Exposed concrete, sharp angles and peaking glass form a unique structure in the small fishing village of Geoje-si, South Korea. The Aggrenad by AND is a 3 story hotel boasting 5 beautiful suites, each with accompanying balconies that view the East Sea. Inside there’s a small café and other relaxing amenities that make this quiet town feel a little more like home. What we found most interesting about the hotel is its hyper-futuristic juxtaposition to the surrounding area’s traditional sensibilities. More and more we’re seeing eye-catching architecture used as an anchor to spawn development. For instance, in this case the Aggrenad is the first installment of several planned projects that will hopefully resurrect tourism in the area. Below, we’ve posted a few images. Click Read More to view.

Words: Taj Reid
Photography: By Kim Yong Gwan

DEZEEN
COMPLEX
DESIGNBOOM

MISS OPO IN PORTO
KYOTO KOKUSAI HOTEL
PLUS ONE BERLIN

Portugal’s Miss Opo beautifully remixes your typical hotel stay. This intimate guesthouse is located in a historic part of Porto and is part café, bar, newsstand and shop offering three room studios and two room studios for overnight guests. It’s not your usual hotel. Its attention to detail and service is driven by their mission to introduce visitors to Portugal’s charismatic culture. As they describe it, “We believe that a house is what you feel, what you listen to, and learn in and, therefore, we don’t want to be stagnant. Our biggest aim is to give more dynamics to our space by working in partnership with galleries, artists and cultural institutions.” Check them out next time you’re in Porto. We posted a few images below.

Words: Taj Reid
Photography: Shanna Jones
Location: Miss Opo Rua Caldeireiros 100, 4440-452 Porto, Portugal

MISS OPO

YATZER

KATEOPLIS

KYOTO KOKUSAI HOTEL

PLUS ONE BERLIN

CONSERVATORIUM HOTEL

VIEW MOST RECENT CITY NOTES
VIEW MOST POPULAR CITY NOTES
ABOUT CITY NOTES

SEND US AN EMAIL

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEED

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Rooms are great canvases. Lately, we’ve noticed a growing trend where hotels invite designers, artists, and creatives to come in and remodel a series of rooms. Brands like Ace Hotel nicely execute this concept and continue to demonstrate how specialized rooms resonate with their guests. Another example is Kyoto’s Kokusai Hotel. They partnered with one of our favorite architectural firms, Kengo Kuma and Associates, to remodel two rooms. The outcome is beautiful. Kengo Kuma’s signature lines, clean application and overall easy sophistication beams from the remodeled rooms. Simplicity matched with comfort are just a few of the traits we found appealing about their work. We’ve posted a few images from the project below. Click Read More to view.

Words: Taj Reid
Photography: Courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates
Location: Kyoto Kokusai Hotel 604-8502 Kyoto, Kyoto, Nakagyo-ku Horikawadori Nijojomae

KYOTO KOKUSAI HOTEL

KENGO KUMA

CONTEMPORIST

PLUS ONE BERLIN

CONSERVATORIUM HOTEL

MAMA MARSEILLE

VIEW MOST RECENT CITY NOTES
VIEW MOST POPULAR CITY NOTES
ABOUT CITY NOTES

SEND US AN EMAIL

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEED

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Offering a stylish alternative to your typical hotel stay, Plus One Berlin is a great example of how overnight accommodations are evolving. Located in the Kreuzkölln neighborhood of Berlin, Plus One pairs a beautiful and ecologically friendly studio apartment with the opportunity to be the ‘plus one’ of a knowledgeable local. As they explain, “Being a local’s Plus One you’re given a one-of-a-kind insight into Berlin life and can discover a side to the city that only locals see.” Nightly rates are reasonable and the room includes everything from WiFi to a Kitchenette with Fridge and more. Launching earlier this year, Plus One is taking bookings. We posted a few images below.

Words: Taj Reid
Photography: Courtesy of Plus One Berlin

Plus One Berlin, Reuterstraße 28 D-12047 Berlin, Germany

PLUS ONE BERLIN

DESIGNBOOM

MOCO LOCO

PARIS TO SHANGHAI

CONSERVATORIUM HOTEL

OSMOSE PARIS

VIEW MOST RECENT CITY NOTES
VIEW MOST POPULAR CITY NOTES
ABOUT CITY NOTES

SEND US AN EMAIL

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEED

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

The Conservatorium Hotel adds a modern twist to Amsterdam’s museum district. Piero Lissoni and his team effortlessly fuse contemporary sensibilities with more traditional forms. It’s a perfect formula. There’s a real sense of comfort and style communicated by the details. For example, deep and oversized couches take residence next to their minimal and straight-lined counterparts. Or, notice the building’s historic architectural lines and how they blend with an array of glass walls and MC Escher styled staircases to create a relaxing and open atmosphere. It’s really well done, and that’s just the aesthetics. The Conservatorium prides itself on service. From its food to its in-house Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Center, visitors will leave feeling refreshed and energized for whatever is waiting for them after they leave. We’ve posted a few images below.

Words: Taj Reid
Photography: Amit Geron

Conservatorium Hotel Van Baerlestraat 27 1071 AN Amsterdam

CONSERVATORIUM HOTEL

LISSONI ASSOCIATI

AMIT GERON

OSMOSE PARIS

MAMA MARSEILLE

THE WYTHE HOTEL

VIEW MOST RECENT CITY NOTES
VIEW MOST POPULAR CITY NOTES
ABOUT CITY NOTES

SEND US AN EMAIL

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEED

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Fans of Philippe Starck will enjoy Mama Shelter, a new hotel located in the heart of France’s Marseille. Starck along with Serge Trigano and hotelier Michel Reybeir created Mama Shelter to be a comfortable, eclectic and memorable destination for visitors. In an interview with MocoLoco, Starck explains his perspective on Mama and its creative direction, “Mama Shelter is the heart of life, a place where people gather around a shared meal, a live band, and have unpredictable encounters.” Adorn with Starck’s usual flare, his colorful sensibilities are everywhere. From a pink 13 foot long foosball table, to an ornate octopus that greets visitors at the entrance, Mama Shelter is an expressive place balancing art with great service and all the amenities travelers have come to expect from a top notch boutique hotel. We’ve posted a few images below.

Words: Taj Reid
Photography: Courtesy of Mama Shelter

Mama Shelter Marseille 64 Rue De La Loubiere, Marseille, 13006 France

MAMA SHELTER

MOCO LOCO

THE WYTHE HOTEL

THE NOMAD HOTEL

THE DANIEL HOTEL

VIEW MOST RECENT CITY NOTES
VIEW MOST POPULAR CITY NOTES
ABOUT CITY NOTES

SEND US AN EMAIL

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEED

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Williamsburg’s Wythe Hotel joins the ever growing rank of sophisticated accommodations shaping New York neighborhoods. Located in an old Brooklyn factory on the waterfront, the Wythe boasts 72 rooms, an event space and the highly anticipated restaurant, Reynards. It’s a beautiful destination. Its developers wisely utilize pre-exisiting attributes from the 1901 cooperage creating an industrial atmosphere with a bit of nostalgia. You’ll find exposed beams, reclaimed wood and their iconic Hotel sign, which is collaged together from other old signs. They’re also working hard to pull in local artists by developing an onsite movie theater that will host independent films from Brooklyn filmmakers. Sure to be an exciting destination for visitors and locals meeting up with friends, we’re excited for the Wythe to make its mark on Brooklyn. Below you’ll find a few photos of the hotel.

Words: Taj Reid
Photography: Courtesy of the Wythe Hotel and Katie Sokoler

The Wythe Hotel 80 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, New York

THE WYTHE HOTEL

GOTHAMIST

SELECTISM

THE NOMAD HOTEL

THE DANIEL HOTEL

THE TOWN HALL HOTEL

VIEW MOST RECENT CITY NOTES
VIEW MOST POPULAR CITY NOTES
ABOUT CITY NOTES

SEND US AN EMAIL

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEED

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Hotels bring new life to aging neighborhoods. Offering a resurgence of commerce and foot traffic, we’ve seen smart developers create entirely new identities for blocks that are off the radar for travelers and locals alike. One example of this is the new NoMad Hotel located in the historic neighborhood of the same name, just north of Madison Square Park. Opening earlier this month, the NoMad is situated in an old Beaux-Arts building that has been restored to its original form by Jacques Garcia. Catering to the modern traveler with all the expected amenities (wi-fi, 24hr fitness center, etc), the NoMad brilliantly blends touches of the old world aesthetic with contemporary design sensibilities. Also, similar to the nearby Ace Hotel, the NoMad’s public spaces are perfect for a quick meeting or catching up with friends. We’ve posted a few pictures below.

Words: Taj Reid
Photography: Courtesy of The NoMad Hotel

The NoMad Hotel 1170 Broadway & 28th Street, New York, NY 10001

THE NOMAD HOTEL

SUPERFUTURE

TIMEOUT

THE DANIEL HOTEL

THE TOWN HALL HOTEL

KAZAKHSTAN SUBWAY

VIEW MOST RECENT CITY NOTES
VIEW MOST POPULAR CITY NOTES
ABOUT CITY NOTES

SEND US AN EMAIL

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEED

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Vienna’s Daniel Hotel aptly describes itself as Smart Luxury. It’s a place where convenience and functionality merge to create a design-centric destination for the modern traveler. Located just fifteen minutes from the city center, The Daniel boasts 115 Rooms, an amazing in-house bakery and plenty of atmosphere. Plus, it sits near the noble Schloss Belvedere and the University of Vienna’s botanical gardens. We highly recommend checking it out if you’re planning to visit Vienna anytime soon. Below we’ve posted a few photos.

Words: Taj Reid

Photography: Courtesy of the Daniel Hotel

Hotel Daniel Vienna Landstraßer Gürtel 5, 1030 Vienna, Austria

THE DANIEL HOTEL
YATZER

MOCO LOCO

THE TOWN HALL HOTEL

AZZEDINE’S APARTMENT HOTEL

SOL LEWITT IN THE LES

VIEW MOST RECENT CITY NOTES
VIEW MOST POPULAR CITY NOTES
ABOUT CITY NOTES

SEND US AN EMAIL

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEED

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Dwindling space in mega-cities has forced developers to rethink the ways they provide new experiences with their work – especially within the hotel industry. While many build toward the sky and develop taller skyscrapers, others are looking to renovate. A perfect example of this is London’s Town Hall Hotel. The original structure was built in 1910 and the Peng Loh Hoteliers decided to create a luxury hotel that complemented the original building while offering all the exciting and new stylings of today’s architecture. Whether it’s the laser cut aluminium skin wrapped around a portion of the hotel, or the clever use of glass throughout the lobby and rooms – Town Hall Hotel offers something unique to East End London without erasing what was there before them. We have a few images listed below.

Words: Taj Reid
Photography: Ed Reeve

Town Hall Hotel & Apartments Patriot Square, Bethnal Green, London, England, UK

TOWN HALL HOTEL

YATZER

HYPEBEAST

AZZEDINE’S APARTMENT HOTEL

SOL LEWITT IN THE LES

MAISON MOSCHINO

VIEW MOST RECENT CITY NOTES
VIEW MOST POPULAR CITY NOTES
ABOUT CITY NOTES

SEND US AN EMAIL

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEED

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Renting apartments used to be a quiet secret for seasoned travelers. Not anymore, short-stay rentals are en vogue these days thanks to sites like Airbnb. Recently, we came across this beautiful apartment by fashion designer, Azzedine Alaïa. Located in a quiet part of Paris, Alaïa was guided by high-design and a desire to provide visitors with a feeling of home. The three converted apartments are small but feature authentic post-modern furniture with an eye on comfort. Definitely a place we’d like to check out. We have a few photos listed below.

Words: Taj Reid
Photos: Persona Production

Apartment Hotel 5 Rue de Moussy, Marais, Paris, France

DAILY ICON

YATZER

PERSONA PRODUCTION

SOL LEWITT IN THE LES

MAISON MOSCHINO

CAPE TOWN CITYSCAPES

VIEW MOST RECENT CITY NOTES
VIEW MOST POPULAR CITY NOTES
ABOUT CITY NOTES

SEND US AN EMAIL

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEED

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

New York’s Lower East Side has seen its fair share of transformation. Despite these changes it still maintains a certain grit and creative energy. During the late 70’s Sol LeWitt captured the neighborhood’s raw beauty and expression through photography. Torn posters, splattered paint and scrawled graffiti were his muse. He saw things differently. Where people saw vandalism, he saw a narrative – a social documentary of sorts. As he once explained, “When one sees a wall, it is the impact of the whole that is understood at once – emotionally more than intellectually. It is only by reading the wall that the viewer understands it fully.” To honor his work the Morgan Hotel Group created a massive installation of his photographs at the Mondrian Soho Hotel located in the Lower East Side. It’s a fantastic installation. We highly recommend checking it out.

Words: Taj Reid
Photography: Courtesy of The Morgan Hotel Group

Location: Mondrian SoHo Hotel 150 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10013

WE HEART

NY TIMES

AJANAKU

MAISON MOSCHINO

KINSEY AT THE STANDARD

HOTEL MISSONI

VIEW MOST RECENT CITY NOTES
VIEW MOST POPULAR CITY NOTES
ABOUT CITY NOTES

SEND US AN EMAIL

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEED

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Maison Moschino is imaginative and quirky. A converted railway station from the mid-1800’s, the Italian hotel is ideal for those with an affinity for children’s tales and a kid-at-heart spirit. Far from the understated accommodations that seem to always grab our eye, Maison Moschino incorporates a fairytale theme throughout the individually styled 65-room dwelling.

Rooms run the gamut of being over the top eccentric, while others have a more subdued aesthetic. If you’re in the mood to experience a fairytale, then stay in the Little Red Riding Hood room where you’ll be greeted by an oversized flowered growling wolf in the bed. For those wanting something more soothing to ease you into a restful sleep, the Clouds room is all white and decorated with hanging clouds and a giant sheep by your bed. Maison Moschino has a little something for the imaginative side in all of us. Click Read More for additional information.

Words: Marsha Reid
Photography: Courtesy of Maison Moschino

Location: Maison Moschino, Viale Monte Grappa, 12b 20124 Milan, Italy

MAISON MOSCHINO

HOTEL PHILOSOPHY

KINSEY AT THE STANDARD

HOTEL MISSONI

HOTEL LIFE

VIEW MOST RECENT CITY NOTES
VIEW MOST POPULAR CITY NOTES
ABOUT CITY NOTES

SEND US AN EMAIL

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEED

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Art and tourism collide to form a beautiful mural in downtown Los Angeles. When it comes to hotel creativity, The Standard remains king. We love their latest collaboration with Dave Kinsey. Born in Pittsburgh but living in California since 1994, Kinsey exhibits work all over the world. He’s most known for capturing the human condition through a symbolic portrayal of contemporary life. His recent piece for The Standard is another example of his ability to create dynamic, yet thoughtful work. If you find yourself in downtown Los Angeles, be sure to stop by and check it out.

Words: Taj Reid
Photography: Carlos Gonzalez

Location: The Standard LA, 550 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA

THE STANDARD

DAVE KINSEY

ARRESTED MOTION

SNAPSHOP JAPAN

HOTEL MISSONI

GMBH MAGAZINE SHOP

VIEW MOST RECENT CITY NOTES
VIEW MOST POPULAR CITY NOTES
ABOUT CITY NOTES

SEND US AN EMAIL

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEED

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
WATCH OUR VIDEO SERIES

Hotel collaborations like DVF and Claridge or Muji and Whotell are increasingly becoming the choice canvas for fashion and interior design houses. Recently Missoni, the famed Italian label, opened their second <a href=“http://www.hotelmissoni.com/#/0/missoni_front_page” target=“target=”_blank">luxury hotel in Kuwait. It boasts bright colors, innovative architecture and impeccable attention to detail. For example, it’s reported that they used 10 million individual mosaic tiles to create the hotel’s signature stripes that run throughout the property. We have a few photos posted below.

Words: Taj Reid
Location: <a href=“http://www.hotelmissoni.com/#/0/missoni_front_page” target=“target=”_blank">Hotel Missoni Symphony Centre, Arabian Gulf Street, Kuwait City, Kuwait

LIFE AND TIMES

MISSONI

HOTEL MISSONI

HOTEL LIFE

DEMETRIA HOTEL

MEXICO’S TUBE HOTEL

VIEW MOST RECENT CITY NOTES
VIEW MOST POPULAR CITY NOTES
ABOUT CITY NOTES

SEND US AN EMAIL

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEED

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER