LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton - Hotel Review

The Park Hyatt New York is the flagship hotel of the Park Hyatt brand, occupying the first 25 floors of a 90-story skyscraper in midtown Manhattan. This new building was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Christian de Portzamparc, and the hotel's interiors were crafted by Yabu Pushelberg. The staff uniforms for women were designed by Narciso Rodriguez, while men's outfits consist of custom suits from Barneys. The hotel is strategically located across from the Russian Tea Room, in close proximity to Carnegie Hall, and a short distance from Central Park. The property is characterized by its emphasis on luxury and refinement, featuring high-calibre art from artists such as Sigmar Polke, Rob Fischer, and Richard Serra. The hotel's design incorporates geometric patterns extensively, visible on rugs, duvet covers, and faceted room screens, even extending to etched shower and toilet cabinet glass doors. The rooms boast comfortable beds and well-appointed marble bathrooms. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer diverse views, including 57th Street, Carnegie Hall, midtown panoramas, or long vistas into Central Park. A notable feature is the ability to open windows, even on higher floors, providing a sense of liberation. Bathrooms are stocked with exclusive Le Labo toiletries, specifically designed for Park Hyatt New York. Living areas include unique elements such as an upright leather trunk that functions as both a decorative piece and a safe. The personal bar is stocked with a selection of unconventional and high-end items, including truffle-infused crisps from Spain, Krug champagne, and licorice and fennel gum. The hotel features an American grill restaurant called The Back Room at One57, which offers a menu of impeccably presented dishes, with steak, rib-eyes, and Maine lobster being prominent choices. The quality of all food and beverages, including wines and coffee, is consistently high. However, the restaurant's atmosphere is described as somewhat subdued due to its dark decor, which includes dark drapery, dark-brown tables, black-leather banquettes, and dark wood panelling, combined with a lack of natural light and generic background music. This design aesthetic is noted as detracting from what is otherwise a high-quality culinary experience. In contrast, The Living Room, another of the hotel's spaces, is described as livelier. It features glinting, faceted screens that create intimate nooks and niches within the bar area. The bar's design is enhanced by its clear views of Carnegie Hall, which are visible through its windows, contributing to its cultural ambiance. #LuxuryHotel #NewYorkCity #HotelDesign #Manhattan #InteriorDesign #Hospitality #ChristianDePortzamparc #YabuPushelberg #NarcisoRodriguez

London Fashion Week draws fashion industry insiders, A-listers, and enthusiasts to the city twice a year, transforming it into a global style hub. For attendees seeking accommodation that complements the event's avant-garde and luxurious atmosphere, choosing the right hotel is crucial. The article provides an exhaustive list of London hotels that offer unique experiences, focusing on location, design, and amenities, catering to various preferences and styles. The Shangri-La The Shard, London, located in the iconic 72-story skyscraper, offers panoramic city and Thames views with modern luxury. Despite being a short distance from the main venue, its central location and opulent hospitality make it a popular spot for fashion insiders and after-parties, featuring amenities like Frette bed linens and high-tech telescopes. The Dorchester, a London grand dame opened in 1931, boasts unapologetically opulent decor, hosting international celebrities and fashion events. It features lavish interiors, iconic art pieces like Liberace's mirrored piano, and hand-painted headboards. The hotel also hosts LFW events and offers curated contemporary art in its suites. The BoTree introduces an eclectic and playful luxury, catering to a stylish crowd seeking an alternative to traditional opulence. Situated near Mayfair and Soho, it offers five-star amenities like designated hosts and daily fresh flowers, complemented by colorful artwork and trailing greenery. The Templeton Garden Hotel, housed in a refurbished Victorian townhouse, provides a tranquil retreat with sartorial artistry. Its interiors, designed by Thurstan, feature bespoke pieces from local artists like an oak leaf chandelier and Bethany Holmes paintings, alongside a lush private garden. Rosewood London, a long-standing celebrity haunt, impresses with its Edwardian architecture and palatial interiors. Its Holborn location and emphasis on privacy make it a favored spot during Fashion Week, offering dramatic mirrored hallways and ritzy yet understated decor. Scarfes Bar, renowned for its cocktails and live jazz, adds to the hotel's allure. The Goring Hotel, opened in 1910, is known for its royal connections and whimsical English charm, featuring playful wallpaper designs and a Michelin-starred restaurant. The Connaught, rebuilt in 1892, blends British heritage with modern taste, offering dark wood interiors, a grand fireplace, and recent additions like the Aman Spa and a vast private art collection. Claridge's, an Art Deco gem from 1856, exudes old-fashioned elegance and has hosted numerous celebrities and royals. Its artist-in-residence, David Downton, sketches fashion elite within its opulent 1920s-inspired setting. The Bulgari Hotel London, with its Hyde Park-adjacent address, showcases timeless Italian luxury through mirrored surfaces, black marble, and bespoke room touches. Its spa features a gold-leaf mosaic-tiled vitality pool. The Londoner, located in Leicester Square, is an official London Fashion Week partner, attracting A-listers to its contemporary art-filled spaces and rooftop izakaya. Its rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and a calming palette. The Savoy, a storied landmark on the Strand, was London's first hotel with electricity and hot/cold running water. It has hosted royalty and tastemakers, preserving its history while remaining a Fashion Week hot spot. NoMad London, a former magistrates' court, impresses with its blend of Victorian and Roaring Twenties elements, featuring rich brocade tapestries, hand-painted wallpaper, and a vast art collection. Broadwick Soho, an unapologetically maximalist boutique, offers a colorful visual feast with quirky antiques and modern mainstays, including pink elephant statues and a '70s-style rooftop discothèque. The Ampersand Hotel in South Kensington is an elegant and eclectic boutique with an artful aesthetic inspired by nearby museums, incorporating Victorian roots with contemporary elements like Claire Brewster artwork and themed wallpaper. The London EDITION, an inviting Georgian architectural example, provides a sophisticated setting for fashion elite to congregate in its grand lobby. InterContinental London Park Lane offers exclusive LFW experiences, including private studio tours and runway show access, within a quiet luxury-coded Mayfair hotel. 1 Hotel Mayfair emphasizes sustainability, showcasing recycled bed linen gowns and wellness partnerships, alongside natural fabric and plant-filled interiors. The Hoxton Holborn, a buzzy addition, pulls a cool crowd with its trendy vibe, midcentury modern-inspired rooms, and vibrant public spaces. Portobello Hotel in Notting Hill features 21 bohemian-minded rooms, each uniquely decorated, with famous guests like Kate Moss and Johnny Depp. The Mandrake, a provocative West End hotel, offers an otherworldly and surreal experience with its dramatic suspended greenery and mythological curiosities. The Beaumont Mayfair ensures a luxurious experience with Art Deco elements, chauffeured cars, complimentary breakfast, and a Hammam spa. Mama Shelter London Shoreditch offers a playful and colorful urban stay with bohemian-inspired decor, chalk graffiti, and karaoke rooms, catering to artists and creatives. Ham Yard Hotel in Soho, designed by Kit Kemp, is quintessentially British with a colorful and modern ethos, featuring a rooftop garden and a bowling alley. The Zetter Marylebone embraces English kitsch with Union Jack-emblazoned decor and a red-walled cocktail bar, attracting fashion designers. Lastly, The Ritz London, a gilded institution from 1906, prides itself on old-fashioned furnishings, white-glove service, and meticulously restored heritage traditions, offering lavish interiors perfect for Fashion Week outfits. #LondonFashionWeek #LuxuryHotels #BoutiqueHotels #HotelDesign #FashionTravel #LondonTravel #InteriorDecor #Hospitality #MayfairHotels

The recently opened Wilshire Grand, a billion-dollar-plus skyscraper dominating the Los Angeles skyline, is designed to impress visitors with its views, interiors, dining options, and notably, its luxurious bathrooms. The InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, which occupies floors 31 and up of the Wilshire Grand, features a Marie Antoinette-themed women's bathroom on the 71st floor. This space is adorned with gold accents, wallpapered doors reminiscent of Versailles, intricately-patterned lounge chairs, and modern light fixtures, creating an opulent and comfortable environment. The men's bathroom on the same floor offers a unique experience, allowing guests to use ivory-colored urinals while enjoying a mural or an expansive overview of Downtown Los Angeles. One of the most talked-about features is the men's bathroom on the hotel lobby floor, which showcases a distinctive glass waterfall urinal. This innovative design has already garnered significant attention on social media and is expected to be a popular attraction within the building. Beyond the bathrooms, the hotel's 70th-floor lobby provides a panoramic view of the L.A. Basin and the city's traffic, which inspired a giant light fixture above the check-in area. This fixture is crafted from actual car headlights and tail lights, with its intersecting lines mirroring the freeway lanes visible from the windows. The InterContinental Hotel aims to be a premier destination for fine dining and meticulous design. La Boucherie, a steakhouse within the hotel, offers a beautifully designed space suitable for both group gatherings with its large wooden block tables and romantic occasions with private booths overlooking the cityscape. For a more casual experience, Dekkadance on the 69th floor provides a cafeteria-style setting. Also on the 69th floor is Sora, a sushi restaurant featuring a conveyor belt system for serving dishes. The seventh floor houses a pool area with a uniquely named "No Dive Bar," designed to resemble an upside-down pool. The pinnacle of the Wilshire Grand's offerings is Spire 73, situated on the 73rd floor. This establishment is recognized as the tallest open-air bar in the country, featuring extensive outdoor seating and fire pits to combat the evening chill at such an altitude. Spire 73 is anticipated to become a major nightlife destination in the city, with reservations quickly filling up for its opening month. #WilshireGrand #LuxuryHotel #LosAngeles #InterContinentalDowntown #SkyscraperDesign #RestaurantDesign #LuxuryBathrooms #RooftopBar #HospitalityDesign

The Whitby, the newest addition to Tim and Kit Kemp's Firmdale hotels, opened on Manhattan's 56th Street in March, marking the 10th boutique hotel in their portfolio. The hotel's afternoon tea experience is described as a remarkable event, akin to encountering a masterpiece for the first time, largely due to Kit Kemp's distinctive design aesthetic. Every detail, from the 52 British Isles baskets adorning the 30-foot pewter bar to the custom Wedgewood china featuring mythical creatures, contributes to an atmosphere of unexpected possibility and meticulous attention. The china, specifically, is used to serve exquisite treats like brown butter hazelnut cake and elderberry-Meyer lemon crisp, highlighting the hotel's commitment to a unique and memorable guest experience. One compelling reason to visit for afternoon tea is the potential to win a free night's stay. While the hotel offers several beautiful locations for tea, the Orangery is particularly noteworthy. It boasts dramatic vaulted ceilings and a skylight, and is decorated with vintage English platters and 47 illuminated porcelain pots. These pots, designed by English artist Martha Freud (Sigmund Freud's great-great-granddaughter), are etched with outlines of New York landmarks. Kit Kemp has publicly stated that guests who can correctly identify all these landmarks will be rewarded with a complimentary night in the hotel, adding an interactive and engaging element to the visit. Another significant draw is the substantial and diverse menu, which is so generous that it could easily serve as a full meal, negating the need for dinner. The Whitby's afternoon tea offers three distinct choices, each featuring an array of savory and sweet items. Examples from the menu include walnut pesto palmier, pretzel bite rarebit, grilled hanger steak tartine with horseradish cream, and baby beet salad with saffron-marinated fennel, all presented on a three-tiered tray. The sweet selections are equally impressive, with offerings such as black forest quinoa puffs, bananas Foster coconut dream cake, key lime icebox cake, and, of course, traditional warm scones served with clotted cream and preserves. This extensive culinary spread ensures that guests receive exceptional value and satisfaction. Furthermore, the Whitby Hotel offers a unique appeal for celebrity sightings due to its state-of-the-art screening room. This luxurious space features 130 leather seats and advanced lighting, sound, digital, and 3D technology, making it a preferred venue for film premieres and press events. For instance, the photo call for "Spider-Man: Homecoming" was held at the Whitby, attracting stars like Tom Ford, Michael Keaton, and Robert Downey Jr. The hotel's basement theater has also hosted screenings and press junkets for other major films, including "The Mummy" (starring Tom Cruise), "The Hero" (with Sam Elliott), and "Guardians of the Galaxy" (featuring Zoe Saldana and J.J. Abrams), as well as events for Diane von Furstenberg's "Cezanne et Moi." This makes a visit to the Whitby a potential opportunity for guests to encounter celebrities. Finally, the hotel provides an integrated cultural experience, allowing guests to combine an appreciation for art with their afternoon tea. The Whitby and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) are located in close proximity, but the hotel itself houses an impressive art collection. While a prominent $1.5 million bronze cat by Fernando Botero is situated at Kit Kemp's other New York property, the Crosby in Soho, the Whitby's collection is rich with diverse artworks. These include mosaic reproductions by Boris Anrep and a unique grandfather clock featuring an animated 3-D timekeeper that manually changes the time. This artistic environment allows guests to "kill two birds with one stone" by enjoying fine dining and significant art in a single location. #WhitbyHotel #AfternoonTea #NewYork #LuxuryTravel #BoutiqueHotel #HotelDesign #FineDining #CelebrityHotspot

DGI Design x Build, led by co-owner and design director Devon Wegman, successfully undertook a significant interior design project for a new couple residing in a penthouse unit at One Bennett Park in Chicago. The couple sought to harmoniously integrate their individual personal styles, a goal that had eluded them with a previous designer. The overarching vision for the home was to evoke a unique, high-end hospitality ambiance, ensuring that daily living felt like a luxurious experience. A particular focus was placed on the primary bedroom, intended to emulate a sophisticated hotel suite while incorporating personalized touches. The primary challenge, as identified by Wegman, was to achieve a sense of tranquility and serenity within the bedroom, coupled with an impressive aesthetic capable of complementing the breathtaking city views offered by the penthouse location. The design team at DGI Design x Build meticulously addressed various aspects of the primary suite's design. The headboard, for instance, was custom-designed to appear as an intrinsic part of the room's architecture, deriving its datum lines from the existing structural elements. This integration was further enhanced by incorporating mirrors into the headboard, a strategic choice that extended the view of the lake into the room, creating an illusion of expanded space and a 'floating' sensation. Functionality was also a key consideration, as evidenced by the specially designed nightstands. These nightstands feature hidden access panels at the top, allowing homeowners to discreetly plug in chargers to outlets concealed behind the nightstand drawers. This thoughtful detail ensures that charging cords can be used without contributing to clutter on the nightstand surface. The collaboration involved several specialized entities. Ganas MFG was responsible for the millwork, contributing to the custom elements within the suite. Keith Striegl Painting Services handled the painting, while various suppliers provided key furnishings and decor. Art and Loom supplied the rugs, Bernhardt provided the dresser, and Blinds Gallery installed the window coverings. The chair came from Bright Chair, bedside sconces were sourced from Fair Design, and the bench and wallpaper were from Holly Hunt. Kuzco Lighting supplied the dresser pendants. The overall execution of the project was highly successful, culminating in a space that not only met but exceeded the clients' expectations. Their satisfaction was such that they subsequently engaged DGI Design x Build for work on two additional properties, underscoring the strong client relationship and the effectiveness of the design solutions implemented. #ChicagoDesign #PrimarySuite #LuxuryInteriors #HighRiseLiving #PenthouseDesign #InteriorDesign #DGIDesignxBuild #CustomDesign #HomeDecor