Five years after Ultra Supper Club arrived on the scene, it was time to give Toronto’s premiere V.I.P. nightspot a facelift. With it’s rebirth as “Ultra” Munge Leung had the opportunity to refine thier original design and add new motifs throughout the space with a clever, unexpected twist.

(more…)

The world’s first sand castle hotel has recently opened at weymouth beach in the seaside town of dorset in the UK. the hotel was constructed from approximately 1000 tonnes of sand, built over 15sqm reaching a height of 4m. british sculptor mark anderson was commissioned by laterooms.com to create the hotel.

(more…)

The new hotel chain aims to offer a unique alternative for travelers who want a change from the traditional cookie-cutter mid-priced hotel experience. NYLO plans to have 50 hotels across North America by 2010. NYLO’s second hotel, in Warwick, Rhode Island, makes its debut in late summer, 2008. Others are slated to open in 2009 in the following markets: Irving, Texas; Denver/Boulder, Colorado; and Kansas City, Missouri.

The 176-room Plano property brings a new face to business travel, appealing to guests of all ages who appreciate bold design, new technology and engaging amenities, such as lively gathering places outside the guestrooms.

Offering travelers an urban, exciting and fun lifestyle experience on the road, NYLO Plano will feature the brand’s hallmark urban loft design. Guests will find soaring ceilings, custom-designed furnishings and high-tech amenities throughout the hotel. Along with the full spectrum of business amenities, they will enjoy The Loft, a dynamic gathering spot next to the lobby with stylish bar and restaurant offering a full menu — from snacks to gourmet dinners — round-the-clock.
(more…)

New restaurant in Belgrade, Serbia by Karim Rashid. Digital artwork made of RGB LED panels surround the bar. A strong dose of color in the spaces lounges and a restaurant-bar and a facade entirely pop-chic.

(more…)

A great rustic-modern aesthetic hotel designed by Heinz Legler in Mexico with amazing views to the ocean.

There are many ways to build employee quarters, temporary housing for those who decide to come work for a season at Verana. An experiment which turned out to be exciting to design, to build and after all to live in. . This rustic-modern aesthetic hotel was designed by Heinz Legler, who used to own a film set construction company and Veronique Lievre, previously a set decorator, from Paris. They started this project as their personal hideaway, but it ended up construction an hotel in a 5 acre area, with infinity pool, spa, restaurants, yoga hut and 8 guest rooms.

(more…)

The Semiramis is an intimate 52 room hotel in the suburb of Kifissia, in the heart of Athens. The hotel has been designed with positive energy, heightened experiences, culture, art, and design as it’s main focus. Set 340 meters above sea level, it is surrounded by restaurants, cafes and boutiques. Sounds like heaven.

Semiramis, Karim Rashid’s first hotel project, is a fusion of Rashid’s influence and owner Dakis Joannou’s vision and own dedication to the modern art world. Mr. Joannou, an eminent collector, patron of modern art and qualified architect, commissioned Karim Rashid to create a hotel that will offer more than extra bed space in Athens.
(more…)

Dreams, ideas, people, places and environments change and evolve continuously.
Framebar dynamically projects and proposes its own lifestyle evolution.

Modern, delicate, ecological and healthy suggestions, sensual scents, mouthwatering flavors for original yet timeless and enchanting experiences. Frame aims to satisfy the demands and tickle the taste buds of each and every customer 7 days a week 365 days a year.

Framebar is a refreshing and stylish gathering place in history-rich Athens. It is located in the St. George Lycabettus Boutique Hotel, in the chic Kolonaki quarter. The most striking of the bar’s many redeeming qualities is the furniture.
(more…)

Innovative Mexican hotelier Carlos Couturier’s latest project is an inland wonder, a former 19th-century water-purifying centre next to the Iglesia de San Francisco in the colonial city of Puebla. Purity is the guiding principle of the hotel’s design as executed by renowned architects Ricardo Legorreta and his son.

Victor: black and white are the only colours, bringing out the subtleties of the materials used – stone from the original building, old wood, onyx and custom floor tile, as well as found materials such as bottles and glass fragments, which are also integrated in the hotel’s graphic design. But this minimalism shouldn’t be confused with lack of luxury: a roof terrace and 30-metre pool provide ample recreational opportunity, and the 26 guestrooms offer spectacular views of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
(more…)

Whether you live in one already, or simply dream of inhabiting one down the road, a weekend in a luxury loft is now possible. The Gastwerk Hotel in Germany is an antique building, the interior of which has been renovated with the most modern designs.

Living, working, relaxing. In addition to pure design in the midst of impressive architecture. Not without reason do we welcome guests from throughout the whole world. Individualists who are seeking much more than the pure functionality of a hotel bed.

141 rooms, lofts and suites, a variably equipped conference area, a restaurant, a bar and a spacious wellness area as well as 60 parking lots in front of the hotel and 20 underground parking lots for free fully satisfy these demands in the former coal warehouse of a Hamburg gasworks.
(more…)

This seven floor underwater hotel will give its guests a new view of the famous city of Istanbul. It is due to open in 2010, and will coincide with its Culture Capital of Europe nomination and lay down a gauntlet as a world capital of tourism. The hotel is the work of Tanriverdi Holding and have set aside a multi-million dollar budget to ensure the project is finished to 7 star standards.

The underwater hotel trend was reported on a year ago and this new project shows two unique characteristics - it will be based in the city center and will go one floor further underwater. The underwater hotel is being built on the ruins of a historical 1930s tobacco factory and will have restaurants, exhibition halls, and rooms all with sea view rooms.
(more…)

When you tire of the endless sandy beaches and azure waters of warm climes, but you are not quite ready for space travel, head to Lapland for a dramatic, mystical getaway. The snow igloos that pop up each winter to complement the 20 spectacular glass igloos and 31 luxury log cabins at Kakslauttanen resort in Saariselkä, Finland, are definitely cool in all meanings of the word.

Far away from city lights, this is an excellent place for viewing the aurora borealis from September to April.

Hotel Kakslauttanen consists of 25 log cabins, a restaurant with souvenir shopping facilities and two saunas.

Close to the resort is the Igloo Village that offers the unusual highlight of accommodation in genuine igloos made of snow.
(more…)

The Classical Baby Grand is situated in the heart of downtown Athens, so it’s a cultural haven for tourists who want to explore the city. The pulse of the city is felt from the moment guests step outside the hotel doors, as it faces Kotzia Square right next to City Hall.

Wander through the lobby as you make your way out for a night on the town, and you’ll see a garden-inspired lobby designed by Socratis Socratous. You won’t find the reception there though; you’ll have to go upstairs where two Mini Cooper convertibles (yes, cars) are used as check-in desks.
(more…)

Call it a floating restaurant if you will–patrons who dine at Dinner in the Sky are suspended by a crane in midair while feasting on the executive chef???s specialized gourmet menu. Based in Brussels, Dinner in the Sky now brings its table to cities throughout Europe.

A unique event meant for anyone who wishes to transform an ordinary meal or meeting into a magical moment that will leave a lasting impression on their guests!

Breakfast in the sky, lunch in the sky, cocktail in the sky, meeting in the sky… there is no limit to your imagination.

Dinner in the Sky takes place at a table suspended at a height of 50 metres by a team of professionals. Benji Fun is the worldwide leader for this type of activities.

Dinner in the Sky is available for a session of 8 hours. It can be divided or personalised accorded to the client’s wishes.
(more…)

Moscow has one of the world’s most exuberant markets; travelers who want to enjoy the luxury component of the Russian capital, yet still looking for something personal, will love the Golden Apple Boutique Hotel.
(more…)

Icehotel is an hotel built out of snow and ice, situated 200km north of the Arctic circle, in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, near the Torne river. Jukkasjärvi is an old Lapp word meaning ‘meeting place’ and has been exactly that, as well as a market place, for more than half a millennium. If you are planning on visiting it (and it is well worth a visit) make sure you do so in the winter, some time between December-April.

Like the Alta Igloo Hotel it is erected at the beginning of every winter and allowed to melt away in the spring, returning the building and furnnishings back to the river, out of which it was carved.

(more…)