Where Luxury Has Moved On
How many words have been written about luxury? Yes, these are exceptional hotels, often five-star—but forget the gold taps and formality for formality’s sake. Today’s luxury can mean space, privacy and extraordinary service, but also simplicity, authenticity and the freedom to do things your own way. Breakfast at noon, a brilliant bed, someone remembering your name without making a performance of it. These are hotels where luxury is defined by how the experience feels, not by how much marble is in the lobby.
Estancia Vik José Ignacio - Uruguay Contemporary art, gaucho culture and 4,000 acres of wild Uruguayan countryside Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● A 12-suite contemporary estancia where every room has been individually conceived by a Uruguayan artist, turning the hotel into an extraordinary showcase of the country's creative scene. ● Traditional ranch life and…
read moreBahía Vik José Ignacio - Uruguay Contemporary art, dune architecture and barefoot living on the Atlantic coast Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● The most relaxed of the three José Ignacio Vik retreats, spreading 37 individually designed rooms and suites across a central pavilion and 11 freestanding bungalows among the dunes. ● Every accommodation is…
read morePlaya Vik José Ignacio - Uruguay Contemporary art, radical architecture and Atlantic sunsets on Playa Mansa Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● Designed by Carlos Ott, Playa Vik turns the beach house into an extraordinary piece of architecture, centred around a cantilevered titanium-and-glass structure known simply as The Sculpture. ● The private collection makes the…
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…
read moreHyatt Centric Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia Industrial heritage, street art, and rooftop energy inside a reimagined city-centre landmark Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● Silverfox Studios transformed the former Wisma KFC into a 312-room lifestyle hotel that retains the building’s industrial character rather than erasing it. ● Malaysian street art, local fashion, and references to…
read moreThe Dolder Grand, Zürich, Switzerland A Belle Époque Landmark Elevated by Contemporary Architecture and World-Class Art Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● Norman Foster's bold contemporary wings transform a nineteenth-century palace into one of Europe's most striking examples of historic and modern architecture in dialogue. ● An exceptional art collection featuring works by Salvador Dalí,…
read moreAliée Istanbul Where Ottoman Heritage Meets Cinematic Luxury Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● A spectacular transformation of historic Ottoman shipyard buildings into one of Istanbul’s most ambitious design hotels. ● Interiors by Dayna Lee and Ted Berner that feel part palace, part theatre set, part collector’s dream. ● A destination in its own right,…
read moreAl Moudira – Luxor, Egypt An Arabesque fantasy on Luxor’s West Bank, where painted domes, antique-filled rooms and jasmine gardens create a world seemingly untouched by time. Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● Conceived by Lebanese-Italian designer Zeina Aboukheir with Egyptian architect Olivier Sednaoui, Al Moudira was built using traditional materials and techniques to feel…
read moreHotel Sosei MGallery Collection | Sapporo, JapanA design-driven tribute to Hokkaido’s frontier spirit, where industrial heritage, contemporary luxury, and Japanese craftsmanship converge. Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● One of Japan’s most compelling adaptive-reuse hotels, transforming part of Sapporo’s historic brewery district into a sophisticated design destination.● Design Studio Crow masterfully weaves Hokkaido’s pioneering history…
read moreMandarin Oriental Qianmen – Beijing, China Where Imperial Tranquility Meets Contemporary Elegance Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● A rare luxury hotel embedded within Beijing's historic hutong fabric rather than above it. ● Meticulously restored courtyard houses that celebrate traditional Chinese architecture and craftsmanship. ● An intimate and deeply atmospheric alternative to Beijing's grand international…
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 moreRAN BAAS The Palace | Patiala, India Punjab's Majestic Revival Within the Walls of a Forgotten Fort Why DNA Hotels Loves It ● One of the most ambitious heritage restorations in India, transforming an abandoned 18th-century Sikh palace into a world-class luxury hotel. ● Extraordinary craftsmanship brought back to life through traditional building techniques, fresco…
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