A hotel is not just a place to rest your head. When travelling Bernie recommends steering away from bland cookie-cutter hotels, and instead book unique properties which feature thought provoking interior design and architecture as well as rich cultural authenticity. Here are some of her favourites:
Alila Villas Uluwatu, BaliSituated on a cliff, 300 feet above the Indian Ocean, this luxurious Balinese resort has 84 villas and was designed with materials sourced locally. The result is a stunning property that blends seamlessly with the natural environment.alilavillas.com/uluwatu
The Wanderlust Hotel, SingaporeMadcap voyagers, curious travellers and lovers of design will adore Singapore’s Wanderlust Hotel. This boutique experimental hotel features a different thematic design on each of its four levels including, Industrial, Eccentricity, Black & White, and Creature Comforts. The themes were created by four well known Singaporean design agencies that were given total creative freedom.http://wanderlusthotel.com
Delaire Graff Estate,Stellenbosch, South AfricaLocated in the heart of South Africa’s most historic and prestigious wine region, Stellenbosch, this impressive estate features 10 opulent lodges filled with contemporary South African art by the likes of Lionel Smit and Dylan Lewis. Each lodge looks out onto picturesque vineyards and boasts plush furnishings.http://www.delaire.co.za/
Straf Hotel & Bar, Milan, ItalyStraf Hotel & Bar in the heart of Milan combines extreme hi-tech functionality with a minimalist look and feel. Architect and artist Vincenzo de Cotiis has created an intimate atmosphere in the 64 guest rooms by using warm materials including quarry-rough slate, burnished brass, concrete and iron, gauze-effect glass and aged mirrors, along with custom furnishings.www.straf.it/en/
Tierra Atacama, San Pedro de Atacama, ChileThis hotel is a haven for nature lovers with bird watching and volcano climbing among the activities available. Sustainability was at the forefront of the architect’s mind with adobe brick and compacted earth used for inspiration.tierraatacama.com
Nobis Hotel, Stockholm, SwedenHoused in two grand 19th-century buildings, the luxurious Nobis Hotel in Stockholm’s popular Norrmalmstorg Square melds tradition with a contemporary Scandinavian edge. Renowned Swedish architectural firm Claesson Koivisto Rune has created a laid-back yet sophisticated look for this first class hotel, which boasts high ceilings and a fresh, wintery palette.http://www.nobishotel.se
