All About Connecting Guests

Whether an eco-minded retreat in Crete or a hideaway that pays homage to the Mosuo people in China, the newest members of Design Hotels are all about connecting guests to their surroundings – in one way or another. In the case of a revitalised casona in Merida and a Miami Beach landmark, preserving an architectural legacy is a major driver. Elsewhere, at ryokan-style revamp in Japan, food and culture are key, while quiet hospitality and well-being through nature are at the crux of a private residence-style stay in Austria.

 

Discovering Mystical Landscapes

 

High in the Hengduan Mountains, where Sichuan meets Yunnan in China, the matrilineal Mosuo community practice 2,000-year-old traditions surrounded by mystical landscapes. Neighbouring a pair of Mosuo villages and overlooking Lugu Lake’s jade waters, The ArcadiaPlace, Lugu Lake immerses guests in this deeply rooted culture through reimagined elements of vernacular architecture and design references across rooms, suites, and three luxury treehouses.

 

 

At the Xing Yu Lobby Lounge, drinks are crafted with local and seasonal ingredients such as floral teas; in the Yun Ying Dining Room restaurant, a Chinese fusion menu lends modern twists to age-old recipes. A rooftop lounge, spa, and infinity pool that stretches out towards sacred mountains all encourage unwinding in nature. Next door, the Museum of Women’s Art (MoWA) is the first art museum in China dedicated to female artists, while other activities on offer – including foraging for mushrooms, incense-making, and a Mosuo home visit – underline the hotel’s commitment to connecting guests with the heritage of the land and its people.

 

For more information and reservations, call +86 0834 – 888 – 8800.

 

Exploring The Past


 

On the outskirts of Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Quarter in the Okayama Prefecture, Yoruya is housed in a 110-year-old building that was originally a kimono merchant’s shop and residence. Recently renovated and extended, the layout incorporates a small hiyasai (alley) which connects the various parts of the property, seamlessly blending old and new. Contemporary, artisan-crafted furniture and textile-related artworks that nod to the city’s history of rush grass production, complement preserved architectural features to create a space reminiscent of a traditional ryokan.

 

 

Alongside the 13 rooms and suites, there is a lobby that doubles as a gallery, a small courtyard, a wine and sake bar, and a Japanese restaurant where guests gather around a communal, U-shaped wooden counter to dine. Fish from the Seto Inland Sea, fruit and vegetables grown in the mountains and local beef form the basis of the dishes. It’s not only food that lends this hotel a sense of place but cultural collaborations too, including private after-hours tours at the nearby Ohara Museum of Art.

 

For more information and reservations, call +81 (0) 866 – 975 – 456 or click here to send an email.

 

Revealing Yucatán’s History


 

A reimagined casona in the heart of downtown Merida, Hotel Sevilla is the latest design-led opening from Grupo Habita. Architectural studio Zeller & Moye has juxtaposed striking concrete interventions – a pool, bar, and spiral staircase – with the listed monument’s original features which are revealed through a painstaking peeling back of layers and have been carefully restored.

 

 

A double-storey courtyard houses a casual Mexican cantina and bistro-style restaurant across two large patios; at the bar, classic cocktails are rooted in spirits such as mescal and tequila. Huge plants in terracotta pots add a leafiness to cloistered corridors with preserved tropical wood ceilings and doors that lead to 17 modern, minimalist rooms and four suites: think black tiled floors, Modernist-inspired furniture made from local woods, and traditional woven henequen lampshades. Taking its cues from Yucatán’s ancestral wellness traditions, the spa makes a restful retreat from the historic centre’s cultural attractions, which are within walking distance.

 

Combining Past & Present


 

A landmark hotel on Miami Beach that combines Art Deco and Miami Modernism influences, The Shelborne By Proper has hosted glamorous guests from Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe to The Beatles. Its latest reincarnation, which follows an extensive renovation by ADC Atelier last year, has retained historic details – including the 18th Street façade and the platform diving board at the famed pool – while adding refined contemporary touches through artwork, ceramics, and exceptional craftsmanship.

 

 

Helmed by multiple Michelin-starred chef Abram Bissell (known for his leadership at New York’s Eleven Madison Park), the five restaurants and bars include Pauline, a destination supper spot with a seafood-forward menu; Little Torch, an intimate cocktail lounge; and the Pool Bar, where guests can enjoy Latin-inspired takes on favourites like conch fritters and jerk smash burgers while relaxing in a private cabana. A true celebration of the city’s energy and architectural legacy.

 

For more information and reservations, call +1 305 – 341 – 1400 or email: info@shelborne.com.

 

Returning The Original


 

A serene escape in the Austrian Alps, newly opened six-suite Stieg’nhaus sits in the quiet village of Mühlbach am Hochkönig. It has been thoughtfully conceived by a design-conscious couple who wanted to create an authentic, private residence-style experience through personalised service and attention to detail. The building’s original stiege – a beautiful spiral staircase with textured walls and antique hammered-metal handrails – whose form is echoed throughout the house, as well as the principles of wabi-sabi, and custom, locally crafted furnishings in natural materials, are all integral to the sense of warmth and quietude throughout.

 

 

At the Stieg’nhaus Restaurant, an à la carte brunch is followed by lunch, afternoon aperitifs and snacks, and a casual fine-dining dinner inspired by the elements. Guests can soak up the views from the fire pit on the terrace or the rooftop wellness area, where a whirlpool, cold plunge, and sauna look out onto the Hochkönig massif. This is a hotel that embodies quiet luxury and prioritises holistic well-being in nature.

 

For more information and reservations, call +43 (0) 646 – 794 – 100 or email: stay@stiegnhaus.at.

 

Honouring Greek Gods


 

With a name stemming from Tellus, the ancient Roman goddess of the Earth, and the Greek words therós (summer) and therismós (harvest), Tella Thera is a new, family-owned resort in Kissamos Bay, northwestern Crete, which is grounded in connection and conservation. Award-winning Athens-based studio Pieris.Architects and landscape architect Karolos Chanikian took a ‘future primitivism’ approach, blending organic textures with advanced technology. The 20 biophilic designed, Aegean Sea view suites (the majority of which have plunge pools) follow the land’s topography. Partially subterranean, each has a living rooftop terrace to optimise energy efficiency and absorb carbon.

 

 

Outdoor yoga, a natural pool, holistic spa, and nature-based healing experiences are all part of the wellness offering while the zero-waste restaurant is focused on plant-based cuisine, typically served on family-style platters. Paths wind through olive groves, while clearings are ideal for meditative gatherings. Surrounded by gorges, valleys, and mountains, and with world-renowned beaches close by, this is a restorative stay underscored by sustainability.

 

For more information and reservations, call +30 (0) 282 – 188 – 8007 or email: reservations@tellathera.com.

 

 

Source: Design Hotels.