Celebrated British designer Jasper Conran has put his stamp on everything–women’s fashion, Waterford crystal, dinnerware, books, textiles, and now his own glamorous boutique hotel. L’Hotel Marrakech is set in a 19-century Riad with five suites that surround a lush courtyard garden. Inspired by 1930s design, the property features antique furniture, graphic textiles, lighting and art from Jasper’s own collection. With lots […]

My first book Exotic Style delved into how to incorporate global finds into your home. Thanks to the internet, travel, and even chain retailers like Pier 1 and Target carrying global goods, it’s never been easier to score items from around the world. What’s tricky is making it look current and cool, not themey. The Rossi Hotel in Palm Springs is a gorgeous example […]

At the Quirk Hotel in Richmond, Virginia the guest rooms are pink. Not the saccharine sweet pink of a little girl’s room, but a pink that feels a little more grown-up, a little more downtown. If you love the color, but are over the age of 12, it’s a perfect example of how to pull it off as an adult. This pink […]

If you are color-obsessed you will love El Fenn in Marrakech. The hotel was originally a private riad converted into a hotel by Vanessa Branson and Howell James in 2004. It was recently revamped by general manager Willem Smit who oversaw the two-year update which was unveiled in 2014. The hotel features 28 color-saturated rooms. One thread throughout several spaces are […]

One of my favorite design hotels in my new book Hotel Chic at Home is the Hotel Providence in Paris. Each of the 18 rooms in the Montmartre district of Paris feature richly patterned wallpaper and vintage furniture. Although the papers are new, many, like the Palmeral House of Hackney paper shown above, create a vintage, almost Victorian/Boho backdrop. If you live in […]

I love the total wow factor of red. But a red room isn’t easy to pull off. It’s a classic preppy look for libraries or even dining rooms, but a red bedroom? You hardly ever see it. The color can just be too intense. I tried once, and while I liked it for a few months, it eventually made me feel […]

A dream bed for avid readers? Check out this cool version at Copenhagen’s Hotel SP34. With oversized curved chair backs in lieu of a headboard, the bed is a sort of chair/bed hybrid. Designed by Danish designer and architect Morten Hedegaard, who also did the interiors of this clean, modernist-inspired hotel, the innovative beds provide a comfortable perch for reading well […]

For years, The Maidstone Arms Inn in East Hampton was a cute, preppy inn with nautical theme. That all changed a few years ago when the hotel was bought by Swedish hotelier Jenny Ljungberg, who renamed it, c/o The Maidstone, and gave the inn a whimsical, color-saturated, eco-friendly makeover. She teamed up with Nadia Tolstoy (Leo’s granddaughter), to give each of the 19 rooms a […]

Looking for a new color palette for a living space? Take cues from the Rachel Reider designed The Merchant (one of the design-centric Lark Hotels group). At the inn in Salem, Massachusetts, a tufted cranberry velvet sofa pops against lacquered peacock blue walls. A pair of barrel chairs feature a green, yellow, and blue abstract print that work seamlessly with the wall color. […]

One of my all time favorite design hotels is Colony Palms by designer-to-the-stars Martyn Lawrence Bullard. This year the brilliant designer has put his globally-inspired stamp on the revamp of Casa Laguna. The 23-room boutique hotel consists of several Spanish Colonial style buildings dating back to the 1900s in Laguna Beach California. The compound is set overlooking the Pacific just a few blocks […]

If you are in Sag Harbor this Sunday come to Hotel Chic At Home’ Book Signing + Reception… Join us on Sunday July 30th from 12pm – 2pm for a book signing for my book Hotel Chic At Home. This title features stunning interiors from outstanding boutique hotels across the globe. Grab a copy and get inspired to make every day feel like a vacation in your […]

Looking for a hotel in the Caribbean on a very quiet, gorgeous beach straight out of a postcard? Wishing you could find a hotel that was kid-friendly, but equally appealing for grown-ups? Want the intimacy and stellar service of a boutique hotel, but would love the amenities of a larger property? Then run to Zemi Beach House in Anguilla. Zemi’s official pictures here, […]

There is something moody and magical about the spaces designed by Roman & Williams. The husband and wife design duo Stephen Alesch and Robin Standefer are behind some of the world’s coolest hotels including Viceroy Central Park or the Ace hotels in New York and New Orleans, or the Hotel Emma. Even when their spaces are set in new backdrops like the Viceroy, […]

If you haven’t been to D.C. recently, GO. The city is buzzing. You’ll find cool indie shops like GoodWood filled with well-priced one-of-a-kind vintage jewelry, furniture, and emerging fashion designers. The food scene is blowing up with 12 restaurants earning Michelin stars this year (check out The Dabney in Blagden Alley). Neighborhoods like Shaw and Logan Circle are buzzing with great cocktail bars, amazing […]

The Hotel Chic book hits stores November 8th! Given that it is election day, think of Hotel Chic at Home  as a fun distraction from the complete insanity that is politics at the moment. Design and travel are two subjects that are definitely nice to get lost in. The book features over 130 of the coolest hotels around the globe and tells readers how […]

About eleven years ago,  I got the travel assignment of a lifetime. Turtle Island in Fiji was getting a lot of publicity for hosting a number of celebrities, and my amazing editor at Gotham Jason Nixon thought I should check out what all the fuss was about (read the article here). I went on assignment for a week with my husband and had what […]

I’m all for cool hotels with innovative design ideas, but there is something so transporting about stepping into a classic grand hotel. Take the unrivaled Ritz Paris. Originally a private palace, it opened as a hotel in 1898 and became one of the world’s most legendary hotels. A celebration of French 18th century design with lots of Louis furniture, silk […]

If you’re looking for a glamorous escape that’s a hybrid of house and hotel, check out Paradise Beach in Nevis. The boutique resort features seven two to four-bedroom beachfront villas. With the benefits of a hotel, a butler and concierge arrange meals, water sports, spa treatments, or local adventures. However, the roomy villas boast kitchens, lap pools, grills, and outdoor […]

Heading to South Beach this winter?  The buzziest new hotel is the just-opened Thompson Miami Beach. The oceanfront property is now the Thompson brand’s flagship and features two pools, a rooftop indoor/outdoor spa,  and a restaurant from James Beard award winning chef Michelle Bernstein.  With 380 rooms it’s not the pick if you’re looking for a cozy, boutique hotel experience–but […]

Our new contributor Jackie Bryant reports from Hotel Mas de Torrent in Spain: Spain is no stranger to rustic chic, as many hotels in the countryside are repurposed feudal manors and farmhouses. In the northeastern region of Catalonia, these old homes called mas or masia dot the rolling hills. Some are more updated than others, and the most successful  are those that have been able to […]

Vegas has a few big splashy openings this fall. There is the buzzy Philippe Starck designed SLS and the sleek all-suite Delano. The Delano’s all-gold exterior feels so Vegas. Perks include a new Alain Ducasse restaurant and the new 15,000 square-foot BATHHOUSE Spa that I just wrote about for Yahoo Beauty. Check out the pics of the new hotel below–definitely brings a little […]

Want rolling hills, winding country roads, and turning leaves all within 2 hours of NYC? Looking for a unique boutique hotel that’s under $175 a night? Check out The Arnold House. I fell in love with the 9-room hotel when I stayed there a few weeks back. I was reporting on four Catskills hotels for Yahoo Travel and The Arnold was my […]

Before Montauk was filled with hipsters, there was Gurney’s. The hotel opened in the 70s with a prime stretch of beachfront, rooms with sweeping ocean views, and the only seawater spa in North America. The hotel had its heyday in the 80s, but had seen better days 20 years later. A new multi-million dollar renovation is reviving Gurney’s for a […]

Granted the rooms are teeny–but the crisp whitewashed wainscoting, cheery beach house vibe, and starting prices of $150 a night have made The Salt House Inn the coolest hotel in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Just a couple of blocks from the beach, the 15-room inn is the vision of David Bowd (the COO of André Balazs’ hip hotels) and Kevin O’Shea interior designer […]

If you’re visiting Nantucket and wanting the whole classic island experience-grey shingles, traditional preppy interiors, men wearing technicolor pants–the waterfront White Elephant Hotel is the perfect spot. But if you’re looking for something a little more contemporary, for a bigger group possibly, take a look at the White Elephant’s new Loft at 32 Main Street. It looks more like a sleek city […]

Thanks to World Cup fever all eyes are on Brazil. In a country known for its obsession with beauty, it’s no surprise that you will find some of the most unique and innovative spa treatments in the world. I just wrote a piece for Yahoo Beauty on the country’s amazing spa-hotels.  One of the most intriguing hotels on the list is […]

When hotelier Christina Ong launched Parrot Cay in the late 90s she set the standard for the luxe island wellness retreat. Her latest property is Maalifushi, in the pristine Thaa Atoll of the Maldives . A 20-acre island with 66 beautifully serene rooms and COMO resorts’ signature Shambala wellness spa, it sounds like the perfect place for all the re’s– renew, revive, reconnect relax, […]

When summer hits in NYC, nothing beats a rooftop bar with a view.  The Roof bar at the Viceroy boasts killer cocktails, swoon-worthy views, and an indoor/outdoor bar run by the Gerber Group. I checked it out last week and there something so magical about catching the city from that vantage point. Looking out at Central Park from above the […]

If your boss/mother-in-law/or ex can reach you, a vacation just isn’t really a vacation. There is something so liberating about packing your bags and letting everyone know that someone else has to deal because the spot you’re heading to is so remote, it’s off the grid. Give me that over a 5-star resort any day of the week. True luxury […]

Refinery29 asked me to create a field guide for flying, to find out which airlines have the best mileage programs, food you actually want to eat,  the grooviest lounges, the best perks (free cocktails anyone?). So I turned to 10 savvy 10 travel-industry insiders and perpetual globetrotters who make it their business to know the scoop on the airlines. Travel blogger Alexandra Baackes […]

I just discovered LA-based designer Schuyler Samperton’s work and I love how she mixes classic antiques with a boho-chic approach to color, accessories,and fabric. Her rooms feel warm, cozy, and laid back. Beautifully layered with cool art and accessories, her spaces have soul.  Schuyler just got back from the funky and fun Hotel Saint Cecilia  in Austin Texas. Read on […]

Photographer Caitlin Mitchell is a rising star photographer here in NYC. Her images are often sexy, just a little bit edgy, and always gorgeous. Caitlin does a mix of editorial and commercial work. I was lucky enough to have her take my bio pics (first pictures I’ve liked of myself in forever!). Caitlin just got back from St. Barth’s and […]

Interior designer, and HC contributor, Lindsey Coral Harper reports back from the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel: LOVE: Everything about it!! My favorite hidden spot is the diner down stairs… I love an old-school lunch/breakfast counter. DIDN’T LOVE: LEAVING!! DESIGN IDEA TO CRIB: The amazing palm leaf wallpaper, Martinique, available through Hinson. I’ve used the wallpaper before, it looks great in a […]

So happy to have makeup guru Bobbi Brown on Hotel Chic today! I’ve worked as Bobbi’s co-author on two books (the latest, Everything Eyes launches next month). Bobbi could not be cooler or nicer to work with. (this interview we did for Refinery29 totally captures who she is, plus her love of motorcycle boots, Jay-Z, and tequila). Bobbi recently went on a lifechanging trip […]

Travel writer and Hotel Chic contributor Lauren Matison guest blogging today. Take it away Lauren! LAUREN: I get excited about the bright future of a greener hotel industry when I come across places like The Draycott, a hotel that has everything going for it—accolades, location, history, amenities, hospitality, style—yet still makes being eco a priority. Inside the three restored red-brick Edwardian […]

John and I, aka the Madcap Cottage design duo, are huge fans of London, and we pop across the pond whenever possible. In fact, we recently realized that we probably know London better than New York City where we have lived for the past twenty-odd years. Usually, John and I rent an apartment in London as we love to live like […]

HC Contributor, the amazing designer John Robshaw reports back on his trip to the Inn Paradiso in Paso Robles, California. Love this quirky hotel and John’s fun pics. From amazing vineyards to mineral hot springs and back to the cozy rooms at the inn, here’s John’s take on Paso Robles: I met Steve Werndorf and Gisela Marin ages ago and instantly connected with […]

    There are some people who just innately have an incredible eye for style and Courtney McGinnis is one of them. A former editor and stylist for J. Crew, Courtney recently teamed up with former Elle editor and Ruthie Sommers alum, Samantha O’Brien to launch Clover Design. Based in Bedford, NY, the vintage furniture dealers have an amazing knack for finding […]

So happy to welcome Hotel Chic’s newest sponsor Jamie Herzlinger.  It is amazing how many new discoveries you make through blogging and that is how Jamie’s chic interiors came on my radar.  Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Jamie helms a thriving  design business and has been featured in Traditional Home and lonny. On her Jamieshop site you can score to-the trade furniture and […]

Le Sirenuse, perched cliffside in Positano is a cult favorite for in-the-know travelers who rave about the gorgeous views, lively restaurant, and intimate feel. The property was once the summer home of the Sersale family who turned their antiques-filled mansion into a hotel in 1951. Beautifully designed, the rooms are individually decorated with unique antiques, art, and local tiles, maintaining the […]

With an alluring mix of global, vintage, artsy, and modern, I’m completely in love with Scout Design‘s aesthetic.  Design partners Nicki Clendening and Callie Jenschke met while styling the amazing Greenwich Hotel–propping the spaces with those personal details that give the hotel its warmth and cool. What I love about their rooms, is that they don’t feel calculated or “decorated.” […]

When I started out in publishing in the late 90s, my first “articles” were 100 word news pieces at House Beautiful where I was an assistant editor. Of course, I wanted to be tackling bigger word counts and cooler topics (for a while I covered not-so-exciting subjects like the Hearth Expo and new roofing materials). Thankfully, I connected with Christene […]

Design guru Christiane Lemieux‘s DwellStudio line has earned her a devoted following who eagerly snap up her hip prints and groovy furniture.  One of the reasons for the brand’s success is that Christiane has an incredible ability to not only tap into what’s next when it comes to design, but she also truly understands how people really want to live. From […]

Without a doubt, one of the greatest architectural marvels in history is the Parthenon which sits atop the heavenly Acropolis in Greece.  Since it had long been a dream of mine to visit this marvel of the ancient world, I had to book a room with a view.  Now, there are many such hotels in central Athens which can provide […]

Julie Brosterman is the dynamic founder of Women & Wine, an interactive business that pairs social media, events, and promotional campaigns to celebrate wine. Her terrific site features the latest in wine news, profiles on women in the wine business, winery recipes with parings, as well as terrific ideas for undiscovered wines to try. Women & Wine aims to bring […]

Jeweler and gemologist Tito Pedrini has the dashing, debonair style of a 1950s movie star. It’s a quality you rarely see anymore but it certainly makes the charming Italian native, who lives in Manhattan, the perfect ambassador for his worldly and sophisticated jewelry line.  From stunning green tourmaline necklaces to black onyx and purple sapphire rings, his pieces are coveted […]

I have yet to see a room done by designer Betsy Burnham that I didn’t want to move right into. The California-based designer has a flair for creating layered, livable spaces that feel like real people (though probably incredibly cool people) inhabit them. She is also a master of the high/low mix. Betsy’s rooms effortlessly combine eye-catching patterns with vintage pieces,  ethnic prints […]

It’s been less than a year since they’ve launched their design firm Tilton Fenwick, but Anne Maxwell Foster and Suysel dePedro Cunningham have quickly become the designers to watch. With a sophisticated eye, an affinity for gorgeous color, and a fresh aesthetic, its no wonder that the design duo are turning heads. But it’s the fact that Anne and Suysel […]

Southerner Lindsey Harper is a rising star in the design world. Lindsey has been earning raves for both her her glamorous, layered interiors and her colorful East meets West furniture line Lamshop, which she c0-designs with Maggie Currey. Her own Manhattan studio apartment is an example of her fresh take on tradition and clever solutions for maximizing a small space, (click here for […]

When designer Ruthie Sommers and her pooch appeared on the cover of domino in front of a killer, graphic pink couch, she quickly became the poster girl for a new approach to decorating.  Ruthie’s early signatures–graphic prints paired with vintage finds, a vibrant approach to color, and a dose of laid back cool–inspired legions of fans (and imitators).  The genius of […]