Concrete Cool: Brutalist Hotels

“It wasn’t long ago that the world seemed to hate brutalist architecture. These ‘concrete monstrosities’ represented a post-war, chuck-it-up cheap building style, or were most associated with social housing solutions that architects like Le Corbusier were famous for. These days though, brutalism is distinctly cool, and these five hotels prove that concrete is having its day.

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The Park Tower Knightsbridge, London
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London is home to so many examples of brutalism that it’s well worth picking up a dedicated map charting examples of the style. It’ll help you navigate your way around 50 landmark buildings and lesser-known examples of the architectural equivalent of Marmite. The Park Tower Knightsbridge is a wonderful example of brutalism in the UK capital. More than a unique feat in architecture, the luxury hotel’s distinctive drum-shape and protruding windows offer quite incredible views of London’s skyline. Visit London’s grade II listed Centre Point by the same architect Richard Seifert ‚Ôî the only building vaguely similar to Park Tower.

If you want to see more hotels on London, visit our London hotels page.

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The Westin Grand, Munich
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The German city of Munich is another gem of a city for brutalist-appreciation. Built for the 1972 Olympic Games, the Westin Grand is a magnificent example. Bold, rough and very distinctive, it’s formed of a 22-storey concrete tower that looms above a huge two-storey monolithic block. Located in Arabellapark, with its imposing brutalist skyscraper, this comfortable, upscale hotel is just a short hop from the artistic and cultural district. Built in the same style, the Olympic Village is well worth a visit for more brutalism.

If you want to see more hotels on Munich, visit our Munich hotels page.

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At Six, Stockholm
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Located close to the ancient Gamla Stan district of Stockholm, At Six is in a concrete chunk of a building. The old city bank that now houses this sleek hotel popped-up during the mid-20th century post-war planning boom. Rather than knock it down, the hotel’s owners have turned it into a hip designer hotel that holds one of Europe’s most significant hotel art collections. Base yourself here to explore the Swedish capital’s many architectural delights from the 12th century to the modern day.

If you want to see more hotels on Stockholm, visit our Stockholm hotels page.

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Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Hawaii
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Far away from Europe’s cities, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was Hawaii’s first beach resort. Commissioned by venture capitalist Laurance S. Rockefeller, this imposing structure was the most expensive hotel ever built when it first opened in 1965. With concrete the colour of the sand on the beautiful Kauna’oa Bay beach, you could say its brutalist edges have been somewhat softened. But swimming in the bay’s turquoise waters or walking along the promenade, it certainly looks commanding. It’s a gorgeous, luxurious place to stay.

If you want to see more hotels on Kamuela, visit our Kamuela hotels page.

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Terminal Neige – Totem, Flaine, France
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High in the French Alps, Flaine was once a hub for artists and is now a trendy ski resort and a recognised historical monument. Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer designed this entire village resort in the early sixties. Like much of this brutalist resort, Totem has recently been reimagined to preserve its history and reflect its setting. Named after the Picasso sculpture outside, the endless ski runs, a gorgeous spa and lively aprés ski lure in the visitors, and the hope is to revive that art-set atmosphere.

If you want to see more hotels on Flaine, visit our Flaine hotels page.”