9 hotels designed by famous architects

Having a penchant for cosy duvet days and lazy lie-ins doesn’t mean you have to miss out on local sights. Why not combine the two passions and stay in a hotel designed by a famous architect? We’ve picked nine innovative properties that provide a unique backdrop to your next trip.

The Dolder Grand – Zürich, Switzerland

At The Dolder Grand in Switzerland, two worlds collide. At first glance, this hotel resembles a fairy-tale castle – complete with ornate towers and gables, marble pillars, and opulent interiors. But carefully placed modern details give the place a cool edge – think original artwork in each room, countless flickering electric candles suspended from the ceiling, and a state-of-the-art spa. This juxtaposition of old and new is the work of British architectural powerhouse Foster + Partners.

nhow Rotterdam – Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Born in Rotterdam and known the world over, the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas devised the uber-cool nhow Rotterdam hotel. It overlooks the River Maas and captivates visitors with clean lines, material contrasts, and industrial chic. Vast, floor-length windows guarantee spectacular views from everywhere – whether you’re curled up in bed or sipping drinks in the popular hotel bar.

Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel – Barcelona, Spain

Designed by renowned French architect Jean Nouvel, the Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel consists of two 27-storey towers, connected by a panoramic restaurant on floor 14. Its most eye-catching feature is the vertical garden that reaches from the ground all the way up to the rooftop swimming pool. Large, palm leaf-shaped windows further add to the airy feeling of the place.

The Langham Chicago – Chicago, USA

Lake, city, or river views? At The Langham Chicago, you don’t have to choose. The five-star hotel boasts plush rooms with spectacular vistas on all sides. Dark wooden flooring, glass panels, and marble surfaces combine seamlessly to evoke a feeling of understated British elegance. And the building itself was designed by none other than Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, a pioneer of modernist architecture.

Hotel ME London by Melia – London, United Kingdom

Another design gem conceived by London-based Foster + Partners is the sleek interior of the Hotel ME London by Melia. With minimalist monochrome bathrooms, a futuristic reception room, and floor-to-ceiling windows, it’s the kind of place where a modern-day James Bond would rest his head. From the Radio Rooftop Bar, you can spot several other iconic buildings designed by Foster + Partners – including 30 St. Mary Axe, commonly referred to as ‘the Gherkin’.

Nhow Berlin – Berlin, Germany

The candy-coloured nhow Berlin is Europe’s very first music hotel. Complete with two full recording studios and just five minutes’ walk away from MTV Berlin and Universal Music, it’s the brainchild of Russian-German architectural legend Sergei Tchoban. Best of all, the hotel is located in trendy Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, which means you’re in a prime position to explore Berlin’s famous nightlife.

Park Hyatt Tokyo – Tokyo, Japan

Designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Lange, the Park Hyatt Tokyo towers high above the busy streets of Tokyo. Drink in the views from the New York Grill on the 52nd floor, which is best known for setting the scene in Sofia Coppola’s Oscar-winning film ‘Lost in Translation’. On a clear day, you can even catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji from here.

The Hongta Hotel – Shanghai, China

The 37-storey, 328-room Hongta Hotel is one of many iconic buildings that make up the Shanghai skyline. At night-time, the hotel’s outline is painted against the dark sky by thousands of red lights – and the lobby’s ornate, vaulted ceiling impresses visitors as soon as they set foot inside. K. Jeffries Sydness and his firm, Sydness Architects, won an international design competition for creating a hotel “as brilliant as it is simple”, according to Architectural Digest.

NH Torino Lingotto – Turin, Italy

The NH Torino Lingotto is the ultimate destination for automotive and architecture aficionados. Housed in a former FIAT car factory, the hotel was designed and refurbished under the guidance of mastermind Renzo Piano. Rooms wrap around a green oasis named ‘The Garden of Wonders’, and the rooftop jogging track lets guests work up a sweat with views over Turin.