00:00I'm Sara Khan, a travel journalist and contributing editor at Condé Nast Traveler.
00:05I'm headed to three of Condé Nast Traveler's hot list hotels this year to see how thoughtful
00:10design makes for a standout trip.
00:19Come with me as I visit the Emory in London, Necawi, a Ritz-Carlton reserve in Costa Rica,
00:25and the Manor in Manhattan.
00:29My first stop is a staycation.
00:31The Manor may be only a few blocks from my apartment, but it's the ultimate escape.
00:36The slick 97-room hotel channels a fantasy of a cool, artsy Soho loft with bold design
00:42that reflects the city's cosmopolitan and global nature.
00:45When I walk into the apartment, a hidden sanctuary for hotel guests, I immediately start dreaming
00:51about a revamp of my own considerably less glamorous apartment.
00:54It's a kind of space where you notice new details with every glance.
00:59And those details all add up to this incredibly inviting experience.
01:03The combination of materials and silhouettes is totally unique and unexpected, a reflection
01:07of the kinetic vibe of the neighborhood and city itself.
01:11Architect and designer Hannes Peir threw together a riotous mix of colors, textures, and patterns
01:17that I would never have thought to put together.
01:19Somehow, everything just works.
01:22The clever touches extend to the rooms themselves, where red lacquer walls meet sculptural lighting
01:26and vibrant art.
01:28The Manor's restaurant, The Otter, has a distinctly art deco feel to it, with murals spanning the
01:34walls and food that looks like works of art.
01:36Am I actually supposed to eat the scallop crudo, or is it meant to join the modernist masterpieces
01:41on the walls?
01:42I'm not so sure.
01:45London has no shortage of beautiful boutique hotels.
01:48Next, I head across the pond to see what's new.
01:51My arrival at the discreet entrance of the Emery, London's first all-suite hotel, nestled between
01:56Vilgravia and Knightsbridge, and overlooking Hyde Park, feels like stepping into an art gallery.
02:03With sculptures and paintings from artists including Damien Hirst throughout the hotel,
02:07it pretty much is.
02:09Here the design is all about quiet luxury, thanks to the six renowned interior designers
02:15who conceptualized the suites, all of which feel like private sanctuaries.
02:19With so much love and attention going into rooms and public spaces, spas can often be overlooked
02:24in the design department, but even a minimal oasis like the Emery's longevity-focused holistic
02:30wellness club, Saren, brims with eye-catching nooks, like tranquil treatment rooms and a
02:3572-foot pool illuminated by a skylight.
02:38ABC Kitchen & Bar has quickly become a buzzy post-work hangout for the Chelsea crowd, and
02:44the interiors feature floral Damien Hirst painted over AI-generated images.
02:49The food fits right in with the space, light, bright, and imaginative.
02:54On the top floor, the vibe is different, more Jetsons meets Mad Men with circular mid-century
02:59leather swivel chairs, a rotating cigar cabinet, and epic panoramic views as the London skyline
03:05unfolds below.
03:08Next up, Necawi in Costa Rica.
03:11With design inspired by Guanacaste's old haciendas, this lush resort is a modern-day interpretation
03:16of the region's historic architecture, with an appreciative nod to the gorgeous natural environment
03:22that surrounds it.
03:23I always keep an eye out for local craftsmanship when I travel, and at Necawi, I don't have
03:27to look very far.
03:28Pieces by the area's artisans are everywhere I turn, immersing me in the visual splendor
03:34of both the Spanish and Sabanero cultures.
03:36Ritz-Carlton Reserves are places of uber-luxury, where it feels more like you're staying at your
03:41mogul friend's estate than a hotel.
03:43That is, if your friend had a funicular to carry you down to the private beach club.
03:47They're also designed to blend seamlessly into their environs, in this case, a verdant
03:52hillside perch in Costa Rica's Peninsula Papayago, overlooking the Pacific.
03:57Once again, the focus on aesthetics extends to the food and beverage at Necawi.
04:02Decadent meals are cultivated from the region's natural bounty, and teams are dedicated to
04:06chocolate, pastries, cocktails, and fresh Costa Rican coffee, some of which is roasted
04:11on site.
04:13What all of these hot list properties have in common this year is that they highlight
04:17each destination's visual tapestry in a way that evokes a true sense of place.
04:23Whether you're looking for whimsical and rustic, Soho Chic meets Art House Nouveau, or sumptuous
04:28London luxury, these properties let your eyes lead the way into an extraordinary stay.
04:34For more information on all these hotels, including what to pack, head to cntraveler.com.
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