Swoon-Worthy Design Hotels for Your 2025 Bucket List

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When you step into a thoughtfully designed hotel, something remarkable happens in your brain. Swoon-worthy design hotels don’t just provide a place to stay; they create immersive environments that spark emotion and inspiration. Neuroaesthetics is the emerging field that studies how beauty affects our neural circuitry. It reveals that exceptional design doesn’t just please the eye; it creates measurable neurological responses. Harmonious proportions activate reward pathways, while elements that evoke a distinct sense of place—whether through indigenous materials or cultural motifs—form stronger memory imprints in the hippocampus. The most captivating hotels understand this intuitively, creating spaces that don’t merely accommodate guests but engage with their brains at a fundamental level, triggering releases of dopamine and serotonin that manifest as that ineffable feeling of “rightness” we experience in perfectly balanced environments. When we describe a hotel lobby as breathtaking or a suite as tranquil, we’re actually describing our brain’s complex response to the visual rhythms, textural contrasts, and cultural resonances that skilled designers have orchestrated precisely to elicit these reactions. In a world where Japanese doctors prescribe forest bathing for mental health, perhaps the most cutting-edge neurologists of tomorrow might just write you a prescription for a weekend at one of these swoon-worthy design hotels. In the meantime, here’s our prescription—the latest and greatest swoon-worthy design hotels to add to your must-visit list for 2025:

Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay – France

Nestled in the mystical forests of Chevreuse Valley, Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay transforms a 12th-century Cistercian monastery into a sanctuary of timeless elegance. Stone archways frame verdant gardens while original vaulted ceilings soar above contemporary furnishings that harmonize rather than compete with the abbey’s historical essence. Each room tells a story of monastic tranquility reimagined for modern sensibilities, with mullioned windows framing views that monks contemplated for centuries. The former refectory now hosts candlelit dinners where guests savor regional delicacies amid acoustics that once amplified prayers—a sensory experience that connects visitors to France’s spiritual and architectural heritage while cocooning them in discreet luxury. Following a stay at Abbaye des Vauz-de-Cernay, stay at one of our history inspired hotels in France. 

Estelle Manor – United Kingdom

Estelle Manor rises from the Oxfordshire countryside like a storybook come to life—a grand Jacobean estate where aristocratic heritage meets contemporary comfort without sacrificing an ounce of character. Celebrated designer Susie Atkinson has breathed fresh vitality into period rooms, creating spaces that feel both historically authentic and effortlessly current. Rolling lawns and ancient woodlands frame the manor’s honey-colored stone façade, while inside, original oak paneling and ornate plasterwork ceilings coexist with sumptuous textiles and statement lighting. The property balances grandeur with intimacy, allowing guests to live out their Downton Abbey fantasies while enjoying thoroughly modern indulgences—a place where every corner offers both a history lesson and an Instagram moment.

Hotel Corazon – Mallorca

Carved into the sun-drenched hills of Mallorca, Hotel Corazon captures the island’s soulful spirit through a masterful blend of vernacular architecture and Mediterranean minimalism. Whitewashed walls curve organically around hidden courtyards where citrus trees perfume the air, while strategically placed apertures frame the azure sea beyond. The hotel embraces its Spanish roots with handcrafted tile work and locally woven textiles, yet maintains a contemporary restraint that allows the dramatic landscape to take center stage. As evening falls, lanterns illuminate stone pathways leading to intimate dining spaces where conversations flow as freely as the regional wines—an authentic expression of Mallorcan heart and hospitality that feels both deeply rooted and effortlessly cosmopolitan.

Castello Di Reschio – Italy

Castello Di Reschio stands as a testament to patient restoration and visionary design, where architect Count Benedikt Bolza has transformed a thousand-year-old Umbrian fortress into Italy’s most captivating countryside retreat. The ancient stonework now houses interiors that blend aristocratic sophistication with rustic warmth—think copper bathtubs, hand-painted murals, and custom furniture crafted in the estate’s own workshops. Sunlight plays across terrazzo floors and illuminates frescoed ceilings, while outside, cypress-lined paths lead through meticulously restored gardens to hidden swimming pools and equestrian facilities. As a swoon-worthy design hotel, the estate produces its own olive oil, wine, and honey, creating a self-contained world where every element—from the homegrown ingredients on your plate to the restored antique in your suite—tells the evolving story of this remarkable property. For more on Italy, check out one of our previous blogs dedicated to Rome and the Amalfi Coast. 

Nine Orchard – NYC

Behind the meticulously restored Beaux-Arts façade of a former bank in Manhattan’s vibrant Lower East Side, Nine Orchard presents a masterclass in subtle luxury and thoughtful preservation. The century-old building retains its architectural grandeur—soaring ceilings, marble columns, and bronze details—while interior designer Jenna Lyons has introduced a contemporary sensibility through custom furnishings and an expertly curated color palette. The former banking hall now serves as a spectacular gathering space where New York’s creative set mingles beneath original chandeliers, while upstairs, guest rooms offer sanctuary with their overscale windows, Frette linens, and bathrooms tiled in custom patterns. Nine Orchard doesn’t merely occupy a historic building—it breathes new life into it, creating a hospitality experience that feels both quintessentially New York and delightfully unexpected.

Belmond Maroma – Mexico

Emerging from the verdant jungle of the Riviera Maya like a fever dream of whitewashed perfection, Belmond Maroma is Mexico’s most enchanting beachfront sanctuary. You will not be surprised to know that this hotel is also on our list of the Most Romantic Luxury Resorts in Mexico. Recently reimagined by designer Tara Bernerd, the resort honors its Mayan heritage through thoughtfully sourced materials and artisanal techniques while elevating the experience with contemporary comforts. Handcrafted tilework creates kaleidoscopic patterns across floors and walls, while thatched roofs and indigenous hardwoods ground the property in its geographical context. The brilliant white architecture provides dramatic contrast to the turquoise Caribbean waters just steps away, creating a visual poetry that settles deep into the psyche. As twilight falls, the property transforms through the glow of hundreds of candles—an ethereal experience that connects guests to both ancient traditions and present-moment bliss.

Amangiri – Utah

Emerging from Utah’s desert landscape like a modernist mirage, Amangiri achieves the seemingly impossible—architecture that both stands in striking contrast to its environment and seems to have emerged organically from it. Concrete walls in subtle hues of sand and stone wrap around minimalist suites where floor-to-ceiling windows frame views so dramatic they function as living art installations. Designed by architects Marwan Al-Sayed, Wendell Burnette, and Rick Joy, the property celebrates emptiness and space as the ultimate luxuries, creating a profound sense of stillness rarely found in contemporary hospitality. The swimming pool famously curves around an ancient rock formation, symbolizing the property’s philosophy of working with rather than against the landscape. At night, when the desert sky fills with stars and fire pits glow against the darkness, Amangiri reveals itself as more than a hotel—it’s a deeply contemplative space where nature and design achieve perfect harmony. This hotel also ranks on our list of the 9 Best Luxury Resorts to Unwind in the Southwest and 8 Best Luxury Resorts In the Southwest For A Relaxing Corporate Retreat.

Hotel Esencia – Mexico

Once the private estate of an Italian duchess, Hotel Esencia maintains its aristocratic bearing while redefining beachfront luxury for a new generation. Owner Kevin Wendle has transformed the property into a showcase for mid-century design and contemporary art, creating spaces where Picasso ceramics and Charlotte Perriand furniture feel right at home against the backdrop of pristine Caribbean beaches. Brilliant white architecture creates a canvas for bold color moments—a scarlet parasol here, an azure pool tile there—while lush gardens provide natural privacy between accommodations. The atmosphere strikes a balance between sophistication and barefoot ease; guests might find themselves enjoying a world-class tasting menu one moment and wading into the turquoise waters the next. There’s an effortless elegance to Esencia that cannot be manufactured—the inherited confidence of a place that knows exactly what it is.

La Residence – South Africa

Nestled in South Africa’s Cape Winelands, La Residence is the next swoon-worthy design hotel, seamlessly blending opulent maximalist luxury with a deep connection to its breathtaking surroundings of ancient vineyards and dramatic mountain vistas. Owner Liz Biden’s fearless approach to design results in suites that function as individual expressions of color and texture—emerald green silks in one, sapphire blue velvets in another—all anchored by museum-quality antiques and contemporary South African art. Oriental carpets spread across original stonework floors, while chandeliers drip from ornate ceilings, creating interiors that feel both theatrical and genuinely livable. Outside, structured French gardens give way to working vineyards, and resident peacocks strut amid lavender fields. The overall effect is one of cinematic romance—a place where every meal becomes a memorable occasion and every vista appears framed for maximum impact. This is the perfect hotel to add on to any luxurious African safari. 

Capella Ubud – Indonesia

Hidden within Bali’s sacred Keliki Valley, Capella Ubud reimagines the 19th-century adventure expedition through designer Bill Bensley’s theatrical vision. Tented suites, positioned to preserve every existing tree on site, hover above the forest floor on stilts, creating the sensation of floating amid the jungle canopy. Each tent presents its own thematic universe—Explorer, Naturalist, Cartographer—with handcrafted furniture, vintage artifacts, and copper bathtubs creating environments of playful authenticity. Yet this fantasy world offers very real luxury, from private saltwater plunge pools to personalized adventure itineraries. The property’s commitment to its narrative extends to every detail—staff uniforms inspired by early naturalists, cocktails served in antique vessels, even a campfire for evening storytelling. The result is immersive rather than merely decorative—a deeply imaginative experience that transforms a jungle stay into a journey through both space and time.

Patina – Maldives

Rising from the crystalline waters of the Fari Islands, Patina Maldives represents a new vision of island luxury where sustainability and high design achieve perfect synthesis. Architecture studio Marcio Kogan/Studio MK27 has created a series of modernist pavilions in which clean lines and natural materials frame the extraordinary Maldivian light.As one of the most swoon-worthy design hotels, the resort embraces biophilic principles, with living walls, green roofs, and careful preservation of native vegetation creating environments where the boundaries between inside and outside blur meaningfully. Interiors showcase a restrained material palette—oak, linen, stone—allowing ocean views and carefully selected art installations to provide visual interest. The property’s commitment to regenerative travel extends beyond aesthetics to meaningful practices like zero-waste dining and marine conservation initiatives. Patina offers a rare combination of environmental consciousness and uncompromising luxury—proof that the future of hospitality can honor both planetary boundaries and human pleasure.

Bowie House – Texas

In Fort Worth’s Cultural District, Bowie House stands as a bold reimagining of Texan hospitality, where cowboy heritage meets cosmopolitan sophistication. Interiors read like a love letter to the Lone Star State—leather, suede, and exotic woods combine with vintage rodeo photographs and contemporary Western art to create spaces of muscular elegance. The property feels more like the estate of a well-traveled collector than a traditional hotel, with library corners filled with leather-bound books and saloon-inspired spaces where bourbon flows freely. Outside, native landscaping frames the swimming pool and terraces, while guest rooms feature details like custom boot benches and saddle-stitched leather headboards. There’s playfulness to the design—a wink at Western tropes—but it’s executed with such conviction and quality that it transcends theme to become something genuinely transporting.

One&Only One Za’abeel – Dubai

Spanning the chasm between two skyscrapers with its gravity-defying “horizontal skyscraper” design, One&Only One Za’abeel redefines urban luxury through architectural audacity and meticulous attention to detail. The cantilevered structure—dramatically suspended 100 meters above the ground—houses world-class restaurants, panoramic swimming pools, and luxurious accommodations where floor-to-ceiling windows frame Dubai’s ever-evolving skyline. Rare marbles, brushed metals, figured woods create spaces that feel both contemporary and timeless. The property demonstrates how truly innovative design can create experiences impossible to replicate elsewhere; here, the simple act of swimming becomes extraordinary when experienced in a pool that appears to float between buildings. Za’abeel doesn’t merely offer a place to stay in Dubai—it offers a perspective on the city that changes how visitors perceive urban possibilities.

Jack’s Camp – Botswana

Set against the otherworldly backdrop of Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Jack’s Camp translates the romance of 1940s safari exploration into a contemporary desert retreat of unparalleled style. Recently rebuilt while honoring its iconic aesthetic, the camp features ten canvas pavilions decorated with campaign furniture, Moroccan rugs, and museum-quality African artifacts collected by the Bousfield family over generations. Solar power and sustainable systems now support the vintage-inspired design, proving that environmental responsibility needn’t compromise atmosphere. The legendary tea tent—with its Persian rugs and cushion-strewn banquettes—provides respite from the midday sun, while the swimming pavilion offers the surreal experience of cool waters amid one of Earth’s most dramatic deserts. Rather than competing with its extraordinary setting, Jack’s Camp frames and celebrates it, creating moments of profound connection with a landscape that has remained essentially unchanged for millennia—luxury defined not by excess but by presence and authenticity.

In the end, design hotels offer more than just a place to rest—they create unforgettable experiences that blend artistry, culture, and comfort in perfect harmony. Whether nestled in a historic estate, perched on a secluded coastline, or rising from a bustling cityscape, these hotels shape the way we connect with our surroundings and ourselves. From the moment you step inside, every thoughtfully curated detail works together to evoke a sense of wonder, relaxation, and inspiration. If you’re looking to elevate your next getaway, let these hotels be your guide to a travel experience that feels as enriching as it is luxurious.

Looking to book a wellness retreat or a design hotel for your next getaway? Our BTA Affiliate Advisor Jackie, is here to curate the perfect stay tailored to your preferences. From serene spa resorts to architecturally stunning boutique hotels, let us take care of the details.

📩 Contact Jackie at ja****@tr*******.com to start planning your dream escape!

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