Distinguished design: Stunning hotels with architectural elegance
Design lovers rejoice, these four hotels offer a beautiful level of artistry to enhance your stay.
By Shayla Martin | December 5, 2024
When it comes to a cozy winter trip, your eye may be drawn to snow-covered natural surroundings, but at these four exquisite design-inspired hotels, you won’t be able to look away from their incredible architectural details. From curved central atriums and indoor firepits to curated art collections, these hotels offer designs that rival their destinations.
Conrad Washington, DC
Perched in CityCenterDC, one of the finest destinations in downtown Washington for high-end shopping and fine dining, Conrad Washington, DC is a serene hideaway of sleek white marble, curved gray-brown wood and gleaming glass. Designed by Pritzker prize-winning architectural firm Herzog & de Mueron, light is the star here, whether that be natural light pouring from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms and suites or modern chandeliers and glowing walls with warm, recessed lighting. The pièce de résistance is a contoured, skylit central atrium with steel mesh hanging over oak walls like a thin veil with guestrooms discreetly tucked behind it. Don’t miss the outdoor terraces and seasonal rooftop bar where you can take in golden-hour views of downtown and the U.S. Capitol before cozying up by the fireplace at Estuary Restaurant & Bar.
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club
A refreshing coastal palette of cream, birch and denim blue awaits at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club along the shores of Dana Point, a laid-back yet refined beach town in Southern California. The resort has a distinctly Mediterranean feel with terracotta roof tiles and charming blue-and-white-striped parasols surrounding its sparkling pools. The elevated atmosphere continues inside with expertly curated art collections lining the walls and penthouse suites featuring renowned artwork and private terrace fire pits, perfect for snuggling up and soaking in the ambiance. The nature-inspired Waldorf Astoria Spa and Salon, decorated in soothing tones of gold and stone, is the perfect place to tap into the healing powers of your seaside escape, ideally with an Earth and Sea Body Scrub made of algae, sea salt and coconut oil.
Hotel 1000 Seattle, LXR Hotels & Resorts
You won’t find a better location in the Emerald City than Hotel 1000 Seattle, LXR Hotels & Resorts located in the Waterfront District within walking distance of the city’s iconic Pike Place Market, Lumen Field and stunning Elliott Bay. The hotel’s design pays homage to the Pacific Northwest, with a cozy central firepit in Rosebay cocktail bar and a wooden mural behind the front desk that depicts a carved-out Mount Rainier. While admiring the sophisticated Seattle-inspired design, savor craft cocktails infused with elements of fire, smoke and pine influenced by the natural surroundings of the Pacific Northwest. Also in the lobby is a rotating collection of NFT artworks selected by digital art curation platform, NIIO.
Conrad Los Angeles
Designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry, known for his whimsical and sculptural building creations, Conrad Los Angeles features 25 floors of pure elegance in the heart of downtown LA. Take in expansive city views from the spacious rooftop terrace, where you can lounge in the California sun on the private pool deck or enjoy a meal and cocktails at Aqua Viva. Inside, more striking design touches await, like the bar at The Beaudry Room, which was crafted from 11,000-year-old polished and glazed molten lava, and a curated collection of paintings and modernist sculptures by California artists sprinkled throughout the common spaces. Rooms and suites offer a soothing palette of neutrals and natural finishes, like pale oak floors and deep green decor. The natural motifs extend to Conrad Spa, where dimly lit, wood-accented treatment rooms welcome guests to unwind.
Shayla Martin
Shayla Martin is an award-winning travel and culture journalist based in Washington, D.C. Find her work in outlets including The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Coastal Living, Hemispheres, Veranda Magazine, and many more. She specializes in content about Black history and culture, luxury travel, historic preservation, wellness, interior design, and personal narrative topics. She is also the founder of The Road We Trod, a bi-weekly newsletter that explores travel destinations through the Black gaze.
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