Museum of the Bavarian Kings by Staab Architekten; photo by Marcus Ebener

Berlin-based architectural practice Staab Architekten have converted an old hotel into a new museum dedicated to the history of the Bavarian Kings. Located in the German village of Hohenschwangau and overlooking the picturesque Alpsee lake, the development features a striking, glass-clad roof which has been added to the former dining room of the hotel. (more…)

Endémico Resguardo Silvestre by Gracia Studio; photo by Luis Gracia

To prevent the development from disturbing its spectacular setting and to ‘respect nature in every possible way’, architect Jorge Enrique Gracia García along with his San Diego-based practice Gracia Studio has realised this group of 20 free-standing hotel rooms located in Baja California’s Valle de Guadalupe. At 20-square-meters each, the corten steel-clad, elegantly furnished rooms follow a concept of ’a “deluxe” camping houses, covering the guest’s basic needs, being in contact with nature and the environment.’ (more…)

Move Hotel by Studio Marco Piva; photo courtesy of the architect

The Milanese practice of Marco Piva has collaborated with the South African studio DHK Architects on this elegant, four-star hotel located in the northern Italian town of Mogliano Veneto. Completed earlier this year, the ‘Immersed in the tranquil countryside of Trevigiano’ Move Hotel encompasses more than 200 rooms and suites, a large conference room and a wellness centre which boasts a number of facilities, such as covered pool, sauna, traditional Turkish baths, Kneipp spa, sensory showers and a fitness room. (more…)

Hotel Diagonal Barcelona by Capella Garcia Arquitectura; photo by Rafael Vargas

The Barcelona-based practice Capella Garcia Arquitectura led by the architect Juli Capella Samper has realised this 10-storey Hotel Diagonal Barcelona located in the immediate vicinity of Jean Nouvel‘s iconic Torre Agba. Completed in 2004, the hotel comprises an aquarium-inspired reception area, 240 rooms and a striking panoramic rooftop deck, which apart from encompassing a swimming pool and a cocktail and snack bars, also features an integrated decorative and highly functional pergola-like solar panel structure. (more…)

EME Fusion Hotel by Sandra Tarruella Interioristas; photo by Fernando Alda

Two of Barcelona’s award-winning practices: Sandra Tarruella Interioristas and Isabel López Asociados have collaborated on the design of this five-star EME Fusion Hotel located in the historical Santa Cruz neighbourhood of Seville. Completed in 2008, the boutique hotel comprises 60 rooms, spa and outdoor swimming pool as well as a number of restaurants and cocktail bars.

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Hotel Finca el Retorno by G Ateliers Architecture, photo by Gustavo Valencia

This holiday home is part of a whole complex 2 hours drive north east from Medellin, Colombia in a region with exceptional conditions for ecological tourism development. Situated on steep slopes each of the approximately 100sqm houses is half buried in the terrain, seeming as if the structure emerged from it.

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Bayside Marina Hotel by Yasutaka Yoshimura Architects, photo by Yasutaka Yoshimura

The Tokyo based architectural practice of Yasutaka Yoshimura designed this prefabricated hotel on the bayside of Yokohama. The long and narrow containers – fabricated in Thailand and assembled in Japan – are randomly placed and offer each guest room a unique sea view.

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The Waterhouse in Shanghai by Neri & Hu Design and Research Office, photo by Derryck Menere

This successful conversion of a 1930s Japanese Army headquarter into a 19-room boutique hotel, located at the new Cool Docks development on the South Bund District of Shanghai, was realised by the locally based Neri & Hu Design and Research Office. The architectural concept behind NHDRO’s renovation rests on a clear contrast of what is old and new.

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