Holy. These pictures look more like an excellent luxury home than hotel suites, but I guess that's the point. The top suites (pictured above) are each inspired by four different "illustrious" guests, which hints at some serious airs of extravagance. So, if somehow you still have some money to burn, you can keep this on your short list of places to stay in Zurich.

The Dolder Grand: After a construction phase lasting four years, Zurich celebrates the return of one of its most prominent landmarks. The original "Curhaus" (health spa), built in 1899, has been transformed into a luxury-class city resort. In the process, the hotel's glittering past and vibrant future have been fused together, as reflected in the architecture by Foster and Partners, the interior design by United Designers and the spa concept by Sylvia Sepielli.

Rooms start at around €333.33 (for Single Room Superior, not the Top Suites pictured above).
[via thecoolhunter]

[posted by katie]

Check it out- you can book a room in this nicely appointed beach house for around $300. Not so bad.

Set into sage-coloured scrub that rolls back from the surf at Prevelly on WA’s south-west coast, Ron Roozen’s home is a dedication to surfing, the elements and the enviable Margaret River lifestyle. This architecturally award winning beach house was designed by prominent Sydney-based architect, Dale Jones-Evans. As you descend into the house you will be drawn into a cinemascopic journey that flaunts unsurpassed 180 degree ocean views of the Indian Ocean from every room. The iconic holiday home of local artist and surfer, Ron Roozen is now available to discerning travellers offering a spacious hip alternative to the normal run of the mill establishments. Minimalistic in design and stylishly appointed, the residence exemplifies the region’s most sought after accommodation. Every detail has been factored in – a pantry service, your own personal chef, daily servicing (if required) and wine touring can be arranged.

Room rate: from A$400 ($295)
[via Wallpaper]

[posted by katie]

If you ever find yourself in Louisville, Kentucky, and need a place to rest your head, there's a luxury hotel that also happens to house a $10 million art collection. So, in addition to the regular fare of sleep + food, you also have the option of absorbing some worthwhile art to memory. Respectable idea, no?

21c Museum Hotel in Louisville, KY is the first of its kind — a 91-room hotel dedicated to world class luxuries, Southern-style hospitality and contemporary art from living artists, exhibited throughout its galleries and public space. Among the many upscale offerings: iPods with a wide variety of music for guests' listening pleasure, award winning design and décor, poster art, 42" HDTV flat screen televisions, WiFi, 500 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets imported from Italy crowning the exquisite bedding, silver mint julep cups, gourmet coffee makers, mini-bar refrigerators, Malin + Goetz bath amenities, and nightly turn down and Concierge services. The hotel also offers a full exercise facility with a steam room, sauna and spa services. And, of course, penguins.

[posted by katie]

ProTraveller recently did a nice roundup of 10 hotels with particularly minimalist aesthetic decor...worth taking a look if you get a chance.

[posted by katie]

Thoughts of the impending hot weather has me falling in love with monochromatic interiors, or maybe just knowing this place is in Iceland helps...who knows.

[posted by katie]

Yes, please.

"The Mayan Riviera, long visited for stunning archaeological ruins and scuba diving, now has the ultimate destination for relaxation. Deseo, in Playa del Carmen, maintains the charm of old fishing villages along the Caribbean coast, yet in the smoothest of transitions, offers the best of today's lifestyle. Open-air lounges, seabreeze and succulent dishes can be enjoyed in a purely refined atmosphere. The cocktails let alone the sounds of the best DJ's from around the world will intoxicate you into a soothing state of mind."

[posted by katie]

Man, if there was somewhere just like this that charged, say, maybe one third of what this one does, I'd be a happy traveler.

"Pousada Maravilha is the first pousada to offer comfort and luxury still unknown in a forgotten island in the Atlantic. Pousada Maravilha operates in accordance with strict principals of environmental preservation, in perfect harmony with nature. The architecture of Pousada Maravilha is neither imposing nor aggressive towards its surroundings; it mingles with the geography of the island. The Pousada offers only eight bungalows.The eight bungalows are scattered along the privileged terrain and are the only accommodation on the island that face the ocean. Each bungalow belongs exclusively to the guest who occupies it and it is isolated enough to provide privacy and peace. Pousada Maravilha is totally integrated to the culture of environment preservation that guides dwellers to Noronha. It is a great choice for those who wish to dive in the rich ecosystem or those who simply want to retire from the world and rest in paradise."

[images via kiwicollection.com]

[posted by katie]

This is my kind of luxury hotel- take a look at the eclectic mix of furnishings. And don't lose hope if the price per night seems a bit out of reach...sometimes you can get a 'last minute' rate (just call to check).

"Soho House New York is a private members’ club and boutique hotel located in Manhattan’s fashionable Meatpacking District. Built over five floors of an old warehouse the house features many spacious areas and amenities for guests to enjoy whilst staying, including a Cowshed spa, sprawling lounge area, games room, restaurant and bar. The rooftop pool has views over the West Village and the Hudson River and guests can lie in loungers or sit at tables for drinks, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, weather permitting."

[via kiwicollection]

[posted by katie]

Lazing around here with nothing but books to read on the beach looks like it would be the perfect vacation.

"An elegant minimalist structure set a lush environment on Thailand’s Chaweng Beach in Koh Samui, The Library helps preserve coastal heritage property, while impacting minimally on its ecology. Divided into 26 suite/studio cabins, the complex avoids the monolithic hotel-complex look, scattering discreet buildings in lush vegetation. Each cabin consists of a suite space on the ground floor and a studio upstairs, complete with ocean view. All are within sight of old-growth trees that have been spared the developer’s bulldozer – the hotel’s extensive grounds cover 6400 m2. Designed as an outpost of casual elegance, The Library interiors are finished in a distinctive minimalist style with strong color palates. Studios and suites of this Koh Samui hotel are equipped with personal computer with broadband connection and plasma television; suites include Jacuzzis while studios sport bathtubs with rain showers. Rooms are finished in a bold color scheme that emphasizes red and gray elements against pure white walls and floor space, echoed by the red swimming pool and white library complex. The purity pays off: the old-growth forest and lively beach are there to be enjoyed without distraction." [via designhotels.com]

Rooms starting at 10,800.00 THB (= $342.019)

[posted by katie]

Our travel section was mainly created as a place to put travel gear, yet we also thought that maybe it could be a good space to feature certain places we've been to. Now I haven't been to this place (yet), but I'm completely smitten with the images of this hotel located in Yelapa, Mexico. While perusing many travel sites* in order to find a vacation spot later on this year, I happened upon this one and found quite a bit of photographs that seem to categorize this one as a viable candidate. If anyone's been here, please pass on your thoughts- I'd like to know what you thought of it.

*kiwicollection.com has a rather thorough review on the hotel- take a look.

There's also an interesting travel site that was born from the Verana experience: Been/Seen "approaches travel from a creative and visually artistic point of view. We roam the world in search of places remote and beautiful, created with imagination and vision, and that reflect simple luxury."

8 Rooms & Suites, prices range from $380 - $610 USD

Activities available: Jungle Treks, Bird Walks, Mule Back Riding, Day Trips & Whales, Kayaking & Fishing, Beaches, Spa Treatments, Cooking Classes, etc.

[posted by katie]