Six Stylish Urban Escapes

From Shanghai’s Art Deco streets to Medellín’s vibrant murals, these six stylish urban escapes put you at the centre of the world’s most dynamic creative neighbourhoods. Each property offers a unique lens on its city, whether through immersive wellness, curated art programmes, or playful nightlife, while the surrounding streets pulse with exhibitions, festivals, and experiences that awaken every sense.

 

Shanghai’s Past Meets Present

 

Nestled in Shanghai’s historic Huangpu District, Habo Hotel Shanghai is a living bridge between the city’s golden past and its electric present. Housed in a century-old structure with Art Deco curves and minimalist Eastern touches, it celebrates Shanghai’s Haipai culture, where East meets West in mosaic-tiled corridors, sweeping terraces, and spaces designed for lingering over cocktails or morning reflections.

 

 

Step outside, and the neighbourhood unfolds like a storybook of the city’s layered identity: cobblestone streets whisper of 1930s theatres and cultural salons, while nearby gems like UME New Light Cinema, Yu Garden, and the Bund pulse with contemporary energy. Don’t miss the Yu Garden Lantern Festival, the innovative Design Shanghai exhibition, or the world-class Shanghai International Art Fair – each one a vibrant window into the city’s creativity, culture, and contemporary energy.

 

For more information and reservations, call +86 (0) 213 – 185 – 8899 or email: res@designhotels.com.

 

Kuala Lumpur’s Living Gallery

 

Set in the vibrant heart of Chinatown, Else Kuala Lumpur pulses with local soul and thoughtful design. Inside, the walls and common spaces are alive with a growing collection of works by Malaysian artists and regional collaborators – from handwoven pieces by Sarawakian tribes to bold, ever‑rotating contemporary installations that spark conversation and curiosity. Permanent art blends with evolving pop‑ups like Jiran Tetangga, a celebrated series featuring the artist behind Cultkids, and Neo Ritual with Chicago‑native Brandon Breaux, turning Else into a living gallery that celebrates cross‑cultural creativity and connection.

 

 

The city itself is a feast for the senses. Explore historic lanes dotted with hidden murals and markets and discover handcrafted treasures in creative enclaves. Lose yourself among thought-provoking exhibits at galleries like Wei‑Ling Gallery, or dive into immersive experiences like What Song Do You Hear When You See This Painting? at Galeri Petronas and the ILHAM Art Show at ILHAM Gallery. There’s always a new cultural layer to uncover as the city blooms into the year.

 

For more information and reservations, call +60 (0) 323 – 003 – 700 or email: reservations@elseretreats.com.

 

Bold, Local, Unforgettable Bangkok

 

In the energetic heart of Ratchathewi, Public House Bangkok is a hub for connection and culture. Bold lines, warm textures, and curated design elements give the hotel a distinctive personality that reflects the city’s creative energy. Inside and out, the hotel’s calendar pulses with energy: Blind Tasting nights deliver curated surprises for your palate, while the Open Call for Artists invites creators – from painters to musicians – to leave their mark on Public House’s evolving cultural canvas.

 

 

Around town, Bangkok’s creative pulse is equally rich: Bangkok Design transforms streets and public spaces into immersive showcases of local and global design innovation. Experience the bold and tactile Dib Bangkok, a newly opened international contemporary art museum housed in a repurposed warehouse with rotating exhibitions that bring fresh voices to the fore, or wander to Bangkok Kunsthalle – an expansive new hub for contemporary art and exhibitions that reflects the city’s rising status as a cultural capital.

 

For more information and reservations, call +66 (0) 2627 – 7500 or email: info@publichouse-hotels.com.

 

Parisian Charm, Contemporary Energy

 

Mixing Belle Époque charm with contemporary energy, Hôtel Rochechouart is a stylish Parisian hideaway in the vibrant Pigalle‑Montmartre district. The hotel features four distinct spaces: inviting rooms and suites with meticulous details, a classic brasserie celebrating French culinary spirit, a rooftop bar with sweeping city views, and an oyster bar. Beneath the surface, behind a neon red door, Le Mikado Dancing is a playful dance hall inspired by retro speakeasies, where spontaneous nights with DJs and friends turn into lasting memories.

 

 

Beyond Rochechouart’s doors, major exhibitions like Henri Rousseau: The Ambition of Painting at Musée de l’Orangerie and the Gerhard Richter retrospective at Fondation Louis Vuitton draw art lovers worldwide, while Circulation(s) 2026 showcases cutting-edge photography in an immersive festival. For design and craft enthusiasts, Paris Design Week 2026 animates the city’s streets and studios, and seasonal events like Drawing Now Paris offer contemporary art discoveries as the city blooms into spring.

 

For more information and reservations, call +33 (0) 142 – 819 – 100 or email: bonjour@hotelrochechouart.com.

 

London Life, Curated Experiences

 

In the crossroads between Shoreditch’s creative pulse and the City’s historic energy, Sir Devonshire Square Hotel London blends thoughtful interiors – grounded in Bauhaus geometry, mid-century influences, and warm, tactile textures – with relaxed social spaces and cultural programming. Highlights include The Art of Imagination, a creative session over brunch, and Find Your Pace, a guided introduction to running. The hotel’s wellness space with 24N Fitness goes beyond a typical gym, offering areas for strength, conditioning, and calisthenics, plus recovery features like an ice bath and sauna.

 

 

London itself awaits with world-class culture through spring 2026. Don’t miss standout exhibitions like David Hockney: Drawing from Life at Tate Britain and Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic at the National Gallery, explore immersive showcases during London Design Week 2026, or plan a visit around Frieze London, where global contemporary art takes over Regent’s Park.

 

For more information and reservations, call +44 (0) 203 – 519 – 0103 or email: hello@sirdevonshiresquare.com.

 

Recharge In Medellín’s Heart

 

At Wake BioHotel, longevity isn’t just about living longer, it’s about living your best life. Here, advanced therapies, immersive relaxation, and holistic well-being come together to restore, energise, and transform your body and mind. Bio-optimised rooms, contrast therapies, infrared saunas, mindful movement spaces, and nutrient-rich cuisine create a fully integrated wellness experience that awakens vitality.

 

 

The city – nicknamed the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ thanks to its year round mild climate – hosts the Medellín Street Art Festival in February 2026, a vibrant celebration of local and global muralists and urban creativity. Iconic attractions like Comuna 13’s outdoor street art galleries and the Jardín Botánico with its expansive orchid collections bring culture and nature together, while Feria de las Flores in August remains one of the city’s most beloved traditional festivals, celebrating heritage and colour with parades and live music.

 

For more information and reservations, call +57 (0) 314 – 464 – 9488 or email: res@designhotels.com.

 

 

Source: Design Hotels.