HOTEL JUNKIE: The Liberty Hotel - Boston, Massachusetts 3/30/2011

The Liberty Hotel blows my mind away.  It's another hotel that really makes me wish that I had just done more research during my time in school.  My projects could have been ten times better had I been influenced by the amazing design details of the Liberty Hotel.
Before I start delving into all these amazing design details, I would like to note that everyone should visit their website.  The time-lapse flash videos are definitely unique and sets them apart from other hotel websites!

First off, did you know....  that the Liberty Hotel was originally a prison?!  It cost roughly $150 million dollars to renovate this building that was constructed in 1851!  It's so shocking, I know! I seriously love historic buildings and think that it is always in our best interests to cherish (and enjoy!) what still remains from beautiful, well thought out architecture.  These days almost all architecture that's going up feels so rushed and cheap!

You can't help but smile at the play-on-words name of the restaurant "Clink."  There's also Alibi and the Yard.  Very cute!  Whoever thought that someday the "vestiges of original jail cells [could] create cozy nooks"?  

I am definitely loving the overall look of the Liberty!  Maybe it's just these images, but I'm getting a very positive vibe from this hotel. I love how the designers retained the original rough brick of the prison and mixed in contemporary fabrics and furnishings.  I think that the Liberty provides you with an unexpected experience, surprising you with such a happening environment in what was once a prison for hard criminals!  Not only do I love the design of this hotel, but I admire their efforts to be a part of the artistic culture of Boston.  Every Thursday night, the Liberty hosts a fashion show called.... wait for it... "Fashionably Late"!  Seriously, who thought up these names?  

 As exciting as the hotel lobby and restaurants can be, the suites upstairs offer a more relaxed environment with a calming, neutral color palette.  The Liberty is all swank, no pretentiousness!  This hotel faces the Charles River and I wonder what the sunrises look like...  They must be breathtaking.... One day Boston... One day, we shall cross paths!

Photos courtesy of The Liberty and Luxe DB.

HOTEL JUNKIE: Mystique Resort - Santorini, Greece 3/28/2011

Sooooooo... it's been quite awhile now, hasn't it?  Well, it wasn't my intention to stay away for so long, but I guess I just haven't been feeling the love lately.  Recently, however, my appetite for design has been whetted and I now spend my lunches and late nights perusing my design mags and cruising the many design websites out there.  I came across this little gem via Daily Candy; it's the Mystique Resort.  

Now, I'm not sure what it is about Mediterranean locations, but the blues suddenly seem bluer. Greece is no exception.  If anything, Greece seems to embrace the blues even better than any other Mediterranean country.

Speaking of color, when the color white comes to mind, what typically comes to mind is cold and contemporary.  The Mystique Resort, though, with it's white washed walls and natural stone comes across as warm and yummy.  (I say yummy because the walls remind me of marshmallow fluff.)  Even the exterior appeals to me because of its softened edges and natural look.  Makes you wonder.... how on earth do they keep it so clean?  

What is interesting about this resort is that every single suite and villa possesses an amazing view of the volcano, the ocean, and maybe even the pool.  This sounds and looks like a great place to just get away from it all, doesn't it?  Watch out Santorini!  Someday, when I get the funds, I'm totally comin' for you!

Photos courtesy of Mystique Resort and Luxe DB.

HOTEL JUNKIE: The Waterhouse - Huangpu District, Shanghai 11/02/2010

It has been brought to my attention from my friend Phong, that I need to start researching Asian hotels as well.  So here goes! When I first saw images of the Waterhouse, I thought "Wow, that looks incredibly dilapidated.... "  So my hopes for this hotel were pretty bleak.

I mean look at it!  It looks all... grungy... and stuff...  but the interior will totally blow you away (as it did to me!)

So the Waterhouse is pretty awesome looking huh?  Apparently it was built/used in the 1930's as military headquarters which probably explains the exterior.  Neri & Hu is the amazing design company.

Photos courtesy of Vain Lane and Arch Daily.

HOTEL JUNKIE: The Palace at Playa Grande - Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic 10/26/2010

The frilly little princess inside of me is just dying with joy right now!  All the way on the beautiful coasts of the Dominican Republic, there is a special place called the Palace, just waiting for princesses to find it.

While the rest of the Palace left me wanting a bit more, I still found myself oohing and aahing over the cute bedrooms with the foofy sheers and fancy windows. Also, how can anyone say no to a view like that?

HOTEL JUNKIE: Epic Hotel - Miami, FL 10/25/2010

I just can't get over this hotel!  I think I'm in love! The Epic Hotel really is EPIC.  At first, when I saw the website and the photos, I thought "Pfft... there's better out there," but as I continued to explore the website, I fell more and more in love with this hotel....  Here, take a look yourself!

While this bathroom does look fairly modest, it still looks so comfortable and serene... 

I just want to sink into that tub and feel my troubles melt away....

This whole rooftop club/pool area looks amazing both at night and during the day.

I'm not a lounge-by-the-pool type, but for Epic Hotel, I'd give it a try!

They also have the Metropolis Ballroom, which looks so glamorous!

This area is called the Hammam Detox Chamber.  I LOVE IT.

Zuma Sushi Restaurant

It looks so yummy already... and the food didn't even come out yet!

How can it be so pretty?  I'm flabbergasted.

The caption for this area on the website reads "Area 31 Private Dining With 

A Highly Publicized View" and I have to say.. this view looks to die for!

(They must have had one of the BEST photographers ever... all the other hotels should hire this photographer because he/she certainly worked his/her magic and made this place look ridiculously good, dont you think??)

HOTEL JUNKIE: Chambers - New York, NY 10/24/2010

Fifth Avenue has been known for years as one of the most expensive streets in the world and the Chambers Hotel, which is right off of Fifth Avenue, is just as swanky as Fifth Avenue itself.  With what I can only describe as casual elegance, the Chambers Hotel is understated but still very luxurious and you can see it in their use of materials from the finishes to the textiles. 

The Exterior

The Lobby

The Restaurant

I am a huge fan of symmetry; drawn to it like a moth to a flame. So it's no real surprise to me that I find the balance of the Chambers Hotel to be so refined and calming.  Typically clean lines and contemporary design don't really pull me in.  However, with this hotel, there's still a feeling of comfort and warmth.  There is an excellent mix of textiles that really convey that home-away-from-home feeling.  You may disagree with me, but gosh darn it, that bed in the suite photo just screams to me "Come hither and staaaaaay forever."

Photos courtesy of Chambers Hotel.

HOTEL JUNKIE: Turtle Inn - Palencia, Belize 10/23/2010

Disclaimer:  I Love Turtles.  So it's safe to say that anything named after turtles, I'm going to LOVE.

On a teeny tiny peninsula in Caribbean Sea exists a delightful little resort called the Turtle Inn. What's really exciting are all the amenities that are available: the Belize barrier reef (I didn't even know Belize had a barrier reef!), wildlife sanctuary, and tons of caves and waterfalls to be explored.  Another nice aspect of this resort is that they actively participate in conservation and sustainability. You can read more about it here.  It only adds to the charm of Turtle Inn!

Oh! There have been sightings of turtles too! ;)

Photos courtesy of Coppola Resorts.

HOTEL JUNKIE: Postcard Inn on the Beach - St. Pete Beach, FL 10/11/2010

Featured in Interior Design Magazine, the Postcard Inn is definitely a keeper!  Just seeing the images of this hotel makes me feel just a little perkier and also makes me wish that Southern California had it's own version of Postcard Inn!  The whole place just exudes a very unpretentious, low-key nature, doesn't it?

Photos courtesy of Jared Erickson.