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.

Situated in New York's trendy SoHo neighborhood, the Crosby Street Hotel is an import from Great Britain (both the brand and the designer are British). All 86 accommodations feature a whimsical yet refined appearance, complete with airy warehouse-style windows, flat-screen TVs and spacious bathrooms trimmed with granite, oak and glass. In addition to the mod decor, recent guests praise the elegant furnishings and stunning city views, not to mention amenities like iPod docking stations, flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi. As far as dining is concerned, previous visitors love the convivial Crosby Bar, which serves up American and British fare. Above all, travelers cite the impeccable customer service and colorful SoHo locale as primary reasons to stay, though caution that it is pricey to stay here.

Located in the heart of London's theater district, the Haymarket Hotel is steps from Regent and Jermyn streets' bars, restaurants and shops. The hotel's location also puts visitors within walking distance of the National Gallery, St. James Park and the famous Haymarket Theatre Royal. Inside, guests will find 50 modern rooms and suites, which were decorated by Kit Kemp and feature colorful decor, granite and oak bathrooms, and queen- or king-sized beds. Larger suites include fresh flowers, fireplaces, free parking and complimentary use of the hotel's iPads or laptops. Recent guests found all of the accommodations to be beautifully decorated, as well as spacious, especially for a city hotel. The central location, attentive staff, breakfast options, cocktail bar and on-site swimming pool all received high praise, too. The property also houses a library, a conservatory, a spa, a fitness center and Brumus Bar & Restaurant, which is newly refurbished and serves traditional afternoon tea, breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails.

The name of this hotel should tip you off as to what's inside. The property was designed with reflections in mind, and features reflective surfaces throughout its decor. Rooms boast floor-to-ceiling windows, mirrored doors, reflective artwork and chrome light fixtures. Accommodations also come equipped with free wireless internet, bathrooms with rain showers and flat-screen TVs. What's more, breakfast (a guest favorite), is included in the room rate (if booked directly with the hotel). Along with the stylish interiors, guests also enjoyed the hotel's location in the center of Kiev. Many of the city's famously ornate churches, such as St. Sophia's Cathedral, are located just a short walk from the hotel. On-site, travelers can make use of an indoor pool and sauna, as well as a restaurant and bar. Service is by far the hotel's most memorable attribute, with many travelers applauding the staff's friendliness and attention to detail. That, mixed with the hotel's eye-catching design and laid-back ambiance, led some guests to say this is the only hotel to stay at in Kiev.   

The Serras Hotel Barcelona sits within Barcelona's Barri Gòtic neighborhood near the aquarium and La Barceloneta. The 30-room boutique property specializes in modern accommodations that feature black and white patterned headboards, light wood floors and yellow accent furniture. Standard amenities include Nespresso coffee machines, smart TVs, walk-in showers and complimentary Wi-Fi. For additional living space and balconies with Mediterranean Sea or Ciutat Vella vistas, guests can upgrade to a Grand Deluxe room or higher. Beyond its digs, the standout perks of this hotel are the friendly staff and rooftop bar and pool. Several recent travelers noted hotel employees' upbeat personalities and willingness to accommodate a variety of requests. And on the rooftop, guests were impressed with the pool's views and the bar's delectable cocktails and snacks. If you desire a more substantial meal, dine on Catalan- and Mediterranean-influenced dishes at the on-site restaurant, Informal, which is headed by a Michelin-starred chef.

Although the Ham Yard Hotel sits steps from London's bustling Piccadilly Circus, the hotel manages to maintain a relaxed atmosphere thanks to its unique village-like layout, said recent guests. This chic boutique hotel is built around a courtyard garden and comes equipped with plenty of facilities and amenities in addition to stylish accommodations. On-site, lodgers will find a bowling alley, a spa, a gym, a movie theater, a library and a rooftop terrace. And that's just within the hotel. Take a few steps outside the property's doors and you'll find Ham Yard's shopping village, equipped with a diverse array of independent shops. Beyond the confines of Ham Yard, troves of London's greatest treasures are within short walking distance, including the National Gallery, Buckingham Palace and the River Thames. Though, you may find it difficult to peel yourself away from Ham Yard's impeccably designed rooms. Expect cozy furnishings with pops of playful patterns including tall tufted headboards, colorful couches and sleek granite bathrooms with walk-in showers. Ham Yard Bar & Restaurant is equally eye-catching and serves incredible afternoon tea, according to guests. 

The Mandala Hotel's prime location at Potsdamer Platz makes it a great option for families and history buffs. Within the immediate area, travelers will find an array of shops, restaurants and theaters, as well as kid-friendly attractions like the Deutsche Kinemathek (a museum devoted to German television and film) and the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Berlin. And for history enthusiasts, two World War II-focused sights – the Topography of Terror and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe – sit about a half-mile away. Back at the 158-room hotel, visitors have access to bicycle rentals, a 24-hour fitness center, two meeting rooms, a spa and two restaurants – the two Michelin-starred FACIL Restaurant and the more casual QIU Bar & Restaurant. Past diners raved about the cuisine at both eateries, though some wished QIU Bar & Restaurant's breakfasts were cheaper and that FACIL Restaurant was open weekends. Another highlight: the spacious, well-appointed accommodations. Standard rooms start at 430 square feet and come with walk-in closets, kitchenettes, personal tablets, Egyptian cotton sheets and vegan toiletries. For even more space (including a separate living room), previous visitors recommended reserving one of the property's suites.