The dynamic vision of the global luxury design community is shaping the ongoing boom in unique hospitality and wellness spaces. Outside of the frenetic setting of the studio and the design calendar, where do the pillars of the industry go to unwind? WWD interviewed architects and designers from around the world to find out where their favorite escapes are outside of the workplace.
Yabu Pushelberg, NYC- and Toronto-based Design Studio
“For us, it’s Il Convento di Santa Maria di Constantinopoli in Puglia. We first discovered it through a piece in Vogue and were immediately drawn to it. It is an elevated B&B, but calling it that feels too simple. It is a 15th-century Franciscan convent that the late Lord Alistair McAlpine and his wife, Lady Athena, transformed into a sanctuary. When we first arrived, it didn’t feel like checking into a hotel; it felt like we were walking into a friend’s home,” Glenn Pushelberg says of the converted convent.
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“What makes Il Convento so special is that it’s more about the feeling than the design. It has this incredible neo-bohemian energy. I remember the outside courtyard walls were painted this striking blood orange, surrounded by columns and lit with torches at night — it felt almost theatrical.
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You are treated like a close friend. They would invite us into their private quarters to show us their curios and collections. Every day, there was an offering table piled with fresh fruits and vegetables, all in season, of course; they would simply ask what you wanted for dinner, send someone to the market, and cook it for you that evening. It’s a specialized kind of hospitality, something that felt deeply personal,” says George Yabu.
Il Convento di Santa Maria di Costantinopoli
201 Via Convento, Marittima, Italy
Edward Barber, British, Milan-based Industrial Designer
“About 30 years ago, I stayed at a hotel called Emerson & Green, and that was an old house and they renovated it into these beautiful rooms. And the best thing was it had this little bar [now a tea house and restaurant] on the roof, a wooden structure with a very low wall. It was about, 20 feet by 20 feet, and it was covered in carpets on the floor, and you sat on cushions on the floor, and there was a little bar in the middle, and this guy would serve you drinks, and you’d be looking out over the whole of Stone Town. That is pretty much how I like to do my holidays.”
Emerson on Hurumzi (formerly Emerson & Green)
236 Hurumzi Street, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Lauren Rottet, Houston-based Designer
“Simple elegance layered with the most wonderful things. The service is as good as the hotel, which is rare.”
The Portrait Milano Hotel
11 Corso Venezia, Milan
Gulla Jonsdottir, Icelandic, Los Angeles-based Architect and Designer
“As an architect, I am drawn to spaces that balance history with modern clarity, which is why Six Senses Rome is a favorite of mine. It’s a shameless blend of a historic palace with a clean contemporary aesthetic that reflects a distinctly Italian sense of timelessness and attention to detail.”
Six Senses Rome
Piazza di San Marcello, Rome
Mick De Giulio, American Interior Designer
“I love the lake air, the view of the mountains, the serenity of the mornings, the classical gardens, the relaxed but elegant vibe in the hotel, the sense of history, the wide hallways and sitting outside, having a drink, overlooking the lake.”
Villa D’Este, Lake Como
40 Via Regina, Cernobbio, Italy
Nina Yashar, Iranian Italian, Milan-based Gallerist
“My favorite hotel is The Mark Hotel in New York. The rooms are spacious, well furnished, functional and tastefully designed. The lobby is an excellent blend of sophisticated and elegant design choices.”
The Mark Hotel
25 East 77th Street, New York City
Luca Nichetto, Venice- and Stockholm-based Designer
“The most beautiful hotel I’ve ever stayed in is definitely Ett Hem in Stockholm, designed by Ilse Crawford. It’s a place where everything is perfectly balanced: hospitality and warmth, contemporary and historical elements, domestic imperfection and luxury. More than a hotel, it feels like a home of the highest standard, a space where you are welcomed in an authentic, almost intimate way, without ever losing the quality and attention to detail typical of a great hotel.”
Ett Hem
2 Sköldungagatan, Stockholm
David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussallem, Lebanese Designers of David/Nicolas
“One of our favorite hotels is Hotel Albergo in Beirut. We love it for its character, atmosphere and timeless charm,” Moussallem said.
“It stands out on a deeper level. It’s not about luxury or aesthetics, but about the meaning of the experience. It leaves a lasting personal impact rather than just a visual impression,” Raffoul added.
Hotel Albergo
137 Rue Abdel Wahab El Inglizi, Beirut, Lebanon
“Another favorite is Rambagh Palace, for its extraordinary beauty, its setting within the landscape and the exceptional level of service,” Raffoul said.
Rambagh Palace
Bhawani Singh Road, Jaipur, India
Sabine Marcelis, Dutch, New Zealand Designer
“It was completely remote. The food and everything is taken care of. There’s a beautiful beach with volcanic sand and everything is magical. You are in the middle of nowhere and there are no people.”
Lost Lindenberg
Jl. Ngurah Rai Bali, Indonesia
Masataka Hosoo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hosoo
“It’s not a huge location, is good near the Kodaiji [Kyoto’s Higashiyama District] designed by Tony Chi [Tonychi studios]. It’s an urban oasis.”
Park Hyatt Kyoto
360 Masuyacho, Kyoto, Japan
Ludovica Serafini, Italian Architect and Designer at Palomba Serafini
“It is an eco-lodge built using natural materials, such as mud bricks and salt blocks sourced from the mountain behind it. There is no electricity; instead, everything is illuminated by candles, which helps create a unique atmosphere.
“The place already has a special charm due to its history: in the oasis was located the ancient Oracle of Amun, a destination for pilgrimages and consultations in the ancient world, even visited by Alexander the Great.
“In this context, the hotel stands out for its authenticity and is designed as a place to rediscover oneself, far from the chaos of the modern world.”
L’ Adrère Amellal, The Siwa Oasis
Gaafar Mountain, Matrouh Governorate, Egypt
Roberto Palomba, Italian Architect and Designer at Palomba Serafini
“It is a place that remarkably combines architecture, landscape and Mediterranean identity. Perched on a cliff with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Naples, the hotel is a manifesto of style where every detail is thoughtfully designed with great creative sensitivity.
“What makes La Minervetta special is its ability to convey an authentic sense of hospitality and belonging to the place. It is not merely a hotel but an immersive experience that invites guests to slow down and reconnect with the essential beauty of the landscape and architecture.”
La Minervetta
25 Via Capo, Sorrento, Italy
Nina Magon, Indian American, Houston-based Interior Designer
“My favorite hotel is Aman. What makes Aman exceptional is its unwavering commitment to creating environments that feel both deeply personal and profoundly serene. Each property is conceived as a true retreat, where architecture, landscape and interiors are in perfect dialogue.
“From a design perspective, I admire the level of restraint. Nothing feels excessive, yet every element is meticulously considered. The materiality is rich but understated; natural stone, warm woods and tactile finishes come together in a way that feels timeless, allowing the space to speak with quiet confidence.”
Aman New York
730 Fifth Avenue, New York City