Contemporary minimalism meets historical elegance at Parkhotel Mondschein in Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy. The building was initially constructed in the 14th century and then extended in 1890 in the Belle Époque style, with wide corridors, high ceilings, and stucco decoration—all of which was restored and is now augmented by oak floors, walnut furniture, and naturally hued fabrics. Three in-house dining options range from casual bites at Luna Bar to relaxed Italian fare at Tree Brasserie to a gourmet Michelin-star experience at In Viaggio. 

Das Achental, in Grassau, Germany, also offers guests a range of gastronomic experiences under the leadership of Executive Chef Edip Sigl. Set in the heart of the Chiemgau Alps, near Lake Chiemsee, Chef Sigl translates the essence of the region onto the plate at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant ES:SENZ, while more casual fare is found at five other onsite options. In guest rooms, natural fabrics and warm colors run throughout, with brushed wood, high-quality leather, and design pieces creating a cozy ambiance and underlining a modern Alpine sensibility. Plus, the property features an award-winning golf course and a 2,000-square-meter wellness area.

Only an hour’s drive from Helsinki, Runo Hotel Porvoo is an elegant gateway to Finland’s burgeoning fine-dining scene. The city boasts numerous Michelin-starred restaurants and a picturesque waterfront, while the property itself places a focus on blending Finnish traditions with contemporary tastes and aesthetics. Runo Kitchen highlights Karelian family recipes, including savory pies and decadent stews, and Runo Bar provides a journey into Finnish drinking culture with spirits like Rutumin Ryyppy, a spirit produced at the Hirvonen family estate. Moreover, the Living Room on the ground floor acts as a stage for contemporary art through rotating exhibitions; pieces currently on display showcase the talents of the three young female local artists Inka Bell, Linda Linko, and Lisa Maaranen. Rustic touches include old farm materials that have been converted into towel racks and 300-year-old pine flooring that has been repurposed to create benches and tables.

Local artists also take center stage at Hotel Hotel in Lisbon. The interiors and exteriors alike have been custom created by members of the city’s creative scene, with unique site-specific artworks appearing throughout the hotel. Maria Ana Vasco Costa created a 3D pattern on the façade with handmade tiles, while the courtyard, pool, and lounge feature pieces by Clemens Behr, Wasted Rita, and Pastel, respectively. Built with the expressed purpose of interpersonal connectivity, guests and locals can converge at the in-house restaurant, immersive yoga room, and fully equipped tattoo parlor.

Spread across a verdant Grecian landscape, Noūs Santorini focuses on guests’ wellbeing, offering an oasis replete with onsite yoga sessions, private pools, Jacuzzis, gardens, and a mediative fire pit. The hotel’s standalone structures organically follow the natural slope of the ground, referencing the staggered look of traditional Cycladic architecture, while a sense of casual elegance is expressed through a natural color palette of earthy reds and grays, materials like willow and “burnt timber,” and a sublime lighting design by Elefetheria Deco. Here, visitors sense a move away from mass and speed, and toward space, experiences, connections, and slowness.

On the other side of the Mediterranean, in Cala Sant Vicenç on Mallorca, El Vicenç de la Mar combines the island’s natural beauty with its most famous chef, private pools, wellness programs, and a movie theater. Clean-lined architecture is presented with warm earth tones, giving the hotel a stately profile, while light and airy spaces blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Its restaurants are overseen by Chef Santi Taura, whose other endeavor, DINS Santi Taura restaurant, at El Vicenç de la Mar’s sister property El Llorenç Parc de la Mar in Palma, received two Repsol Suns and a Michelin star. The property also boasts a bike center, where guests can store their own bike or rent one to explore the island on two wheels.

Awash in a welcoming color palette of browns and moss greens, The House Hotel Jeddah City Yard is a one-stop destination that covers all needs, from entertainment to culinary delights to cultural experiences. Situated in the well-heeled district of Al Rawdah, Jeddah, the property highlights regional cultural cornerstones through details like bespoke furniture created with intricate craftsmanship, pieces by local artists, and mashrabiya patterns to create cozy, intimate spaces. The rooftop terrace frames the coastal city and has an idyllic swimming pool, and the onsite restaurant Baker & Spice serves organic and local treats. Additionally, the plaza that houses the property is home to 12 food outlets, including micro-roasted coffee, craft chocolate, Indian fusion, Japanese street food, and coastal Saudi fare.

Elsewhere, the Brutalist-inspired villa-only property Hotel Terrestre in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, was created by Grupo Habita specifically for travelers with an attraction to the natural elements. During their stays, guests inherently connect with their surroundings, as each of the independent 14 villas features two terraces, an outdoor shower, and a private pool. The hotel also adheres to a stringent “raw materiality” mentality: it was built with materials sourced from within one kilometer of the hotel or created on the property, and every ray of light is received and leveraged, allowing the hotel to run on 100 percent solar power.