Chicago, Illinois
If you’re wondering who’s lighting up the Chicago hotel scene lately, look no further than The Gettys Group. The firm has been responsible for a number of exciting projects in the city, including The Godfrey, set to open early this year, but of particular note is the MileNorth Chicago. A shining example of how interiors can tie a space to the local culture, this renovated hotel proudly references both major moments in Chicago history and its neighborhoods. Abstract Ferris wheel elements recall the 1893 World’s Fair, while decorative items sourced from area flea markets and estate sales, such as the reception desk made of stacked luggage pieces, create a sense of vintage luxury with modern appeal. Another great touch is the market area featuring locally-sourced merchandise. If you aren’t familiar with Chi-town prior to your visit, you will be once you leave.
Peacock Pavilions
Marrakesh, Morocco
Writer and human rights activist Maryam Montague and her husband, architect Chris Redecke, have spent the past decade turning their Marrakesh home into a welcoming retreat for visitors to Morocco. In 2013, the 8-acre boutique hotel and private estate won Trip Advisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award. Visitors from all walks will enjoy the property’s cozy collection of global eclectic antiques and artifacts, but designers are in for a particular treat. Montague hosts special full-day design seminars, which include a private guided tour of the hotel and a multimedia presentation, followed by a cocktail reception and dinner.
The Thief
Oslo, Norway
If you’re in the mood for a decadent taste of Norway, be sure to check into the The Oslo Suite at The Thief. To create this regal, moody penthouse and private terrace, designer Anemone Wille Våge called on top furnishing, lighting, and décor designers from around the world, including Massimo Castagna, Antonio Citterio, Anne Haavind, Patricia Urquiola, and Ross Lovegrove. The Oslo Suite was inspired by Sir Peter Blake’s art project of the same name, and features three of the artist’s original collages of Norwegian landmarks, as well as a private fireplace and bar, a Vittorio and Polaris marble bathroom, and a four poster bed from B&B Italia.
But beautiful art and design is not restricted just to the suite, of course. All 119 rooms of the hotel feature handpicked artwork, and the property sits across from the street from the Renzo Piano-designed Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, where The Thief’s Owner-Developer Petter Stordalen is known to swap private
collections with the museum.
Swissôtel Métropole
Geneva, Switzerland
Interested in an alpine getaway without all the snow and gear? You’d do well to check out Swissôtel Métropole in Geneva. The hotel’s 12 new “signature rooms”—a first for the global hotel group—aim to transport guests to the Swiss Alps, complete with parquet flooring and eye-catching wallpapers from textile manufacturer Jakob Schlaepfer intended to symbolize the seas of flowers spotted in spring. The signature rooms also include steam showers or Jacuzzi baths, as well as the latest hospitality tech, such
as a central control panel for the lights and
electronics. So much for getting outdoors.
Four Seasons
Hotel Pudong
Shanghai, China
Located in Shanghai’s powerful Pudong business district, the Four Seasons Hotel, designed by Wilson Associates, takes its inspiration from the city’s golden age of international trade and culture in the 1920s and ‘30s. A rich color palette of red, black, and gray plays across smoked glass, Makassar ebony wood, stingray leather, and high-grade marble for a smart, sexy, and stylish aesthetic. You’ll be just minutes away from the city’s most famed architecture, including the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the future Shanghai Tower, and steps away from the hotel’s luxurious “urban natural” spa, making it easier than ever to mix business and pleasure.
