ANATOLIAN HOUSES (CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY)
Imagine this. A hotel carved out of the soft stone of a mountainside. Now imagine lounging on a bear rug on top of these stones and taking in an ancient view. A luxurious new boutique hotel built by the villagers in the Turkish mountains of Cappadocia, Anatolian Houses, contain spectacular pillars and minaret-like forms like nothing you've ever seen. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this hotel was constructed within five different cave formations. Each suite represents a different historical era and the themed furniture artwork in each suite is individually chosen.
Rates begin at $300
www.anatolianhouses.com
MARQUES DE RISCAL (SPAIN)
One of Frank O. Gehry's architectural masterpieces, Hotel Marqués De Riscal comes in after Bilbao's Guggenheim. Located in Spain's beautiful Rioja wine country, it's a work of modern art complete with Gehry's signature metal sculptures twisting around the exterior and surrounding vineyards. An ancient wine cellar also serves as banqueting space (hint hint....perfect for weddings or a renewal of your vows)
Rates start at $953 per night when booked on:
www.kiwicollection.com
HOTEL OF MODERN ART - HOMA LIBRE (CHINA)
Whether you agree with China's politics or not, this hotel is a tremendous piece of art on it's own and certainly worth mentioning. HOMA Libre - The Hotel of Modern Art - is home to Asia's largest art studio and the leading collection of contemporary Asian art. Not far from Yangshou, Hotel of Modern Art – HOMA Libre is located within the Yuzi Paradise private park. In addition to greeting your inner-artist with Chinese calligraphy classes, you can take a private gondolier that will guide you down the Yulong River on a two-seat bamboo raft. The only Chinese property that's part of the prestigious Relais Chateaux alliance, not to be missed... dinner in the impressive cathedral-sized cave.
Rates range from $297 to $1143
www.kiwicollection.com
INDIGO PEARL (PHUKET, THAILAND)
The Indigo Pearl resort was inspired by the city’s tin-mining past, a post-modern interpretation of a Thai factory by Bensley Design Studios, the hot design group known for creating some of Asia's most interesting design hotels, including the Udaivilas, Udaipur (India) mentioned in the post below. Modern sculpture and industrial art mix past with present. High design aesthetics + nature = excellence in destination travel. Unusual chandeliers light up the hallways leading to rooms, villas, and pool pavilions where surreal design is married with deluxe amenities.
Rates begin at $260
www.indigo-pearl.com
