Hotels: Design Without Disburse
No longer solely the preserve of the unwashed backpacker, hostels are getting hip — with design-led makeovers, inspirational communal areas, cool bars; and involvement from cutting-edge architects, interior designers and artists. Add into the equation that hotel brands have recognised this desire for design over disburse, and the hospitality industry is looking a lot more interesting. Here's our look at the best budget inspirational stopovers around...
Chicago
Found in Chicago’s renowned Wicker Park and Bucktown neighbourhoods, The Hollander — set in the historic 1905 five-story brick Hollander Fireproof Warehouse — is surrounded by a nexus of creative energy; local street fashion; the arts; and a...
Valencia
With just 11 rooms, Valencia Lounge Hostel is certainly cosy. Distinct neo-classic touches charge through the property, along with vintage cement tiles and original ceilings; all of which were typical of Valencian homes of the 20th...
Brussels
Among the art galleries, hip bars, restaurants, and independent shops of Brussels's Saint-Gilles and Ixelles districts, a new hotel is waiting to show you a different side to its city. Close enough to the historic centre, JAM is located in an area...
Stockholm
There's precious little that hasn't been written about hip hostel brand, and resounding Millennial favourite, Generator — the culture-forward, budget conscious European hostel chain has been multiplying furiously over recent years, and it's onto a...
Amsterdam
'You have to trick yourself sometimes into staying positive and believing in your vision, when the contrary view is held by everyone else. In a way, it’s almost like going against your own internal sense of doubt too — break your own rules, be...
Chicago
The artisanal traditions of the American Midwest are among the influences on Freehand's second hotel, located in Chicago's vibrant River North neighbourhood. Quilting circles and sewing bees have inspired the fabric creations, made by local artists,...
Vienna
There are few more sumptuous European cities than Vienna, and the Grand Ferdinand's lavish renovation has just raised the stakes here even further. Hotelier Florian Weitzer is the man behind four other top Vienna hotels and knows what works, and his...
Ghent
Well then, how about the façade of Backstay Hostel for an opening statement? The property in the Flemish city of Ghent owes its splendid facial features to a chap called Maxime Brunfaut, who was the original architect of the 1930s building. The...
Paris
The Generator design hostel brand has cut the ribbon on its latest branch in Paris, and it's the largest Generator yet. One of the challenges of visiting Paris on a budget is trying to find somewhere affordable that isn't too far from the action,...
Amsterdam
How's this for a name: Hotel Not Hotel. Wait, what? I'm confused. Is it or isn't it? Well, the short answer is that yes, it is. But it's not quite that simple. Hotel Not Hotel is a hotel with quite a difference, as you'll see as we take a tour...
Konstanz
Ah, those crazy Germans. What will they think of next, eh? This latest piece of Teutonic nuttiness is located within spitting distance of Lake Constance, or Bodensee, if you prefer, at the foot of the Alps. The perfect place to enjoy a rural...
London
Generator London is the first, and perhaps the best, of the chain's eight European hostels, and to keep the flagship venue fresh, it's just had an £8million facelift. The bandages have now been removed to reveal a strong London look; the city is at...
City Notes
Chefs Karina Mejía and Israel Montero combine the tradition of Provençal cuisine with the soul and passion of Mexico in Saint Jacques Bistrot, their new gastronomic spot in the capital city's affluent Polanco neighbourhood. Allowing diners to...
City Notes
Located next door to Hotel Wilmina, which is housed in a former Berlin-Charlottenburg women's prison, Lotta Tagesbar has opened its doors, the café cum deli and bar designed by the same team behind Wilmina and serving an exquisite menu of healthy...
City Notes
With an enviable seafront location close to Barcelona and its airport, and having undergone a recent refurbishment, AC Hotel Gavà Mar is a 69-room hotel that is ideal for the business traveller, but also a surprising destination for the discerning...
City Notes
With interiors inspired by the Art Deco of Palm Beach County in Miami, and serving delicious ice cream on a newly pedestrianised street just off Barcelona's renowned Passeig de Gràcia, Amiko is not simply a 'heladería', rather it's a sensory...
Dispatches
Minimalism and elegance, too, are gaining fast as popular choices for serene, sophisticated interiors. Simplicity, clean lines, and curative approaches to decor are all that these two styles are made of, bringing home really calm and clarity within...
Dispatches
Finding the best Botox experts in Toronto can feel overwhelming, given the many options available. To focus your search, consider professionals with extensive experience and positive client reviews. A key step in identifying top specialists is...
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Wellness Trends for 2025: A series of posts designed to uncover the most progressive concepts in wellness for the year ahead. Number Eight: Restorative Home Design. In the pursuit of wellness, many people are turning their attention homeward....
Dispatches
Austin’s housing market has seen a significant boom in recent years, with many homeowners looking to boost their property’s value through home improvement projects. In a city where home prices continue to rise, updating key areas of a property,...