6 Hotels That Push The Boundaries Of Architecture And Design

A hotel can be a comfortable base for exploring a new city, but some properties make a case for staying in and looking around. From a cantilevered pool hovering above the Dolomites to a tower that appears to twist as it climbs, these hotels treat architecture as an experience in its own right. Some were conceived by architects who have reshaped the way we think about buildings; others turn local landscapes, materials and traditions into something entirely unexpected. The result is a rather compelling way to travel: check in, put your bags down, and spend a little time studying the building you are sleeping in. For design-minded travellers, these six stays offer exactly that, pairing distinctive architecture with the pleasures of a well-made hotel.

Hubertus, Valdaora, Italy

At Hotel Hubertus in Valdaora, the most improbable part of the building is also its most memorable with a 25-metre-long swimming pool that projects more than 17 metres beyond the structure, appearing to hover above the landscape. Designed by Italian architecture studio NOA, the extension was conceived as a link between the existing hotel and its newer accommodation wing. Debarked larch trunks form a continuous façade, while curved lines echo the contours of the surrounding Dolomites. The pool sits about 12 metres above ground at its outer edge, with a glass front that gives swimmers the sensation of hanging between mountain and sky. Inside, timber, earthy tones, and curved forms continue the connection with the landscape.

The Information

Address: Via Furcia, 5, 39030 Sorafurcia BZ, Italy
Tariff: INR 60,000 onwards 
Contact: +39 0474 592104
Website: hotel-hubertus.com
How to get the best deal on the hotel: Check the hotel's direct booking packages, particularly those bundling accommodation with wellness or mountain experiences.
Things to do nearby: Kronplatz, Lake Anterselva, Plan de Corones and the villages of the Puster Valley.

Morpheus Hotel, Macau

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, Morpheus at City of Dreams is the kind of building that makes a conventional hotel tower look rather ordinary. Its structural exoskeleton wraps around a rectangular volume punctured by enormous urban windows, creating a series of interconnected voids through the centre of the building. The design draws inspiration from the fluid forms of traditional Chinese jade carving, translating that idea into a distinctly futuristic structure. Inside, glass lifts travel through the open spaces, giving guests views of the architecture as they move through the hotel. With 770 rooms and suites, restaurants and extensive entertainment facilities, Morpheus manages to turn a technically ambitious building into a functioning luxury hotel.

The Information

Address: City of Dreams, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, Macao
Tariff: INR 33,336 onwards 
Contact: +853 8868 8888
Website: cityofdreamsmacau.com
How to get the best deal on the hotel: Look for City of Dreams accommodation packages and advance-booking offers on the official website.
Things to do nearby: The House of Dancing Water, Macau Taipa Village, The Venetian Macao and Cotai Strip.

Hotel Marqués de Riscal, Elciego, Spain

Frank Gehry is better known for museums and cultural landmarks, but at Hotel Marqués de Riscal he brought his unmistakable architectural language to Rioja wine country. The 43-room hotel appears to spill across the vineyards in a collection of angular forms and undulating titanium ribbons. Their pink, gold and silver tones reference elements associated with the Marqués de Riscal winery, including its wine and bottle coverings. The result is playful without losing its connection to the estate around it. Inside, Gehry-designed furniture continues the visual language, while the hotel adds the practical pleasures of a wine-country retreat, including a restaurant, spa, and access to the historic winery. It is architecture with a clear sense of place.

The Information

Address: C. Torrea Kalea, 1, 01340 Elciego, Álava, Spain
Tariff: INR 55,000 onwards 
Contact: +34 945 18 08 80
Website: marriott.com
How to get the best deal on the hotel: Compare direct-booking packages with offers through The Luxury Collection and consider travelling during Rioja's shoulder seasons.
Things to do nearby: Marqués de Riscal winery, Laguardia, Rioja wine tours and the vineyards of the Ebro Valley.

Hotel Porta Fira, Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona has no shortage of memorable architecture, but Hotel Porta Fira offers a different kind of landmark from the city's historic centre. Designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito, the 110-metre tower is defined by a series of irregular red aluminium tubes that give the façade a twisting, organic quality. The structure sits opposite the Fira Barcelona exhibition grounds, where its unusual silhouette has become a familiar part of the skyline. The façade also has a practical purpose, helping regulate sunlight and reduce heat gain. Inside, the rooms are considerably more restrained, creating a useful contrast with the building's exterior. For travellers interested in contemporary architecture, it is a particularly good example of how a hotel can become part of a city's visual identity.

The Information

Address: Pl. d'Europa, 45, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
Tariff: INR 11,500 onwards
Contact: +34 932 97 35 00
Website: hotelbarcelonaportafira.com
How to get the best deal on the hotel: Avoid major trade fairs and exhibitions, when rates around Fira Barcelona can rise substantially.
Things to do nearby: Fira Barcelona, Montjuïc, Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya and central Barcelona.

Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort, Huzhou, China

Rising from the edge of Taihu Lake, the Sheraton Huzhou is almost impossible to mistake for anything else. Designed by architect Ma Yansong, the hotel forms a huge elliptical ring, with its upper and lower sections connected to create the appearance of a complete loop. The building is particularly striking after dark, when its illuminated façade is reflected in the lake. Its unusual form also explains the hotel's nickname, the “Moon Hotel.” Rooms and public spaces are arranged to take advantage of the waterfront setting, while the property adds hot-spring facilities, restaurants and expansive leisure spaces. It is an example of a resort where the building itself is part of the destination.

The Information

Address: China, Zhejiang, Huzhou, Wuxing District, 313006
Tariff: INR 12,096 onwards
Contact: +86 572 229 9999
Website: marriott.com
How to get the best deal on the hotel: Compare Marriott Bonvoy member rates with seasonal packages and consider travelling outside major Chinese holiday periods.
Things to do nearby: Taihu Lake, Huzhou Ancient Town, Nanxun Ancient Town and the surrounding tea-growing region.

Burj Al Arab, Dubai, UAE

Few hotels have turned their silhouette into such a recognisable symbol. Designed by British architect Tom Wright, Burj Al Arab rises from its own artificial island in the shape of a billowing sail, a form inspired by the traditional dhow boats of the Arabian Gulf. Completed in 1999, the 321-metre building was conceived to establish a distinctive architectural identity for Dubai's emerging luxury hospitality scene. Its interiors are considerably more maximalist than the clean exterior suggests, with duplex suites, marble, gold accents, and vivid colours. The helipad, perched high above the Gulf, has hosted everything from tennis matches to automotive stunts. Whether you stay overnight or simply admire it from the coast, the building remains one of Dubai's defining pieces of modern architecture.

The Information

Address: Umm Suqeim Third - Umm Suqeim 3 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Tariff: INR 84,000 onwards
Contact: +971 4 301 7777
Website: jumeirah.com
How to get the best deal on the hotel: Check Jumeirah's direct-booking packages and seasonal offers, and compare suite inclusions rather than room rates alone.
Things to do nearby: Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach, Souk Madinat Jumeirah and Wild Wadi Waterpark.

FAQs