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Architecturally striking hotels you can stay in now

Boundary-pushing hotel architecture from around the world, including Kenya, Switzerland, Mexico and the Maldives

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By Gugulethu Mkhabela | September 28, 2018 | Travel Leisure

Text by Kate Crockett, House & Garden UK

Viceroy Los Cabos

Baja California Sur, Mexico

Wedged in among the nondescript all-inclusive of San José del Cabo, this striking beachfront resort – originally created as Mar Adentro by architect Miguel Angel Aragonés and reopening this spring with 194 rooms, suites, and villas under the Viceroy brand – appears to float on water. There is water, water everywhere. The stark, white modular buildings – renovated and updated by Al Arquitectura de Interiores of Guadalajara – are set on three sides of a vast reflecting pool, cleaved by stone walkways that lead through the resort to more water, this time the Pacific Ocean, by way of a new beach bar and pool. Viceroyhotelsandresorts.com

Bürgenstock Hotel

Lake Lucerne, Switzerland

The historic Bürgenstock Funicular is still the way to arrive at the eponymous resort on a mountain ridge above Lake Lucerne. Four minutes and 400 metres later, one ascends into the new Bürgenstock Hotel, built by MKV Design on the site of the 1891 Park Hotel. All 102 rooms have views of the lake, while the Asian-inspired Spices restaurant hangs over it from the edge of the building in a glass box. Nor is Bürgenstock’s new Alpine Spa for the faint-hearted: its L-shape infinity pool wraps around two sides of the spa building, with water appearing to flow into the abyss. 

From CHF650 a night, B&B, including boat transfer from Lucerne and funicular ride; buergenstock.ch.en

Bird Nest at Segera Retreat

Lakipia Plateau, Kenya

Sleeping out in the African wilderness has reached new heights at Segera Retreat, where guests can slumber six metres above the plains of Laikipia in the new Bird Nest. Created by architect Daniel Pouzet of Nay Palad, its first floor houses a luxurious interior suite, but the real magic is on the rooftop platform. It is as good for 360-degree game viewing as it is for sleeping on, with luxury mattresses and hot water bottles as night falls. 

Carrier (0161-492 1353; carrier.co.uk) offers four nights at Segera Retreat as part of a five-night package, from £7,280pp, based on two sharing, including return flights from London Heathrow with British Airways and private transfers; wilderness-safaris.com

 

Tavaru Tower

Velaa, Maldives

The 22-metre Tavaru Tower on Velaa Private Island is the highest vantage point in the Maldives. Designed by Czech architect Petr Kolar, the five-storey building comprises a cylindrical core enveloped in a white mesh stretched over a series of hoops; here and there the mesh is cut with ‘windows’ for views of the Indian Ocean and other islands of the Noonu Atoll. The cocoon gives the tower a playfulness that belies the seriousness at its centre: the largest wine and Champagne collection in the Maldives. 

Scott Dunn (020-8682 5050 scottdunn.com) offers seven nights at Velaa from £6,700pp, B&B, based on two sharing a Beach Pool Villa, including flights and transfers; velaaprivateisland.com

Feature Image: Instagram @ViceroyHotels

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