Design Hotels™ Adds 7 New Members

From the rose dappled mountains of Oman, the epicurean delights of Paris, to the evergreen treetops of Portugal’s woodlands, Design Hotels™ welcomes seven new standouts.

On the surface no two are alike, but a common thread runs throughout – creative forces at work, inviting adventurers to their corner of the world and lending their very own lenses to better discover these destinations.



Pedras Salgadas spa & nature park, Bornes de Aguiar, Portugal (opened October 2012 – Two treehouses opened August 2013)

Pedras Salgadas spa & nature park is a prime example of how innovative sustainable architecture can wrap itself around a centuries old park. Designed by architects Luís and Tiago Rebelo de Andrade, the 12 modular eco-houses, two tree houses and one main house all blend flawlessly with the lush environment and are conspicuous only for their pitched roofs. Nature is steps away, with all eco-houses featuring outdoor decks and vast floor-to-ceiling windows in unexpected corners. The spa takes full advantage of the area’s historic mineral springs and their renowned health benefits to offer a pool, hammam, sauna, and Vichy shower. www.designhotels.com/hotels/portugal/bornes-de-aguiar/pedras-salgadas



Alila Jabal Akhdar, Jabal Akhdar, Oman (open April 2014)

Set more than 2,000 meters above sea level, overlooking a dramatic gorge and fashioned from local stones and wood, Alila Jabal Akhdar is nestled high in the mountains of Oman, offering a true escape from urban life, two hours away from the capital Muscat. As Alila’s first venture outside of Asia, Owner and Original Mark Edleson appointed architecture firm Atkins and designers from P49 to create a resort that harmoniously blends with its surroundings, preserving the natural beauty of the region with contemporary flavor. Opening in April, the hotel’s minimalist style combines with warm and colorful ethnic influences in all 78 suites and two villas, alongside Juniper Restaurant and Rose Lounge, Spa Alila, two pools, a fitness center and meeting venues for business retreats. www.designhotels.com/hotels/oman/jabal-akhdar/alila-jabal-akhdar



Hotel Vernet, Paris, France (Soft Opening March 2014 – Full Opening June 2014)

Sister property to Hotel Bel Ami, Hotel Vernet is the second member of Design Hotels™ from Original Anne Jousse and is located just steps from Paris’ celebrated Arc de Triomphe, within the city’s golden triangle. With a soft opening in March and a full launch in June, the hotel has been transformed from a traditional hotel to a sleek new 50-room boutique by Paris-based architect François Champsaur. The 1913 exterior embodies Parisian charm and is complemented by a fresh, modern interior. The heart and soul of the hotel is the restaurant, housed under an ornate glass dome by Gustave Eiffel, and re-envisions French gastronomy with a lighter twist on the classical fare. www.designhotels.com/hotels/france/paris/hotel-vernet



Indigo Pearl, Phuket, Thailand (opened September 2007)

Situated just 750 meters from the beach, Indigo Pearl features 177 suites and villas, and skillfully integrates into its environment. Architect and designer Bill Bensely has created a space where bold luxury meets historic detail, alongside sun-kissed beaches. The beachfront resort alludes to the town’s former industrious tin mining past with reclaimed building materials and locally crafted furnishings, while a modernist transformation is accented by contemporary and found industrial art. Complementing the industrial edge are three restaurants, five bars, a café, three swimming pools and an award-winning spa. www.designhotels.com/hotels/thailand/phuket/indigo-pearl



Maçakizi, Bodrum, Turkey (opened 2000)

Topping a hill strewn with olive trees and stunning views of the Aegean Sea, the 74 room Maçakizi epitomizes understated luxury. Turkey’s answer to St. Tropez, the family run Maçakizi has been operational since 2000, with recent renovations elevating the hotel’s profile with the movers and shakers around the world. Architect Alatas Mimarlık has designed a hotel with open-plan public spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows and neutral furniture giving the hotel a simple chic feel throughout. Putting the small village of Türkbükü on the map, the restaurant has become a mecca for jet-setters and locals alike with Mediterranean flavors, open air dining and unbeatable vistas, while the private beach provides an intimate place to relax and soak up the scenery. www.designhotels.com/hotels/turkey/bodrum/macakizi



Parc Hotel Billia, Saint-Vincent, Italy (opened August 2012)

In a region known not only for its castles but also for its culinary specialties, and embraced by the highest mountains in Europe, Parc Hotel Billia rises picturesquely from the heart of the Italian Alps. As the first contemporary luxury property in the region, designer and architect Lissoni Associti has masterfully fused modern design and comfortable tradition in all 119 rooms. Tastefully appointed furnishings and stylish touches of local handicrafts perfectly blend modernity with mountain elegance. The full alpine experience is on offer, with rare and protected wildlife and ski runs reaching the Swiss and French borders. www.designhotels.com/hotels/italy/saint-vincent/parc-hotel-billia



OD Port Portals, Calviá, Mallorca, Spain (open April 2014)

A sensational landing spot for island-hoppers, the sleek, art deco-inspired OD Port Portals, opening in April 2014, will offer 365 days of exclusivity, near the luxurious yacht harbor of Puerto Portals. Original Marc Rahola Matutes has teamed with Architect Rohola Aguadé and Design Firm Estudi Pam 2. The 77 room hotel took cues from sister property Ocean Drive Hotel in Ibiza, with a retro glamour conveyed through design classics, colors, and patterns. Luxury at the resort includes not only the private chauffeur service (or complimentary car with every Junior Suite) to visit the beaches nearby, but also health-conscious crossover cuisine with international influences. www.designhotels.com/hotels/spain/mallorca/calvia/od-port-portals