deeply tactile, two-story retreat nestled along Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel's lush Palm Avenue, the Thebe Magugu Suite lands exactly ten years after his eponymous brand began to take his vision down the runway. And, even just from the nature-inspired color palette and the brave design choices that set its interiors apart from bland hotel stays, it is easy to see how Magugu is coming full circle.

Wood-toned, palladiana terrazzo, and tiled flooring alternate through its grounds. Spectacular, hand-carved wooden furniture strikes the balance between form and function. Vivid murals, paintings, and a plethora of photographs let South Africa's heritage shine through every nook, while patterned rugs and occasional animalier touches add a quirky, at times sensual, element to the mix.

Afro-Modernism Meets British Eccentricity

Drawing on the legacy of the movement that, beginning in the 1950s in now-leading capitals like Lagos, saw newly independent African countries embrace art and architecture as a means of affirming their cultural sovereignty in the eyes of colonial powers, the designer conjures up an oasis of craftsmanship where South Africa's distinctive aesthetic and identity come to life through design.

Earthy browns root the suite in the rugged landscape of Cape Town, echoed via the organic textures of wool, cotton, straw, marble, and stone, and omnipresent wood. Oxblood and terracotta hues heighten moments of sociality — in the dining area — or exclusive intimacy — in the guest bathroom.

While a series of compelling depictions of African life by Mmangaliso Nzuza, Lulama Wolf, Zandile Tshabalala, and Trevor Stuurman, among others, co-curated by contemporary African art specialist Julia Buchanan in collaboration with Magugu, captures subjects immersed in nature, and vignettes of rituality and care: two themes also central in the designer's bespoke in-suite bath amenities and custom-developed tea offerings which, "guided by healing, heritage, and spitirual lineage", make for an outstanding sleep tourism sojourn.

Across its two floors, the nuanced artisanry of South African makers like wallpaper and fabric designer Cara Saven, custom-made rug weavers Rugalia and Crayon Artel, and woodworker Ken Leinman, makes the Thebe Magugu Suite into a masterpiece not just to look at, but to feel; to touch.

Looking around, it's evident Magugu views art and design, their ability to uplift and foster a sense of place, peace, and belonging, as integral to everyday life. Something the designer conveys beautifully in the crafting of his ancestrally informed garments, which he has previously referred to as "modern relics."

It's a philosophy that reminds me of London's Bloomsbury Group, the 20th-century circle of writers, artists, and intellectuals who, including figures like Virginia Woolf, Vanessa Bell, and Duncan Grant, gravitated between the district of the same name and the Sussex country retreat of Charleston Farmhouse, where Bell and Grant lived, embracing writing, furniture-making, and other artistic disciplines as an all-ecompassing pursuit.

Bringing South Africa's heritage to the world and the world itself to Cape Town, the Thebe Magugu Suite invites guests to do something similar with their leisure time.

Its walls, too, are painted in colors and murals that expand the beauty of its surroundings, as with those of Charleston Farmhouse. Like that creative workshop of literature and craftsmanship, the new Mount Nelson accommodation transforms domestic rooms into breathable, textural artworks, bridging the distance between its South African base and Belmond's English sensibility.

Magugu House Cape Town

Adjacent to the suite, Magugu House Cape Town opens as "a living platform for cultural exchange," the designer and the Mount Nelson team explain.

Alive with color, talent, and storytelling, this space was created in collaboration with StudioLandt, and broadens the vision behind the Thebe Magugu Suite through curated, limited-edition fashion, archival garments, art, photography, books, and objects, and a rotating multidisciplinary programme.

By Our Own Hands (through April), the address's inaugural group exhibition, is a partnership with Southern Guild, one of the country's leading art galleries and a regular Frieze London protagonist.

The show focuses on making as a means of reclaiming and affirming one's identity, a pathway to healing, and a form of resistance, reuniting some of South Africa's most thought-provoking artists, including image-maker Zanele Muholi and potter Zizipho Poswa.

Together with a captivating calendar of film screenings, creative pop-ups, and roundtables, the Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel's initiative reinvents hotels as a place for inspiration and pressing conversations, rather than mere relaxation. Could resortcore be the way forward in laying the ground for a collective cultural renaissance?

Book your stay in the Thebe Magugu Suite at Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel.

In for more transportative travel adventures grounded in design? Discover the Oscar-worthy Celia, the new train carriage of Belmond's British Pullman, crafted by partners in work and life and seasoned Hollywood insiders Catherine Martin and Baz Luhrmann, or discover another side to Mount Nelson, a Belmond hotel, with our holiday-ready edit of the best hotel gardens.

Had you asked me what vacations stood for a few years ago, my answer would have undoubtedly been one: all-day-long sightseeing and swimming in the ocean. But as years go by, I find myself reconsidering what time off should look like — whether, in fact, I should allow myself to forget about productivity altogether, including ticking hotspots and activities off my hot list, and indulge in actually restorative leisure for once.

It is a mindset that's taking up more space within the lifestyle industry, where 'sleep tourism' has earned a place of its own among the hottest travel trends of 2026.

In an era where it often feels impossible to know when and how to stop, time to properly unplug has become the latest social currency, or even better, the ultimate luxury. And so it's goodbye frenetic hop-on-hop-off holidays with more pitstops than hours of sojourn and welcome to the new era of invigorating stays and explorations. But what else is there to sleep tourism than a renewed focus on inactivity and repose? And how can designers help us bring its benefits home?

Inside the Sleep Tourism Movement — The Trend Reshaping How We Sleep, on-the-Move or at Home

An increasingly popular travel trend, sleep tourism is the phenomenon that sees more and more globetrotters worldwide embrace their time off as an opportunity to maximize their repose in whatever way possible, whether it's pure relaxation or learning how to sleep better.

So-called sleep tourism hotels may consist of anything from "formalized sleep programmes and pillow menus to circadian lighting and personalized consultations bookable as core parts of the guest experience," Martha Ferreira, the interior designer behind Present Made, a developer of UK rental neighborhoods "with thoughtful design and community at their heart," tells me. There can even be sleep-focused one-to-ones with seasoned consultants, as we saw represented in the Thai resort of White Lotus Season 3.

That many of the best spas in the world can be found inside sleep tourism hotels is no coincidence: for these addresses, true rest doesn't begin or end in the bedroom. Instead, it happens by choosing the finest lifestyle, wellness, and, yes, even cuisine for your holiday.

The advent of the sleep tourism trend coincided with the arrival of in-house 'sleep concierges', bespoke rest-aiding services now available in most high-end design hotels.

Ferreira, who applies the principles of neuro-architecture — a sub-discipline "looking at how space affects the brain and nervous system" — to her residential projects, suggests that people being more educated about quality sleep has made us "aware of how sensitive that can be to light, noise, and stress." This is a shift she noticed gaining momentum with the pandemic, when individuals, forced into their homes, realized how much their domestic choices impacted their well-being. It was when the world reopened that the hospitality industry began to raise expectations for rest and recovery.

The sleep ritual of Santorini's breathtaking Andronis Concept Wellness Resort relies on guided breathing, visualization techniques, and a therapeutic massage to prepare body and mind for deep, uninterrupted sleep. At Hotel Saltus, a biophilic haven nestled among the leafy peaks of Sud Tyrol's Dolomites, the Wi-Fi is switched off nightly to favor undisturbed repose. Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, one of the best hotels in London, turns to aromatherapy and warming massages to help travelers doze off gently.

"When you experience a well-designed sleep environment in a hotel, you may begin to question your own bedroom at home," Ferreira explains. Letting that feel into your house "is less about replicating hotel features and more about understanding the psychology behind them — how light shifts throughout the day, how much control you have over sound and temperature, and the small rituals that signal to the body it's time to rest". Because in a burnout-inclined society, "investing in a better bedroom feels practical rather than indulgent," she says.

How to Get the Sleep Retreat-Like Feel in Your Home — A Dos & Don'ts Guide

Stealing inspiration from the sleep tourism phenomenon can feel like a hard undertaking, particularly if you don't benefit from the budgets of some of the world's most exclusive digital detox boltholes. With a few precautions and advice from the right experts, though, giving your bedroom a sleep-optimized makeover can be as inspiring as fun.

1. Create "a Sense of Harmony" That Gently Calms the Senses by...

It may sound obvious, but for a bedroom to enable true relaxation, it needs to evoke "a state of calm and disconnection from everyday life," Milan-based interior designer Cristina Celestino, whose namesake studio straddles interiors, art direction, and production design, tells me over email. She looks at this room as the domestic space that resonates with our most intimate side.

I. Balancing Busy and Empty Space

When it comes to ensuring this is as comforting and recharging as it can be, striving for "a sense of harmony" is necessary. And that's something that can be obtained through "balancing solids and voids" — essentially, busy and empty space — strategically, juxtaposing functional as well as aesthetic additions like desks, wardrobes, artworks, and armchairs in a way that guides the eye gently through the space.

II. Making the Bed King, Literally

One of the greatest appeals of sleep tourism is getting to stay in hotels renowned for their quality bedding. While picking the right sheets and pillows can give you a head start in improving your bedroom, Celestino claims real change comes from considering the bed itself as "a micro-environment capable of generating a sense of protection." Organically shaped, soft, and deeply textural bed frames like the padded Plumeau one she designed for Gervasoni, for example, elevate the furniture item from a simple surface to an active protagonist in your nocturnal wellness. Compared to more rigid structures, these act as a safe, cocooning space to decompress and recharge in.

III. Letting Natural Materiality In

Celestino isn't alone in thinking that the way a bed looks and feels can predict how refreshing our sleep will be. In a peaceful bedroom, "materials should feel natural and tactile," Present Made's Ferreira says. Where "linen, cotton, wool, and timber all help create warmth without overstimulation, overly synthetic finishes should be avoided at all costs, especially in bedding and upholstery".

This isn't a simple stylistic choice. Instead, "woods, matte lacquers, and textured plasters, and textile additions such as hemp and soft rugs add quiet tactility and depth," Celestino explains. Thanks to their intrinsic perceptual quality, they can absorb light, sound, and touch: "they don't just furnish a space — they shape its atmosphere," the designer adds.

IV. Keeping the Palette Muted, Dusty

The last thing you want in a bedroom aimed at fostering calm is an overwhelming palette. "The bedroom should not demand attention; it should hold it softly," Celestino argues. And I couldn't agree more. She finds dusty, desaturated tones — "butter white, soft sage, and warm, muted hues that effortlessly envelop the room, widely stocked at my favorite paint brand, Farrow & Ball" — to work best.

Ferreira too opts for warm neutrals like clay shades, sage greens, and gentle blues: "colors that make us feel grounded rather than energized". Bright whites and highly saturated shades would feel too stimulating for a sleep space. Together with sharp contrasts and bold, or oversized, patterns, they are not ideal, as they dominate the eye.

V. Minding Lighting and Sound

Another overlooked yet central feature of ingeniously designed sleep tourism hotels is the integration of circadian lighting — light fixtures that, through both their temperature and intensity, reflect the needs of our body clock, that is also sometimes called human-centric lighting. To achieve that effect, "lighting should never rely on a single source," Celestino advises. "Instead, opt for multiple, dimmable light points, all in a warm temperature range, allowing the atmosphere to shift throughout the evening."

In a sleep-focused bedroom, "light should feel diffused and layered, never clinical," she adds. So forget invasive LED strips, cold lighting, and direct, overly technical spotlights: in place of them, "rely on low-level mood lighting such as bedside lamps, wall lights, and concealed warm strips — add-ons that allow you to wind down gradually," Ferreira suggests. As for sound, one of the most effective, understated ways to contain it is "choosing an upholstered headboard over wooden or hard finishes," the designer explains. "Paired with curtains and layered fabrics, this creates a quieter, softer atmosphere that supports rest."

2. Cultivate a Clutter and Work-Free Mindset via Design

When I ask Celestino and Ferreira about the most common mistake people make when designing their bedroom, they point out the same: visible tech that notches stress-free mindfulness while also occupying valuable space.

Treating the bedroom as a multi-purpose place is the easiest way to disrupt the tranquillity that the designers carefully research in their projects. "Working from bed or placing a desk directly opposite it can blur psychological boundaries," Ferreira explains, while Celestino says she would avoid all easy-to-spot screens and displays. "If technology is desired," she adds, "integrated, discreet audio systems that support the experience without intruding upon it are preferable."

An abundance of objects, particularly on open shelving, "can create a subtle sense of stress," the designer explains. Closed storage or more curated clothing and book displays can reduce that tension. Though the optimal solution to turn your bedroom into a "sanctuary" is to keep a closet in a separate space, maintaining the bedroom "free from distractions and the demands of daily life," Celestino suggests.

3. Let the Right Buys Help You Maximize Tranquillity

Peace of mind is something you can't simply buy, but there are still things that can help you maximize it.

I. Start With Bedding

"Pillows and bed linens should be chosen with equal care — textures, colors, and materials all participate in the overall sense of comfort and the bed's role as a restful microcosm," the designer says. Ferreira is more specific: "breathable natural fibers help regulate temperature, while crisp cotton or washed linen can subtly signal comfort and cleanliness."

II. Layer in Natural Scents Only

Your at-home reinterpretation of the sleep tourism trend won't grant you access to the treatment rooms of the most coveted retreats in the world. Yet, premium home fragrance is the secret to scenting up your dreams — "just avoid all artificial fragrances, as scents can easily become intrusive in a space meant for calm," Celestino recommends. When used subtly, lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood will help you wind down and feed into the atmosphere.

III. Throw in Some Analog Collectibles

One lesson I treasure from a recent stay at The Tawny, a five-star luxury hotel where great sleep is key, is how important it can be to choose analog forms of entertainment — books, journaling, or even playing some pocket board games — over screens.

In most sleep tourism hotels, bedside tables and shelves are stocked with all sorts of fidgety trinkets and reads that can help you disconnect. Small objects that, without requiring major investments, can help you tune into yourself and the people and places around you, granting you the groundedness you had been searching for days. Luckily for all Livingetc enthusiasts, this kind of collectible just got the design treatment.

Continue unwinding with our design-led edit of the best spas in the UK.

What better way to see the world than through the eyes of our favorite tastemakers? In Hidden Trails, we look at the places that feel most like home to our community of design insiders — wherever those might be — to help you uncover what their cities have in store for you.

"They say Prague is a textbook of architecture," Maxim Velčovský, the long-time art director of bespoke glass design studio Lasvit, tells me over email, "and it's true: you can walk the city and trace the full spectrum of styles, from Gothic to Art Nouveau, and there's even something unique to it, Czech Cubism, which you won't find anywhere else."

The enthusiasm the designer feels for his hometown is palpable in his words. But the mark Prague, the Golden City, left on Velčovský is even more apparent in his own work.

One of the country's most prominent — and hands-down, the boldest — personalities in this field, he has carved himself a place of prestige within the industry through his conceptual, witty, and culturally resonant approach to product design, experimenting across porcelain, glass, and ceramics.

The co-founder of the city's acclaimed Qubus design studio and creative mind behind Lasvit, Velčovský is credited with taking Czech design to the global stage. His technique and humor are both razor-sharp, and combine to help the artist comment on themes far deeper than mere design, from consumer culture and heritage to material history. A breadth of inspirations, he explains, that has everything to do with the place where he grew up.

"I was born in Prague, and in many ways, it has shaped my entire life," Velčovský says. Even though he used to spend summers in Zlín, the city built by Baťa, Prague always remained the backdrop of everything important.

"As a child, I went to what's known as the 'French schools', which are housed in one of the most beautiful functionalist complexes in the city," the designer recalls. "Maybe that kind of thing starts to shape you early on, without you even realizing it. My father is an artist, so he was part of the art scene even before the Velvet Revolution, and I'd tag along to exhibition openings, wander through different artists' studios… you could say Prague really defined my world."

What to Do in Prague

Design Spot

DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, Qubus Design Studio, SmetanaQ Café & Bistro, Artisème

DOX Centre for Contemporary Art isn't just a gallery — it also hosts one of the largest gallery design shops in the country, DOX by Qubus. Here you'll find a curated mix of design objects, with a strong focus on contemporary Czech jewellery. It's the kind of place where you come across things you won't see anywhere else.

Then there's Qubus Design Studio on Rámová Street, which I co-founded around 2002. Another nice spot is SmetanaQ Café & Bistro, an inviting space with a fresh atmosphere. On the other side of the river, Artisème, near the Lennon Wall in Malá Strana, offers a thoughtful selection set against one of the city's most picturesque backdrops.

Where to Eat

Kuchyň, U Černého Vola, Lokál U Bílé Kuželky, Big Smokers, Café Louvre, VNITROBLOCK, U Matěje

When it comes to restaurants, my favorite is Kuchyň at Prague Castle. It has a stunning view over the city, a beautiful pine tree in the garden, and great beer. People go there not just to eat but to sit and watch the panorama, like it's a theater. Just nearby is U Černého Vola — a proper local pub where it's mostly Czechs drinking beer, nothing more, nothing less.

I also like Lokál U Bílé Kuželky, just below the Castle, near Charles Bridge, where you can enjoy classic Czech food in a classic setting. Over in Holešovice, there's Big Smokers — my go-to for smoked meats and all things carnivorous. Other favourite spots are Café Louvre, Vnitroblock, and U Mateje.

Art Trail

DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, Veletržní Palace, The Museum of Decorative Arts, DSC Gallery, Karpuchina Gallery

Founded by Leoš Válka, DOX Centre for Contemporary Art features a unique exhibition program platforming lesser-known artists. It acts as a fresher alternative to the National Gallery, also known as the Veletržní Palace, which is probably one of my favorite museums, full of incredible collections.

The Museum of Decorative Arts also deserves a mention, recently reopened with a beautifully curated overview of its holdings. There are also plenty of smaller private art platforms, like DSC and Karpuchina Gallery, each adding a unique voice to the city's cultural landscape.

Where to Shop

Zuzana Kubíčková, Denisa Nová, Hana Zárubová

When it comes to fashion, I like to stick to local designers. Currently, I am especially fond of the work of Zuzana Kubíčková, Denisa Nová, Hana Zárubová, and Jan Černý, whom I have followed for a long time.

They each have their own studios or boutiques in the city, and they are definitely worth a stop if you are visiting Prague.

The Great Outdoors

Petřín, Stromovka

For outdoor spaces, I love Petřín with its quiet paths and unexpected views: it feels like the city's secret garden.

Stromovka, on the other hand, is more expansive, almost like Prague's version of Central Park, and perfect for getting lost for a while.

One (Lesser Known) Thing

Luckily for all of us, Prague was never bombed. The city somehow escaped that fate — even the Nazis liked it. Hitler, in fact, planned to turn it into one of his showpiece cities. So, unlike Warsaw, Dresden or Berlin, which were flattened, Prague survived intact.

Holiday Delights

Prague's contrasting facets become collectible in this eclectic edit of homeware, fashion, and printed matter buys inspired by the Czech capital's eclectic style. Pin them for when you're next after the souvenirs of a lifetime.

Where to Stay

Fairmont Golden Prague

IN A SENTENCE Tucked inside a meticulously renovated Brutalist building designed by Czech architect Karel Filsak in 1974, five-star luxury hotel Fairmont Golden Prague injects 21st-century warmth and charm into a city landmark.

DESIGN DOWNLOAD The brainchild of London firm Richmond International and Czech architect Marek Tichý's studio, TaK Architects, the stay’s interiors break with the severity of its architectural volumes, using organic materials like rich dark wood, oak, and ash posts, hand-blown glass, and gilded fixtures to craft art-rich, sculptural environments that captivate both the eye and the mind. Situated near the Old Town and wrapped in views of the Vltava River, the hotel boasts 320 plushly furnished, mid-century modern-style rooms complete with chocolatey leather decor that will make you want to call them home.

ON THE MENU With two bars and five restaurants, including one nestled on the rooftop, respectively, to pick from, Fairmont Prague is the answer to any of your cravings. Kick things off with an indulgent breakfast at the 1960s-inspired Kafka Brasserie, a triumph of moody woods, stained glass friezes, and abstract artistry honoring the legacy of Czech artist Čestmír Kafka, to whom the wooden sculptures in the space belong. Enjoy a soothing meal at the atmospheric, calming Tilia Garden, designed after the national symbol, the linden tree, before ascending to leafy Greenhouse, the lavish Zlatá Praha, or unwinding at your choice of glamorous bar between the Golden Eye and Coocoo's Nest.

DON'T MISS Maxim Velčovský's Lasvit glass installation in the wellness area, which, the artist explains, “underscores the hotel's focus on Czech art and craftsmanship".

Book your stay at Fairmont Golden Prague.

LH Vintage Hotel Sax

IN A SENTENCE Housed within a historic 14th-century building just below Prague Castle in the Malá Strana district, this boutique four-star hotel fuses nostalgic mid-century style with the charm of Prague's old town.

DESIGN DOWNLOAD The interior vision, crafted by local architects Nadi Sádovská and Jaromír Pitzinger, reimagines a historic shell with a riotous throwback to the 1950s-70s. Original pieces by design legends such as Eero Saarinen, Verner Panton, Eames, and Louis Colani mingle with psychedelic wallpapers, vinyl-toned sofas, and vintage lighting in public spaces. Guest rooms continue the theme with original designer furniture, air-conditioning, LCD TVs, and modern comforts — yet the decor feels more like a stylish, trippy, even, time warp than a typical hotel stay.

ON THE MENU While Hotel Sax does not house a full-scale restaurant, what it lacks in formal dining it makes up for in location and character. There's a breakfast buffet served in a retro-themed space, a vintage bar lounge, and free tea/coffee during the day. Once ready, all you need to do is step outside into Malá Strana's cobbled streets to be presented with the plethora of cafes, bistros, and classic Czech-fare eateries dotting the area beneath the castle.

DON'T MISS The lobby and common areas are a treasure trove of quirky collectibles, from old-style televisions and toys to 60s memorabilia, making LH Vintage Hotel Sax a mandatory stop-off for design lovers.

Book your stay at LH Vintage Design Hotel Sax.

Stay up to date on all the latest hospitality news by bookmarking our travel pages as your go-to directory to style and escapism around the world.

Belmond isn't exactly new to stellar collaborations. In the past, symmetry maestro, director Wes Anderson, reimagined the 1950s Cygnus carriage of the British Pullman, the group's ultimate Golden Age of Travel-inspired train in the UK, layering pastel colors and swan motifs in a space that defies time.

Later, French photographer and street artist JR, known for its socially engaged, black-and-white portraits showcased as colossal installations in squares across the world, decked out L'Observatoire sleeper carriage of the portfolio's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with bespoke marquetry, a tea room, and an oculus for stargazing ahead of its 2025 launch, marking the first time a creative from that field lent his genius to the legacy of the iconic, moving hotel. Today, with the announcement of the British Pullman's most cinematic carriage yet, Celia, a new chapter in the history of luxury train rides and Belmond's own heritage begins — and it has Hollywood written all over it.

Set to debut in early summer 2026, Celia is the fruit of an artistic collaboration between irreverent, visionary BAFTA-winning filmmaker Baz Luhrmann of Moulin Rouge!, The Great Gatsby, and Romeo + Juliet fame, and costume and production designer Catherine Martin, who won three different Oscars for her work on the first and the third of these maximalist cult classics.

Aboard 'Celia', the New Carriage of Belmond's British Pullman

Looking at the dreamy illustrations of the carriage released by Belmond this morning, which are the work of Paris-based Japanese artist Yukiko Noritake, the creative synergy of the two is apparent — furnishing textiles are masterfully draped and styled in the sketched-up imagining of its lavish interiors already; the passengers' black tie attire oozes with old-style grandeur.

The spaces themselves, rich in the ornate Art Deco motifs we've learned to love in Luhrmann's mind-bending The Great Gatsby and its alternate universe, couldn't be more transportative. Blooming flowers turn into sconces, fairies fly undisturbed in glittery mist, and ceilings give way to forest skies as mysterious as hypnotic. It only makes sense, then, given how their respective craft complement each other, to find out that Martin and Luhrmann are long-term partners. And not just in work, but in life, too.

Housed inside an original 1932 Pullman carriage, Celia — named after a muse the director dreamed up himself and her imaginary life — will comprise a cocktail bar, lounge, dining, and entertainment area, and is designed to let 12 guests embark on a journey of a lifetime.

Its theatrical decor is a direct nod to London's 1930s West End, vintage cinema, and the riveting (mis)adventures portrayed in William Shakespeare's most whimsical play, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Three inspirations the duo has translated into their design by leaning heavily into the manifold textures and heritage of British craftsmanship.

The Making of a Myth, Suspended Between the 20th Century and 2026

In Luhrmann's mind, Celia, the fictional character, is a leading 1930s West End actress whose standout performances have seen a whole carriage gifted to her in her honor. More specifically, it's her performance as Titania, Queen of the Fairies, in A Midsummer Night's Dream that earns her that special space on the train, which, decorated with leafy motifs, theater-like red curtains, and suspense-filled passages, blurs the lines between fantasy and reality.

An embodiment of "playfulness and after-hours mischief", Celia, this time, the carriage, is a "world of make-believe," its creators explain, and not simply in the storytelling sense of things.

If it's true that, like we wrote while reporting on the biggest 2026 travel trends, the future of travel ditches one-size-fits-all tourism in favor of a hyper-personalized, exclusive approach to being on the move, the new British Pullman carriage by luxury giant Belmond raises the bar for curated cultural and gastronomic experiences conceived to be lived on the tracks.

Celia, which will depart from London's Victoria Station across all British Pullman journeys, is projected to operate as a standalone, private carriage within the train, Belmond explains. This includes dedicated stewards, as well as one-off fine dining offerings to be indulged in across its dining carriage, lounge and bar, pantry, and kitchen. But the privileges of boarding this Hollywood-worthy section of the train don't end here.

Besides the opportunity of booking a private chef to cook up customized menus with the freshest, most local seasonal produce, guests will get to have a say in the creation of unique itineraries revolving not just around their time on the British Pullman, but on land, too.

So, whether you're after a live music performance or a themed costume party à la Elvis, Strictly Ballroom, The Great Gatsby, or Moulin Rouge, or more interested in exploring England off the beaten path with bespoke activities and rare tours, the Luhrmann-Martin-designed Celia is your chance to make this and more come true.

Fairies, Mysteries, and Night Mischief — Onboard 'Celia', Luxury and "Neo Folklore" Meet

A launch like that of the British Pullman's Celia is memorable in itself, but for us, the design-obsessed team of Livingetc, striking visuals alone are never enough. Along with the pervading narrative that, quite literally, drives its spirit forward, the Luhrmann-Martin-co-authored carriage caught my eye for how it perfectly sums up the essence of what the most recent edition of Paris's leading design fair Maison&Objet identified as one of this year's biggest interior design trends: Neo Folklore.

A celebration of "character, craft, and storytelling, rooted in local tales and reimagined know-how, this trend invites you to mix tradition with a playful twist," the trend-forecasting platform said, adding it manifests through "bold colors, expressive patterns, and authentic textures", at its very best when blended. Developed in collaboration with Britain's very best artisans and designers, Celia weaves craftsmanship into "a world of historied theater and cinema".

Flora and fauna take center stage in the train, informing the intricate patterns of the A Dunn & Son marquetry. Bespoke furniture, glasswork, and embroidered details by Bill Cleyndert, Tony Sandles, Hand and Lock, and J.K Interiors, respectively, unleash an air of researchedness and exclusivity, reinterpreting long-lived techniques via contemporary wit and reverie. While mosaics and hand-painted walls and ceilings let nature run wild, feeding into the carriage's mysticism.

The fine bone China comes courtesy of historic British manufacturer Duchess China, again, interspersed with present-day accents by David Mellor, who provided the cutlery, and Tom Dixon, tapped for the glassware. This and more for what Luhrmann describes as "a once-in-a-lifetime experience" that allowed him and Martin "to push the boundaries of creativity, luxury, and uniqueness."

"Stepping inside the carriage is like being transported into another world, one in which guests are invited to become part of the story," he says. "Celia, at its heart, is a magical mystery tour — a traveling dining experience for friends or an intimate celebration, filled with food, music, wine, laughter, and performance."

For Martin, the same applies. "Onboard, I imagine people eating, dancing, and falling in love, taking photographs, celebrating life's great moments and adventures — all within a world that offers a pause from the chaos of everyday life," she shares of her hopes for the carriage's own life. "Celia offers a moment of respite. A moment of celebration. A small, luminous bubble of love and light."

Learn more about the British Pullman, a Belmond train, England and its new Celia carriage.

Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or an eager-to-learn enthusiast, design fairs around the world provide the perfect entry point into the ever-shifting essence of this creative landscape — and the ultimate excuse to explore what else there is to see and do out in the cities that host them, too. Because what's the design world, truly, without its beloved and exclusive after-hours soirées?

While the Livingetc team has turned strutting about town during the hottest design weeks of the year in search of 'the next big thing' (and the coolest parties and rooftop aperitivos) into a profession, it's easy to understand why first-timers might struggle to know what design exhibitions they should have on their radar for the weeks ahead. So if you have been wondering which design events are inspiring enough to get you on a plane, you've landed in the right place.

Your Design Fairs 2026 Hot List

Featuring long-time institutions like Salone del Mobile, arguably the godmother of all design fairs, along with independent industry newcomers treating furniture making, objects, and decor as an immersive, intimate affair, the hot list below spans some of the most exciting 2026 cultural appointments, and where and when to find them, all across the globe, not just in Paris, Milan, or New York.

Because if it's true that our passions are reshaping how we travel the world, as we explored in our latest Travel Trends 2026 report, then we predict design-minded readers to be flocking to alternative cultural capitals, too, in the coming months. Keen to know more? Don't just scroll — get ready to take notes.

February

NOMAD St. Moritz. St. Moritz, CH

When & Where: Villa Beaulieu, February 12-15

Founded and directed by Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte, NOMAD CIRCLE St. Moritz is a boutique global design and art showcase conceived as a nomadic alternative to large commercial design fairs. The event, which has traveled to Capri, St. Moritz, Monaco, and Venice in its physical form, and to Cannes digitally, curates intimate exhibitions that bring collectible design, contemporary art and architecture into dialogue within extraordinary architectural settings, fostering true cultural exchange rather than transactional browsing. For 2026, the fair's flagship winter edition, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Swiss Alps, returns to a fully renovated Villa Beaulieu, where it took place last year, offering a more spacious yet intimate venue and "a renewed sense of presence".

Leading gallerists, curators, and purveyors of cutting-edge design — including Nina Yashar's trailblazing NILUFAR gallery, Paris's Maisonjaune Studio, and Cairo's LeLAB — are expected to participate. Among the nine 'Special Projects' part of this year's programme, I am most curious about Unveiled, a presentation by late Italian fashion giant Giorgio Armani, who passed away last September age 91. There will also be a culinary pop-up by Silo, the world's first zero-waste restaurant, with bespoke set design by architect Francesca Neri Antonello of FNA Concept, and curated pieces sourced from NILUFAR, ⁠Imperfettolab, and Volumnia.

Plan your visit to NOMAD CIRCLE St. Moritz.

Modernism Week. Palm Springs, USA

Where & When: Various locations across the city. February 12-22

One of the premier annual festivals dedicated to preserving the legacy of mid-century modern architecture, design, interiors, and landscape, Palm Springs' Modernism Week is turning 20 this year. An area-wide celebration of the influential genre conceived for die-hard fans and curious passersby alike, its anticipated cultural programming combines tours of landmark homes and buildings, films, presentations, exhibitions, and social events. The goal? Cementing modernism's influence on contemporary design thinking by granting visitors access to some of the most spectacular architectural gems the legendary California locale has to offer, fostering appreciation and further preservation efforts.

Last year, the event put the ongoing, design-forward revival of vintage motels in the US front and center, with multiple appointments centered on their role in the construction of all things Americana and the myth of the road trip. In 2026, highlights include an extraordinary lineup of bus and home tours (such as the Barbie pink-tinted Marquee at Twin Palms and a walk through the iconic Sandpiper neighborhood) that showcase iconic midcentury residential design, a worldly-inspired film and talk lineup, and the Palm Springs Modernism Show — a curated marketplace of mid-century and modern design vendors.

Book your tickets to Modernism Week.

FUTUREOBJEKT @ Melbourne Art Fair. Melbourne, AUS

Where & When: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Exhibition Door 1. February 19-22

Livingetc's in-house Aussie, interiors editor Emma Breislin, must have played her trick on me, because since I started familiarizing myself with the Australian design scene, most design projects I get excited about recently hail from the Land Down Under. Launching for the first time within Melbourne Art Fair this year, FUTUREOBJEKT reinforces that belief. A tightly curated design salon envisioned to platform "the most compelling ideas in contemporary design, architecture, and the crafted object", FUTUREOBJEKT brings heightened attention to collectible design voices and practices that challenge convention, highlighting material craft innovation, and proposing new ways of "living with design".

The fair-within-the-fair's inaugural programme revolves around a central lounge, spotlighting Australian designers such as Adam Cornish, Christopher Boots, and Volker Haug Studio, and a series of talks exploring conscious collecting, design dealing, and what it takes to build a career in this shape-shifting field, led by NHO's Neil Hugh. The debut MAF × NGV Design Commission — a floating-in-the-air light installation by Anna Varendorff, supported by Melbourne Art Fair and the National Gallery of Victoria, its intended permanent home — will be on view, too, throughout the event.

Book your tickets to FUTUREOBJEKT.

Collect. London, UK

Where & When: Somerset House, February 27-March 1, previews February 25-26

Held annually at the historical Somerset House, Collect is the UK's leading annual gallery-presented contemporary craft and design fair, powered by Crafts Council. A personal favorite of mine within the global design fairs circuit, the event reunites up to 40 specialist galleries from around the world while remaining easily navigable. It is the ideal initiative to observe best-in-class works up close, from organic ceramics, textiles, and jewelry to furniture and imposing glass and metalwork. With prices starting from as little as £500, it also grants a head start to budding collectors.

This year, must-sees of the exhibitors sector count a solid wood, patchwork chair by Lewis Kemmenoe, Cara Murphy's thriving Long Grass Teapot, and a checkered marquetry vase by Sean Evelegh. At Collect Open, the fair's wing focused on bold, craft-led installations by leading artists and collectives, oversized vessels, densely woven surfaces, and surrealism take center stage, with sculptures like Chloe Lennon's Transmutation, Hanna Salomonsson's Inside Your Darkest Everything, and Jihyun Kim's Salty Fairy Ring — three pieces brought together by their totemic, multi-part form — magically defying gravity.

Book your tickets to Collect.

March

DW! Semana de Design de São Paulo. São Paulo, BR

Where & When: Various locations across the city. March 5-15

DW! Semana de Design de São Paulo is one of Latin America's most influential urban design weeks, having grown over 15 years into a major platform that celebrates design, architecture, urban culture, interiors, and creative innovation across the city's districts. Reversing a captivating series of exhibitions, talks, tours, workshops, and installations all across São Paulo, it transforms the entire metropolis into a living design showcase that reflects both local and global design dialogues. Much like rising gallerist Isabela Milagre's Bossa Furniture, the event strives to amplify Brazilian voices and foster the opportunity for international exchanges.

In 2026, DW! celebrates its 15th anniversary (DW!15) with a specially themed edition, Legado Criativo ("creative legacy") — a reflective programme inviting designers and audiences to consider how identity, memory, and collective creativity shape the future of design culture. The official 2026 roster includes an expanded array of exhibitors spanning showrooms, collaborative installations, and urban activations across multiple neighborhoods, making it an unmissable appointment for design-versed globetrotters looking for a reason to visit Brazil.

Plan your visit to DW! Semana de Design de São Paulo.

MATTER and SHAPE. Paris, FR

Where & When: Jardin des Tuileries, March 6-9

At just 3 years old, Paris's youngest design fair and salon, MATTER and SHAPE, might be smaller in size than its longer-established counterparts like the just-passed Paris Déco Off and Maison&Objet and PAD. But this doesn't make the Dan Thawley-directed event in any way less relevant — if anything, the opposite. An intimate exploration of contemporary design, hosted at the historic Jardin des Tuileries, the event captures today's ever-evident intersection converging of art, fashion, and crafts at its very best, with curated objects, industrial and interior projects, and an exciting publishing section all on view alongside other fashion-adjacent creations in the same space. Coinciding with Paris Fashion Week every spring, MATTER and SHAPE sets itself aside from traditional design fairs by leaning more heavily into thematic displays and interdisciplinary collateral activities, like the surreal culinary experience developed in partnership with chef Imogen Kwok for last year's edition. 2026 details to come.

Book your tickets to MATTER and SHAPE.

COLLECTIBLE Brussels. Brussels, BE

Where & When: Vanderborghtgebouw, March 12-15. Preview March 11

COLLECTIBLE Brussels is part of the international COLLECTIBLE design fair concept only recently landed in New York, too, and dedicated exclusively to 21st-century collectible contemporary design — meaning objects that are recent, conceptually strong, and positioned between craft, art, and functional creativity. The fair's curatorial focus emphasises unique pieces, bespoke commissions and limited editions, drawing on galleries, independent studios, and design makers from around the world.

In 2026, COLLECTIBLE returns to Brussels' historic Vanderborght building as a key annual destination for designers, collectors, and galleries. It will be divided into sections, namely Main, New Garde, Bespoke, Architect, and Curated (this year, envisioned by journalist and editor Marine Mimouni), and a new Tablescapes zone I am, as both a foodie and a tablescaping lover, especially intrigued by, providing multiple lenses on material experimentation, contemporary craft, and artisanal expression in design.

Book your tickets to COLLECTIBLE Brussels.

April

Milan Design Week. Milan, IT

Where & When: Rho Fiera and various locations across the city. April 21-26

There's absolutely no doubt that Milan Design Week, the series of studio and brand-powered exhibitions originated around leading design fair Salone del Mobile over the decades, serves as an example of what a design week is and should be — and not just from a showcase point of view, but also in relation to heightening a sense of community and dialogue between its international visitors through collateral activities like cultural lates, hosted dinners and drinks, and interdisciplinary pop-ups. Again this year, MDW will return with its globally influential mix of furniture, product, material, and interior presentations, interspersed with just as many palazzo, courtyard, and industrial site-hosted activations.

Salone del Mobile will take over Rho Fiera as per usual, curated into thematic sectors across furniture, lighting, and specialist pavilions and complete with a captivating public programme and ad-hoc large-scale installations. This year, biennial showcases EuroCucina with FTK and the International Bathroom Exhibition are back alongside it, while debuting initiatives Salone Raritas. Curated icons, unique objects, and outsider pieces and A Matter of Salone promise to put one-off creations and emotional talismans "back at the center". Coinciding design festival Alcova and its multi-talent curation, powered by Joseph Grima and Valentina Ciuffi, are meanwhile scheduled to land at the Baggio Military Hospital and the never-before-opened Villa Pestarini by Franco Albini, inviting visitors to explore Milan off the beaten path.

Book your tickets to Salone del Mobile. Stay up to date on Alcova.

May

NYCxDesign and ICFF. New York, USA

Where & When: Javits Convention Center and various locations across the city. May 14-20 (NYCxDesign), May 17-19 (ICFF)

NYCxDESIGN is New York City's official design festival, functioning as a city-wide umbrella platform connecting studios, brands, showrooms, cultural institutions, and schools through exhibitions, talks and product launches. Its anchor trade fair, ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair), focuses on contemporary furniture, interiors, and product design, with a strong emphasis on North American and international manufacturers and emerging studios. Together, they make May a particular inspiring time to wander around the Big Apple. Some of last year's standouts from both events included British designer Faye Toogood's whimsical Lucid Dream solo presentation, showcased across Tiwa Select gallery and The Future Perfect's New York location; a retro-inspired revamp of Artemest Galleria; and the puzzle-like creations of Daniel Shapiro's Winkle Ceramic Design, which debuted at ICFF.

Plan your visit to NYCxDesign. Book your tickets to ICFF.

Lisbon Design Week. Lisbon, PT

Where & When: Various locations across the city. May 27-31

Conceived with craft at its heart, Lisbon's Locke de Santa Joana design hotel is enough for people to know Portugal has got what it takes to lead the charge in furniture making, interiors, and decor. But in case you needed further evidence of how the country is carving itself a reputation for heritage-infused yet experimental design solutions, Lisbon Design Week will give you what the confirmation you are looking for. A fast-growing city design platform dedicated to Portuguese and international collectible design, craft, and material culture, the event celebrates its fourth birthday this year, promising to expand its foothold even wider this time around. Guiding the initiative is a desire to capture how handmade techniques originated from the country have evolved over time across an open-studio format involving galleries, ateliers, and cultural spaces across Lisbon. In 2025, 250 makers at over 95 venues took part, with initiatives also spilling into the previously untouched districts of Ajuda and Marvila.

Plan your visit to Lisbon Design Week.

June

3daysofdesign. Copenhagen, DK

Where & When: Various locations across the city. June 10-12

Since launching in 2013, 3daysofdesign has evolved into Scandinavia's leading (read: hippest) design festival, structured as an open-showroom, citywide exhibition platform center on furniture, lighting, and interior brands, alongside independent studios and experimental spaces. Known for pairing Danish and Nordic design heritage with forward-looking sustainability and circularity themes, it is even more notable for the countless, trend-setting lifestyle activations taking over the picturesque gader ("streets") of Copenhagen over its short but sweet timeline. Last year's edition, titled Keep It Real, encouraged both independent and legacy brands to share a slice of their world, of their vision, most authentically, preserving the city's reputation as "a sustainable and open-minded metropolis that celebrates diversity" across hundreds of shows pushing the limits of mindful creativity and design. The 2026 iteration, Make This Moment Matter, plans to be just as memorable.

Book your tickets to 3daysofdesign.

July

Nantucket by Design. Nantucket, USA

When & Where: Various locations across the island. July 13-16

Nantucket, in Massachusetts, has become somewhat of a design capital of its own in recent years, and the ultimate destination to immerse yourself in the charming, timeless look of Cape Cod style. Every year, in the heart of summer, this heritage-filled island transforms into a stage for interiors, decorative arts, and historic preservation with the return of Nantucket by Design. Championing design and antiques across residential and collectible formats, the event reunites some of the US' leading architects, designers, and decorators for a four-day of talks, panel discussions, workshops, and more.

Plan your visit to Nantucket by Design.

August

Helsinki Design Week. Helsinki, FI

Where & When: Various locations across the city. August 28-September 6

Helsinki Design Week is the largest design festival in the Nordic region. A multi-disciplinary design platform spanning product, furniture, fashion, architecture, and urbanism, it combines exhibitions, installations, and a strong discussion programme, often touching on themes of social impact and future living. The 2025 edition, its 20th, explored the dilemma, Happiness — can it be designed?, as did its main exhibition, Designing Happiness. Its participatory calendar of initiatives suggests so, as do the patchworky creations of local fashion and design studio Juslin Maunula, who filled us in on the best things to do and see in Helsinki in time for the next iteration.

Plan your visit to Helsinki Design Week.

September

Maison&Objet (September Edition). Paris, FR

Where & When: Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center. September 10-14

One of the top-rated design fairs for interior decoration enthusiasts, Maison&Objet is a major international appointment straddling furniture, lifestyle, and object design, taking place twice a year (January and September). Known for its trend-forecasting exhibitions, curated "What’s New?" spaces, and designer-of-the-year programmes — don't miss the numerous initiatives platforming the 2026 winning talent, Harry Nuriev of Noisy Oyster fame — that frame product discovery through highly curated, conceptual showcases. Each September edition introduces a central trend theme and curated focus installations, which function as early teasers for the next cycle's design directions heading into the following year. In 2026, Past Reveals Future, as embodied by the four overarching trends that shaped the fair's programming of the same title this January, namely Metamorphosis, Mutation, Revisited Baroque, and Neo-Folklore. More insights into the September edition will be shared closer to its opening.

Plan your visit to Maison&Objet.

London Design Festival. London, UK

Where & When: Various locations across the city. September 12-20

A city-wide celebration of craftsmanship, furniture, and material innovation, you can always trust London Design Festival to spark some joy as we venture back to our desks after a sun-filled vacation. Combining partner exhibitions, museum commissions, and landmark installations across multiple districts, it has got something for everyone: from institutional collaborations to unexpected, pop-up public commissions that test ideas at architectural and urban scale.

Last year's programme gathered over 300 events under the same banner, including the debut of Design London Shoreditch, a satellite design fair honing in on the flair of the next generation of makers and designers, with personalities like 2LG Studio as its protagonists. Outdoor activations counted Lee Broom's circular light sculpture Beacon, situated at the entrance of the Royal Festival Hall, and Paul Cocksedge's What Nelson Sees on Trafalgar Square among their ranks, and each initiative dealt with the future of design between tradition, technological advancement, identity, and ecological concerns. The full 2026 calendar will be announced in the coming months.

Plan your visit to London Design Festival.

October

EDIT Napoli. Naples, IT

Where & When: La Santissima. October 9-11

Call me biased because of my Italian upbringing, but few cities are more in synch with the latest sensations in collectible design than Naples, and EDIT Napoli, a fairly recent addition to the design fairs circuit, is ultimate proof of that. Now in its eight iteration, the event zooms in on limited editions, idiosyncratic craft processes, and the small scale production of design auteurs and independent makers. Hosted like the 2025 edition, on the distressed, characterful premises of La Santissima, the city's former military hospital, with additional projects staged at selected locations all across town, the event has rapidly become a new, go-to destination for aspiring designers and long-time insiders.

Some of the most praised presentations from last year's run include Nomadaria, a sun-soaked, housing module originally conceived by Paolo Scoglio, reinterpreted for the occasion by Milan-based designer Elena Salmistraro; multidisciplinary artist and designer Bethan Laura Wood's Terrazzo Quarry, presented by Poltronova at the Certosa di San Martino; and Paisaje de Reflejos, an evocative outdoor installation in lava stone developed during a residency at the foot of Mount Vesuvio by Mexican architect Diego Rivero Borrell and exploring the surface "as a living and narrative material", a bridge between the distant geographies and design languages of Naples and his Mexico City.

Plan your visit to EDIT Napoli.

Design Week Lagos. Lagos, NG

Where & When: Various locations across the city. October 18-25

Established in 2019, Design Week Lagos is a growing platform spotlighting African design, craft, materials, and innovation, with founder and director Titi Ogufere at its helm. The first global design fair of West Africa, the event strives to foster international visibility for practitioners active across the continent and the diaspora, further cementing the role that designers from Nigeria and the nearby countries are playing in redefining this field today.

Last year's edition, which featured contributions from the likes of photography and music trailblazer TY Bello, Confidence Onyema, and Juliet Olanipekun, among many others, made it easy for every visitor to see how West African creatives are recasting their pattern and material heritage into new forms, working cross-disciplinarily and producing pieces that sew the gap between present and past. While the details of the 2026 Design Week Lagos are yet to be revealed, we are impatient.

Plan your visit to Design Week Lagos.

November

Seoul Design Festival. Seoul, KR

Where & When: COEX Convention and Exhibition Center, Hall A, first floor. November 26-29

One of the city's most anticipated events, alongside Seoul Design Week, Seoul Design Festival is a long-running design fair focused on product, visual, and lifestyle design, widely coveted by Korean brands and emerging designers alike. Hosted by Design House and powered by the country's oldest design publication, Monthly Design, the showcase is your chance to catch some of the most inventive local practitioners — like Choi Jin-hyung and Heung-ryel Lee — at work. It's also an opportunity to witness how Korea's ancient crafts are being reinterpreted through the lens of technology with an eye toward sustainable practices.

Seoul Design Festival debuted in 2002, and is traditionally divided into four sections: Design Brand, or the commercial wing; Young Designer Promotion, which zooms in on innovation from emerging talents; Illustrator, platforming the work of illustration-based creatives; and Design Spot, a deep dive into the latest, biggest design trends. The 2026 programme will be announced further down the line.

Plan your visit to Seoul Design Festival.

December

Design Miami. Miami, USA

Where & When: Convention Center Drive and 19th Street. December 3-7, by-invite-only preview December 2

Wrapping up the design fairs calendar every year is Design Miami, whose pioneering programming and sun-filled atmosphere acts as the perfect close to a 12-month marathon of shows around the world. Helmed by Jen Roberts, who recently shared her insider guide to the Sunshine State's cultural capital with us, it coincides with Art Basel Miami, spotlighting museum-quality furniture, lighting, and objects from dozens of the world's leading galleries within an agenda dense with talks, interactive events, and off-site activations.

The 2025 edition of the fair, titled Make. Believe, traced cross-contaminations between the past, present, and future of collectible design to visualise its evolution across the decades. There were sinuously beautiful bronze, ceramic, glass, carpet, and leather creations by Conie Vallese, created along with a Peekaboo bag, for FENDI's 100th anniversary, a special re-edition of Gufram's spirited 1972 CACTUS® by Francesco Vezzoli for Dasha Zhukova Niarchos' residential lifestyle brand RAY, and a whimsical group exhibition by trailblazing residential gallery The Future Perfect, among many other unmissable projects. We expect the 2026 event to be just as thought-provoking.

Plan your visit to Design Miami.

I said it before and I'll say it again: if you feel like you've got no real motivation to travel somewhere this year, the top design fairs in the world will certainly give you one, or more. A comprehensive look inside the workshops of craftsmanship that are rewriting what homes, art, and objects look like today, design fairs capture the creative pulse of the whole globe under one roof, offering you a way into local practices and communities, too. Check out our edit of January art and design exhibitions in London as you wait for your next move.

We're only a short time away from the release of Emerald Fennell's much-anticipated yet equally incendiary Wuthering Heights remake, but people's opinions on the Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi-starring, 2026 take on the classic Emily Brontë novel remain polarized. Maybe, then, you'll feel relieved to hear we are not here to unpack the director's choices.

Controversies aside, one thing is for certain: cinema stans will be flocking to West Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Dales National Park, where the adaptation was shot, in the coming months. And we expect local tourism to be booming.

If you're not convinced, just wait until you see the charming country lodge where the entire Wuthering Heights cast — yes, including Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi — slept while working on Fennell's most talked-about project yet. That's right: UK staycations have never looked any better.

Cosplay as the Cast of 'Wuthering Heights' at Simonstone Hall, Hawes

Shot between January and April 2025, Wuthering Heights took its star-studded cast, which also includes Owen Cooper of Adolescence and Saltburn's Alison Oliver, to multiple locations in Northern England.

Nestled in Hawes and immersed in the raw nature of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the picturesque Simonstone Hall is a 20-room, historical bolthole that hosted Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, and co. throughout the filming of the tumultuous novel makeover.

Standing out for its cocooning, layered rustic interiors, and its hearty gastronomic offerings, the hotel appeared in The Times' 2025 100 Top Places to Stay, and boasts the design credentials we look for in the best farm hideaways in the UK.

Simonstone Hall features three typologies of rooms — 'Principal', 'Estate', and 'Cosy'.

These range from plushly furnished, spacious retreats equipped with large beds, free-standing soaking tubs, walk-in showers, and wrap-around views over the valley, to quirky suites decked up with characterful, cottage-style decor, and petite ones where the lack of more generous volumes is made up for by distinctive vintage touches and artworks.

The country house hotel might look a little more period than the design hotels we tend to spotlight at Livingetc.

Still, if it's true that, as we explored in our Travel Trends 2026 report, 'set-jetting' is an increasingly popular phenomenon among globetrotters worldwide, we can expect plenty of Wuthering Heights fans to take to the rugged peaks of Yorkshire — and spend a weekend at Simonstone Hall — to follow in the footsteps of its passion-fueled protagonists.

In the kitchen, meanwhile, Simonstone Hall cooks up a locally-inspired, seasonal feast that honors the produce of its surroundings and puts a gourmet spin on traditional British dishes.

Moreish fish plates and smoked meats abound in the menu à la carte, while the stay's Country Suppers and Sunday Roast options score high on indulgence and warmth.

Feel too spoiled for choice? They even have Wuthering Heights-themed romantic getaway packages, complete with in-room beverages and snacks, sharing set menus, and uninterrupted relax.

Book your stay at Simonstone Hall.

More 'Wuthering Heights'-Inspired Yorkshire Escapes

What if, instead of simply visiting Wuthering Heights filming locations, you could actually sleep in them? Well, that's the sort of thought the creatives at Airbnb must have had, considering that the whimsical, pink-shaded bedroom of Emerald Fennell's protagonist Cathy has just gone up for grabs on the website. And it's your opportunity to catch production designer Suzie Davies's mind-bending work up close.

"For one night, I'm inviting two guests to yearn for more and come undone in my world. To wake with the mist on the moors and wander where my heart still yearns, this stay is not to be missed," Cathy herself appears to have written of the Wuthering Heights-themed experience that will let guests step inside Thrushcross Grange.

The three lucky couples who'll get to see the otherworldly bedroom first-hand (did you know that those veins in the walls are Margot Robbie's own?) will also have the chance to "ride horseback on the moorlands, take tea the Yorkshire way, and dine by candlelight in the main room," she adds, while night time is dedicated to "listening to tracks from Charli XCX at her most intoxicating."

There'll be breakfast, an excursion to Haworth's Brontë Parsonage, and plenty of room for wonder, all completely free of charge — so sign up on time (February 20, 12 pm GMT via Airbnb) and thank Cathy later.

The experience runs from February 27 to March 4. Find out more at Airbnb.

Those looking for more Wuthering Heights-inspired UK getaways will find a more than valid contender in Whitby's Saltmoore, an idyllic four-star stay tucked "between the wild north sea and the heather-draped moors," recounts the team of the rising boutique hotel.

With 72 irreverently decorated rooms and suites, breathtakingly beautiful spa facilities, plenty of outdoor activities easily bookable in-house, and two MICHELIN Keys for gastronomic excellence under its belt, it's heaven on Earth, less than a two-hour drive to the coast from many of the Wuthering Heights filming locations.

While its brick-clad, historical exterior perfectly marries the aesthetic of Brontë's quintessentially Victorian novel, inside, a much fresher, naturally lit atmosphere awaits travelers, with sculptural furniture, dark, winding wood, and eye-catching textiles seamlessly bridging the gap between old and new.

Book your stay at Saltmoore.

In for more drama? Check out our interview with Sara K White, the production designer behind Peacock's captivating new spy thriller Ponies.

As a fervent supporter of today's railway renaissance, it is memorable to talk to Maxime d'Angeac, the artistic director of luxury travel group Orient Express and the mastermind behind the soon-to-debut, thoroughly restored 1883 train of the same name, now renamed L'Orient Express. By 2027, when its lavish vintage carriages are expected to hit the tracks once again, he will have made it possible for travelers to turn their dream of cruising aboard it, journeying from Europe's heart to the East, into a reality, 134 years after its inaugural journey.

A behind-the-scenes look at the luxury train ride's ambitious project, which is operated by Accor, is a rare thing in itself. But getting one within the immersive setup of 1925-2025. Cent ans d’Art déco — an exhibition organized for the centennial of the ever-influential Art Deco movement at Paris's Musée des Arts Décoratifs — instantly elevates our chat, particularly as it takes place inside a life-size sample of a reborn Orient Express sleeper.

When we meet in the French capital at the start of winter, the museum is still not open to the public. It's only 9 in the morning, and yet d'Angeac, a trained architect with a love of the neoclassical silhouettes of Palladian style and the Italian Renaissance, looks ready for a classy night out. Sporting a night-blue tailored suit jacket over a dark, crew-neck T-shirt and an endearing smile, he pulls an installation panel toward us to create a shortcut, and et voilà — we're in the show's beating heart.

Inside L'Orient Express — A 1883 Legend, Back on Track

Behind it, a plethora of textile, furniture, and tableware designs, presented alongside scale models of its old and freshly refurbished wagons on the first floor, retrace the story of the Orient Express — how the Georges Nagelmackers-engineered marvel of craftsmanship departing from Paris for Giurgiu in Romania via Munich and Vienna beginning in 1883, and heading all the way to Constantinople by 1889, became the earliest, most evocative embodiment of "slow travel and luxury".

"Everything you see in this room was selected by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs to capture the parallelism between 1925 and 2025," d'Angeac, who was invited to share his vision for L'Orient Express in a dedicated exhibition wing also reuniting archival photographs, tickets, and luggage tags, as well as film footage shedding light on its painstaking manufacturing, tells me while showing me around. An ode to the golden age of rail travel, the display makes the legacy of Art Deco manifest across the decades.

"When we talk about this specific interior design style, we talk about symmetry, bold patterns, and sharp lines," the creative director explains. Out of all the vintage pieces on view on this level of the MAD, nothing sums up the dynamic essence of this genre better than Suzanne Lalique-Haviland's checkered velvet seats for the 1920s Orient Express carriages. "These were made by a French company called Manufacture royale Bonvallet, which is still active," d'Angeac says, pointing at a series of colorful fabric cuts placed inside a glass cabinet.

The revised 2022 textile designs that will feature in the anticipated train, produced by the same atelier, are also on display: "we focused on the square on the outside of the motif rather than that on the inside, but otherwise, they are essentially the same," the artistic force behind the Orient Express group rebrand explains. Aboard the 2027-launching train, yesterday blends in with today.

5 Design Tricks to Make Small Rooms Feel "Clever, Refined, and Elegant" — Stolen from the Orient Express Revamp

Taste, meanwhile, is declined to the highest standards in nothing but a few square meters per cabin, heralding a new, artisan-led chapter in 'capsule luxury'.

My first question for d'Angeac, then, comes rather spontaneously as, done with the tour of the 1925-2025. Cent ans d’Art déco exhibit, we take a seat aboard the mock-up sleeping compartment that serves as its centerpiece. The question being: what can one do to ensure even the smallest of rooms still feel just as functional, detailed, and premium as their more generously sized counterparts?

An exercise in balancing form and performance, conceived with timeless excellence at its core, the interiors of L'Orient Express hold the answers to this — and more.

1. Pick Quality Over Quantity: "Value Isn't About The Number of Things You Style in a Space, But About their Real Worth"

For d'Angeac, who also designed the imposing Orient Express Olympian, a 220-meter sailing yacht scheduled for debut next year, maximizing space is a task that starts with materials. Or even better, with their creation.

To him, "value isn't about the number of things you style in a space, but about their real worth," the inherent worth, in this case, lying in the creative and manual labor that went into them. "You don't have to pay a lot for really rich, luxurious materials: you have to produce them," says the Orient Express artistic director. And so they did.

Instead of marquetry, a brand staple in the Orient Express portfolio and the wider luxury train industry, d'Angeac opted for a twist: "wood embroidery". The bedrooms, all polished rosewood, relief fabric wall coverings, brass detailing, and reflective accents, include abstract decorations "that took craftspeople nearly 300 hours to complete," he explains. Because when room is scarce, all it takes you is one standout touch to achieve that sense of researched charm.

2. Learn From Craftsmanship Rather Than Just History: "I'm Not Nostalgic, But I Love How People Used to Do Things Before"

The storied heritage and myth surrounding the Orient Express inevitably were key influences for d'Angeac's train redesign. But when striving to create a space that, despite the constraints, feels both "clever, refined, and elegant," the artistic director doesn't think history alone is ever enough.

"I'm not working in a nostalgic way, but I like the way artisans, as well as interior designers and architects, worked before," he says of his approach. Building on the finest examples of savoir-faire from the past is one thing; bringing on board people who, drawing from that along with the latest technologies, "can invent brand new finishes and material alternatives is another one," says d'Angeac.

L'Orient Express revives 17 forgotten carriages of the original 1920s Nostalgie-Istanbul-Orient-Express, 13 of which were discovered a few years ago on a railway siding in Małaszewicze, Poland, not far from the Belarus border. Despite their state of abandonment, these were surprisingly well-preserved, decorated with period Morrison and Nelson marquetry and Lalique panels.

Acquired by Accor in 2018, the carriages now exude new life, echoing the Orient Express legacy while raising the bar for the next chapter in hospitality design.

"All you see here was drawn up by hand, just like they did for the 1920s train," explains its artistic director. With his index finger, he traces the constellations of stars spreading as curling waves across the wagons' midnight blue carpets. Woven by Manufacture de Tapis de Bourgogne, "these didn't exist before we came up with them". It's proof that modestly sized rooms, too, deserve the greatest degree of invention.

3. Don't Just Run With What You've Got, Optimize It: "No Space Can Be Lost"

Stepping inside the meticulously reimagined cabins of L'Orient Express makes you realize just how important it is to optimize every inch you've got lying before you. Really, they are much tinier than my own bedroom. Still, their luminous scheme, flawlessly opulent details, and ingenious tricks — take, for example, the decorative convex mirrors positioned at the rear of the suites, which, projecting their interiors back at you in all their majesty, almost enlarge them — make you feel like you could totally live here.

"Because on a train, your eyes, fingers, and toes are really close to everything, you cannot afford any mistakes," d'Angeac explains. This, of course, also counts for the most constrained corners in your home. "You need to plan the space from A to Z to ensure you don't lose a single millimeter," he claims. Needless to say, this is a mindset that's most tangible in the sleeping compartments of L'Orient Express.

To maximize their volumes, "I decided to make a big living room, or lounge, and a bedroom together," d'Angeac recounts. In just two and a half minutes, the burgundy velvet couches that come with every suite of L'Orient Express can be transformed into one or two beds, depending on travelers' requests. "Imagine you're going for dinner," the artistic director says. "By the time you come back, you're in your bedroom. Before leaving, you can enjoy a cocktail sitting on the sofa, or staring out of the window."

The same smooth transition continues in the hidden-away bathroom of the cabin, equipped with a cylindrical shower that disappears with one swift movement. "If you're taking a shower, there is privacy," d'Angeac demonstrates, pulling the curved, sliding door so the cubicle goes from see-through glass to matte bordeaux. "If you aren't, there is continuity for the eye to reach the wood of the restroom door, with plenty of reflections that expand the space and bring in perspective."

The train sleepers of L'Orient Express might be compact in size, but to ensure discerning globetrotters could have the experience of a lifetime, adequate storage was a must. "Trust me: there's no bathroom like this one on any other train," laughs d'Angeac. He reveals shelves built directly into the red and white marble and chrome-clad sink and vanity unit. "No space can be lost here," the artistic director adds. "In this suite alone, you have a wardrobe, a huge dressing room, some place for your luggage, a safe, a hanger, and three drawers."

Could 'Matryoshka doll'-style interiors, with multiple pockets of room stacked up into one, be the way forward for homes that look tidy, smart, and beautifully functional?

4. Brave to Be Bold — But Mind Overstimulation: "If Design Is Too Strong, It Can Be Tiring"

Another thing to keep in mind when working on small rooms is ensuring that, while characterful and unexpected, your decor doesn't spill into overstimulation. The use of dark wood like ebony and mahogany, for example, has always been a non-negotiable for trains like the Orient Express. "But if you only do that," explains d'Angeac, "you end up with a 'cigar box,'" he smiles.

To spice things up, you have to weave in multiple elements, albeit carefully. "You need a strong design that doesn't feel obvious, and doesn't feel too much, either," he explains. "Because if someone is spending three days inside these cabins, you don't want the interiors to feel tiring."

Vibrant reds and blues are evergreen classics, but they can also be heavy on the eyes. To avoid that, d'Angeac experimented with two plans — vertical and horizontal — incorporating different motifs, like the kaleidoscopic carpet in the sour green-tinted Bar Car, or the leaf-inspired Fougere pattern of its walls, and balancing them off with more linear, height-developing elements in glass and mother-of-pearl. "A simple, white marble bathroom would have felt obvious," the creative director explains. "So, we enriched it with stripes of color and inox steel that make it shine."

5. Design for All the Senses, Not Just Sight: "True Exclusivity Knows No Mistakes"

Sight isn't the only sense that can be captivated — or overloaded — by design. And that's why d'Angeac's final tip for 'capsule' spaces that feel deluxe wants us to consider everything that makes a room "exclusive". Consider, for example, the thickness of the walls. On L'Orient Express, "you have two decorative walls, one in the corridor and one in the bedrooms. Between them is a middle panel regulating the solidity of the interior, temperature, sound, and fire hazards," d'Angeac recounts.

"For a trip to be as luxurious as L'Orient Express train aims to be, you need the perfect width, as no one wants to hear someone coughing on the other side of the cabin," he explains. Train walls, specifically, "need to be able to move a lot without ever bending, and to react well to all the vibrations that come with cruising."

Finally, comes lightning: something the Dining Car of L'Orient Express, bathing in a cinematic golden glow, does masterfully. This "can't be too white or too yellow, and has to be as good at daytime as it is at night," says d'Angeac. The most Art Deco of all of its wagons, this theatrical restaurant has you travel back in time, with arched ceilings, table lamps inspired by visionary René Prou's original designs for the 1920s train's Pullman carriages, and equally stunning, minimalist silver serveware.

Dotted in retro Napa tables and armchairs arranged in a checkerboard-like layout, it includes a private dining room that restores the period marquetry panels from the rail legend to their former glory: one final proof of how, in d'Angeac's revamp, "the historical Orient Express is still at the center of everything".

Keep up to date with the Orient Express relaunch and book your next slow travel journey.

The return of the legendary Orient Express train comes at a time when the popularity of slow travel, which values the itinerary and the experience of travel itself over the number of destinations one can tick off their list, is at an all-time high. So if you've enjoyed a glance at what gently cruising through Europe might feel like aboard this Art Deco icon, chances are you might like to learn more about similarly minded addresses that, while imbued with the same tranquil charm, keep holidaying on the ground. From the coolest staycations and farm stays in the UK to the most luxurious spas to unwind around the world.

When I think about my 2025, a few epic episodes come to mind: a 112-kilometer hike into Rome's verdant hills, experienced as Italy awakened from the cold. A morning dip in the Rhine River to escape the frenzy of Basel's hottest arts fair. A long-overdue week in Copenhagen, where I lived ten years ago, before it became the epitome of Scandi-cool. A 48-hour trip to the French capital as it shed its bronzed leaves and wrapped up in cotton candy fog. And then, the cherry on top: six days immersed in Venice's grandeur as its canals bathed in a rare moment of calm, visiting storied artisan workshops, and checking in and out of some of its most spectacular boltholes — from legendary hotels to palatial apartments rising tall from gardens tucked behind closed doors.

You may say it's no coincidence that all of the memories I remember most vividly from the last 12 months were memories I made during my travels, and you wouldn't be wrong. I am, after all, a lifestyle editor. But these aren't just impressions I picked up while on the go: they are stories waiting to be told. And I am not the only one to think so.

Embracing travel as a means of gathering anecdotes and returning home with interesting tales to tell is picking up momentum, Tom Barber, the co-founder of Original Travel — a luxury destination specialist which designs bespoke itineraries tailored to globetrotters' unique needs and interests — recounts. "The Grand Tourists of the 17th and 18th centuries recorded increasingly flowery accounts of their travels, but storytelling became less of a focus during mass market tourism." Now, "with journaling, blogging, and social media all part of everyday life," he adds, "travel as a rich seam of content is back in vogue."

The Definitive Guide to Exploring With Intention and Style

For the second edition of Livingetc's travel trends report, your definitive guide to the latest travel trends reshaping the look, geographical location, and meaning of our worldwide explorations, I turned to 20 trusted industry experts — including leading hoteliers, hospitality-versed interior designers, and tour operators — to bring you the hottest scoops on when, how, and where to travel in 2026.

Whether you're looking for the most anticipated hotel design openings or makeovers of the year, or are more simply after reliable advice on the top destinations to visit in 2026, you've landed in the right place. What can you expect to find in this deep dive into the global travel trends set to take over tourism in the months to come, then?

Secrets worth revealing about some of the most underrated yet rising culture and design capitals in the world, local guides to under-the-radar marvels, coveted design hotels from across the globe, and lavish train rides that won't just take you places, but have you embark on a journey through time. And all of that while keeping style, community, and participation at the heart of the travel experience.

Where Should I Go in 2026?

Where should I travel in 2026? is the type of question we have all asked ourselves recently, particularly amid the weather-induced gloominess of the, thankfully, just-passed Blue Monday.

So if you, too, have been wondering what the best destinations to visit in 2026 are, it might be worth knowing they'll span three different continents (to say the least) and spare you from returning to the usual Rome, New York, Milan, and Paris.

Instead of flocking to evergreen tourist hits, in 2026, we're looking at "places that invite you to slow down naturally, where the days don't need much planning but can instead be spent wandering around," Mounia Ezzaher, the hotel manager and owner of Villa Maroc, the first riad hotel in charming Moroccan seaside city, Essaouira, and sister property Les Jardins de Villa Maroc, tells me.

Amber and Charlie Teale, the co-founders of luxury, regenerative, social hospitality brand KABN, a portfolio of Scandinavian design-style cabins immersed in Scotland's suggestive wilderness, seem to agree: the goal of the travel industry in 2026 is "to design experiences that feel calmer and more human, where technology supports the journey without taking center stage," they say.

"Stays in places that make it easy to unplug, where guides replace apps, craft and culture prevail over crowd-pleasers, and the landscape remains the main event."

Georgia — To Tbilisi and Beyond

When it comes to choosing where to travel in 2026, there's only one watchword: "curiosity". Or so thinks Shannon Knapp, the CEO and president of The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) group, which reunites over 400 independent hotels from more than 80 countries among its ranks.

With a rich history of craftsmanship dating all the way back to the Paleolithic era and a thriving, rapidly growing gastronomy and winemaking scene with equally ancient roots, Georgia — a country known for its diverse ecosystems, from dramatic peaks and glaciers to Black Sea coastlines, subtropical forests, and fertile plains, situated at the intersection of Europe and Asia — fits the brief.

If its flair for great taste is something we experienced ourselves at Georgian-inspired, bold London eatery, Kinkally, Knapp assures there's more to uncover when you visit the country firsthand.

"As LHW's collection continues to grow, we've recently introduced exciting new destinations like Georgia, Mongolia, and Beirut," she says.

"In buzzy Tbilisi, Georgia's capital, The Telegraph Hotel, which opened in June 2025, mixes heritage and modernity. Housed within the city's landmark 1970s Central Post Office, it has been thoughtfully designed by Shanghai's leading architectural firm, Neri&Hu."

Boasting an original, beautifully restored Bolnisi tuff façade, inside, "it is a sleek, modern sanctuary that speaks to Tbilisi’s dynamic spirit; a destination for entertaining, drinking, and dining, also thanks to its atmospheric jazz club."

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Caucasus region, the Lopota Lake Resort & Spa, nestled two hours northeast of Tbilisi in the lush Kakheti region, offers a 360-degree hospitality experience.

Once a seven-room guesthouse, this sprawling, 300-room-and-suite, 60-hectare retreat is wrapped in lake, vineyard, and garden views, with anything you may ever want — a fine-dining restaurant and winery, one of the world's most spectacular spas, alongside swimming pools, stables, tennis courts, and bookable horseback and cycling adventures — all within reach.

Italy — Inside Out

If there's one thing that today's revised approach to tourism teaches us, it's that asking yourself, "where should I travel in 2026?" is no longer enough. Instead, to ensure you're not contributing directly to the overcrowding of the most notable destinations, you should put thought into answering the following dilemma: "what other ways are there to explore this place more mindfully?"

That's what Ed Bakos, the CEO and partner of hospitality interior pioneers Champalimaud Design, has been doing in exploring rural Italy "off the beaten path".

"I love small towns like the picturesque Pienza, in Tuscany's Val d'Orcia, or a stay in the Umbrian countryside: these are places where you can immerse yourself in history and artistic traditions surrounded by natural beauty," he explains.

"A visit to the ceramic museum in Deruta, a little city with Roman roots and a dense Renaissance history, followed by a few nights at the thousand-year-old Castello di Reschio, is a great way to recharge, discover, and reconnect with your inner creative spirit."

Choosing Italy's tucked-away borghi over globally known hotspots like Naples and the Amalfi coast, then, doesn't just allow you to keep away from undesired crowds, but makes for a type of immersion in local culture and traditions you'll remember for years to come.

For Sorrel Ashton, who shares personalized luxury travel advice from her base in Wirral via her namesake agency, Sorrel Travel, as far as anticipated 2026 hotel openings go, the address to check out in Italy is one: Falkensteiner Resort Lake Garda. And I must admit I feel quite humbled to see the place I grew up in featured in this Livingetc's travel trends report 2026.

A quietly luxurious, champagne-tinted oasis of calm by Matteo Thun & Partners, the Falkensteiner Resort Lake Garda, expected spring 2026, "is the ultimate botanophile experience," Ashton tells me.

"There will be 97 rooms and suites plus residences set in a lush botanical park of 400+ native plants. While spa lovers will be delighted by the 5,000-square-meter Acquapura Spa, featuring indoor-outdoor pools, family areas, and an adults‑only rooftop wellness area with panoramic sauna and hammam."

Italy preserves its reputation as one of the leading destinations for mountain lovers, with premium addresses in the Dolomites like Aman Rosa Alpina and Forestis leading the charge in redefining the look and feel of European reports centered on ski.

Botswana — An African Paradise, Up Close

That a handful of African cities, from Lagos in Nigeria and Accra in nearby Ghana to Johannesburg in South Africa and Senegal's Dakar, are currently taking over the arts scene, playing host to some of the world's hottest cultural events and, thus, earning themselves alternative design capital status, is no secret.

But in the thickest reserves of the Mother Continent, too, something is up.

Projected to launch at the end of the year, Singita Elela, the first Botswana stay of award-winning, ecotourism and conservation lodges brand Singita, isn't just one of the most exciting 2026 hotel openings — it's where "awe-inspiring architecture, food, and landscape come together naturally," Villa Maroc and Les Jardins de Villa Maroc's Mounia Ezzaher tells me. "And where luxury feels easy rather than overthought."

Known for its spellbinding wetlands and exclusive safari tours (something specialist tour operator Go2Africa are experts at), "Botswana has been a bucket-list destination for a long time," she explains.

"The fact that Singita Elela has fewer than ten rooms says a lot: it's exactly the kind of scale I’m drawn to — intimate, quiet, and focused on the experience rather than the statement."

Rising from the coruscating waters of the Okavango Delta, the unveiling of Singita Elela is awaited by many, including KABN's Amber and Charlie Teale.

"We've stayed at several Singita properties across Africa, and their hyper-personalized hospitality, obsessive attention to detail, and genuine commitment to conservation and community are on another level," they say.

"We've wanted to visit Botswana for years, so this feels like the perfect excuse."

France — Rustic Charm, Reloaded

With some 50 million tourists visiting Paris and the surrounding Île-de-France region each year, the French capital remains one of the most coveted 2026 travel destinations. But the appeal of countryside stays isn't just growing in the UK, where farm hideaways are having a moment, but there, too.

Opening this spring, Château la Commaraine in Pommard, Burgundy, "has undergone a meticulous, multi-year restoration," LHW's Shannon Knapp tells me, and one which brings it back to its 1112 grandeur.

"The 12th-century château retains its historic character throughout, with many of the 37 rooms and suites featuring original white Burgundian stone walls, softened by a restrained, neutral interior palette," she says. "Overlooking nine acres of Premier Cru vineyards in one of France's most celebrated wine regions, the property includes its own working winery, offering access to tastings and historic cellars."

The surrounding landscape, Knapp adds, "lends itself naturally to vineyard routes by bike or car, visits to nearby wine villages and the historic Hospices de Beaune, and exploration of Burgundy’s châteaux, abbeys, and canals."

Travelers searching for a more contemporary alternative will find a notable one in Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, nestled among the trailing vineyards that connect the north-eastern towns of Champillon and Hautvillers.

Set inside a surreally evocative, 19th-century former post house, Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa is the first stay in the region to seek out a non-traditional aesthetic.

Architect Giovanni Pace, who led the building's redesign, mastered a transitional style incorporating period accents like cozy fireplaces and textural wallcoverings with floor-to-wall windows and quietly luxurious decor.

Whether wanting to enjoy a picnic outside, going on an electric bike ride, seeing the world from a hot air balloon flying up high, or taking a boat excursion on the Marne, this and more can be arranged for at Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa.

Still in France, futuristic travel and F&B concept Celeste by Zephalto is warming up the engines for its first stratospheric departure, literally. "Launching from the country later this year, this pressurized capsule, created with architect Joseph Dirand, is pared-back, sculptural, and serene, housing just six guests in three cocoon-like lounges," says Tom Barber of Original Travel.

"The focus," he adds, "is on silence, space, light, and proportion, with the curvature of Earth becoming the ultimate artwork outside the window."

"At altitude, guests dine on refined French cuisine crafted for contemplation rather than spectacle. Gastronomy becomes part of a meditative, almost cosmic experience."

Though, costing 10,000 euros a head, with a required deposit of €36,000 per passenger, this is the sort of "once-in-a-lifetime" journey that comes with a ludicrous price tag. Or shall I say a stellar one?

Japan — Island-Hopping and More

Among the 2026 travel destinations experts predict will be huge, there is, you guessed it right, Japan, which, with its traditional inns-cum-thermal stays (ryokan), storied heritage, and moreish gastronomy, continues to lure globetrotters from all over the world.

While traditional hotspots like Tokyo and Osaka drive much of the interest, bespoke tour operators like Walk Japan, which create one-off itineraries across most Japanese regions with a focus on naturalistic marvels, culinary traditions, as well as arts and crafts, among others, and culture-versed travelers like Champalimaud Design's Ed Bakos remind us there's more.

"One of the destinations on my bucket list is the art islands, specifically Naoshima, to see the works of one of my favorite modern architects, Tadao Ando," he explains, describing his work as both "minimalist and deeply soulful."

While the Land of the Rising Sun can't escape being one of the biggest travel trends 2026 brings us, there are still ways to visit Japan and feel restored by its gently paced rhythm.

For Paul Brackley, the founder and CEO of London's hospitality management company Kinsfolk & Co., "Kyoto represents the pinnacle of slow, intentional travel". "In a world defined by speed and saturation, its reverence for ritual, craftsmanship, and seasonality feels increasingly magnetic," he explains.

"The city rewards patience and repeat visits, revealing itself through subtle shifts — light on temple walls, changing menus, the rhythm of daily life. For me, it carries an added pull: an old friend and hotelier now lives there, offering a rare, insider perspective on the city, and placing Kyoto firmly at the top of my bucket list."

Among his personal favorite sites and activities to catch in town are intimate, ryokan-led stays such as Tawaraya or Nazuna Kyoto, "where hospitality is ritualised", early-morning temple visits at the Kiyomizu-dera or Daitoku-ji temples, and Kaiseki dining at Kikunoi or Hyotei, "where the freshest ingredients are treated as art".

KABN's co-founders Amber and Charlie Teale have another ace up their sleeves. "We recently traveled to Fukuoka and absolutely loved it: as Kyushu's gateway, it's calmer, more grounded, and packed with amazing regional cuisine," they say.

"The Ritz-Carlton Fukuoka anchors the city's luxury scene, plus, Fukuoka hosts one of Japan’s major sumo tournaments, which we were lucky enough to attend during our stay. It offers a rare chance to experience a living tradition in a setting that feels intimate and authentic, and we'd love to go again."

The Moods or 'Moments' Defining Travel This Year

Meaning > Moving

If there's one thing that's going up in travel this year, it's the search for "meaning and not just moving," Original Travel's Tom Barber explains. The greatest aspiration for 2026 is "traveling for purpose, not just for pleasure."

"Clients want to learn something, or experience something that will stay with them and improve them," the mind behind the bespoke itineraries platform says.

Amrita Paul, content manager at Asian destination management company Discova, which curates "purpose-driven journeys that are tailored and culturally immersive all across Asia," agrees.

One of the most influential 2026 travel trends is valuing "cultural immersion over performance — hands-on craft, food, farming, and storytelling activities over staged shows — and deeper connection with locals," she explains.

Need an example? In Trei Nhoar, one of Discova's community experiences, Dining Under the Stars offers guests the warm hospitality of Cambodians in a scenic countryside setting, giving them insight into their daily lives and customs and contributing to sustainable tourism efforts.

Set-Jetting > Jet-Setting

If jet-setting, the global elites' habit of seizing up the world by plane, redefined travel beginning from the 1950s, set-jetting, or the increasingly popular obsession with booking holidays in the cities where your favorite films and TV series have been shot, is heralding a new era of tourism as we speak.

When the fifth season of Emily in Paris landed in the Italian capital and on the small screen last month, interest in the Rome properties listed on the members-only, home-swapping platform Kindred soared by 3,221% among UK Kindred users only, a drastic spike that the rising American company dubbed "the Emily effect".

It is a trend that Original Travel's Tom Barber predicts will see Greece's Peloponnese in the spotlight as the peninsula awaits the release of Christopher Nolan's latest blockbuster, inspired by Homer's epic The Odyssey, starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Robert Pattinson, and scheduled to launch in July 2026.

Presence > Tick-Box Culture

The future of travel, according to active adventure holiday provider Much Better Adventures's co-founder and CMO, Sam Bruce, who specializes in solo, as well as group, 'micro expeditions across the world, "favors fewer boxes ticked and more moments in the present".

"Slower, more carefully researched trips that avoid 'tick-list' travel are much better," Sorrel Travel's Sorrel Ashton weighs in, "as they take travelers away from tourist hotspots in peak seasons, which are often not as enjoyable as people think due to overcrowding."

But what does that look like put into practice?

"The focus is moving away from headline-driven gimmicks and toward moments that feel unique and personal," she explains.

"Luxury clients are increasingly drawn to story-rich experiences — after-hours access to museums, sunrise yoga in a vineyard, or private workshops with artisans and chefs — where the experience feels intimate, the kind of talking point that wows guests at a dinner party."

In other cases, presence-driven travel is all about paying greater importance to the journey itself, like in the case of Belmond's lavish British Pullman.

"A restored Art Deco 1920s train with individually named carriages, with its focus on heritage design and craftsmanship, the British Pullman elevates rail travel into a fully immersive experience," says Kinsfolk & Co.'s Paul Brackley.

Away < At Home

Are luxury apartments the new hotels? This is a question that's been bugging me for a while now, as more and more travelers opt for self-catered stays when traveling around their country or abroad, leading to the rise of style-driven, boutique Airbnb alternatives like Plum Guide, Onefinestay, Boutique Homes, and Welcome Beyond.

It is a mindset shift that, I believe, was accelerated by the post-pandemic period, where the services traditionally associated with hotels began to lose traction in favor of more self-paced, independent city experiences. Designers seem to agree.

"Hospitality in 2026 is increasingly embracing a residential sensibility, blending the comfort and familiarity of home with the care and scale of hospitality," the co-founders of NYC studio Meyer Davis, Will Meyer and Gray Davis, tell me.

Today, design doesn't exist in an echo chamber, but "is used to translate local culture into lived experiences, where interiors, food, art, and programming work together around a clear point of view."

To put it in the words of Kinsfolk & Co.'s Paul Brackley, who's about to unveil The Newman, a bohemian, vibrant boutique hotel coming to London's Fitzrovia this February, "luxury is no longer loud or excessive; it's quiet, thoughtful and rooted."

Planet > Me

That the travel industry still needs to go a long way to ensure worldwide leisure doesn't come at the expense of the natural landscapes that welcome visitors, and the communities that inhabit them, is undisputed.

Travelers might not be all saints, Discova's Amrita Paul laughs, but with a few action points in mind, we can contribute to a world where they can continue explore in harmony with nature.

And so it's up with "longer stays in fewer destinations, community-led tourism models, circular economies that keep tourism spend local, and properties and experiences that respect the environment and culture".

As for the no-gos this travel trends 2026 report wants you to bid farewell to starting today, these are "hyper-short long-haul breaks, overcrowding in already stressed cities, performative sustainability and green-washing without impact, and wasteful F&B and hotel practices that ignore local supply chains."

Suggested Reading

Livingetc's travel trends report 2026 is an invitation to discover more. And what better way to do that than revisiting some of our favorite trip-inspired profiles and destination features from the past few months? Find them all below.

• He's the Creative Director Behind Some of the World's Most Exclusive Hotels — His Travel Non-Negotiables Are Your Cheat Sheet to Looking Sleek on Your Winter Escapes

• I Spent My Weekend Digitally Detoxing at This 'Unplugged' Cabin, And Here's Why I'm Recommending it to Every Doomscroller I Know

• 5 Lessons in Minimalist Country Interiors From Somerset's Coolest Farm-to-Table Restaurant — A 16th-Century Inn Reborn as a Bathed-in-Sunshine, Characterful Hideout

• Forget Airport Stress — These 5 Charming UK 'Staycations' Boost the Style Credentials to Level Up Your Winter Break, Flight-Free

• The Best Ski Resort Hotels in Europe — 10 Stays to Know if You Think Inspiring Design Is a Non-Negotiable, Even on the Slopes

Can't get enough of our expert-led predictions on the biggest 2026 travel trends? Keep up to date on all the coolest holiday haunts with our curated guides, The Weekend Itinerary and Hidden Trails.

If you're going to travel, if you're going to put up with the buses to the plane, the passport queues, all the other little inconveniences thrown at you, then you might as well go somewhere. Of course, travel takes you places, but getting a true travel experience, the feeling of being in a new place, and enjoying life just like a local would, is surely the ultimate goal of traveling.

While there's nothing wrong with luxury design hotels — there's a lot right with them, trust us — it is only fair to say that, sometimes, they could be kind of anywhere. If there's one reason why you should check into This Time Tomorrow, it's that you get a taste of authentic Florentine life.

This Time Tomorrow, Florence — "A Taste of Florentine Life"

A beautifully restored 18th-century mansion nestled in Le Cure district, a vibrant and fun residential neighbourhood far enough out of town to avoid the tourists yet still within a 30-minute stroll away from many of the city's most striking sights, this recently inaugurated aparthotel makes for a one-of-a-kind experience.

This Time Tomorrow finds its home in the Northern edge of the Tuscan cultural capital, and comprises eight uniquely decorated residences operated by Pierre Ferland and Thomas Odenthal's namesake lifestyle concept, which also boasts similarly minded retreats in Marrakech.

Florence is beautiful, but it can also feel as if it leans into tourism too heavily. Being able to stay in a meticulously crafted apartment as you can when choosing This Time Tomorrow and get breakfast at a local cafe rather than a bland buffet dining room adds that little something to your sojourn.

Design Notes — Where Heritage and Character Converge

And what an apartment that was. Our two-bedroom residence, complete with a grand living room, separate entrance hall, and fully equipped kitchen, was perfectly formed — helped not least by a combination of majestic ceiling heights and thoughtful, elegant design detailing.

Huge tapestries hung on the walls. Beautiful frescos make ceilings sing. Mosaic floor tiles turn even the floors into a work of art. Everything here feels like it's in keeping with its location.

Best of all, ours had its own private roof terrace — the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail while feeling like you were truly part of his most enchanting city, embedded within the rooftops.

The Ethos — 'Off-Menu' Experiences for the Curious Traveler

This Time Tomorrow offers what it calls 'off-menu' experiences.

Each visitor gets a personally curated itinerary to help you make the most of your time in this remarkable city, throwing in restaurant suggestions, picks for guided tours, and a range of fun experiences, all tailored to travelers' individual interests.

We traveled with our teenage kids, and our private, in-apartment pizza-making class was chosen by my 12-year old daughter as her highlight of the whole trip.

Presumably, she'd forgotten about the private guided art tour and insight into the Renaissance she'd experienced earlier in the day.

The curators, Eric and Frederica, took on the role of hosts rather than front of house — making us feel welcomed, looked after, and comfortable at all times.

The Verdict — "A Total Immersion in the Finest This City Has to Offer"

Florence is a dream, not just for its art and architecture and its influential history, but for its atmosphere and elegance.

Staying at This Time Tomorrow helped us feel like we got an insight into what it would be like to live our best life here, day in, day out. It's a total immersion in the finest that this city has to offer, and an absolute triumph of a travel experience.

Book your stay at This Time Tomorrow, Florence.

With its intimate feel, inspired interiors, and passion-led approach to hospitality, This Time Tomorrow's Florence base competes with some of the best hotels in Italy.

That's why, as the tourism landscape continues to evolve, each of our travel roundups spotlights both traditional hotels that have cracked the secret to bringing their services to the next level and alternative, boutique stays that blur the boundaries between an at-home experience and curated luxury, whether in Venice, Rome, or Milan.

As we drove up and around the snowy mountains on our approach to Courchevel 1850, flanked on either side by magnificent snow-covered firs, I was entirely taken by the magic of this part of the French Alps. My journey was for the opening weekend of Maya Hotel Courchevel 1850, which launched early last month — an intimate, luxury boutique hotel situated at the heart of Courchevel 1850, one of the most (if not the most) luxurious ski resorts in the French Alps.

Regularly frequented by celebrities and royalty, it's renowned for its Michelin-star dining, designer boutique shops, and, of course, its five-star hotels — and this new hotel will certainly make it onto the list of the best ski resort hotels in Europe. Illustrious location aside, it's the design of the hotel that captures that je ne sais quoi you experience when you enter, eat, and stay at Maya Hotel Courchevel 1850.

Brought to life by interior designer and architect Sylvestre Murigneux, the hotel's vision was inspired by Japanese design and Monegasque influences. "The aesthetic is a classic, chic contemporary design — a perfect blend of 'Monaco Style' and Japanese Zen, rooted in the Maya Collection’s pillars of elegance, comfort, and excellence," says Sylvestre.

The Design

It's the interplay of the Monegasque spirit with the Japanese 'zen' and minimalist interior design influences that create a design that feels quietly luxurious.

"Conceived as an extension of the MayaBay Restaurants' spirit found in Monaco, and now also in Dubai, Porto Montenegro, and soon West Palm Beach, it serves as a prototype designed not only for mountain settings but for top-tier luxury destinations around the world."

And it was the mountain setting that proved to be one of the more challenging elements of the project. "The primary challenge was introducing something new to mountain architecture while ensuring perfect integration within the site," Sylvestre explains.

And this, Sylvestre and his team definitely achieved — as you approach Maya Hotel Courchevel 1850, the building has a sense of belonging, while also making its presence known. It celebrates its surroundings, feeling at once timeless and contemporary.

Sylvestre and his team spent three months perfecting the exterior façade — his favorite element to design — and a further year and a half perfecting the interiors, with the project taking a total of two years to complete. It was an "ongoing dialogue" between the owner and the design team, which aimed to refine the owner's vision and bring it to life, Sylvestre tells me.

Every detail was considered, particularly the use of color. "In the common areas, the palette is in keeping with the MayaBay universe: a theatrical red, shades of green, and patinated bronze for the metal elements," explains Sylvestre.

And it's the layered design of the colors, textures, and materials — from natural wood, stone, and metal to embroidered wallpaper — that creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that can be felt the moment you arrive at the reception desk; a cozy hug that you're very grateful for after stepping inside from the cold.

And although I was here for the design — I don't ski — for those who both ski and appreciate the art of craftsmanship, the hotel offers an almost ski-in-ski-out location, with the slope just meters away, which is a major plus for a hotel with such a hideaway feel.

The Stay

Comprising 14 rooms and suites across five floors — with the option to privatize the property — the hotel is an intimate offering that prioritizes calm, craftsmanship, and refined elegance.

"Two color schemes were designed for the rooms: one in shades of orange and the other in shades of blue-gray; both combined with dark walnut wood on the floors and walls," explains Sylvestre.

My suite was in the blue-gray scheme, which echoed the spectacular views of the mountains outside my window. It was a cocoon of warmth, with thoughtful details throughout.

Having experienced the unfortunate situation of arriving at a destination and your suitcase does not follow suit, the hotel’s amenities and toiletries were under my scrutiny more than ever — and they didn’t disappoint. Even down to lip balm, everything was considered.

Including the dim, under-cabinet lighting on a sensor that softly illuminated the floor beneath the nightstand if your foot stepped off the bed during the night to guide you — a detail which I thought was a particularly clever, thoughtful (and helpful) touch.

The towels and dressing gown were, quite honestly, the plushest I have ever felt, and the cloud-like bed and bedding gave me two of the best nights' sleep I've had in a while.

Wellness plays a major role in the design and experience of your stay, and the hotel offers a wellness programme in collaboration with Japanese beauty brand Forrlle'd. Treatments are available in their dedicated wellness area, as well as a private treatment room for guests of the Lalique Suite and Lalique Apartment (not to mention the custom-designed Lalique crystal pieces by Maison Lalique).

The Restaurant

The hotel's restaurant, MayaBay Courchevel 1850 — the first Alpine location of the MayaBay brand — serves Thai-Japanese fusion cuisine that doesn't disappoint.

Split into two sections and zoned with color and decor, one half is decorated in a sophisticated, soft green color palette, and acts as the main restaurant area. In contrast, the other half is decorated with vibrant red details and opulent chandeliers; a DJ booth adds to the evening vibes, which gives it a distinctly more bar-like feel.

The menu offers an extensive selection (one of the largest menus I've seen) of sushi, sashimi, rolls, dumplings, curries, and sharing plates, with signature dishes such as their Caviar Croustillant (a crisp nori-infused wafer topped with avocado purée and Petrossian Ossetra Royal caviar) available.

The Black Cod is also a highlight, inspired by gindara kasuzuke, a traditional Japanese recipe. The spicy Wagyu beef salad was my personal favorite, along with the Wagyu beef and asparagus-stuffed sesame seed tacos — divine. I also could have eaten bowl after bowl of their edamame beans (which you could choose different flavorings for, too). MayaBay London is set to launch in 2027, and I can't wait.

The breakfast served at the restaurant is a different offering (but still delicious) and much more continental, with plenty of croissants, pastries, and cereal, served with coffee and tea.

Sister Hotel (and Neighbor) Refuge de la Traye

When you're not skiing or exploring the designer boutiques of Courchevel 1850, you can take a trip to the hotel's sister resort, Refuge de la Traye, for a luxurious, 'off-the-beaten-track' Alpine hideaway experience.

Located at an altitude of 1,650 meters in a private alcove of the Les Allues valley, it can only be accessed by either the hotel's snowcat or snowshoe hike (I rode the snowcat up to the resort, and snowshoe hiked down — both of which were a new and fun experience!), giving a true taste of the magnificent surroundings.

Crafted from aged larch wood and stone, it blends traditional alpine heritage with a modern rustic aesthetic. Even more intimate than the Maya Hotel Courchevel 1850, Refuge de la Traye comprises six rooms and suites across three charming chalets, while maintaining the same wellness focus.

The impressive Spa du Refuge de la Traye has a vast array of treatments on offer to relax and rejuvenate after a day on the slopes — including the Nordic bath, hammam, and personalised skincare experiences.

The spa is available to all, as is the resort's lunch offering, while breakfast and dinner are reserved for guests staying at the resort. The live-in chef offers a delicious array of modern European dishes, including lamb shanks confit with honey and thyme.

I was also completely taken by their cinema room — a truly modern interpretation of Alpine luxury — with deep, bouclé sofas to spread out on, surrounded by a cocooned embrace of stylishly coordinated wood planks and layered lighting.

Feeling inspired? Check out our edit of the best ski hotels in the world for more luxurious getaways to satiate your design-forward, snow-filled appetites.

Book your stay at Maya Hotel Courchevel 1850.

Book your stay at Refuge de la Traye.

Bring the Vibe Home

What better way to see the world than through the eyes of our favorite tastemakers? In Hidden Trails, we look at the places that feel most like home to our community of design insiders — wherever those might be — to help you uncover what their cities have in store for you.

"The most meaningful connection I have to Florence lies in its deep history of patronage of the arts. Growing up there, you are steeped in a civic understanding that art is not an accessory to life but its very foundation," Ippolita Rostagno, the creative director of Italian crafts platform Artemest, tells me of the relationship to her Tuscan hometown.

A high school graduate of the city's prestigious Istituto D'Arte, Rostagno moved to Los Angeles in 1982 to study English Literature at Occidental College, where she set up an experimental dance and poetry company together with painter Anna Stump. Since 1999, the multi-hyphenate has been at the helm of her namesake jewelry brand, Ippolita, an innovative house reinterpreting precious stones, rosé, silver, and gold in bold, sculptural form, styled up by the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Charlize Theron.

"An artist first and a designer second," as she says, with the launch of Artemest — the retail and talent hub dedicated to the promotion of Italian design that Rostagno launched with Marco Credendino in 2015 — she has made her pursuit and love of Made in Italy into a lifeline. It's a choice you can fully understand only by acknowledging the influence that her Florentine roots have had on the shaping of her creative outlook and enterprises.

"The entire city stands as living proof that art can be central to a civilized society," Rostagno says. "Caring for its history, its buildings, and its legacy of artistic patronage is what makes Florence one of the most magical places on earth." But so do the addresses the Artemest co-founder invites us to discover below.

What to See in Florence, According to a Local

Heading to Italy's Renaissance cradle for Pitti Uomo (January 13-16; June 16-19), one of the hottest appointments of the global fashion calendar, or to soak in its centuries-spanning artistic heritage, but still feel stuck for ideas on what to see in Florence? Trust a local culture insider to make your trip worthwhile.

1. Catch "Craftsmen at Work" at Two Old-Style Artisan Studios

Studio Galleria Romanelli, Borgo S. Frediano, 70, 50124; Castorina 1895, Via Santo Spirito, 15r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

The design hotspots I love most are traditional artisan shops where you can still see craftsmen at work. Two must-sees are Galleria Romanelli, a sculpture studio housed in an old church, and Castorina 1895, a traditional wood-carving shop that makes ornate table legs and all sorts of frames and objects.

2. Discover a Secret Masterpiece in a Brunelleschi-Designed Chapel

Chiesa di Santa Felicita, Piazza Santa Felicita, 3, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Hidden in the tiny chapel of Santa Felicita near Ponte Vecchio, you can find one of the most spectacular frescos by 16th-century Mannerist painter Jacopo Pontormo. It is kept inside the Capponi Chapel, one of the longest-standing chapels signed by pioneering architect, designer, and sculptor Filippo Brunelleschi, commissioned in the early 1400s. Make sure to bring change to turn the lights on; otherwise, it’s in the dark!

Book your tickets to Santa Felicita.

3. Get a Taste of Florence — Whether Old or New

Buca dell'Orafo, Via dei Girolami, 28/R, 50122; iO, Osteria Personale, Borgo S. Frediano, 167R, 50124; Trippaio Albergucci Mario (also known as Trippaio Da Marione), Piazzale di Porta Romana, 50124 Firenze FI, Italy

Whenever I crave traditional Florentine food, I head to Buca dell'Orafo, literally underneath Ponte Vecchio. My favorite dish there is spaghetti con i piselli, which is my go-to order when fresh peas are in season.

For a modern option, try iO, Osteria Personale. They have a super interesting menu, especially when it comes to the desserts, including the gelato al rosmarino con polvere di olio d'oliva ("rosemary ice cream with olive oil powder"), meringa ai capperi ("caper-scented meringue ice cream"), and gel di limone ("lemon jelly").

As for street food, my favorite indulgence is a lampredotto sandwich at the Trippaio Albergucci Mario, located in the Piazza di Porta Romana and affectionately known as da Marione.

4. Experience Florence's Independent Shopping Scene

Flair, Lungarno Corsini, 24r, 50123; Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, Via della Scala, 16, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

In Florence, so much of the romance is provided by the city itself, but how people care for and curate their shops is the cherry on top. A shining example is the art and interiors gallery Flair, which relies on local artisans to restore vintage pieces and on artists to create new things that fit in with the old.

Another tip that can't be missed on your 'What to See in Florence' itinerary is the recently restored Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella.

5. Retreat from the City in This Lush, Urban Oasis

The Boboli Gardens are still my favorite spot for a respite from the bustle of the city. I went to school at the Istituto D'Arte, which was housed in the Scuderie Reali, the stables of the garden. I spent many days wandering amongst its curated hedges, and it is still beautifully maintained.

Book your ticket to Boboli Gardens.

6. Unwind at a Palatial Hideaway

Villa Cora, Viale Machiavelli, 18, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Situated just outside the city walls, the 5-star luxury hotel Villa Cora is very romantic. The frescos and the garden are lovely, and I stay there whenever I can.

Book your stay at Villa Cora.

One (Lesser Known) Thing

The greatest thing about Florence is that beauty is palpable. The buildings seem to cast a spell with their perfect proportions and historical gravity. The artisans who crafted them are still present in their work, and for me, this enduring presence has been one of the most powerful motivations to support craft and art as a lifelong endeavor.

Where (Else) to Stay in Florence

The Hoxton, Florence

IN A SENTENCE Unveiled last year, The Hoxton, Florence stands out as a very welcome contemporary design addition to the Tuscan city's hospitality scene, with whimsical, layered interiors crafted to impress by in-house team AIME Studios in collaboration with architectural practice Lev-Arch.

DESIGN DOWNLOAD Nestled in a tranquil area of Florence, less than a 20-minute walk from major attractions like the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Fortezza da Basso, The Hoxton, Florence beautifully renders the fusion of old and new that makes the city coveted around the world. Composed of two buildings, a historic, 16th-century palazzo and a modernist, 1980s Andrea Branzi edifice, the stay seeks to reconcile two seemingly clashing eras: namely, Renaissance and contemporary style.

It does so by juxtaposing miraculously preserved frescoes and stunning arched walls with the retro-hip furnishings and palette that have earned The Hoxton group a name across the globe, leaning into plush, quirky fabrics, comforting volumes, and imaginative artwork to make visitors feel at home and absorb them in a sense of awe.

ON THE MENU Head to the Italian Riviera-inspired Alassio restaurant for a taste of the sea and truly outstanding wall art, or retreat into the intimate, dimly lit Enoteca Violetta for curated wines and moreish plates that delight the palate.

DON'T MISS The Hoxton, Florence's hireable rooftop terrace — the ideal spot to take in the city's grandeur while sipping a Martini.

Holiday Delights

When what to see in Florence is no longer a question, start pondering a new dilemma: how to bring the artistic vibrancy of this Italian legend home? Try with this edit of Florentine, artisanal buys.

If there's one thing that Ippolita Rostagono's insider guide to her hometown shows, it's that the best way to discover what to see in Florence is to engage with its long-lived heritage, culture of hospitality, and artistry.

Ready for more adventures? Don't forget to check out our The Weekend Itinerary curation or our recent deep-dive into 5 underrated cities for design lovers.

Ever wondered what's in the travel bags of your ultimate artistic inspirations? Curious to know what the items shaping their lives while taking a break from the day job are, how they plan for weather swings, or stay inspired in their downtime? Can't Leave Without is the Livingetc column bringing you packing advice courtesy of our favorite names from the contemporary interior design and creative scene.

I first stumbled upon Jacu Strauss, the creative director of lifestyle portfolio Lore Group and founder of Lore Studio, its design arm, when writing about the hip makeover of One Hundred Shoreditch, one of the most spectacular hotels in London for true contemporary interiors enthusiasts.

The stay which, nine years after its opening, breathed new life into the former Ace Hotel London in 2022, feels like a Bond Villain lair for the young, style-discerning crowd, with wrap-around panoramic views over the Big Smoke's staggering skyline, sculptural, mid-century modern-inspired, earthy furniture, and a sensual, almost intoxicating, dimly lit vibe (spoiler: it also houses award-winning bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana's Seed Library).

One of the seven Amsterdam, London, Washington, and NYC-based design properties part of Lore Group, One Hundred Shoreditch captures the company's flair for sensory, inspired spaces where art, craftsmanship, and sociality abound as much as it reflects Strauss's own global outlook on creating and life. Born and bred in South Africa, a country known for its spellbinding nature, the designer and Tom Dixon alumnus studied in Auckland, New Zealand, before pursuing two architecture degrees at UCL and the University of Westminster, beginning in the late noughties.

He started out working at the world-renowned British brand as an architectural and, later, a senior designer, though it was the completion of the studio's first hotel design project, London's panoramic Sea Containers, that laid the groundwork for his ongoing venture with Lore Group and its experimental approach to hospitality.

An avid traveler, this winter Strauss is splitting his time between the Art Deco grandeur of five-star luxury hotel Riggs, housed within a former bank in Washington, DC, NYC's Hotel Park Ave, relaunched by Lore Group in winter 2024, and the staggering peaks of Aspen for a mountain escape. Below, he tells us in his own words about the collectible items that make his trips memorable.

1. Eric Bompard Voile Stole

In the colder months, I never travel without an oversized cashmere scarf. This one from Eric Bompard feels like such a luxury, and it's also incredibly practical. I use it as a blanket on flights and then throw it on as a scarf when I step off the plane.

2. D&D The Jag Print Green Eye Mask

I always have an eye mask with me for flights — I need all the sleep I can get when I'm on the go. I love this one from Desmond & Dempsey. It’s fun, luxe, and makes me feel a little chicer whilst traveling!

3. ROAV Balto Gold Brown Sunglasses

Sunglasses are a must, even in winter. My ROAV sunglasses fold neatly into a compact case and weigh next to nothing, making them perfect for trips and even more useful if the slopes are on the itinerary. (Livingetc tip: Like the look of ROAV's foldable eyewear? Explore more options as the brand proceeds to restock its Balto Gold Brown model).

4. Barbour Leather Utility Gloves

I always pack smartphone-friendly gloves for winter trips. When I'm in New York or Washington, moving between hotels and meetings in the cold can be brutal. These Barbour leather gloves are practical and chic, and allow me to use my phone while keeping my hands warm.

5. Palmarosa & Vetiver Hand Cream

I always travel with a good hand cream in winter. This Austin Austin one is my go-to, rich and hydrating without feeling greasy. The scent is so calming after a long day of traveling or meetings, it genuinely lifts my mood.

6. The Anthology Knitted T-Shirt(s)

Knitted T‑shirts are a must for winter, and even more so when packing. They're warm and practical but still look smart and layer effortlessly. I love these from The Anthology; they always make it into my suitcase.

7. POMPEII Modena Suede Almond

I recently brought these POMPEII shoes on a trip to Aspen, and they were a godsend. Smart enough for dinner but with a solid sole for snow and ice (yes, they're ideal when visiting the world's and Europe's best ski resorts). They made getting around so much easier. It's not the most glamorous advice, but practicality really is everything when it comes to packing well.

Note from the editor: The Modena Suede Almond loafers are currently out of stock. But speaking of functionality, these Gemini Leather Chocolate Biscuit trainers and Latymer Bicolor Roast shoes look like a valid alternative. Stuck for more loafers options? Test your luck for a new favorite with LOEWE's edit.

Embodying a fresh start, January calls for a 360-degree reset. Jacu Strauss's travel picks make for a sophisticated winter escape, whether hitting the slopes in style or retreating into one of the top destination spas in the UK and the world.

What better way to see the world than through the eyes of our favorite tastemakers? In Hidden Trails, we look at the places that feel most like home to our community of design insiders — wherever those might be — to help you uncover what their cities have in store for you.

For the founders of Hong Kong and Istanbul-based Studio Yellowdot, creative and life partners Bodin Hon and Dilara Kan Hon, the Chinese region was never just a place, but served as the incipit to an ongoing design story. "Bodin spent his early childhood here with his family, and it's also where we chose to stay after meeting in Milan," the imaginative duo, known for its dreamy installations and ingenious recasting of waste materials into shapely, joyful homewares and furniture, tells me over email. "We got married in Hong Kong and, soon after, Studio Yellowdot was born."

The contrasts of the city — where "glittering skyscrapers rise beside bustling street markets, and temples stand out against neon chaos" — have inevitably woven themselves into their design DNA. "For Dilara, coming from the animated Istanbul, Hong Kong's cultural mix, bold colors, and fast-moving pace instantly felt like home," Hon explains. "Its international spirit continues to inspire how we bring together craft, play, and innovation into everything we make. Merging old and new, East and West, Hong Kong never really stops, but always surprises you."

Stick with Studio Yellowdot for a curated itinerary to the buzziest, most vibrant, and tucked-away Hong Kong spots.

Exploring Hong Kong With Studio Yellowdot

From the coolest cultural destinations in town to oddly curious shopping hotspots, design hotels worth checking into, and more, this local-backed guide to Hong Kong covers all there is to know.

1. Soak in Design Inspiration in Central Hong Kong

Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Rd, Central; M+, 38 Museum Dr, West Kowloon, Hong Kong

Central is Hong Kong at its most impressive — skyscrapers by I.M. Pei, Norman Foster, and Zaha Hadid all within one block, rising above the rattling vintage trams. One of our favorite walks is to ride the Mid-Levels escalator through all that buzz and end up at Tai Kwun, an old, heritage police station turned art center. If you cross the harbor, the M+ museum by Herzog & de Meuron in West Kowloon is the new cultural anchor. Plus, the waterfront there is perfect for taking in the skyline.

Plan your visit to Tai Kwun and M+.

2. Get a Taste of the City at These Trusted Eateries

Ho Lee Fook, 蘇豪, 3-5號 Elgin St, Central; Ho To Tai Noodle Shop, 67號 Fau Tsoi St, Yuen Long, Hong Kong

For something fun, we love Ho Lee Fook in Soho — a modern Chinese spot with neon lights, cheeky décor, and an open kitchen that never stops buzzing. The food riffs on Hong Kong classics in playful ways: think roast duck with a twist and dumplings with global accents. A dose of timeless cuisine awaits at Ho To Tai in Yuen Long. They've been making wonton noodles for over 80 years, and it shows; the broth is clear but rich, the noodles perfectly springy. It's exactly what Bodin grew up eating after school, so it’s comfort food in the truest sense.

Book your table at Ho Lee Fook and Ho To Tai.

3. Bath in Global Creativity in the Art District

WOAW Gallery, 3 & 5 Sun St, Wan Chai; 13A New Street Art Gallery, 13a New Street, New St, Sheung Wan; Novalis Art Design, 197 Hollywood Rd, Central, Hong Kong

Sheung Wan is our favorite district to wander. The streets are a mix of incense-filled temples, tiny cafés, antique shops, and galleries — history and the present layered together in the most natural way. Spots like WOAW Gallery, 13A New Street Art Gallery, and Novalis Art Design bring Asian and international voices into dialogue, so the whole area buzzes with creativity in constant conversation.

Plan your visit to WOAW Gallery, 13A New Street Art Gallery, and Novalis Art Design.

4. Collect a Bit of Hong Kong About Town

Hak Dei, Hong Kong, Mong Kok, Shanghai St, 618號地下G04c; Huaqiang Electronic World, 1015 Huaqiang Rd N, Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province

Hak Dei in Kowloon is like stepping into a little time capsule — enamel flasks, bamboo steamers, ceramic rooster bowls. Here, you'll find everyday objects from Hong Kong's past that are slowly disappearing. We also love getting lost in Sham Shui Po's fabric market, where ribbons, fabrics, and buttons are arranged like rainbows.

For a total gear shift, head across the border to Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei electronics market. A complete sensory overload, it boasts thousands of stalls stacked with LEDs, sensors, and every imaginable component. It's a maker's paradise, chaotically overwhelming, but endlessly inspiring.

Learn more about Hak Dei and the Huaqiangbei electronics market.

5. Escape Into “Clouds of Butterflies” and Sail to Another Time

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Lam Kam Rd, Lam Tsuen; Tai O, Hong Kong

We love escaping to Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, our go-to hiking spot, with themed gardens, greenhouses, and clouds of butterflies. It's the quiet, green side of the city that most people don't expect — full of textures, colors, and details that always spark our imagination.

One final tip: you can't beat the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour, but for something extra special, take the vintage wooden Aqualuna at sunset. If you've got a bit more time, hop a ferry to the fishing town of Tai O. The stilt houses, the smell of dried seafood, the salted fish glowing in the sun: it's all so vivid, like stepping into another time — a sensory journey to the roots of Hong Kong.

Plan your visit to Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden.

One (Lesser Known) Thing

Hong Kong eats more eggs per person than anywhere else in the world. From tarts to custards, eggs show up in every meal. That obsession inspired our Hatch collection, where we turn discarded eggshells into lighting and objects — a small love letter to the city's ultimate breakfast, lunch, and dessert.

Holiday Delights

Get your hands on a curated selection of Hong Kong-inspired buys, picked for their whimsical design and style.

Where to Stay in Hong Kong

Upper House Hong Kong

IN A SENTENCE A champagne-tinted immersion in sophisticated, modern-oriental design inspired by the artisanry and ambience of traditional Eastern residences, crafted by the award-winning studio of Hong Kong architect André Fu.

DESIGN DOWNLOAD Lavishly spacious, each of the 117 rooms, suites, and penthouses of the hotel values quiet luxury and symmetry over unnecessary frills, with bamboo, dark woods, marble corridors, and plush textiles freezing a moment in time.

In the five F&B destinations of Upper House Hong Kong, meanwhile, it is a contemporary, cosmopolitan flair to prevail, with forms becoming softer, and colors bolder, in a converging of worlds.

ON THE MENU At the modern, glamorous Salisterra, Chef Ricardo Chaneton of Michelin-starred MONO cooks up anything from comfort breakfasts to beloved Mediterranean staples, all while making them resonate with the local clientele.

A stunning sculptural ceiling, chocolatey wood, and leather await you at The Continental European-inspired café, along with heartwarming plates, whimsical decor, and opportunities for informal drinks and snacks are on offer at The Tea Room, while on-site cocktail bars The Lawn and the Green Room provide the nightlife vibes.

DON'T MISS When at Upper House Hong Kong, it is easy to lose yourself in its luxurious, cocooning atmosphere, but one of its greatest highlights lies outside — just take a moment to look at the sky and the views all around it.

Book your stay at Upper House Hong Kong.

2025 has been a spectacular year for numerous alternative cultural capitals, whose public institutions, private galleries and collections, and thriving creative communities are bringing about fresh perspectives currently inspiring art and craftsmanship across borders. Explore our recent deep dive into five underrated cities for design lovers to find out more.

While I do my best to reduce screen time within my own abode, I've always been curious about what it would be like to go off-grid for a couple of days, with no excuse of having to reach for my devices. So, when I noticed that Unplugged, a beloved British-founded tech-free cabin brand, had collaborated with fashion and recently launched homewares label, Damson Madder, my interest was piqued, and before I knew it, my tickets were booked.

Considered to be digital detox zones in their own right, these quaint cabins are nestled into large open plots of land for a truly disconnected experience. And uniquely, the minimum duration you can book for is three days. This is because the effects of being unplugged are only known to kick in and form a nascent habit after around 72 hours.

And while I could only scrounge up 48 hours in a weekend to get out of London and into the zen countryside of Shropshire, the difference was almost immediate, and I returned to the city with an excitement about disconnecting from devices and reconnecting in real life. It may sound cliché, but once you hear about my Unplugged weekend, you'll understand exactly why it might be time to book your own, too.

Unplugged x Damson Madder

Even after my first train was cancelled, the second one detrained, and the third one took us back a couple of stops, I was still determined and yearning for an off-grid weekend away. And this digital detox corner in the middle of Shropshire did not disappoint.

So, even when my willing-to-unplug friend and I reached the train and took a taxi to the remote cabin, finding the land around shrouded in darkness, we were still determined to find our way. And after a minor snafu of our own with directions, we found ourselves inside the Unplugged 'Jasper' cabin. Now, let me set the idyllic scene.

The beautiful wood encompasses the cabin and brings in a natural air of warmth, and then there's the roomy bed framed by a window of the view that feels like a postcard in real life. And the sleeping space is dressed in the coziest Piglet in Bed linens (one of my favorites) to ensure each night is dreamily comfortable.

The kitchenette is simple but features all the basics you need, from cutlery to cookware, bowls, plates, mugs, and more. Not to mention this sleek HARIO V60 Buono Teapot, which I now want for my own home. Plus, some coffee beans (so you can grind yourself a fresh cuppa), chamomile tea for the less morning-averse, Scottish breakfast tea, olive oil, pepper, and salt.

In terms of food, the ingredients are yours to bring, so you can whip up freshly cooked meals to add to the healthy experience. And if you're worried about how you'll spend your time at the cabin without a screen to distract you, each site is stocked with plenty of things to keep you from scrolling including board games like Scrabble and Sequence, a couple of books to break into, and an old-fashioned radio with cassette tapes from the likes of ABBA to Billy Joel to keep you company.

The self-check-in cabin also features a fireplace, an eco toilet, a shower room, and an outdoor firepit so you can get warm while enjoying the fresh air and star-studded skies. It also comes with a mini lock box for you to put your phone away for the duration of your stay, and a mini Nokia just in case you'd like to give your family an emergency number or if you're keen to call a local pub to reserve a Sunday roast.

My Unplugged Takeaway

As far as digital detox retreats go, Unplugged's cabins are a charming idea for a quick getaway from the bustle of city life. My first few hours there had me instinctively reaching for my phone, but after intentionally setting it aside, I found myself getting more used to being offline.

By the end of the trip, I had learnt how to start a fire, cooked up a couple of delicious meals, roasted sausages, and melted s'mores over the outdoor firepit, finished a book that I'd long put off, and felt so much calmer. On the final morning, I wasn't even keen on catching up on notifications or quick to take a scroll through Instagram.

There was a weight that evidently lifted off me over the course of my 48 hours in the Jasper cabin, and the experience was made all the more beautiful by the colorful Damson Madder homewares dressing the space.

In the lead-up to the trip, I was feeling major screen-fatigue, but the thought of being phone-less made me slightly anxious. If you've felt this way before, and it's holding you back from going off-grid, my advice is to try to set those feelings aside and do it anyway.

You don't have to go solo, either. Take a friend, and plan a digital detox vacation to soothe your senses. After all, Hector Hughes, co-founder of Unplugged, tells me that this was the very reason these cabins came to life.

"It was, and still is, so clear that technology is becoming increasingly addictive and people find it hard to spend intentional space offline," he says. "So we've created that space — somewhere for people to switch off, slow down and recharge."

These pretty country cabins do just that. They help you stop and smell the roses, walk through a field of sheep (yes, literally), and touch grass. From the fresh air to the unbelievably stunning skies flooded with blue by day and carpeted with clear shining stars by night, you'll find yourself drawn to connecting in real life. And it'll give you plenty of inspiration to digitally detox your own home, starting with designing a tech-free bedroom.

All in all, it was a restorative, slow living affirming weekend away that has me planning a future Unplugged retreat for the next time I need a break from my typically electronically charged life.

Shop the Cabin's Look

If you're looking to ease yourself into a life that's less online, our guide to slow living holiday destinations will give you plenty of inspiration for the next time you want to be whisked off on a vacation.

You don't need to be a die-hard fan of Netflix hit series Emily in Paris to feel the tourism-shaking impact that the comedy drama is having on the cities graced by it. First, it was the French capital, of course, but from this week, as Emily in Paris Season 5 begins, Rome offers itself as a backdrop to Emily Cooper (Lily Collins)'s latest adventures as the head of Agence Grateau Rome and her ongoing liaison with charming Italian love interest and cashmere entrepreneur Marcello Muratori (Eugenio Franceschini).

The numbers are clear: according to members-only home exchange community Kindred, home swap wish lists for properties situated in Rome "have soared by 3,221% among UK Kindred members following the Emily in Paris Season 5 location announcement, compared to the same time last year." Of course, we can expect the best Rome hotels to be as sought after as the houses part of the Kindred network — and certainly more expensive.

That's the price to pay to feel like one of the protagonists of the record-breaking rom-com, which is also taking its audience to Paris and the equally romantic Venice. But what if I, an Italian-born-and-bred culture, lifestyle, and travel journalist, could help you identify some of the hotspots featured in Emily in Paris Season 5? It's my favorite city in the whole world, I can help you put a name to its most iconic (and still kept-secret) filming locations alongside other unmissable addresses.

From the 'grand dame' of Roman hospitality where Emily herself sojourns and the gastronomic institutions the cast has been spotted at, to the lesser-known palazzos that feature in Emily in Paris Season 5, this local-approved itinerary will have you uncover the very best of the Italian capital's architecture and design following in Lily Collins' footsteps as we dive into a new, captivating storyline.

1. Hotel Eden, Parioli District

Via Ludovisi, 49, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

It's no secret that in Emily in Paris Season 5, Lily Collins' Emily Cooper will return to the storied Hotel Eden, where the past season's finale took place, as one of her bases. After all, the Dorchester Collection group, to which this timelessly lavish property — first established in 1889 and oozing classic Roman grandeur — belongs, is to the Netflix cultural phenomenon what Four Seasons is to Mike White's The White Lotus, having hosted previous chapters of the Darren Star-created series across two of its Paris locations, namely Hôtel Plaza Athénée and Le Meurice.

The hotel itself has said they "can't wait to see" which of their spaces "might cameo" in Season 5, practically removing all doubts concerning Dorchester Collection's involvement in it. Still, if you think one luxury hotel is enough for the bon-vivant Emily, well... wait and see, as you're in for a treat.

Book your stay at Hotel Eden.

2. Palazzo Senza Nome, Coppedè District

Piazza Mincio, 2, 00198 Roma RM, Italy

Just a few seconds into Emily in Paris Season 5 official trailer, go-getter marketing executive Emily Cooper is captured sprinting and shouting to catch a bus — Roman style — under some spectacularly ornate marble and travertine arches. It's her first day at the helm of the Rome office of Agence Grateau, she tells her flame, Marcello, right before leaving his house. But who would have thought Emily's new desk would be found inside one of the most architecturally striking buildings of Rome, and a very cinematic one, too?

The golden leaf-decorated entrance where we see her ring the Agence Grateau bell only a few instants later is that of Piazza Mincio's famed Palazzo Senza Nome ("Palace Without a Name"), one of some 26 edifices and 17 villas composing 20th-century architect Gino Coppedè's fairytale-like namesake residential district.

Hidden away in the affluent northern side of the city, Quartiere Coppedè and its esoteric Fontana delle Rane — which serves as the heart of Piazza Mincio — have appeared in cult horror films by Dario Argento and Gregory Peck, as well as featuring in Ridley Scott's more recent drama film House of Gucci (2021).

Merging Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Baroque, Gothic, Medieval, Ancient Green, Roman, and even Assyrian-Babylonian influences into a mesmerizing visual tapestry, Il Palazzo Senza Nome is as famous as it remains fundamentally a mystery to most. Just the last time I was in the Italian capital, a family member of mine who lives nearby went on to describe the triumph of intricate frescoes, elaborate plasterwork, vibrant mosaics, and sinuous cast iron that's rumored to define its decor.

While the secrecy imbuing this exclusive Roman location means it's impossible to confirm it just yet, the office life scenes hinted at in the Emily in Paris Season 5 teaser might have already given us a sneak peek at it (or another palace that needs to be seen!).

3. Gigi Rigolatto Roma at Orient Express La Minerva, Pigna District

Piazza della Minerva, 69, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

What can I say, I know a standout Roman rooftop when I see one, and that of the five-star luxury hotel Orient Express La Minerva's in-house restaurant and bar, Gigi Rigolatto Roma, certainly didn't go unobserved when I caught a glimpse of it in a golden-hour scene included in the Emily in Paris Season 5 trailer (spoiler: it was the balcony circular detailing and the vaguely Dior patterned fabric of the cushions that gave it away for me).

Like the rest of this spectacular stay, nestled a stone's throw from the Pantheon, Gigi Rigolatto Roma is the work of Parisian-Mexican architectural designer Hugo Toro, whose sophisticatedly layered, warm touch — marble statues, chocolatey, lacquered cabinetry, restored frescoes, and one-off collectibles — can be felt throughout the hotel, including on its Riviera-inspired panoramic rooftop.

A celebration of Italy's indulgent cult of hospitality, this recently revamped destination, dating from 1811, allows you to revel in a seafood-rich menu while taking in unforgettable views of the majestic Vittoriano and St. Peter's Basilica and enjoying the city's burning sunsets at their best.

Book your stay at Orient Express La Minerva, or reserve your table at Gigi Rigolatto Roma, the hotel's in-house restaurant.

4. Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, EUR District

Quadrato della Concordia, 00144 Roma RM, Italy

The trait d'union between Emily in Paris Season 5 and world-leading Roman fashion, accessories, and jewelry brand Fendi is not something Netflix has in any way wanted to hide. Already in the teaser, we see Lily Collins and Eugenio Franceschini's Marcello awkwardly sharing a kiss inside the house's hyper-central Palazzo Fendi flagship, located near the epicenter of high-end retail, Via dei Condotti, at Largo Carlo Goldoni 420.

But the dialogue continues to unfold throughout the season, whether through hidden-in-plain-sight Fendi Home set design additions or overt visits to some of the Rome landmarks the Fendi family has taken over and reinvented into multifunctional, premium cultural destinations over the last couple of decades.

Among those filmed in the show stands out the dramatic Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana (shown above), a Fascist-era building originally commissioned by Mussolini for the 1942 World Fair, now serving as the headquarters for the luxury brand. People driving into Rome from the airport might have spotted it before, but trust me when I say its staggering arches and statues are a surreal vision like no other.

In a bold fusion of old and new, its upper floors have been converted into sleekly furnished, minimalist offices and design studios, while downstairs, Fendi's legacy of craftsmanship takes center stage in temporary exhibitions juxtaposing the brand's creations with artworks from groundbreaking talents, visitable free of charge. The same occurs at the Alda Fendi-established, Jean Nouvel-designed Rhinoceros, a 25-unit experimental aparthotel, gallery, and restaurant where 17th-century sprezzatura and pure contemporary genius meet.

Book your stay at Rhinoceros.

5. La Posta Vecchia, Palo Laziale

Palo Laziale, Via Palo Laziale, 00055 Ladispoli RM, Italy

Nothing screams Rome more than a gita fuori porta ("trip out of town"), and anyone who has watched practically any movie deserving of attention set in the Italian capital — starting from Fellini's La Dolce Vita — knows a day at the beach in Ostia, Fregene, and Fiumicino is what completes it. That's what makes the truly unexpected and yet much welcome appearance of five-star luxury hotel La Posta Vecchia, the sea-facing Roman property of Marie-Louise Sciò's award-winning group, Il Pellicano (recently mentioned in our coverage of The World's 50 Best Hotels ceremony), particularly fitting.

The cast of Emily in Paris Season 5 were spotted shooting here earlier this spring, and the teaser for the series' comeback confirms it: in it, we catch Emily's boss, Sylvie Grateau (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu), whizzing by on a speedboat, while her best friend, spirited aspiring singer Mindy Chen (Ashley Park), leading a dance scene at the dawn of a pompous party. With its terraces poised right over the Tyrrhenian, pervading heritage, and old-money maritime calm, La Posta Vecchia reinforces the show's core fantasy: that work, love, and reinvention always look better under golden light, and far brighter with a Martini glass in your hand.

Book your stay at La Posta Vecchia.

Don't miss out: Emily in Paris Season 5 launches in the UK December 18th, 2025 at 8:00 AM GMT. Watch it on Netflix.

When in Rome

The filming locations of Emily in Paris Season 5 aren't the only tricky addresses to track down in the Eternal City. With so many places to pick from, it's easy to end up at tourist traps — but don't despair. Our thorough guide to everything noteworthy in Rome covers the basics, where to eat and drink, and even where to shop; local and independent, of course. Find all you may ever need below:

• The Best Restaurants in Rome for a Dazzling Experience

• I'm an Art and Design-Obsessed Lifestyle Editor — These Are the 9 Concept Stores in Rome That I Lost Myself In

• The Best Cafés in Rome — 7 Design-Led, Local-Approved Addresses for a Multisensory Feast

• After more cinematic stories to chase in the Italian capital? Consider staying at Oscar-nominated director Luca Guadagnino's debut hotel, Palazzo Talìa, or pick the Laura Gonzalez-designed Casa Monti Roma for an immersion in maximalism.

The fast-dropping temperatures and sunshine of wintertime call for some much-needed repose. But where to go when even finding the right holiday spot becomes a stress-inducing chore? Here at Livingetc, we have turned uncovering only the best hotels in the world into our day job. So if, suddenly, browsing for your next getaway feels too much of a task, you can leave the research side of things with us and rely on us to get in on the fun stuff.

Inspired by the stark rise of UK staycations we witnessed over the past few months, starting from the findings of our latest travel trends report, we have decided to bring you an easily digestible (and even more easily bookable) selection of covetable English breaks that pass the design check, taste better, and are comfortably reachable via either car or train. Because days getting shorter and shorter shouldn't take a minute away from your inspiration and relax.

5 UK Staycations to Experience Right Now

From the most sophisticated farm stays in the UK to unexpected urban oases providing restoration and calm in the middle of London, read our first-hand account of five English breaks worth experiencing in winter 2026.

1. Louma Country Hotel, Dorset

Louma Country Hotel, Champernhayes Ln, Bridport DT6 6DF

It's rare that a hotel feels like it's truly perfect in every single way, but there is a real sense of magic at Louma Country Hotel. Perched on top of a hill in Dorset, its vineyards stretching down to the coast, this is where to come if you want to sip the hotel's own wine, eat lunch, and feel like you're in France.

But who needs France when this family and dog-friendly hotel has it all: pools indoor and out, a spa, wellness workshops, horses, pigs, and most food grown on site. This is Soho Farmhouse on a smaller, more intimate scale, made for those who have tired of going where everyone else goes and are seeking a bucolic boutique experience instead.

Unbelievably, the in-house design team had never worked on a hotel before, having only done the owner's private properties, but their clever matching of fabrics from Christopher Farr Cloth and Jane Churchill with pieces from Soho Home and George Smith has created an assured style.

Rooms come with their own kitchen facilities (though the food at the restaurants is so good you're unlikely to need them), and each one feels secluded and special. Louma Country Hotel is not your ordinary UK staycation. It is a place you go to feel looked after — the very best of British.

Book your stay at Louma Country Hotel.

2. The July, London

282 Vauxhall Bridge Rd, London SW1V 1BB

You rarely get better connected than a hotel being a three-minute walk from London's Victoria station (and one minute from the musical Wicked, if that's your bag), but that doesn't mean that The July feels busy and bustling.

Instead, it's a haven of apartment-rooms, peaceful and quiet, all designed with their own kitchens (so you could, in fact, heat up an M&S dinner after an evening of Defying Gravity). A proper sense of home in the heart of the city.

Fettle is responsible for some of the best hotel and restaurant decor schemes of recent years, from The Hoxton in Rome to London's Mortimer House. Its style is unmistakable: primary colors on hi-gloss lacquer surfaces meet modern graphic fabrics used to upholster mid-century modern furniture.

Everything always feels plush, zingy, uplifting, and energizing, giving you the aesthetic equivalent of a shoulder shimmy as soon as you walk into the room. Make the most of the ground-floor restaurant and honesty bar before heading to your retreat upstairs.

Book your stay at The July.

3. Hyll, the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds, Charingworth, Chipping Campden GL55 6NS

There is little to do at Hyll, and that is the point. The hotel — newly renovated and rebranded, and launched in September — actively encourages total rest and relaxation; in fact, they even leave a little booklet in your room called Do Nothing, a manifesto to slowing down that includes meditations on time, boredom, and more. (Don't worry — there's also one titled Do Something if coming to a complete stop isn't for you, filled with local walks and villages to visit).

Set in the middle of rolling countryside, Hyll is fully equipped for chilling, with three lounge areas (including one with a record player and an impressive vinyl collection), a bar, and a restaurant serving a small but considered menu.

Youth Studio, the Manchester practice behind the redesign of this stylish UK staycation, has pinned down exactly how a modern country hotel should not just look, but feel. This is a feast of sensory delights: drawing from the landscape of the Cotswolds, there is locally sourced timber, hand-worked plaster, aged metals, and sculpted stone.

Bedrooms feature Naturalmat beds, the lighting is soft and low, and you're greeted with a Tivoli Audio radio playing classical music on arrival. Meanwhile, luxury VERDEN products in the bathroom create a signature scentscape. It is a beautiful hotel and — not to be cliché about it — feels like a genuine home from home.

Book your stay at Hyll.

4. Updown Farmhouse, Deal

Updown Farmhouse, Updown Rd, Betteshanger, Deal CT14 0EF

Although it's been in business for some years now, Updown Farmhouse is constantly evolving — the latest additions being rooms in a converted stable building and a new pool. These rooms are smaller, so if you like more space, you'll be better off in the farmhouse, but really it's not an issue, because you're welcome — encouraged, even — to make use of the multiple sitting rooms on the ground floor of the main building (and if the weather's nice, can set up on the terrace outside, too).

Plus, you'll likely be spending plenty of time in the beautiful conservatory restaurant — food is hyper-seasonal, the menu changes regularly, and you can sense the care that goes into each dish.

The renovation of Updown Farmhouse has been done in stages, but you'd never know — the new guest rooms link seamlessly to the main farmhouse, with the same rich, warm color palette and layered materiality carried through.

The design feels personal, executed as it is by owners Ruth Leigh and Oli Brown — there is even a curated selection of artwork from Oli's family, interspersed with pieces from his relatives' private collection. We came away inspired to try ideas out at home — the sign of a well-designed hotel indeed.

Book your stay at Updown Farmhouse.

5. Osip, Somerset

25 Kingsettle Hill, Hardway, Bruton BA10 0LN

Walking past the heavy wood and wrought-iron door of Osip, a 16th-century pub reborn as an award-winning restaurant with rooms and, since October, a craftsmanship-driven artist residency in the Somerset town of Bruton, you'll feel miles away from the ordinary world.

Immersion in nature is guaranteed at every stage of your sojourn in this masterfully revamped inn and working farm, whether through the organic materials, textures, and palettes punctuating Bindloss Dawes and Johnny Smith's interiors, the panoramic views that bless its gorgeous dining room, or chef-owner Merlin Labron-Johnson's beautifully layered, sublime reworking of its food offering.

Rural allure, supreme comfort, and characterful sophistication are the three defining features of Osip — in and outside of its four guest rooms. Staying true to the building's origins while simultaneously innovating it, the atmosphere of the communal lounge and dining room pairs textural materials like wood, exposed bricks, and cement with plush textiles, bright metallics, and one-off artwork.

Sculpted from stainless steel and timber and embraced by glass panels, the open kitchen epitomizes the vision behind this Michelin-starred restaurant and boutique stay, keeping genuine taste at its heart — whether in food, art, or decor. A creative retreat to get lost in, Osip is where countryside charm and inspired luxury meet.

Book your stay at Osip or read our full review of Somerset's coolest farm-to-table restaurant with rooms.

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Turn the reinvigorating feeling of your best UK staycations into your everyday with our edit of travel-inspired, aesthetic lifestyle buys.

Keen to explore more rejuvenating options for English breaks? Dive into our architecture and design-led edit of must-visit British spas for more wellness-oriented UK staycations.

The air feels crisp and, suddenly, clean when I alight at Castle Cary in south Somerset: genuinely the most picturesque train station I have seen in my five years in England, wrapped in greenery on either end and complete with a shiny deli-cum-cafe sculpted from glass, wood, and red brick, The Creamery. Autumn is in full swing; it's not even 6PM, but the sky has already dimmed. Yet, from the window seat of the taxi driving me to Michelin-starred farm-to-table restaurant, Osip, I can still catch a glimpse of the surrounding countryside as it darkens into shadows beside me.

Founded in November 2019, Osip started as an ingredient-led concept tucked inside the Number One Bruton boutique hotel, serving plates made with produce, meat, seafood, and poultry sourced in and around the namesake town. One of the English pioneers of the 'field-to-plate' movement, the establishment was dreamed up by Devon-bred chef patron and farmer Merlin Labron-Johnson. A burgeoning name on the international gastronomic scene, Labron-Johnson's debut eatery, Fitzrovia's Portland, earned him a Michelin star aged 24, less than a year after launching in 2014, and was quickly followed by the buzz made by the nearby neighborhood restaurant Clipstone, his second opening.

Since November last year, Osip has found an expanded home inside a 16th-century former coaching inn just outside a pine forest in Hardway, a short drive away from its original Bruton base. One of the most in-demand farm stays in the UK, this Bindloss Dawes-restored hideout is no longer just a destination for fine-palate epicureans, but also boasts four modern rustic bedrooms, meaning that, no, you don't have to book a same-day return to get a taste of Merlin Labron-Johnson's hyper seasonal tasting menus. Whether stopping off at Osip on an inspired day trip from London or choosing to spend the weekend, the chef has only one piece of advice for guests: "to view Osip as a cultural destination, not just a restaurant."

Checking in at Osip, Somerset

"The space is first and foremost an old house, our house, where you can stay the night, linger by the fire, and encounter beautiful craft, objects, and works of art," he tells me.

Needless to say, "you can also have a very nice dinner, looking out over fields of cows, or a serene breakfast, watching the cooks go about their business before rush hour," he adds — anything to make visitors "feel enveloped in the environment", the heritage of the building, and its pervading sense of serenity.

This vision, Merlin Labron-Johnson recounts, is reflected in the minimalist country interiors of this increasingly talked-about, award-winning eatery and boutique design hotel.

Its pared-back yet warming ambiance suggests that, perhaps, it's time to embrace a different farmhouse (life)style: one that reframes all key historical elements in a clutter-free light, allowing essentially beautiful tactile notes, nature-inspired flavors, and contemporary craft to engage both the taste buds and the eye.

Lessons in Minimalist Country Interiors From Somerset's 'It' Retreat

But what aspirations guided the Osip team, local studio Bindloss Dawes, who spearheaded the architectural renovation of the building, and Johnny Smith of hospitality group Smith & Willis, who helped shape the destination's visual identity while also curating the interiors, in the reinvention of its location?

1. Valorize History, But Don’t Let It Limit You

"This building dates back to the 16th century, and I wanted to preserve as much of the original detail and charm whilst making it feel contemporary," Merlin Labron-Johnson explains.

That the site where Osip resides, formerly known as The Bull Inn, was a pub is rather evident when, pulling into the parking lot, my cab stops opposite the tall sign that, already back then, must have signaled its presence to passersby, now reinterpreted in a back-lit, monochromatic flair to match the restaurant with rooms' understatedly luxurious vibe.

Still, whether because of Osip's mazy plan — the eatery expands longitudinally over a bright stretch tucked behind the front desk, with thriving gardens wrapping the kitchen and four plush guestrooms awaiting visitors past a winding staircase upstairs — or its unexpectedly hip, mid-century modern-infused atmosphere, by the time I am all checked in, the inn's image has already faded: in its place is that of an inspiring domestic idyll.

One of the goals of the restoration "was to make Osip feel like it wasn't a pub," its chef patron recounts. Instead, "I wanted it to feel like an old farmhouse."

Sitting on one of the cream textile and chocolate-hued wood armchairs in the communal area adjacent to the entrance bar, the fire crackling in the background and an earthy, heartwarming Fig Leaf Negroni at hand, I wonder what it'd actually be like to live in a place like this.

Had Osip had sticky floors, drenched-in-booze interiors, and no-stop comings and goings, like so many old pubs, I doubt I would have said the same. But as I watch a couple sip their drinks and chat as they, too, wait to be taken into the main dining room, I think it's everyone's luck Merlin Labron-Johnson believed "it was time for the building to move on."

2. “Let the Sunshine In”

Among the most eye-catching features of Bindloss Dawes's recasting of Osip is the 'glass box'-style architectural addition that houses its bold, brushed stainless steel and textured timber open kitchen and chef's table.

It is a daring stylistic choice that doesn't just balance the rustic aesthetic of the lobby's exposed wooden beams, wrought iron detailing, and distressed stone and brick walls, but also floods the Michelin-starred eatery with sunshine and uninterrupted, scenic views.

The first aim of the renovation "was to open up the space and bring in as much natural light as possible," Merlin Labron-Johnson recalls. "The old pub was incredibly dark and dingy, with low ceilings and very few windows, which didn't feel very Osip."

Filtering through and bouncing off Osip's porous surfaces like in a choreography, now light accompanies guests from when they wake up in their farm-chic suites and head down for breakfast to their afternoon drinks in the lounge and dinner time at the eatery, only to morph into twinkling reflections as the sun sets in the evening.

"Juxtaposing the very traditional house with the modernist glass extensions was something I was really excited about," Merlin Labron-Johnson explains. "I feel like it has worked well, as the contrast is striking without being conflicting."

This indoor-outdoor installation also enables Osip to mirror the nature the restaurant so faithfully borrows from — not just on the plate but even in its wider storytelling — evolving in shade and intensity and pacing its rhythm in seamless dialogue with the seasons.

3. Lean Into the “Contrast Between Old and New” — And Embrace the Quirks

The interplay of light and dark isn't the only one unfolding at Osip; so is the one between old and new. While the eatery's kitchen, with its geometrical skylight, undoubtedly remains the most modern touch to this rural Somerset stay, whose flooring is made from locally sourced crimson earthenware clay, its bedrooms — inaugurated this summer — give country style the contemporary design treatment.

"Ultimately, the goal was to develop a beautifully charming, wonderfully comfortable, and supremely characterful space, blending nature with luxury to create something unique to Osip," Johnny Smith tells me of the accommodations, which welcome guests with a soundtrack of soothing classical music and a tray of freshly made Osip bakes: the sort of pampering attention everyone appreciates after a long day.

With the destination's overall ethos in mind, "we made a point of sourcing and using local, natural materials — live edge headboards and bedside tables made from wood felled within a 10-mile radius, and tumbled-edge limestone tiles in the bathrooms. We also visited antique markets across the southwest to source one-off pieces for each room, from bureaus to objet d'art," he recounts.

The look and feel of the bedrooms were equally important. And so, "beds had to be incredibly comfortable, with no expense spared, showers hot, powerful, and complete with the most exquisite amenities — all of which are Maison Osip — while lighting had to be soft and warm," the designer adds.

A considered, uniform palette of white and warm tones unleashes "calm and a level of unfussiness", staying true to the restaurant and hotel's gentle nonchalance.

Meanwhile, a few selected, sophisticated details, like the sculptural matte porcelain bathtubs and the brass finishes alternating with the rooms' organic surfaces, exemplify the address's modern sensibility. The belief that "at Osip, less is better", and that precisely because of that, nothing should ever be left to chance.

4. Make the Result a “Product of Its Surroundings”, Not an Anomaly

When, after a quick panisse and fermented carrot ́canapé bite in the lobby bar, it's time to move into the dining room, Osip's restaurant manager, Fethi Tarchoune, and in-house sommelier and cocktail expert, Andrea Marcon, hand me a list of ingredients which I am told "will define the culinary experience tonight" — from beetroot, mushroom, and parsnip to sea buckthorn, salt marsh lamb, corn, and brioche.

Over a slowly unraveling, 11-course meal paired with an exciting selection of European wines (plus a truly surprising Somerset Wilding Cider Yellow Perry), each further exalting the flavors they accompany, I realize what makes Merlin Labron-Johnson's life and work project so rightly worthwhile.

Seemingly 'simple' ingredients are elevated into lingering sensations under new, inventive forms I have, up until this moment, never tried before — steamed in vegetable 'teas'; layered in luscious seafood and hazelnut assemblements; flattened into paper-thin tacos topped with grated, dried venison heart.

Some dishes, like the fried spring roll made of parsnip, black garlic, and togarashi, get you with their crunch. Others, notably the grilled Cornish lobster with pumpkin satay, Thai basil, and citrus, and the roasted corn husk ice cream with bergamot and bay leaf, offer a cocooning, foamy hug. This is a cuisine that borrows as much as it gives back to the environment it is anchored in, as before it is a business, Osip is a family.

"Osip has forged its own identity over the years, but primarily, it remains a product of its surroundings," Merlin Labron-Johnson says. "The way we cook and go about our day-to-day is very much rooted in this place."

Known for its apple orchards, artisan cheeses and breads, the rolling Mendip hills, and fertile farmlands, Somerset is the setting of a zero-kilometer food renaissance. No wonder Merlin Labron-Johnson's nuanced tasting menus taste so great.

Take Osip and plonk it down anywhere elsewhere, say, for example, in a city, and "it doesn't really make sense," the founder explains. "Our values are simple: grow our own food, look after our people, and embrace creativity and collaboration."

With a Michelin star and a green star for sustainable gastronomy already in the bag, the guest house's culinary offering is elaborate. Still, although "there is a level of intrigue to our cooking, we like to keep it simple," the chef patron warns.

"The aesthetic of our food mirrors the general design language: quality materials, presented simply, without too much fuss. We play with negative space — the 'new luxury' in the design world — but want the ingredients to always appear as the best representation of themselves."

5. Go Beyond the Expected — And Leave Room for Surprises to Unfold Along the Way

World-class gastronomy isn't the only thing to be constantly challenged and spotlighted at Osip. Earlier this autumn, the rising cultural destination unveiled A Gathering, the debut design exhibition of its artist-in-residence series.

Celebrating, like the wider calendar of events, the beauty and knowledge that lie in the handmade, the showcase (through March 2026) gathers ceramics, wood sculptures, and photographs from a cohort of creatives brought together by their "use of organic materials, response to seasonal rhythms, and a shared connection to place," crafted arts curator Jacqueline Moore, who will oversee the residency program in collaboration with Merlin Labron-Johnson, tells me.

In the meticulous process that went into these artists' creations, now installed across Osip's lobby and dining room, and their reliance on salvaged, local resources, she sees a metaphor for the chef's own approach; his flair for imaginative, painstakingly composed dish presentations.

Channeling the quiet power of native British wood and foraged materials, Mark Reddy's Remembered Rituals VI (2024) transforms the humble hand-carved spoon into a vessel of memory where routine, kinship, and the land's own history converge. Captured in black and white, England's forests turn into deeply enigmatic scenes before Jonty Sale's lens, prompting us to wonder whether, actually, there is more to the outdoors than the naked eye can see.

In Ken Eastman's hands, clay becomes both architecture and canvas. A slow-built form shaped through a painter's dense brushstrokes and a maker's sharp intuition, And so it was (2024) emerges from the kiln as a balanced fusion of sculpture, color, and introspection. Elsewhere, with his Medium constructed sculpture on sycamore base, Derek Wilson dismantles the familiar language of the vessel, reworking thrown components into abstract constructions that blur the line between the functional and the conceptual.

"The table is a place to gather, share, converse. This collaboration deepens the conversation around how one may encounter crafted artworks in a new context," Jacqueline Moore explains. A restaurant might not be the typical setting for an exhibition, but Osip is determined to defy expectations.

There is a sense of discovery to it: "once you enter, surprises await you as you make your way through the building," Merlin Labron-Johnson recounts. "I want the Osip experience to feel ethereal with a little bit of magic. If we achieve that, then I'm very happy."

Book your table or stay at Osip.

Not in the UK? Browse our curated edit of digital detox retreats to uncover a bucolic idyll near you.

The description sounds like bait for design enthusiasts: modernist cabins tucked in the trees. When Piaule Catskill opened in 2021 with two dozen stilted cabins spread across 50 acres in New York’s Catskills, the boutique quickly became a go-to destination for woodsy retreats from the city — the type of quiet place to start a book (and actually finish it).

And now, Piaule enters a new chapter. A collaboration with DWR (Design Within Reach) brings a three-bedroom residence into the fold, while even more coveted furnishings (from the likes of Charlotte Perriand to Louis Poulsen and Fritz Hansen) pepper the property and its refreshed suites.

It’s not a massive leap for the design hotel; the boutique and the brand share a reverence for craft and iconic design, which means it was destined to stick to the landing. Here's a look at the refreshed retreat.

Craft meets nature, in situ

The crux of the partnership, according to Piaule founders Nolan McHugh and Trevor Trevor, lies in the modernist concept of "truth to materials", a principle that shaped the hotel even before DWR came into the picture.

“It basically means using things for their best-suited purpose, and not trying to modify them to look like something else, or be something else, or do something they're not suited to doing,” explains Nolan on a crisp fall afternoon. Standing in front of the hotel’s Main House, with the Catskill Mountains rising in the distance, he rattles off a handful of examples: oak for strong furniture, glass for diffusing light, cashmere for soft surfaces.

That ethos informed the hotel’s architecture and ultimately guided every choice they made in the new partnership; with design icons and new classics in the retailer’s portfolio that align with the modernist principle, partnering with DWR wasn’t a stretch.

Of course, the concept of ‘shoppable’ hotels is nothing new to hospitality—nor to Piaule itself, which opened with its own line of home goods (like supreme waffle towels and cedar-scented soaps) alongside locally made furniture that guests could special-order. But the collaboration does take it up a notch: instead of treating the hotel like a showroom, they’ve integrated pieces into the very landscape. "The hotel’s new spaces invite guests to stay with our pieces and engage with the DWR lifestyle on an immersive, deeper level,” says Debbie Propst, President of Global Retail at MillerKnoll, DWR's parent company.

In short? Guests experience furnishings that feel integral to the setting, pieces that make sense in a hotel built to foster direct, almost meditative connections to nature.

A refreshed Main House

In the Main House, home to check-in and the hotel's restaurant, the brand's nature-first ethos is hard to miss. “For us, everything ladders back to nature, and building that connection,” says Nolan. “Furniture and the right pieces and the right design choices can enable and further that connection.”

As they refined their picks with DWR, one material was at the forefront: oak. The retreat is set within an oak forest, and the material quite literally shaped Piaule’s architecture. That gesture inspired the Main House's striking oak-clad interiors, with a shed roof that reaches toward the mountainous landscape and a wall of windows framed in the same material. To enhance the panoramic view, the common area is now furnished with pieces that wear their materials with pride.

Chief among them is the new Pawson Drift Lounge Chair, designed by the British minimalist John Pawson. Set on either side of the central wood-burning fireplace, the chair's wooden structure and leather upholstery anchor the room without demanding attention. You can’t overlook the wooden and straight-edged frame — but the wood itself nods to the forested landscape just beyond the windows.

“When you see what goes into growing something that will then turn into your sofa, or your chair, and you understand how many factors come together for that thing to come to life and exist for 50 plus years, to turn into these beautiful, straight, clear boards that you're using in furniture, it just hits harder,” says Nolan.

For Nolan and Trevor, context is everything. Orienting these pieces within an actual oak forest allows guests to appreciate the design on another level, better understanding the beauty endowed upon each piece by nature.

The new Oak House experience

Broadening Piaule’s connection to the land, Nolan and Trevor collaborated with DWR on a new three-bedroom home aptly named the Oak House. Tucked uphill on its own 20-acre parcel—completely surrounded by mature forest—the shared booking is a natural extension of the cabins, scaled for friends and family to experience the landscape together.

It may be larger than the hotel's original cabins, but the home still keeps an eagle eye on nature. Every bedroom has its own door to the outside, allowing guests to have their own one-on-one connection with the land. Inside, the interiors encourage an outward view, with oak window frames that create constant sightlines to the forest.

“For us, that means stripping away unnecessary flourishes and letting nature be the focus, opening up and modifying apertures to frame views and using a palette of all natural materials that reflect the house's surroundings,” says Nolan.

Slightly cozier than the spare cabins, the home maintains Piaule’s restrained look with a more residential feel. Oak and warm woods, of course, are everywhere you look, and the furniture selection gives Fritz Hansen its moment, with upholstered Series 7 Chairs around the dining table and PK4 Lounge Chairs in the living room; there’s an Eames lounge chair, naturally, for settling in by the fireplace and taking in the views, while a Wrensilva record console supplements nature’s soundtrack in the evenings.

Refreshed double cabins

Not to be overlooked, select Double Cabins—two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and a shared living room—are also updated with pieces that refresh the space while strengthening a nature-first ethos. Dark, slender and discrete Louis Poulsen AJ Floor Lamps punctuate the living rooms without overshadowing the view, while John Pawson Drift Lounge Chairs anchor the cabin with warm earth tones. Fritz Hansen’s PK4 Lounge Chairs are a clever choice in the bedrooms; with their minimalist steel frames and airy rope seats, the chairs are placed in front of windows without interrupting the view.

Other additions, like Charlotte Perriand’s 524 Tabouret Berger stool, bring another layer of narrative: the iconic design was originally inspired by alpine milking stools, making the piece entirely at home at the foot of the Catskill Mountains.

“You'll see it in everything from exterior and interior finishes, material palette, and again, the furniture selections,” adds Nolan. “Everything is about connecting with nature, whether it's conscious or subconscious.”

And if, while watching the sun set over the mountains—or catching a sight of a deer cutting through the woods—you happen to fall a Poul Kjærholm lounge or a John Pawson loveseat? Well, getting a little shopping done while you soak in the elements is nothing to complain about.

It has been 15 years since I came across a photograph of Vienna's bathing-in-sunshine Heldenplatz a friend of mine had taken, depicting the verdant square and its marble-clad, former imperial palace, the Hofburg, in all of their timeless grandeur. And yet, that image is still as impressed in my mind as the day I first laid eyes on it.

Known also as the City of Music, and once home to groundbreaking composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, and Strauss, Vienna is the sort of destination you simply can't dissociate from its past. Whether for the enduring allure of historical figures like 19th-century Empress of Austria Sissi, that of pioneering artists like Gustav Klimt and his protégé, Egon Schiele, or for the appeal of its self-indulgent coffee culture, which justifies hours-long afternoon breaks powered by caffeine, cream-topped hot chocolate, and viennoiserie, Vienna remains a popular option for an inspired weekend itinerary, also thanks to its compact (414.6 square kilometers) size. It's particularly popular at this time of year, too — known for its sprawling Christmas markets.

With its UNESCO-protected Baroque castles, gardens, and ornate alleyways speaking for themselves, Vienna makes it instinctual for visitors to look back. But that's also why we want this guide to the best things to do in Vienna to do the exact opposite. From vibrantly decorated contemporary boutique hotels to atmospheric cafes rekindling heritage through design and unmissable cultural stops to uncover along the way, this is how to experience the storied Austrian city's finest while staying rooted in the creative pulse and innovation that drive it forward today.

Artful Things to Do in Vienna — A 48-Hour Guide

Or what to do in Vienna for a day (or two) if spellbinding design, memorable food, sightseeing, and hunting for mementos are your holiday non-negotiables, according to a peeky lifestyle editor.

Day 1: Check Into A by Adina Vienna Danube

Wagramer Str. 2, 1220 Wien, Austria

Unveiled this spring, A by Adina Vienna Danube makes stopping off for a weekend getaway in the Austrian capital as comforting, effortless, and sophisticated as it has ever been. Part of the namesake Australian aparthotel portfolio, this BWM Designers & Architects-envisioned bolthole finds its home within the 180-meter-tall Danubeflats skyscraper, and is blessed by wrapped-around views of the nearby river. Each of its 120 luxe studios and one or two-bedroom apartments comes with fully equipped kitchens, living-cum-dining areas, and plenty of work space, where every inch has been conceived to blend functionality with characterful contemporary design.

Throughout the property, which also includes in-house sharing platters and drinks destination, Lottie's, the earthy tones and textured surfaces of its mid-century modern-style furnishings are counterbalanced by more historical details like herringbone wood floors, Cipollino marble, and occasional precious, shiny fixtures in a no-stop dialogue between new and old. Well connected to the city center, this hip alternative to traditional design hotels grants you easy access to all of the best things to do in Vienna, allowing you to plan your next move directly from the heated infinity pool tucked on the rooftop.

Book your stay at A by Adina Vienna Danube.

Get Your Caffeine Fix at Café am Dom

Stephansplatz 11, 1010 Wien, Austria

Some 15 minutes by public transport from your base of A by Adina Vienna Danube you'll find another one of BWM Designers & Architects' marvel, Café am Dom. Inaugurated, like the aparthotel itself, in April, this moody, atmospheric address sets new standards for local coffee culture by merging the best of Italian and Viennese-style espresso bars and cafes, respectively, into one. Overlooking the Gothic-Romanesque St. Stephen's Cathedral, one of the city's most legendary landmarks, Café am Dom lures visitors in with its sensual palette, softly glowing chandeliers, and mesmerizing mirrors.

Here, intricate mosaic floors and a red and gold identity wink to 1950-60s' bars, while the seating, ranging from vintage-fueled, glamorous stools, cocooning banquettes and regular tables inside to a covered patio outdoors, lets guests decide how long to linger for. Pop in for a quick cup of coffee on the go, sit down for a reinvigorating cake afternoon break, or enjoy a full meal at either lunch or dinner time. Opt for the nearby Café Prückel (established 1903) to tick one of the best things to do in Vienna off your bucket list, old style.

Book your table at Café am Dom.

See Where Society and Culture Meet at Kunsthalle Wien

Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Wien, Austria

For visitors traveling to the City of Music on a cultural trail, Kunsthalle Wien is certainly one of the best things to see in Vienna. Situated within the Museums Quartier with an extra location at Karlsplatz, this world-leading institution is known for its rotating programming of contemporary art and design exhibitions charged with reflections on society.

Currently, it is hosting (Karslplatz's glass pavilion) the two-person show spotlighting the work of the winners of this year's Kunsthalle Wien Preis, Jonida Laçi (b. 1990, Durrës, Albania) and Luīze Nežberte (b. 1998, Riga, Latvia). Through abstract, yet functional, sculptures, the former seeks to explore how social status is referenced and even embodied by specific materials and the uses we make of the objects around us, while the latter examines how cultural memory can be preserved, evoked, and transmitted through spatial installations inspired by historical architecture.

Meanwhile, in the main building, Chinese artist Guan Xiao's surreal solo exhibition, Teenager, platforms the contradictory, larger-than-life nature of adolescents as a metaphor for the extremes of today's society. From fury caves and totems to creature-like sculptures and furniture, and hypnotic abstract paintings, she establishes a link between the primordial and the fictitious essence of the contemporary, interrogating questions of "progress and civilisation, tradition and spirituality".

Book your tickets for Kunsthalle Wien.

Savor Delicacies at Sopherl am Naschmarkt

Linke Wienzeile 34, 1060 Wien, Austria

A brief stroll south of Kunsthalle Wien, you'll find Sopherl am Naschmarkt, a beautifully designed eatery and cafe whose emerald green bar counter and Art Nouveau sign prove once again how in Vienna history and innovation merge. What used to be a beloved nightlife hotspot has been recently transformed into a spirited all-day restaurant with comforting Austrian plates and baked goods by chef Jing Chen and pastry chef Mike Koberl.

Its mix of chrome decor, glazed tilework, and pale woods feels both fresh and irreverent, the modern tavern-style cooking will set you up for the day, and if you feel like skipping lunch for a sweet treat, both millefeuille and apfelstrudel are on the list. Minutes away from Naschmarkt, a dotted-in-food-stalls outdoor destination that makes a great place to eat in Vienna, and one of the best free things to do in the city (if you are only browsing, that is), Sopherl gives you an excuse to continue your deli tour further.

Book your table at Sopherl am Naschmarkt.

Pick Up Handmade Treasures at felicitas

Siebensterngasse 28, 1070 Wien, Austria

Forget overcrowded, underwhelming souvenir shops: a 20-minute walk from the last stop on your 'things to do in Vienna in a weekend' itinerary, mid-century modern furniture concept store felicitas is the place to go if you are looking to bring some true gems home. Rather than updating its collection to reflect timely trends, this immersively curated destination values artisanal authenticity, quirkiness, and timelessness through emotion-led homewares, objects, and accessories that capture the vibrancy of craftsmanship across the world. Stocking oddly amusing ephemera, collector-worthy furnishings, and more, felicitas surrounds you with irreverent talismans made with care, imagination, and love.

Browse felicitas's online collection.

See and Taste the (Michelin) Stars at Steirereck im Stadtpark

Am Heumarkt 2A, 1030 Wien, Austria

A brief bus ride East into the picturesque Stadpark rises the legendary Austrian restaurant Steirereck, a three-Michelin-starred address where exceptional gastronomic flair, nature, and dramatic architecture set the table for something unforgettable. Helmed by chef Heinz Reitbauer and his wife Birgit, this family-run establishment is known for its imaginative reworking of Austrian cuisine. With a seasonal, ingredient-led approach to cooking, the Reitbauers rely on the produce from their farm, as well as supplies from local grocers and farmers, to craft a spectacular feast you won't fail to remember. Outside, a hall of mirrors and glass, conceived for the location by PPAG Architects, dissolves the boundaries between nature and the diners sitting indoors. While in the dining room, sculptural bread loaves and shiny cheese trolleys dialogue with textured ceilings and walls.

Book your table at Steirereck im Stadtpark.

Day 2: Start the Day Off Right at SALZI

Hollandstraße 10, 1020 Wien, Austria

Embracing every opportunity to make the most of the Austrian capital's storied coffee culture is, we have said it before, one of the best things to do in Vienna in a day. While we recognize the never-fading charm of the city's oldest cafes, it is at places like the dynamic SALZI that you can not only catch its local unwind, but also surprise a whole community as it comes to life, from early in the morning to late into the night. Easily reachable by train from A by Adina Vienna Danube, this lively hotspot, founded by a group of friends brought together by wanderlust and a taste for healthy culinary flair, serves anything from freshly baked cakes and earthy breakfast dishes to Oriental-infused lunch plates and smoky evening meals. With togetherness at its heart, SALZI platforms the next gen of creatives through wine tastings, dinner pop-ups, wine tastings, and even DJ sets, giving you a reason to linger just a little longer and a Vienna restaurant to try.

Book your table at SALZI.

Seize Vienna's Culture on an Art Trail

Albertina, Albertinapl. 1, 1010; Albertina Modern, Karlsplatz 5, 1010; Belvedere, 1030; Secession Building, Friedrichstraße 12, 1010 Wien, Austria

After a first, slow-paced first day in the city, it is time for you to discover what the City of Music is all about. Among the things to do in Vienna in a weekend that no culture-savvy globetrotter should leave without is a trip to some of its museums and standout art and design exhibitions. With over 113 world-leading institutions to pick from, the choice can be hard — we have made it easy for you. Start at the Belvedere to experience the largest existing collection (24) of paintings by Art Nouveau pioneer Gustav Klimt, including The Kiss (1908-09). Move north to the Albertina museum to dive into its expansive collection of historical drawings and paintings, which counts artworks by Monet, Matisse, Popova, Magritte, Ernst, and Picasso among its ranks.

Proceed on your itinerary with a visit to Albertina Modern, Albertina's youngest sibling, which currently hosts a major retrospective dedicated to the work of Marina Abramović, the godmother of performance art (through March 1, 2026), before stretching along Resselpark to catch one of Vienna's most significant landmarks — the Secession Building — firsthand. Completed in 1898 from a design by architect Joseph Maria Olbrich, this frozen-in-time giant stands as a symbol of the Vienna Secession, a revolutionary movement that, reuniting Austrian painters, graphic artists, sculptors, and architects in support of innovative genres and in rejection of the traditional canon, paved the way for the rise of Art Nouveau, changing the scene forever.

Swap Austrian Fare for Japanese at o.m.k 1010

Hoher Markt 2, 1010 Wien, Austria

Need a break from the breaded Wiener schnitzel? So do we. At Japanese restaurant, gourmet grocer, and concept store o.m.k 1010, you'll find anything the hip creative capital of Tokyo is known for — sushi, noodles, donburi, coffee, matcha, and snacks for those with a sweet tooth, too — steps away from one of the city's oldest squares, Hoher Markt. Part of the Mochi group, o.m.k 1010 was designed by BFA x KLK in collaboration with Matthias Jungwirth, Barbara Reiberger, and Kim Loan Vo Huu.

Characterized by a minimal palette, exposed cement pillars, coffered ceilings, and an essentially functional scheme, the vibe is industrial-chic; convenience store-meets-brutalism. Whether stepping inside for a quick lunch with your fellow travelers or grabbing something to take out, with its highly interactive setup, cheeky restaurant merch, and bold flavors, o.m.k 1010 reflects the destination's global culinary outlook, granting you a playful alternative to where to eat in Vienna.

Discover o.m.k 1010.

Roam About Hundertwasserhaus (and Beyond)

Kegelgasse 36-38, 1030; Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 W

Anyone who has read either my Hidden Trails city guides or my spotlight on alternative design capitals knows how much I like to infuse travel with an unexpected and, at times, even surreal, twist. Not far from the Belvedere Palace and Gardens in the 3rd Viennese district, with its hand-painted, or ceramic-interspersed, unruly surfaces and foliage-topped nooks, artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser's namesake creation, the Hundertwasserhaus, breathes fantasy into the Austrian capital. Conceived in collaboration with architects Josef Krawina and Peter Pelikan in the early 1980s, this housing complex stands as a reaction to the essential beauty enforced by Modernism, reclaiming room for a more whimsical way of conceiving design. Just like the much more solemn, princely Schönbrunn Palace Gardens, located in the western part of the city and sculpted by tree-lined avenues, Baroque motifs, and foutains, roaming around the Hundertwasserhaus district is one of the best things to do in Vienna, for free.

Eat Up in the Clouds at Das LOFT Restaurant & Bar

Praterstraße 1, 1020 Wien, Austria

Craving a meal with a view? To wrap up your list of things to do in Vienna in a weekend, head skyward to Das LOFT Restaurant & Bar, perched atop the SO/ Vienna hotel. The restaurant, designed by the award-winning Jean Nouvel, is crowned by a kaleidoscopic ceiling mural by artist Pipilotti Rist — an iridescent canopy of shifting color and light that transforms the space from morning glow to twilight shimmer. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls frame the Danube and Vienna's historic skyline, turning every table into a front-row seat to the city. The interiors echo the skyline's modern rhythm: sleek mirrored surfaces, sculptural bar seating, and a play of transparency and reflection that feels almost cinematic. On the menu, French-influenced fine dining meets bold Austrian produce — think charred beef tartare, barley risotto, and delicate catfish with marinated lemon and dill. For those chasing atmosphere as much as taste, Das LOFT delivers both in high definition — one of the best restaurants in Vienna, it is a luminous, design-forward escape hovering above the rooftops of the Austrian capital.

Book your table at Das LOFT Restaurant & Bar.

Before You Go

Is Vienna a Walkable City?

According to our research and first-hand experiences, it absolutely is. Nearly four times smaller than London, Vienna is meant to be explored the green way, whether on foot, by bike, subway, or by jumping on one of its stuck-in-time trams. For more information on all lines, visit the city's official website.

What Should You Not Miss in Vienna?

If history is your thing, imperial palaces like Schönbrunn and the Hofburg, and the majestic St. Stephen's Cathedral should appear on your itinerary. Audiophiles should stop by the Vienna State Opera, the Wiener Konzerthaus, as well as the Akademietheater, while gourmands can't leave without trying a Wiener schnitzel, Tafelspitz (a boiled beef dish), and Viennese Goulash, with apfelstrudel ("apple strudel") and Sachertorte for dessert at one of the best restaurants in Vienna.

What Are the Best Events to Attend in Vienna?

While many of the best things to see and do in Vienna are a year-long affair, others are timely (although recurring) cultural events. Closing tomorrow, Vienna Art Week's latest edition explores the theme Learning Systems, encouraging visitors to investigate how knowledge is created, transmitted, and transformed. Until November 17, ART&ANTIQUE Hofburg Vienna presents art, antiques, design, jewelry, and objects of high-end collectible value within a breathtaking setting. To note in your diaries for next year, the annual Vienna Design Week festival (September 25-October 4, 2026) pours a series of thought-provoking exhibitions, public interventions, workshops, and talks into the city streets, with viennacontemporary (September 18-20, 2026) serving as the destination's leading art fair.

Vienna is among the most talked-about, coveted destinations for romantic travelers. But what if you wanted something else from your travels? From brutalist wonders reinvented for the 21st-century globetrotter to intoxicating bars, award-winning restaurants, and immersive museums, our alternative design cities have got it all.

What better way to see the world than through the eyes of our favorite tastemakers? In Hidden Trails, we look at the places that feel most like home to our community of design insiders — wherever those might be — to help you uncover what their cities have in store for you.

Instinctively, the very first thing that the fashion and homeware creations of Finnish circular design duo Juslin Maunula remind me of is the infinite color gradients of a burning sunset. Soft pinks turning into fiery reds, reds growing into hazy purples before giving way to the darkest of night skies. Founded in Helsinki by architect Lilli Maunula and fashion designer Laura Juslin, the rising studio has turned reinterpreting discarded textiles and surplus fabric stocks into a lifeline, each of their patchworky, textural pieces a wearable or decorative artwork rooted in functionality, fantasy, and in a responsible understanding of craftsmanship. Just like a sundial, their production is both marked by and a reflection of the passing of time.

"Nordic and fresh, Helsinki is a seaside city where urban culture and nature intertwine, its character shaped as much by its inhabitants as by the rhythm of the seasons," say the Juslin Maunula co-founders. "Living in Helsinki means we can breathe free, its clean air and clear skies being two of the constants in our lives."

At less than 700,000 inhabitants, Finland's southern capital is a tight-knit, safe city but it still manages to be at the forefront of design. "We live by the sea and feel privileged to be able to look out to the horizon daily: it has a calming effect, which, in a world filled with noise, grants us the opportunity to focus," they explain. "The remoteness of Helsinki also allows us to distance ourselves from fast trends, which is key for us professionally. Finns strive for individualism and rely on their irreverent style to stand out from the crowd. Nailing the balance between the oddness and peacefulness of Helsinki while tapping into the more sustainable side of design: that's what Juslin Maunula's clothing and homeware is all about." Follow Maunula and Juslin as they reveal the must-know addresses of a city graced by artistic and architectural inspiration, breathtaking views, organic food, and a comforting vision of all things lifestyle.

Seize the City on an Art Trail

Helsinki Contemporary, Bulevardi 10, 00120. Amos Rex, Mannerheimintie 22-24, 00100. Makasiini Contemporary, The Train Factory, Site office, Aleksis Kiven katu 17, 00510. Helsingin Taidehalli, Nervanderinkatu 3, 00100 Helsinki, Finland

We really appreciate the curation of Helsinki Contemporary, where you'll find exhibitions from both established names and exciting new talents. Art museum Amos Rex always presents fascinating, experimental showcases, and it works wonderfully for families, too, so we often go there with the kids. Currently, the Helsinki art scene is relocating eastward. A new, exciting opening, Makasiini Contemporary, has just landed in the Finnish city this autumn. Located at The Train Factory, its second gallery space is definitely one to keep an eye on. Last but not least, we love the Helsingin Taidehalli (Helsinki Kunsthalle), where next spring we'll exhibit an art installation of our own.

Feel the Legacy of Finland's Design Masters

Alvar Aalto House, Riihitie 20, 00330 Helsinki, Finland. Hvitträsk, Hvitträskintie 166, 02440 Kirkkonummi, Finland

Every architecture lover in Helsinki can't avoid the works of Alvar Aalto. You can find several of his masterpieces scattered around the city, but our favourites are his home and ateljee: open to the public and nestled in the Munkkiniemi neighborhood, they offer a more intimate glimpse inside the architect’s life. Situated a 30-minute drive outside of Helsinki, the Hvitträsk estate was designed in a national, romantic style by Herman Gesellius, Armas Lindgren, and Eliel Saarinen. Built in phases starting in 1901, the country house served as their studio and office, while simultaneously accommodating the three with their families. It is a unique gesamtkunstwerk, where both the buildings and their interiors are the brainchild of these legendary Finnish grand masters.

Taste Helsinki's Culinary Flair

Restaurant Grön, Albertinkatu 36, 00180. Brera by N4KU, Laivurinkatu, 00150. Harju 8, Harjutori 8, 00500. Peloton Eatery, Kaasutehtaankatu 1 Building 8, 00540. Savoy, Eteläesplanadi 14, 00130 Helsinki, Finland

Among Helsinki's most original, innovative eateries is Restaurant Grön, a memorable, creative fine dining experience punctuated by local Finnish and Scandinavian ingredients only. Our go-to in the summer, Brera by N4KU, tucked in the Eira district, is set in a beautifully preserved, late-functionalistic kiosk from the 1930s, which originally sold sweets and soft drinks. Today, it has been transformed into one of the city's most vibrant restaurants, with tables stretching along the pedestrian path, bringing a lively atmosphere to the adjacent flower park.

Harju 8 and Peloton Eatery in Helsinki's hippest district, Kallio, are an unmissable stop when enjoying one of the many cultural events hosted in this part of town or heading out to a local club. Last but not least, Savoy in Esplanade Park, fitted with original interiors by Alvar Aalto, is a must-visit for traditional Finnish food and the stunning view you can catch from its terrace.

Shop Finland's Next-Gen Design

Lokal Gallery, Annankatu 9, 00120. Juslin Maunula, Neitsytpolku 9, 00140 Helsinki, Finland

Lokal Gallery is a paradise for all things Finnish design, art, and craft. A gallery and concept store, it is filled with beautifully curated works by local independent designers and artists, besides boasting a wide selection of ceramics, woodwork and textiles, prints, paintings, and visual art. It is the perfect place to spot limited-edition pieces that aren't for sale anywhere else — certainly not on the mass market. At Juslin Maunula, our own shop and showroom, you'll get to explore our entire collection, where discarded fabric is given a second life.

'Island Hop' to Connect With the Outdoors

Harakka. Suomenlinna. Kaivopuisto, 00140. Kotiharjun Sauna, Harjutorinkatu 1, 00500 Helsinki, Finland

The islands in front of Helsinki make for a tranquil retreat from the city. There are so many to explore, each with its own mood — whether you're looking for art, heritage, hiking trails, or simply wanting to dine by the sea. Known as "the artists' island", Harakka is a fascinating art hub, while Suomenlinna is known for its history and its long, scenic walks.

Popular for its beautiful seaside and central location, Kaivopuisto park is one of our favorite places in Helsinki. It is the ideal spot to take a walk along the shoreline, have an ice cream in the sun, or take the ferry to one of the restaurants hidden away on one of the nearby islands. You can't leave without spending an hour or two at Kotiharjun Sauna, a public address to have in your books for the most authentic of Finnish experiences.

One (Lesser Known) Thing

In winter, when Helsinki grows dark, you may walk in the city center without seeing another soul. That's because, in the coldest months, people like to hide in their homes. Still, it is only when the temperature drops and the sea freezes over that outdoor activities like ice skating and cross-country skiing thrive.

When summer comes, the opposite happens: the city explodes with joy, countless festivals and outdoor restaurants, as 19 hours of daylight bless its streets. People try to make the most of every second in the sun, spending their time outdoors for as long as it lasts. That is what makes the public saunas that dot the city's shoreline so widely popular, as is taking a dip in the sea — a loved activity year-round.

Holiday Delights

Feel Helsinki's Nordic-cool atmosphere year-round with our curated edit of Finnish buys.