Four of the most beautiful design boutique hotels worldwide

Design-led hotels attract a discerning clientele, offering creative inspiration alongside a sense of unique exclusivity. Whether you’re in search of a home base for exploring the city or celebrating a special occasion with your partner, here are a few of the world’s most beautiful design-led boutique hotels to inspire you.

Artist Residence, London

Exposed brick, eclectic vintage furnishings and a handpicked selection of fine art makes a night at the Artist Residence a visually arresting experience. This charming Victorian townhouse is positioned in London’s upmarket Pimlico neighbourhood, away from the tourist hustle and bustle, yet within walking distance of the Tate Britain and Buckingham Palace. Choose the Grand Suite to soak in the cast-iron freestanding bathtub and enjoy city views from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests are welcome to mingle in the Pop Art-styled Cambridge Street Kitchen and drink in the speakeasy ambience of the Clarendon Cocktail Cellar.

Archer Hotel, New York

The Archer Hotel makes a dramatic impression both inside and out, with its shimmering glass and steel façade and intimate wood-panelled interiors. This elegant boutique hotel sits in the heart of midtown Manhattan’s historic Garment District, mere steps away from the Empire State Building, Times Square and Broadway. Industrial style meets curated luxury at the Archer, which invites you to sit back and relax in a plush Chesterfield sofa or enjoy sweeping views of the city from Pits Spyglass Rooftop Bar. Designer Glen Coben has outfitted the guest rooms with bespoke fabrics and Art Deco flourishes, all flooded with natural lighting.

Le Nolinski, Paris

Paris boasts myriad boutique hotels, but Le Nolinski stands tall amongst them. This glamorous hotel enjoys a prime location in the first arrondissement, the favoured haunt of artists and celebrities. Nolinski is positioned on the elegant Avenue de l’Opera near the city’s designer boutiques, Louvre Museum and Jardin des Tuileries. Renovated by noted local interior designer Jean-Louis Deniot, the concept is a home away from home for the wealthy traveller. The building is stunning at every turn, from its minimalist Carrara marble reception lobby to its romantic spa, all candlelight and mirrors. Relax in the privacy of a spacious guest apartment outfitted with lashings of sumptuous tweed and velvet, or enjoy a quiet moment in the Grand Salon surrounded by works of art and an eye-catching bronze fireplace.

Tierra Atacama, Chile

Nestling in the otherworldly landscape of Chile’s Atacama Desert, the Tierra Atacama Hotel and Spa offers a boutique experience designed to strike a harmonious balance with nature. Expect wooden tones and organic curves that meld the interior with the unforgettable landscapes that surround it. Designed by architects Rodrigo Searle and Matías González, the living spaces combine five-star international luxury with locally crafted artisan pieces. The Uma Spa connects body and mind with views of the Licancabur Volcano and a circuit of refreshing outdoor pools, while the spa treatments themselves incorporate natural, locally sourced ingredients like clay and honey. By day, you can explore the region on guided hiking and horseback riding excursions, and by night you can stargaze on the terrace, kept warm by the cosy fire pits.

 From lavish desert spas to quirky romantic boltholes, what these hotels have in common is a designer’s eye for detail. Gain inspiration for your own interior design projects or simply enjoy the luxurious surroundings.