Top 10 hip hotels
Looking to impress with a stay at a hotel hipper than hip? You could do far worse than one of the ten cosmopolitan retreats listed below. Cutting-edge design, great locations and trendy bars and restaurants make each of these hotels a unique experience.
1. Aleph A Boscolo Luxury Hotel, Rome
A short walk from the city's famous Spanish steps (and many of its better shops), the Aleph and its award-winning design are housed in a Renaissance building on a quiet side street. Massage and saunas are available in the hotel spa.
2. The Mandala Hotel, Berlin
Modern decorated design hotel located on Berlin’s Potsdamer Platz, just 600 metres from the sights of the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag. Stylish rooms offer comfort while the hotel’s restaurants offer a variety of modern cuisine.
3. Hotel Birger Jarl, Stockholm
Located in the centre of Stockholm, Hotel Birger Jarl is a uniquely-designed contemporary testament to Swedish creativity. The rooms mix fun modern touches with authentic Swedish décor.
4. Hotel Nikko San Francisco, San Francisco
A short stroll from Union Square and the Museum of Modern Art, the Japanese inspired Hotel Nikko features a blend of Zen minimalism and Western-style luxury. Guestrooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, some with bay views.
5. Dream, New York
Just two blocks from 5th Avenue and 4 from Central Park, this centrally located design hotel offers a rooftop lounge with panoramic city views, Bose Wave sound systems and plasma TV’s in each room with iPods available on request.
6. Lloyd Hotel, Amsterdam
design hotel located in the fashionable Eastern Docklands area of Amsterdam, the Lloyd Hotel offers individually styled guest rooms furnished by Dutch artists within easy reach of the city centre
7. Hotel Yasmin, Prague
Located in the heart of Prague close to Wenceslas Square, the Yasmin is an ultra modern seven-floor design hotel. The rooms have minimalist furnishings and flat screen TV’s. The Yasmin is the perfect base for exploring the beautiful sights and great nightlife of Prague.
8. Hotel le Marquis, Paris
Within walking distance of some of the most attractive areas of Paris and boasting views of the Eiffel Tower just 700 metres away, the Hotel le Marquis’ guestrooms effortlessly combine contemporary style with handmade Italian furniture, high speed internet access and CD/DVD players.
9. The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, New York
1 block from Central Park, the Carlyle is a favourite with leaders in politics and entertainment. Rooms are individually decorated in a Louis XVI style, while the marble baths feature Kiehl’s toiletries.
10. Avalon Hotel, Los Angeles
Just a short stroll from the world famous Rodeo Drive, the Avalon features an hourglass swimming pool and 68 separate guest rooms all benefiting from separate sitting and dining areas; many of which have private balconies.
