Hennessy is looking to branch out extend their global reach into the sneaker business, and have done so with the Hennessy Celebration Hi-Top. The luxury kick is a collaboration with Jhung Yuro; pairs will be available exclusively at www.jhungyuro.com beginning Monday, December 1, for $300. Limited edition, of course. Why they've gone and designed a luxury sneaker, I'll never know but -- oh wait, it says right here in the press release: " The goal was for the Hennessy Celebration Hi-Top to bring to life the premium uniqueness and power of the Hennessy brand and its global influence on the urban tastemaker." But of course!

Renowned restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow—who helms over 30 chic restaurants throughout the world—hosted an exclusive BlackBook and Hennessy GDR event at Kobe Club Miami. Media types and beach glitterati packed the stunningly-designed hotspot while sipping on delicious custom Hennessy cocktails such as Hennessy Sidecar, Hennessy Mojito and Hennessy Ginger. DJ Erok warmed up the decks for celebrated DJ Irie who laid down beats, keeping guests dancing well into the night.

An Introduction to BlackBook Design Hotels

Click here for a gallery featuring all 18 hotels!

They’re known around the world for pushing the limits of architecture and design. They boast modernist pools, deco restaurants, and neoclassical façades. But don’t let the name fool you. Design Hotels are not only feats of design innovation or bastions of luxury. They’re destinations in themselves—discrete oases that transcend accommodation to offer visual and experiential sanctuary.

The 18 Design Hotels in this guide represent a sample of the most stunning and original properties across the globe. None can be confused for any other, yet all are unified by a commitment to progressive design, individuality, and cultural authenticity. Some, like the Lute Suites in the Netherlands and the EV in Turkey, offer the latest in modernist ambiance. Others, such as the Azucar in Mexico and the Muang Kulaypan in Thailand, meld regional influences and indigenous materials with contemporary design to create a synergistic hybrid of old and new. What they all have in common is the rare ability to provide a complete, unique experience that can rival the allure of even the most sophisticated city or jaw-dropping natural landscape. When you stay at a Design Hotel, you’ll know immediately that you’ve surpassed luxury and entered the level of World Class.

If you’re looking for the cutting edge in hospitality, you’ll find it at a Design Hotel. The service provided isn’t just comfort. It’s inspiration.

Above image: Hotel Omm, Barcelona, Spain


Text and images provided by www.designhotels.com



www.flauntyourtaste.com

Bali, Indonesia

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If you were to rank the 50 most beautiful hotel swimming pools in the world, Alila Ubud’s pool would surely be among the top. Its glassy surface seems to flow endlessly through the terraced jungle and reach up to the sky. The resort’s rooms and suite villas stand above a ravine on stilts like treehouses. The architecture makes use of traditional Balinese design, but it is transformed into a strict modern geometry. Smooth plaster walls and concrete meet with straw roofs; terracotta tiles mingle with gravel or crushed rock, and wood converges with glass.

Address:
Desa Melinggih Kelod Payangan, Gianyar
Bali, Indonesia

Rates:
$260–$450

www.designhotels.com
www.flauntyourtaste.com

Veracruz, Mexico

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Named for the sugar cane grown in its home state of Veracruz, the Azucar was conceived by hotelier Carlos Couturier, founder of some of Mexico’s hippest resort properties. For the Azucar, he decided on an almost anti-design back-to-basics theme that finds its expression in an airy, breezy vibe. The hotel’s 20 low-slung bungalows, all in a calming white-on-white color scheme, inspire visions of loose cotton clothing, sandals, and the easiest of schedules. Bungalows feature thatched roofs and private terraces overlooking the Gulf of Mexico; each has a locally made hammock for naps or reading sessions cooled by the sea breeze. Public spaces are mainly open-air, including a library with wicker seating and a thatched ceiling as well as a full-service spa.

Address:
Carr. Federal Nautla Poza Rica Monte Gordo
Veracruz, Mexico

Rates:
$120–$420

www.designhotels.com
www.flauntyourtaste.com

Muscat, Oman

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The Middle East has a long cultural history of hospitality. On the streets of the Gulf region, visitors are often invited to sit, talk, and sip on piping-hot mint tea. The Chedi Muscat in Oman, while part of that open tradition, introduces a new concept in hospitality, forming the bedrock of a fresh hotel movement on the Arabian Peninsula. Built around original Omani structures and architectural designs, the hotel reflects a modern view of Eastern opulence. Understated and sleek, the emphasis is on exclusive sophistication, a consistent theme throughout the Chedi Muscat’s 151 rooms and suites. Mahogany furnishings, light, natural colors, water gardens, and wide vistas of the Gulf of Oman combine to calm the fire of the desert sun.

Address:
18th of November Street
P.O. Box 964, P.C. 133
Al Ghubra, Muscat
The Sultanate of Oman

Rates:
$364–$936

www.designhotels.com
www.flauntyourtaste.com

Hamburg, Germany

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An exclusive hotel in the center of Hamburg’s entertainment district, EAST is dedicated to style, relaxation, and everything that makes life fun. Designed by Chicago-based Jordan Mozer, the hotel bears his extravagant signature, displaying a penchant for futuristic, curving forms and light, bright tones. EAST offers 78 rooms, lofts, and suites, each dashingly furnished with bespoke furniture by Mozer. Situated in a former iron foundry, EAST’s Yakshis’ Bar & Lounge features a courtyard terrace for al-fresco dining. The space has become a polestar for the cream of Hamburg’s cosmopolitan crowd, attracted by its cool sounds and Asian-influenced cuisine. The roof terrace of EAST provides an arena for pleasure, but of a more low-key nature. With sauna and massage, this part of EAST is the place to regenerate after late nights on the kiez.

Address:
Simon-von-Utrecht Straase 31
20359 Hamburg
Germany

Rates:
$200–$600

www.designhotels.com
www.flauntyourtaste.com

Bodrum, Turkey

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The Turkish holiday resort, EV of Bodrum, now has a favorite hilltop residential getaway overlooking the Türkbükü bay. Architect and interior designer Eren Talu shares his vision of privacy within a community. His convincing concept combines a clear lifestyle design language that blurs the lines between home and hotel. At the EV, 48 spacious residences, divided into eight individual units, nest within an all-embracing wellness environment. In addition to ample fitness facilities, the EV provides an astonishing eight swimming pools, ensuring the ultimate setting for a day’s relaxation. The apartment-style residences come in two forms: 2,000 sq. ft. two bedroom units or 1,300 sq. ft. one bedroom living spaces. Regardless of which you choose, you’ll be assured of personal service from the team at EV.

Address:
Türkükü
Bodrum, Turkey

Rates:
$340–$815

www.designhotels.com
www.flauntyourtaste.com

Cascais, Portugal

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The town of Cascais huddles around a graceful bay, ringed with palacios and townhouses. The charm of the old part of town, with its small houses, narrow alleys, and cobbled streets, is a reminder of a past age. In the center of the old town is Farol Design Hotel—a daring architectural project. A remodeled 19th-century mansion formerly owned by the Count of Cabral, the Farol has been carefully renovated with a contemporary interior. The result is a harmonious bridge in time. The Estoril Coast, on which Farol is situated, enjoys a temperate climate. Its fine sandy beaches stretch along the shore, and the lush countryside reaches toward the Sintra mountains. Fine brasserie dining and a saltwater pool afford guests of the Farol a taste of the al fresco life that locals enjoy.

Address:
Av. Rei Humberto II de Italia, 7
2750 Cascais
Portugal

Rates:
$150–$500

www.designhotels.com
www.flauntyourtaste.com

Mallorca, Spain

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In its previous incarnation as one of Palma de Mallorca’s most popular international hangouts, the Hospes Maricel was the site of exuberant parties and exclusive events. Today, the Maricel’s atmosphere is anchored in leisure, but the spirit of its decadent past remains. Following a renovation by architect Xavier Claramunt, traditional Balearic design elements have been resurrected in the form of archways, arcades, and pillars in marble and stone. In contrast to the neoclassical entrance, Maricel’s guestrooms have been designed with three principles in mind: comfort, space, and light. As a result, they offer a functional, minimalist edge. With stunning vistas of the Mediterranean Sea, the hotel’s terrace has an air of jet-set luxury. Arrive in your own yacht, sip a glass of wine, and savor local seafood against a backdrop of brilliant blue.

Address:
Carretera D’Andratx, 11 Cas Catala
07181 Calvia
Mallorca, Spain

Rates:
$340–$1090

www.designhotels.com
www.flauntyourtaste.com