From Underwater Villas To Mirror Cubes: 5 Design-Led Luxury Stays Worth Experiencing

​Restraint in exuberance renders the quietness to luxury. The meaning of luxury has far transcended mere material amenities. They are a prerequisite, over which there are multiple layers provoking thoughtfulness and cultural relevance. Human-centred design, creating sustainable and responsible products and experiences, having an ethical approach, and enhancing guest well-being are the new demarcators of luxury.

​One either tries to blend in with the environment, keeping the natural elements at the centre stage, or one tries to stand out, like a cocoon of wonder, to transport their guests to a different world during their stay. Co-creation, circular economy, and multisensorial experiences, therefore, are things that a responsible traveller looks for before choosing a stay. The stay sometimes dictates the choice of the destination. For travellers of this age, who love going against the grain, the stay is a reflection of the place, as well as a reflection of their personality. Here are five unique luxury stays from around the world, which stand out for their design.

​Jungle Bubble Lodge, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Thailand

These jungle bubbles look straight out of a fairytale with transparent, bubble-shaped structures built to see wildlife in action, especially the famed elephants. They are custom-designed by the architecture firm Eye in the Sky using high-tech, weather-proof polyester fabric and the exclusive Précontraint Serge Ferrari technology. The domes have air conditioning and sit on raised wooden decks. The bubbles are built to provide structural safety from elephants while also offering unhindered 360-degree elephant viewing and stargazing. One can indulge in exquisite meals cooked by a private chef and served by a dedicated butler - a service available exclusively to the Bubble Lodge guests. These jungle bubbles let you get closest to the wildlife without hindering its natural movement.

​The Muraka, Conrad Rangali Island, Maldives

The Maldives is known for its beaches and its azure blue sea. But did you know, you could live under it? The Muraka is the world’s first underwater hotel residence, located at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island in the Indian Ocean. You can sleep 16 feet below sea level inside a curved acrylic dome surrounded by panoramic marine life. More than half of the wall and ceiling surfaces are covered with a 7-inch-thick clear acrylic which lets you enjoy an occasional sea turtle or a manta ray without getting wet. The interior design and much of the detailing were inspired by the luxury cabins of aeroplanes. There are automated privacy screens as well, integrated into the windows and controlled via a tablet that also controls the lighting system.

Desert Rock Resort, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

If lush forests and blue seas are not your thing, this desert resort, a 20-minute drive from the Red Sea International Airport, is sure to make you come close to the rugged landscape of the region. This is a spiky terrain, with rocks and weathered granite cliffs cradling your resort. It was designed by Oppenheim Architecture, the Miami-based firm behind projects such as the Six Senses Powder Mountain in Utah and the Williamsburg Hotel in New York. The villas are carved into gaps in the stone, and their materials merge with the cliffs, making them almost indiscernible in daylight. Yes you will need to look closely to find your stay. If you are expecting a sweeping driveway or a grand reveal, you will be disappointed. Instead, you will be guided through a narrow pavilion lined with lanterns, before the arrival pavilion suddenly emerges from beyond the rocks. The ride to the main lobby also features a journey through a volcanic valley millions of years old and past Al Sokhour, the highest peak in the region.

The Mirror Cube, Tree Hotel, Sweden

This is an illusion, a box of mirrors in the middle of the forest. Made with an ingenious lightweight aluminium frame attached to a mature pine trunk, the mirror cube is discreet in its presence. Beyond the facade lies a secret balcony, from where you can savour the tree tops. The mirrored glass is also thoughtfully designed to prevent birds from colliding with its reflective walls, as the glass is laminated with a transparent, UV-reflecting film that is invisible to humans but easily visible to birds. The cabin features a living space for two, and is inspired by the relationship of man and nature, as something both intimate and cautious.

​Gôra Kadan, Hakone, Japan

​This is located on the grounds of the Kan’in-no-miya Villa, the former summer villa of a member of the Imperial Family in the town of Gora in Hakone. This stands out for how it reflects traditional Japanese design, with an unobtrusive stone and a small step marking the threshold. The kutsunugi-ishi is a stone placed at the entrance where people remove their shoes before entering, originally marking the boundary between the sacred and the everyday. Beyond this is an open space covered in tatami mats, originally used by nobles for seating or bedding in wooden-floored chambers. Guests are given a light cotton kimono to change into upon arrival. If you want a microcosm of Japanese culture, this is it. It is also the first hotel in Japan to offer guest rooms with private open-air hot springs.  

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