[ daydream destination ] Hotel Habita Monterrey

The Location

Monterrey is a bustling city nestled in the foothills of Mexico’s Sierra Madre. It is the third largest metropolitan area in Mexico and is widely considered Mexico’s most Americanized city (whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing is up to you). As a business hub, most travellers here are for work but the city is also culturally vibrant. Contemporary architecture mixes with high-tech amenities that rival many US cities. It also happens to be surrounded by a breathtaking landscape of mountains, deserts, canyons and forests. Monterrey is both a progressive and beautiful place to visit.

The Hotel

Hotel Habita Monterrey opened in 2008 by Mexico’s award-winning Grupo Habita (who also own Deseo which I profiled here). The 1960′s building has been transformed into a modernist oasis. Parisian Joseph Dirand designed the pure black and white interiors while avant-garde fashion darling Rick Owens created the unusual furnishings and art. The result is a crisp and dramatic ultra-modern interior.

The lobby is particulary stunning. Indian mirrored mosaic walls (specifically made for the hotel) are combined with raw concrete floors and expanses of black onyx marble. The look is punctuated by moose antlers used as sculptures and oversized black pendant lights.

The 39 guest rooms sport floor-to-ceiling windows which give a floating effect to the ethereal spaces. The furniture is ultra-modern and includes platform beds and Arne Jacobsen Swan chairs. Each room is outfitted with bath products are from Malin + Goetz, wifi, an iPod docking station, an Xbox Elite and a Nokia N810 tablet.

The Extras

The most stunning feature of the hotel is the rooftop bar with twin infinity pools. Take a swim and enjoy the stunning view 360 degree view of the Sierra Madre mountains. Afterwards, relax at Poolbar. It’s a favorite spot to sip and be seen among the locals.

The hotel restaurant is also clad entirely in black and white and is where you can enjoy the work of Chef Enrique Olvera. It offers an upscale dining atmosphere and is open from breakfast till late. If the weather suits, enjoy your coffee in the outdoor courtyard surrounded by potted trees and white umbrella shades.

Magnífico!

Hotel Habita Monterrey
Vasconcelos No.150 Ote,
San Pedro Garza García, 66220
Monterrey, Nuevo León, México.
Rates from $150.

If you are looking to give your space a dose of style- whether you are splashing out or on a budget – drop me a line. Check out my Hire Me! page for more details.

[ daydream destination ] Escape to Palm Springs

This week’s travel choice is a little off the beaten path. When you look at a lot of hotels, they can start to seem a little cookie cutter. I’ve also been catching up on Mad Men lately so I’m also gravitating heavily towards mid-century style at the moment. Combine all of that with my incredible craving for some sunshine and voila. I give you the perfect vacation rental in Palm Springs.

Doesn’t look like much from the outside right? Well don’t be fooled.

This isn’t your average vacation rental. This 4,780 square foot home was designed by renowned architect and designer Arthur Elrod. Elrod was known as the “Design King of the Desert” in the 1950′s and this was Mr. Elrod’s private home from 1962 to 1964. It was eventually sold to a close friend who kept it completely intact – which is great news for those seeking the real mid-century deal in Palm Springs. The 4 bedroom and 4 and a half bath was a star of the Golden Age and is now available as a luxury vacation rental.

I love the low slung furniture and grouping of lights. The combination of citrus-y colors with whites and tans still looks very fresh.

Oh my goodness, what a cute little bar. Adore the blue chairs! A great spot to put on some Burt Bacharach and pour yourself a drink.

There’s a great mix here in the entry with cheerful yellow, a masculine black sculpture and a great light fixture.

I adore that fixture and I even love the brass fireplace surround. Go figure.

This could easily be in a magazine today, couldn’t it?

I love this crazy headboard, the painted doors and huge master dressing area.

What a great pool area with a huge covered patio for those extra hot days.

The only things not to love are the kitchen and bathroom. While I applaud the careful keeping of most period details, these rooms definitely show how far things have come! But it will do just fine for the simple sort of vacation cooking that I like to do.

Rental information here. Rates from $735/night.

If you are looking to give your space a dose of style- whether you are splashing out or on a budget – drop me a line. Check out my Hire Me! page for more details.

[ daydream destination ] Wanderlust Hotel, Singapore

The Location

Singapore is a bustling city-state in Southeast Asia. Originally founded as a British trading colony in 1819, the city has since become one of the world’s more prosperous countries and boasts the world’s busiest port. Singapore is often a jumping off point for travellers in Asia. However it’s unique mixture of Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures combined with it’s modern skyscrapers and subways make it a thoroughly unique and modern city, deserving of more than just a few days of your time.

The Hotel

The Wanderlust Hotel stands out not only from other hotels in Singapore but from most other boutique hotels period. It’s quirky irreverant style makes it a refreshing breath of air in a sometimes cookie-cutter industry.

The hotel occupies a historic 1920s building in Little India which was totally renovated and reopened in 2010. The hotel’s owner Loh Lik Peng (who also owns the popular New Majestic Hotel) gave four different design firms one floor to design from top to bottom. The result is vastly distinct rooms, each with their own interpretation of contemporary style and comfort. Color palettes range from serene white and black to vibrant pink and yellow. All rooms come equipped with complimentary WIFI, drinks, tea and Nespresso. All bathrooms toiletries are from Kiehl’s.

Try the Whimisical Lofts for something extra special. These suites have two TVs and two phones (one for each level) as well as an electric kettle, iPod dock and safe. The loft bathrooms have both a generous bathtub and a rain shower as well as dual sinks.

The Extras

The hotel’s restaurant – Cocotte – is extremely popular with both guests and locals. The theme is casual French and the food is excellent. Large tables encourage communal dining. Reservations are recommended.

Breakfast is complimentary and includes the regular continental choices, fruit and juices as well as freshly cooked hot breakast items.

The hotel pays extra attention to detail, which can be seen in the “itinerary” given to all hotel guests. The booklet was designed by Foreign Policy Design Group and provides basic information about the hotel (how to access voicemail etc.). But the booklet is also a helpful city guide. With a map showing nearaby bus stops, a subway map and recommeded restaurants and stores, it’s probably all you need to navigate the city. Plus the booklet has some blank lined and graph paper pages for you to jot down your own travel notes and create a great one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Relax at the end of a busy day in the outdoor jacuzzi which sits on a bright and quirky outdoor terrace.

Wanderlust
No.2 Dickson Road
209494 Singapore
Singapore
Rooms from $130 USD.

If you are looking to give your space a dose of style- whether you are splashing out or on a budget – drop me a line. Check out my Hire Me! page for more details.

[ daydream destination ] Missoni x Four Seasons

(Please note: I have less and less time these days to write full on hotel reviews! I will still try to do them once in a while but I just can’t commit to the weekly schedule anymore. )

The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is always a pretty darned nice place to rest your head. But recently it got just a little bit more luxurious. The resort has partnered with luxury retailer Seaside Luxe to announce it’s collaboration with famed Italian fashion house Missoni. Seaside has already brought Missoni Home to it’s exclusive Maui boutiques but will now bring that partnership directly to the clients staying at the Four Seasons.

Two of the poolside Serenity Pool cabanas will be turned into Missoni Home showcases. There will also be a lounge display outside of the hotels existing 22 Knots boutique. Guest will get a sneak peek of the goods without even having to leave the pool.

I think new and clever ways of introducing products to the consumer is always a great thing and I kind of love this idea of brand-hotel partnership. And if I just so happened to be sitting poolside in Maui, I certainly wouldn’t be complaining about sharing the sunshine with Missoni. Of course the view sure doesn’t hurt. I don’t know about you but that combined with a few Mai Tais would definitely put me in an aspirational shopping mood!

If you are looking to give your space a dose of style- whether you are splashing out or on a budget – drop me a line. Check out my Hire Me! page for more details.

{ daydream destination } The Nimb, Copenhagen

The Location

Copenhagen rivals Stockholm as the coolest, most cosmopolitan city in Scandinavia. Excellent shopping, culture and nightlife can all be found here. It’s also drop dead gorgeous in that romantic European way, with it’s many canals, cobbled squares and copper spires. The metropolis of about 1 million people is easy to navigate and also very safe. The transportation system is ridiculously easy to use and most of the locals speak English. Price wise, Copenhagen is up there with London and Paris but tends to be slightly less expensive than other Scandinavian cities. The Danish Design Center, Danish National Gallery and the changing of the guards at Amalienborg should all be on your must-see list.

The Hotel

The Nimb is located in the famed Tivoli gardens. The fairytale location is worth it’s weight in gold. All but one of the fourteen suites has a view of the gardens (which is especially spectacular when they are lit up at night). Guests of the hotel also have free entrance to the gardens.

But as fabulous as they are, the gardens aren’t the only reason to stay here. The 1909 building was originally a grand banqueting hall, but was refurbished into the luxe hotel it is today in 2008. The white-washed exterior recalls the Taj Mahal and is bedecked with white lights year round. You might think that the hotel’s interiors would be totally Scandinavian-minimalist, but the Nimb is a pleasant surprise. The theme is a comfortable mix of antiques and Chinoiserie accents blended with sleek pieces for a totally one-of-a-kind aesthetic.

Many hotels have been inaccurately described as feeling like an (incredible) private home, but in this case those words ring totally true. It’s cool but definitely not over-the-top. Rooms sport genuine elegant antique furniture, such as armoires and secretaries and warm wood floors. The walls are mostly crisp clean white and most display some antique landscapes on the walls. All rooms also have four poster beds and all but one have wood-burning fireplaces. They also sport B&O soundsystems and flat screen TVs, and have B&O phones in every room (even the bathrooms). All rooms are also outfitted with an ample seating area and two comfortable sofas.

Bathrooms are also oversized, and sport double sinks, heated floors, free-standing bathtubs and huge shower stalls with rain shower heads. The toiletries are from luxe brand Molton Brown, so you might be forgiven if a few extras sneak into your luggage on your way out.

The Extras

Gourmets will do well to stay here – or even just to visit here if you are not a guest. The focus on food is quite heavy and you will find something for every taste. The main draw is undoubtedly Restaurant Herman, which holds one Michelin star. Executive Chef Thomas Herman crafts radically re-imagined Danish dishes, with names such as Captains Stew and Burning Love.

If you are after something more casual the Brasserie, the Bar and Grill or the Terasse are your other options. The Brasserie showcases three kitchens in an open concept space, to show off the skills of the chefs and servers. The Scandinavian brasserie menu changes once a month to reflect seasonal changes. Breakfast here is usually included with your room rate and includes standard buffet items as well as cooked options. It can be taken in the restaurant or in your room.

The Bar and Grill occupies the former on-site Dairy and serves casual grilled dishes, such as seafood and steaks.

The Terasse is the former free-standing restaurant Divan 2, which opened in 1877. The Terasse serves french style bistro food and has separate banquet and meeting rooms, as well as a large outdoor seating area and wine bar.

The Nimb Bar occupies the old ballroom, which is still adorned with some amazing original chandeliers. There is a huge baronial fireplace at one end and a grand piano at the other. If you are looking for something more intimate, try the cellar wine bar – Vinotek – which spectacularly displays it’s 1200 bottle collection around a few communal style tables.

Service and attention to detail are first and foremost here. Check in takes place in your guest room, with a complimentary glass of champagne. Limousine service in an Audi A8 is available and there are even iPads available at reception for guest use. You will be unlikely to ever want to leave.

The Nimb
Bernstorffsgade 5
1577 Copenhagen
Denmark
T: +45 88 70 00 00
Rooms from $346.

If you are looking to give your space a dose of style- whether you are splashing out or on a budget – drop me a line. Check out my Hire Me! page for more details.