Best Design Hotels

Located within walking distance of London's business district, the trendy Soho neighborhood, the Royal Opera House and an array of restaurants, shops and theaters, Covent Garden Hotel provides a serene (albeit pricey) retreat for urban travelers. Inside, guests will find a wood-paneled drawing room, the Tiffany's Library with an honor bar, and a private screening room that has 47 red leather seats. There's also Brasserie Max, an eatery that highlights seasonal produce in its dishes and serves inventive cocktails with ingredients like prawns and lobster. Meanwhile, the restaurant's afternoon tea service is popular with locals and tourists alike. Additionally, recent guests appreciated the hotel's fast Wi-Fi speeds, immaculately cleaned rooms, comfortable beds, prime location for sightseeing and helpful staff. Plus, travelers will enjoy accommodations with Bose sound systems, colorful fabric headboards, large windows and granite and oak bathrooms. For families, the property offers connecting rooms and kid-friendly amenities like milk and cookies at bedtime and age-appropriate welcome gifts.

Ideally located in London's Soho district within walking distance of numerous restaurants, bars and shops, The Soho Hotel caters to both business and leisure travelers. There are several meeting rooms on-site, as well as family-friendly amenities for those traveling with kids, including milk and cookies at bedtime, babysitting services and a Saturday film club held in one of the hotel's two screening rooms. Past visitors of all ages liked the afternoon tea service, which offers vegan and gluten-free options. Adults also enjoyed the cuisine and handcrafted cocktails served at Refuel, though several said the eatery's breakfasts were a bit pricey. Additional amenities offered at The Soho Hotel include a spa, a fitness center and concierge services. When you're ready to retire for the evening, retreat to one of the property's 96 accommodations. Each space features floor-to-ceiling warehouse-style windows, a granite and oak bathroom, free Wi-Fi access and a flat-screen television. Upgraded suites boast private terraces, seating areas and two-person showers. Plus, some rooms have multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, making them ideal for groups or families.

Service is the star at this Swiss hideaway. Lodgers regularly described staff as genuine, warm and incredibly helpful. And with only 30 rooms and suites to its name, it's easy to see how The Omnia can provide personalized service. The hotel is located in the Swiss Alps in the small town of Zermatt, home to the famous Matterhorn mountain, which can be seen from various points around the property, including some rooms. Accommodations are contemporary, featuring a neutral color palette, sleek wood furnishings and modern comforts, such as flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi capabilities. Guests appreciated the quality of their digs and also praised the excellent on-site facilities. The Omnia has a penchant for wellness, as evidenced by its gym, spa treatments, Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, steam room, caldarium and flower steam room, which is enriched with floral oils. There's also an indoor-outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool that sits under Matterhorn's peak. The hotel can arrange for outdoor pursuits and other activities, as well as make reservations in the village below. Just make sure to stick close to the hotel when it's time to eat – the on-site restaurant is headed by a Michelin-starred chef.  

A stay at The Guesthouse Vienna is all about location, location, location, according to recent guests. Its address in the heart of Austria's biggest city puts travelers close to just about everything they could ever need. Bars, restaurants and shops can be found on just about every block, and popular attractions, such as St. Stephen's Cathedral, Hofburg Palace, the Museum of Fine Arts and House of Music, are all within walking distance of the property. The Guesthouse's accommodations stand out in that they resemble the kind of Old World elegance as seen in many top European hotels. Instead, rooms here are both modern in design and amenities, featuring ultra-sleek furnishings and contemporary artwork in addition to rainforest showers, espresso machines, TVs and towel radiators. What's more, all drinks in the minibar (except for spirits) are included in the room rate. The on-site Brasserie & Bakery – another guest favorite – serves food all day and offers kids menus. Service was also a big standout at this property: Guests described the staff as friendly and helpful, and strongly suggested relying on the concierge for activity recommendations.

"Flawless," "beautiful" and "brilliant" are just a few superlatives previous guests used to describe the Giardino Ascona. Positioned on Lake Maggiore in southern Switzerland, the property offers stunning lake views and a bevy of on-site amenities. Giardino Ascona is home to a spa, which offers treatments like massages, facials and body scrubs, a sauna and a steam bath. Its fitness studio is stocked with cardio and weight equipment. Plus, the hotel features an ornate indoor pool and an outdoor pool surrounded by gardens and a deck with lounge chairs and umbrellas. When it comes to dining, Ecco Ascona (a two Michelin-starred restaurant) dishes out gourmet meals, and Hide & Seek plates a medley of Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes. There's also the seasonal poolside, which allows guests the chance to dine al fresco while they enjoy everything from a drink to Italian ice cream as well as meals. As far as rooms go, all are equipped with flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi access and terraces or balconies. The only downside to a stay at this hotel, though, is that it'll cost you a pretty penny.

The Whitby Hotel, which opened in February 2017, is the newest addition to the unique Firmdale Hotels portfolio. Sister hotel to the popular Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo, The Whitby offers some of the same signature touches, such as quirky, colorful headboards, afternoon tea and warehouse-style windows. Guests can't get enough of this beautifully designed property and its stellar customer service. Inside, The Whitby offers 86 guest rooms and suites, each of which is uniquely decorated. All accommodations are equipped with complimentary internet access, flat-screen TVs, sitting areas, workstations and granite or marble bathrooms with dual sinks. The hotel is also home to a screening room with 130 seats, a drawing room and a 24-hour fitness center. If you're feeling a bit peckish, head to The Whitby Bar & Restaurant for a meal: The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offers a prix fixe theater dinner menu. Travelers highly recommend bedding down at this hotel, citing its comfortable rooms, classy atmosphere and superb location as reasons to return. Keep in mind though, like its sister property, a stay here does not come cheap. You'll find The Whitby in Manhattan's midtown neighborhood, just south of Central Park.