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Très Chic: Jaw-Dropping Fashion Designer Hotels
Written by Ruby Staley
Nothing says luxury like designer fashion – and with brands such as Ralph Lauren, Versace and Chanel lending their creative vision to the world’s top hotels, the limit does not exist.
Fashion brands do more than just dress us these days. With entire creative teams behind them, the likes of Versace, Ralph Lauren and Armani have endless outlets at their disposal. Designers are putting their names on everything from luxury cars and exercise mats to high-flying hotels.
These eight designer hotels and resorts have each been touched by fashion genius, with their vision evident in everything from framed sketches to the scent in the lobby and uber-luxe amenities.
Read on to feast your eyes on some seriously stylish stays.
Armani – Armani Hotel Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Nestled within the world’s tallest tower, Dubai’s famous Burj Khalifa, Armani Hotel Dubai epitomises this brand’s sophisticated allure. Minimalist design elements and monochromatic interiors effortlessly meld Armani’s modern Italian aesthetics with nods to traditional Middle Eastern culture. The opulent residences, furnished with Armani Casa, are a testament to the designer’s personal style – a blend between sensible and sophisticated. Stepping into each suite is like stepping into a perfectly tailored Armani suit. From the lobby to the bedroom, each space is scented with specially selected Armani eau de parfum, swathed in rich chocolate palettes and brought together with Feng Shui in mind.
Bulgari – Bulgari Hotel Milano, Italy
An unwavering dedication to the finer things fuels the House of Bulgari. Founded in Rome by Greek silversmith, Sotirio Bulgari, the brand’s legacy of showstopping craftsmanship carries on at Bulgari Hotel Milano. Set in the heart of Italy’s fashion capital, this top-tier stay balances meticulous design with a rich atmosphere. Find precious materials like Zimbabwean black marble, Vicenza and Afyon stone woven together with solid teak and oak. Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel Architects’ thoughtful furnishings enhance the space, while cream linen wallpaper, framed sketches of Bulgari jewellery and a curated collection of art breathe new life into the impressively renovated palazzo.
Versace – Palazzo Versace Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Forever synonymous with shining gold and Baroque prints, the Versace brand is alive and well at Palazzo Versace Dubai. This neo-classical masterpiece, inspired by a 16th-century palace grazed by modern Arabian architecture, truly embodies the heart of Versace. The brand’s iconic ‘Pietra di Fiume’ design welcomes guests upon entry. Exclusive Versace fabrics colour the public spaces, accompanied by an array of early-European-inspired chandeliers, candle holders and floral arrangements. Discover even more opulence in the private rooms, home to fine linen and silks, timeless marbled accents and other intricate touches.
Diane von Furstenberg – Claridge’s, London, United Kingdom
After making Claridge’s her home-away-from-home for decades, Diane von Furstenberg was propositioned by management to creatively refresh 20 guest rooms and suites. She set out to design spaces that pay homage to the hotel’s history as a refuge of royals and the elite, the buzz of London and her own eponymous brand. Renowned for bold colours, vibrant prints and – most notably – her invention of the wrap dress, von Furstenberg’s ingenuity can be found from floor to ceiling of these retro revival dwellings. Within a 19th-century skeleton, find suites brushed in turquoise and blush with flashes of gold, deepened by the richness of velvets and silks and vintage furnishings.
Bode – Palm Heights, Cayman Islands, North America
Rather than pivoting into interior and architectural design, rising star Emily Adams Bode Aujla collaborated with Palm Heights on some striking uniforms for the staff. After these became a huge hit with guests, the hotel asked the designer to develop a sentimental and summer-inspired capsule to be sold in their boutique. Renowned for her inventive workwear crafted by traditional techniques of mending, quilting and applique, it only felt natural for her to upcycle the hotel’s signature striped terry towels and transform them into trendy jackets – perfect for throwing on after a dip in the ocean.
Oscar de la Renta – Tortuga Bay Hotel Puntacana Resort & Club, Dominican Republic
Oscar de la Renta’s brilliance unfolds at Tortuga Bay Hotel Puntacana Resort & Club, the only hotel he ever designed. Infusing his own Dominican heritage into each of the resort’s 15 villas, the late fashion designer’s vision shows up in contemporary touches melded with old-world craftsmanship throughout. He incorporated native materials and designed stunning four-poster beds using rattan and mahogany, unique to each room. Thoroughly white-washed interiors pop with yellows, reds and greens, not dissimilar to the designer’s larger-than-life approach to dressing.
Karl Lagerfeld – Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel, Paris, France
For 250 years, Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel has been an icon of Parisian elegance. It’s only natural, then, that the sartorial symbol of Parisian elegance – Chanel – collaborated with the hotel on its fourth-floor Les Grands Appartements. The late Karl Lagerfeld channeled the veiled grandeur of the Eiffel Tower through a neutral palette of grey, silver and champagne, lush velvety furnishings, and sparkling chandelier lighting. The bathrooms feature heritage lacing around antique sconces, dripping with crystals, and imposing freestanding tubs, each carved from a single piece of Carrara marble. Inspired by the king’s and queen’s living quarters in Versailles, these Grand Apartments are fit for royalty.
Ralph Lauren – Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Ralph Lauren’s impeccable taste graces the ocean-view rooms and suites of Round Hill Hotel and Villas, creating refreshing atmospheres that set the gold standard for Montego Bay lifestyle. Cushioned between 100 acres of lush hinterland and natural beaches, this heritage mansion showcases Lauren’s pared-down all-American style in crisp white furnishings, contrasting wood touches, and bold patterns. You’ll find manicured lawns, a flood of white curtains and endless stretches of royal blue – design as straightforward as the perfect polo shirt, helping to showcase the untouched beauty of the sparkling bay.
Looking for more inspiration? Discover our list of Australia’s Most Stylish City Stays.
