At the intersection of the field and architecture and hospitality, lie some extraordinary hotels, that offer immersive experiences to all their guests. Such hotels have evolved from being a safe haven to being an expression of creativity for its architects and designers. Some hotels are more than just a place to sleep; they’re living works of art that transform the very concept of hospitality. Other than sparking innovation, these spaces offer inspiration to all those who come across them. This list highlights five such handpicked hotels that offer an unmatched spatial experience to their guests.
1. Juvet Landscape Hotel – Norway’s Living Canvas
Since its opening in 2010, this hotel has received wide recognition for the experience it offers to its guests. Juvet is an architectural gem, placed strategically in the birch forest between a foaming river and high mountains. (Engelsk, 2024) The hotel has 7 rooms, each of which is a standalone glass pavilion that seems to be floating just above the ground. The walls are essentially windows, allowing one to feel integrated into the natural surroundings. It’s not like living with nature-it’s like living inside it. The wooden structure of each of these pavilions blends seamlessly with the pine trees and seems like a natural fit within the surroundings.
2. Treehotel – Sweden’s Childhood Dream Made Real
Treehotel in Harads, Sweden is the definition of a childhood dream come true. This hotel is a result of what happens when architects and designers refuse to let go of their playful childhood dreams and choose to transform them into reality. With individual treehouses, each designed by different architects, every treehouse is unique in its own way. From the mirrorcube that has a reflective exterior, blending it into the forest, to the biosphere which is a natural wonder, every treehouse provides a panoramic view of the forest. (treehotel.se, n.d.) Focused on sustainable living, this hotel uses eco-conscious design and materials. It also highlights Scandinavian traditions and aesthetics while promoting rural tourism and benefiting the local community. This hotel is a playground for adults who believe in the power of wonder and joy and hold the power to view the view differently.
3. Marqués de Riscal – Spain’s Architectural Symphony
A winery steeped in history, Marques de Rascal has received multiple accolades for being the best winery in the country. It saw a boost in tourism post the inauguration of the City of wine in 2006 and a hotel designed by the famous Canadian architect Frank O. Gehry. It combines titanium and steel roofing panels with asymmetry of the walls and floor tiles. Showcasing an exceptional combination of materials, colors, and forms, the interiors have been designed by Frank Gehry himself, with design elements by Alvar Aalto and B&B among others. Consisting of 61 opulent bedrooms divided between two buildings, a raised walkway connects both of these. (www.marquesderiscal.com, n.d.)
4. Keemala Phuket – Thailand’s Forest Fantasy
Nestled amidst the lush forests of Phuket and overlooking the Andaman Sea, Keemala Resort in Phuket offers an immersive experience in architectural storytelling. Inspired by four imaginary ancient tribes, it is an architectural fantasy come true. It has four types of villas and each of the villas relates to each of the ancient tribes. (Agency, n.d.) It comprises villas inspired by bird’s nests and clay pods among other things. Offering a simplistic yet opulent design, the resort blurs the boundaries of the outdoors and indoors by strategically using water features, natural materials, and design elements. The villas have been designed to look like they have organically grown from the forest floor and therefore they look like they have been woven from the surrounding forest, blending it seamlessly into its natural environment.
5. Adrère Amellal – Egypt’s Ecological Wonderland
Located in the heart of Egypt’s Siwa Oasis, Adrère Amellal is a testament to sustainable design that feels magical. With walls that breathe a story of the desert, this hotel looks like it has grown directly from the earth itself. Built using mainly salt rock and mud brick, it utilizes local materials in its construction. (Adrereamellal.com, 2019) Each room exudes an Egyptian charm with handcrafted furniture pieces and local textiles that narrate the story of Siwa’s rich culture. A hotel with no electricity sounds absurd and challenging but this hotel has used this to its advantage by creating an enchanting experience using candles and natural light. This is not just a hotel, but a journey back in time, where modern comfort blends with ancient building techniques.
These spaces are not just hotels, they are experiences that allow their guests to view the world differently – to see that architecture is innovation. Each of these spaces tells a different story, from showcasing local traditions to having an eco-conscious design, these hotels push the limits of imagination. Whether you’re in a metallic wonder in the Spanish countryside, floating in a mirrored cube in the Swedish forests, or nestled in a candlelit desert sanctuary in Egypt, these hotels are a reminder that sometimes the destination is the beginning of an adventure.
References List:
- Engelsk. (2024). Experience Juvet | Juvet Landskapshotell. [online] Available at: https://juvet.com/en/the-juvet-experience [Accessed 15 Dec. 2024].
- treehotel.se. (n.d.). Treerooms. [online] Available at: https://treehotel.se/treerooms/.
- www.marquesderiscal.com. (n.d.). Marqués de Riscal Hotel | Herederos del Marqués de Riscal – Wines with character from Rioja, Rueda, Castilla León, Getaria. [online] Available at: https://www.marquesderiscal.com/en/marques-de-riscal-hotel.
- Agency, W.C.-H.D.M. (n.d.). About Keemala. [online] Keemala Hotel Phuket. Available at: https://www.keemala.com/about/.
- Adrereamellal.com. (2019). Adrere Amellal Eco-Lodge Siwa Oasis – The most beautiful Eco Lodge in Egypt. [online] Available at: https://www.adrereamellal.com/adrere/.
Image Reference:
- Bjork, M. (2018). Checking in. Available at: https://unsplash.com/photos/low-angle-photo-of-hotel-lighted-signage-on-top-of-brown-building-during-nighttime-n_IKQDCyrG0 [Accessed 15 Dec. 2024].
- Juvet, Norway. (n.d.). Available at: https://juvet.com/en/landscape [Accessed 15 Dec. 2024].
- TheMirrorcube. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.dailyscandinavian.com/worlds-largest-treehouse-hotel-room-in-sweden/ [Accessed 15 Dec. 2024].
- Anon, (n.d.). Available at: https://www.marquesderiscal.com/en/marques-de-riscal-hotel [Accessed 15 Dec. 2024].
- T Madison, B. (n.d.). Keemala Phuket. Available at: https://madisonimages.com/architectural/ [Accessed 15 Dec. 2024].
- Hikal, O. (n.d.). Adrère Amellal Exterior. Available at: https://www.adrereamellal.com/adrere/images-about-adrere-amellal-siwa-oasis-egypt-desert/ [Accessed 15 Dec. 2024].
