A Mexican Utopia to a coastal Cretan retreat: Thease are Design Hotels' newest members

04.03.2024 - 07:54 / traveldailynews.com / Theodore Koumelis / Art

More than a collection of hotels, Design Hotels brings forward-thinking member hotels insightful travel industry expertise – from trend forecasting and creative consultancy, to PR, marketing, and global sales representation.

Ancient Japanese literature meets contemporary art in Kyoto. A 12th century palace transformed into a majestic Mallorca getaway. A utopia for modern adventurers in Mexico nestled amongst 165 acres of palm groves and 40 kilometers of undeveloped coastline. These are the six newest members of Design Hotels around the world.

Japan
A secret world in the heart of Kyoto, Genji Kyoto prioritizes gardens within its spatial layout, dissolving the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces. This design embodies the concept of teioku ichinyo, where garden and architecture coalesce to become one. Custom-designed locally made furniture, washi-paper lamps, a bamboo-lined entrance, and century-old handcrafted tansu chests instill a sense of quietude, while imprinted concrete and innovative washi windows are examples of cross-cultural elements that allow the new build to blend with ancient Japanese culture. In guestrooms, such elements are complemented by one-of-a-kind paintings that young Kyoto artists created in tribute to the 11th-century Japanese literary masterpiece The Tale of Genji.

Greece
In a stunning and secluded waterfront setting on the island of Crete, The Tanneries Hotel & Spa invites guests to connect with its industrial past. Four former tanneries conjoin to form an all-suite hotel boasting airy and bright interior spaces, indoor and outdoor pools, a seafront restaurant and bar, and a wellness center and spa. Throughout the spaces, the buildings’ industrial characters were preserved—particularly the facade, roof tiles, floors, and ceilings—while natural materials like concrete, glass, marble, and wood combine for a clean and minimalist look. At the Periplous Seaside Restaurant, executive chef Nikos Mylonakis, a well-known figure in the Cretan gastronomy scene, honors tradition while pursuing freshness, modernity, and excitement with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.

Spain
AtNobis Hotel Palma, modern day Palma de Mallorca comes alive in a former 12th-century medieval Muslim palace. Situated in the heart of Old Town and carefully updated using the best of both Scandinavian and Spanish design, the hotel merges the past with the present. Many of the building’s original elements, such as old stone, brick walls, vaulted ceilings, and imposing archways, complement contemporary pieces in natural and sustainable materials, including wood, stone, wool, and leather. Striking combinations are further reflected in the Mirall Bar, a classy spot for cocktails with nine-meter-tall