#1. MONA PAVILIONS; HOBART, AUSTRALIA
It's not often that a hotel comes
with its own art gallery attached, which is why Hobart retreat MONA Pavilions
in Tasmania is a must for culture-vultures. The 2011 opening of cavernous
cliffside MONA (ambitious private venture the Museum of Old and New Art), has
brought head-turning local and international art to this one-stop style shop.
#1. MONA PAVILIONS; HOBART, AUSTRALIA
A short stroll away, eight
ultra-contemporary bedroom pavilions hug the Derwent River, named after
Australian architects and artists including Sydney Nolan and Brett Whiteley,
with original paintings inside. Sleek restaurant the Source, a microbrewery and
vineyard ensure guests here won't just be feasting on ideas.
#2. WANDERLUST; SINGAPORE
Dreamed up by hot hotelier Loh Lik Peng, with
help from a fistful of local designers, the most extreme rooms are decked out
like spaceships, treehouses and even monster typewriters, but if you're after
something more subtle ask for a Pantone-colored pad or one of the white Mono
Origami chambers. Wanderlust's wonders include French comfort food at casual
bistro Cocotte, a custom-created 'passport' guide to the area's charms and a
sun-deck Jacuzzi.
#2. WANDERLUST; SINGAPORE
Its wittily wacky themed rooms might not appeal
to everyone, but the young at heart - and fans of fantastical fun - will feel
right at home at Wanderlust, a style-sussed 29-bed boutique hotel in
Singapore's vibrant Little India quarter.
#3. SHOREDITCH ROOMS; LONDON, UK
What's more, a stay here allows you to
access all areas of adjoining private members' club Shoreditch House, including
its buzzy bars, restaurant, games room, bowling alley, Cowshed Spa and
so-hip-it-hurts rooftop pool. DJs spin discs on Friday and Saturday nights,
when you can mingle with skinny-jeans-sporting graphic design types to your
heart's content.
#3. SHOREDITCH ROOMS; LONDON, UK
East London is the go-to spot for
style-seekers in the English capital these days, and there's no better launch
pad for making the most of the area's hot shops, galleries and markets than
sexy Shoreditch Rooms. The 26 bedrooms may be bijou, but bag a Small+ for a
spacious City-facing terrace.
#4. TENFACE; BANGKOK, THAILAND
Checking into Tenface, you'll be handed a
box of tricks. Inside you'll find a Skytrain pass, Thai sim card, herbal
toiletries and an iPod nano loaded with video podcasts by in-the-know locals
sharing their favorite spots to eat, drink and shop. This street-chic 79-room
retreat may be hard to find, tucked away down a leafy soi in Bangkok's
business/residential district, but once here you'll feel like you've arrived
(the style-savvy mix of local and international guests helps).
#4. TENFACE; BANGKOK, THAILAND
Chill out with a Lovelorn Tosakan cocktail
in clubby Sita Bar (above), which sports a DJ booth. Repair to airy Wanara
Eatery for casual bites, fusing Thai and global flavours. Then escape to your
apartment-style suite, where vibrant hits of colour and graphic wall design
makes for urban elegance.
#5. ACE HOTEL & SWIM CLUB; PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, USA
This hipster's
canyon commune south of downtown Palm Springs proves you can have style on a
budget. Combining a modernised Sixties motel with retro furniture, a classic
diner and aquatic activities, there's a boho mood at the 180-room Ace Hotel
that's totally West Coast.
#5. ACE HOTEL & SWIM CLUB; PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, USA
Vintage furniture
and vinyl record players (in Patio rooms or above) ensure attitude. Outdoors a
kooky caravan and fabric-draped alfresco lounging areas add to the 'glamping'
(glam camping) feel. The sexy Swim Club sports two pools, a hot tub, sauna,
steam room and that Californian essential, the massage yurt. Bring a guitar for
fireside singalongs and a kaftan.
