Where the Past Still Feels Like the Future
Some designs never lose their edge. Design Icons celebrates the bold architecture and interiors of the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s—from restored roadside motels and Mid-Century Modern landmarks to Brutalist experiments and wonderfully optimistic 1970s interiors. Think sculptural concrete, sunken lounges, geometric forms, space-age curves and unapologetic colour. These are hotels that preserve, restore or reinvent the design spirit of an era when the future still looked exciting.
Jupiter Hotel, Portland, Oregon, USA Portland’s original indie motel reborn with murals, music and East Burnside attitude Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● A 1960s motor lodge that helped pioneer Portland’s affordable, design-conscious boutique hotel scene when it reopened as Jupiter in 2004. ● The 81 renovated rooms celebrate music through 11 floor-to-ceiling murals, alongside…
read moreSofitel Sydney Wentworth, Australia A 1960s Modernist Landmark Reborn with Australian Warmth and a Touch of French Glamour Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● Sydney’s original international five-star hotel, opened in 1966, has emerged from a AUD 70 million transformation that celebrates rather than erases its mid-century identity. ● FK’s “Modern Heritage” approach retains the…
read moreHotel Pez Espada – Torremolinos, Spain Where Costa del Sol Glamour Never Went Out of Style Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● One of the most iconic hotels on the Costa del Sol and a pioneer of Mediterranean resort culture. ● A thoughtful renovation that celebrates its 1959 origins while introducing contemporary comfort and elegance.…
read moreHotel Puerta América | Madrid, Spain Where the World's Greatest Architects Built a Hotel Without Rules Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● One of the most ambitious design hotel projects ever created, bringing together 19 of the world's leading architects and designers under one roof. ● Every floor offers a completely different experience, from Zaha…
read moreHotel Guaraní, Asunción, Paraguay A landmark of Latin American modernism where 1960s optimism still shapes the skyline of Paraguay’s capital Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● One of Asunción’s defining modernist landmarks, opened in 1961 and designed by Brazilian architects Adolpho Rubio Morales, Rubens Carneiro Vianna, and Ricardo Sievers. ● The extraordinary original lobby, where…
read moreKimpton Los Monteros Marbella – Marbella, Spain Where Marbella’s Golden Age Returns in Full Colour Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● One of Spain’s most legendary hotels, beautifully reimagined after a €50 million transformation. ● Interiors by El Equipo Creativo and Cristina Carulla Studio that revive the glamour, colour, and optimism of Marbella’s 1970s heyday.…
read moreSolo Sokos Hotel Torni Helsinki | Finland A historic Helsinki landmark where Art Deco glamour, bohemian heritage, and contemporary Finnish design converge above the city skyline. Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● One of Helsinki’s most iconic buildings, dominating the city skyline since 1931 and once the tallest building in Finland. ● A beautifully restored…
read moreFinlandia Homes | Helsinki, Finland An Extraordinary Stay Inside Alvar Aalto's Modernist Masterpiece Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● Two beautifully restored residences inside Alvar Aalto's iconic Finlandia Hall offer one of the world's most immersive architectural stays. ● Original mid-century details are thoughtfully paired with contemporary Scandinavian design, creating interiors that honour Aalto's legacy…
read moreHotel Lucine – Galveston, Texas Mid-century motel nostalgia meets contemporary Gulf Coast cool. Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● A beautifully restored 1963 motor-court motel that captures the spirit of America's roadside hospitality revival. ● Thoughtfully redesigned by Austin-based Kartwheel Studio, blending mid-century architecture with playful coastal interiors. ● A vibrant social hub where rooftop…
read moreTotem Hotel, Flaine, France A 1970s modernist hotel embedded in Marcel Breuer’s radical Alpine experiment Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● One of the original hotels within Flaine, the purpose-built ski resort conceived by Marcel Breuer as a modernist alternative to traditional Alpine architecture. ● Its renovation embraces the building’s concrete bones rather than disguising…
read moreHôtel des Dromonts | Avoriaz, France A 1960s architectural experiment that helped define the modern Alpine resort Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● One of Avoriaz’s original buildings, designed by architect Jacques Labro as part of the radical new ski resort that emerged in the 1960s. ● Its extraordinary cedar-shingled, pyramid-like architecture transformed Le Corbusier-inspired…
read moreHotel de Mar Gran Meliá | Illetes, Mallorca | Spain A Modernist Landmark Where Mediterranean Architecture Becomes Timeless Luxury Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● One of Spain's finest examples of Mediterranean Modernism, designed in 1964 by legendary architect José Antonio Coderch. ● Beautifully preserved interiors featuring original furniture by Federico Correa, Alfonso Milá, and…
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