Destinations

Studio Waldo Works designs architecture and interiors for extraordinary projects around the world that couldn't be more different. In Frankfurt am Main, it recently designed the Kimpton Hotel in a former bank building. Co-founder Tom Bartlett explains why the identity of a place is so important in our interview.

With the opening of the 5-star hotel “The Florentin by Althoff Collection,” Frankfurt am Main has regained an urban retreat, that offers its guests a subtly composed design. It is a festive new beginning, in which the moving history of the building should not be forgotten.

Harry Thaler is a multifaceted designer. A striking number of his recent projects have been in the hospitality sector. For these, he has not only designed the architecture and interior design, but also custom-made (built-in) furniture and lighting. We met the designer in South Tyrol and visited some of his projects.

Philippe Starck has designed a hotel in the new district of the French city of Metz, enriched with stories.

Regional Alpine tradition and international design: in the new Chiemgauhof Lakeside Retreat by Matteo Thun & Partners, both elements combine to create a skilful blend that makes the hotel unique.

Limited to 79 units, Studio ÖÖD's ‘Golden Houses’ offer five-star comfort in the heart of nature – thanks in part to the high-quality AXOR products for bathrooms and kitchens, which perfectly complement the project with their wide variety.

High up in the Highlands, there is a new culinary gem that forms the first outpost of the top Spanish restaurant ‘El Celler de Can Rocan’. It is owned by ‘The Macallan’, a well-known whisky distillery that has had its 200-year heritage transformed into an extraordinary restaurant experience by architect David Thulstrup.

The Populus Hotel in Denver is due to open soon and offers a clear contrast to the skyline of Colorado's capital: a conversation with Juliane Wolf, Design Principal and Partner at Studio Gang, about trees as inspiration, hotels to revitalise the city centre and windows that can be lived in.

Pedrali and PL-AG Studio joined up to fit out the Le Dune Piscinas luxury hotel in southeast Sardinia. Nestling in the seclusion of the high sand dunes on the Costa Verde, this unique location is an ideal place to relax.

The interior design studio Jolie has created ‘The Nest’, a new restaurant in Frankfurt am Main that offers an atmospheric retreat for the relaxed enjoyment of gourmet cuisine amidst the city centre. The construction technique is modular and sustainable. Franky Rousell, founder and CEO, explains the details.

This is how mountain hotels work today: the family-run Hotel Saltus above Bolzano in South Tyrol celebrates closeness to nature – with contemporary architecture instead of chalet chic.

Joshua Lux Innenarchitektur realizes all kinds of different projects – everything from private apartment blocks to commercial properties. Only recently, Gregor's, a boutique wine store, opened its doors in Frankfurt. In the interview, Lux explains the concept behind it and why generally a strong storyline is important to him.

After the photographer and author Patricia Parinejad inspired us with her work "Green Mallorca" for the multifaceted nature and sustainability initiatives of the Spanish Balearic island, she takes us in "Green Namibia" on a journey through the longing country on the African continent, which knows how to touch with an exceptionally native beauty.

Sustainability. Quality. Creativity. No compromises. These attributes not only apply to Tohru Nakamura's cuisine, they also reflect the star chef's design aspirations. For Tohru in der Schreiberei, hildmannwilke transformed the centuries-old walls of the former Munich Stadtschreiberei into an atmospheric setting.

At first sight Hamburg’s “The Morgenmuffel” looks like several restaurants all rolled into one. Every room is different, and the various interiors do not seem coordinated with one another. However, on closer inspection a well thought-through overall concept emerges: a culinary adventure that plays out in various rooms.

The former breakfast room of a hotel in Regensburg’s old town has been transformed into the wine concept store “Tipsy”: Starred chef Anton Schmaus, the Pure Interieur Team and Popstahl are drunk on colors.

The style, the architecture, the attitude: At the Hotel Château Royal, Germany's capital city shows its best side. This "Berlin living room" is a place to experience contemporary art, to dine or to spend the night.

When the opportunity arose to purchase a plot of land in the middle of the Austrian village of Mellau with friendly neighbours in order to build a modern apartment building, Evi and Jürgen Haller did not hesitate for long.

Agrotourism is booming and bringing new forms of hotel business to light. The Berlin-based start-up Raus, for example, develops mobile, self-sufficient hotel rooms that it sets up in forests, meadows, fields and pastures. Architect Sigurd Larsen is responsible for the latest design.

Bonnie, a restaurant in the Morland Mixité Capitale, refurbished and extended by David Chipperfield Architects, is now one of Paris' architectural and gastronomic highlights.

How do luxury and sustainability go together? Architect Ludwig Godefroy answers this question with the brutalist boutique hotel Casa TO on Mexico's Pacific coast.

"Taste an Place: The Design Hotels Book" is a sensory feast in words and pictures – Sophie and Orlando Lovell explore the cuisine, culture and nature of the locations of selected design hotels.

Jaime Hayon does not allow himself to be categorised. The Spanish designer is known for colourful, humorous designs with a proximity to art. In Valencia, he created the interior of a private art and guest house – and gave it a unique character.

Designed by Tanner Architects, The Point House blends subtly into Tasmania's stunning landscape while still managing to defy the harsh coastal climate.

With "Green Mallorca", photographer and author Patricia Parinejad shows fascinating insights into a wild nature beyond the known paths. She takes us into local workshops, studios, kitchens and supports collectives who put their heart and soul into protecting an island where there is still so much to discover.

With the new guesthouse "Luchs" (Lynx) just outside Frankfurt/Main the Lindenberg Group has created a heavenly hideaway for stressed urbanites.

Buckle Street Studios: Grzywinski+Pons have integrated no fewer than 103 studio apartments, a co-working space, a café, meeting rooms and a concept store in a building in London. In addition to the architecture, the New York design studio is also responsible for the interior design and most of the furniture.

Light, luxury and fluid transitions: Patricia Urquiola has created a modern retreat with the hotel "Il Sereno Lago di Como", which was recently expanded with an exclusive penthouse suite.

When the buzzing creative team at Snøhetta collaborates with Bronx-based food, design and art collective Ghetto Gastro, it seems something unique is bound to happen. In this case, the culinary cultural space Burnside in Japan's capital Tokyo.

The Autor Rooms welcome design-savvy travelers to a converted old apartment in the heart of Warsaw. The host of this extraordinary boutique mini-hotel is graphic design studio Mamastudio.

In 2020, Argentinian restaurant Gran Fierro relocated, and at its second location in Prague’s new town the renowned Czech design collective Formafatal again dreamed up the interior design. The main inspiration? Fire and coal.

The Grand Park Hotel Rovinj by Croatian studio 3LHD and realized in collaboration with the interior designers at Lissoni Casal Ribeiro has become a gesamtkunstwerk looking out over the Old Town and Adriatic.

The Punta Conterie on Murano offers a new cultural center which combines industry, craftsmanship and fine regional dining to create a manifold experience.

With the Shiroiya Hotel, Sou Fujimoto Architects have succeeded in producing a fascinating combination of an old building and a conversion, design, architecture and art. Michele de Lucchi, Jasper Morrison, Leandro Erlich and Sou Fujimoto have each designed one of the rooms.

As convivial as a Japanese bar, as exquisite as a mecca for gourmets. POPL, a restaurant in Copenhagen, plays on contrasts. Scandinavia/Japan-inspired furniture by e15 underscores its laid-back elegance.