Modern design hotels are the newer category, built within the last 30 years, by signature architects, with intentional aesthetic vocabulary.
The Aman portfolio (Kerry Hill, primarily)
Aman Tokyo (2014)
Modern interpretation of Japanese design. Floor-to-ceiling glass, basalt floors.
Aman Venice (2013)
16th-century palazzo with Aman restraint applied.
Aman New York (2022)
Modern Manhattan-tower interpretation.
Aman Kyoto (2019)
Garden setting, traditional Japanese forms.
Aman Sveti Stefan (2008)
Adriatic island retreat.
Amankora (2003+)
Bhutanese lodges across five valleys.
Aman Sahib (2024)
New Middle East addition.
The Cheval Blanc portfolio (LVMH)
Cheval Blanc Maldives Randheli (2014)
Jean-Michel Gathy architecture.
Cheval Blanc St-Tropez (2009)
French Riviera cottage compound.
Cheval Blanc St-Barth (2010)
Caribbean beach pavilions.
Cheval Blanc Paris (2021)
Newest LVMH-built Cheval Blanc.
The Bulgari portfolio (Antonio Citterio)
Bulgari Tokyo (2023)
Newest opening, exceptional architecture.
Bulgari Milano (2004)
Original Bulgari hotel, Milanese minimalism.
Bulgari Bali (2006)
Cliff-edge over the Indian Ocean.
Bulgari Roma (2023)
Roman Bulgari flagship.
Bulgari Beijing (2017)
Asian Bulgari with Chinese-modernist vocabulary.
Other notable modern designs
Marquis de Riscal Spain, Frank Gehry (2006)
Single statement building. Wine country.
EDITION properties, Yabu Pushelberg
NYC, London, Tokyo, Bali.
Park Hyatt portfolio, Tony Chi
NYC, Vienna, Sanya, Tokyo.
Five rules
- Modern design hotels reward the longer stay
- Multi-property trips by same architect are richer than mixed
- Read the design press, Dezeen, ArchDaily, Wallpaper
- Reserve a tour of the public spaces with the hotel design team
- Stay in suites, modern design plays bigger in suite
For more, see the architecture pillar.
