Grand Goes Modern at Design Hotels

Grand Goes Modern at Design Hotels

Home to nobility for hundreds of years, Europe still retains its historic grandeur of palaces, mansions and ornate buildings. Situated in Barcelona, Rome, Paris and Venice, four members of Design Hotels™ reflect the luxurious sophistication of the cities they are in. In Barcelona, El Palauet's collection of luxury double suite rooms, located on one of Barcelona's most emblematic streets Passeig de Gracia, combine modern architecture with period ceilings and stained glass windows. For unparalleled views over Rome, Portrait Suites, offers warm Italian hospitality in an elegant palazzo. Palazzina Grassi is set in a historic 16th century townhouse with a magical interior from Philippe Starck and provides a place to experience true Venetian life, from local cookery classes to visits to local art dealers' homes. For a taste of refined Parisian life La Réserve Paris, with its spectacular location close to the Eiffel tower and elegantly designed apartments, is the perfect destination for couples, groups or families looking for a sophisticated urban retreat.

www.designhotels.com/exclusiveluxury

El Palauet Living Barcelona, Spain

With a collection of six exclusive double suite rooms, each 150 m2 in size, this hotel gives guests a luxurious and private experience. Located in a prestigious spot on Passeig de Gràcia, one of the city's most distinctive streets, some double suite rooms have terraces with views of the Pompeya Monastery and the Tibidabo Mountain. Inside, rooms are decorated in a -Contemporary Modernista' style with original features such as period ceilings and stained glass windows which are complemented by handcrafted Corian furniture. Each double suite room has a dining room, office, lounge area, terrace, fully equipped kitchen and two bedrooms. To make sure every need is catered for, a private assistant is on hand to handle any requests and maximize the guest experience. There is also a private spa with a Finnish Sauna, massage room and relaxation areas – ideal for a bit of pampering after a day exploring the exciting Catalan capital.

www.designhotels.com/el_palauet

Portrait Suites, Rome, Italy

There is no doubt that Italy is the destination for hospitality and style. Nowhere is this illustrated better than at this sophisticated, all-suite hotel in the heart of Rome, owned and run by the Ferragamo family. The hotel's eight studios, five suites and penthouse are beautifully decorated with only the finest materials and elegant furniture. The hotel is situated in the same palazzo as the Salvatore Ferragamo men's store and is seen as an extension of the fashion designer's atelier, with marble bathrooms, beautiful woods and boar skin furnishing items. Located in the high fashion district of Via Condotti, there are unparalleled views of Trinità dei Monti at the Spanish Steps, the Quirinale, the Pincio and Monte Mario. The rooftop terrace with its wide wooden deck and comfortable lounge chairs is the perfect place for a gathering or romantic evening around the outdoor fireplace.

www.designhotels.com/portrait_suites

La Réserve Paris, France

With ten discreet apartments, ranging in size from one to four bedrooms (150 to 300 m>), La Réserve Paris offers a refined and elegant setting for a Parisian break. With soft lighting and luxurious materials such as rosewood, ebony, stone and slate, each apartment shows off a clear link between functional design and elegance. Architect Remi Tessier, known for designing luxury yachts, has used modernist furnishings by Andrée Putman, Maxalto, Flos and Vitra. This, combined with double height ceilings, four poster beds, and the latest technology, ensures acompletely luxurious experience for each visitor. A broad range of hotel services are also on hand, including a concierge, daily housekeeper, exclusive valet parking and upon demand, a private chef.

Palazzina Grassi, Venice, Italy

Located on the Grand Canal, Palazzina Grassi is a luxury five-star hotel, lovingly restored by entrepreneur Emanuele Garosci. Once home to generations of noble and haute-bourgeois families and a Roman spa, the building now invites guests to feel temporarily Venetian. The interior has been beautifully designed by Philippe Starck with traditional Venetian materials and decorations, including mirrors, mahogany, glass and old bricks combined with innovative contemporary design. Each guest is pampered with 24hour services aimed to bring the fantasy of Venetian life to fruition. This includes the exclusive Krug Lounge (the second in the world) where guests can taste vintage Krug champagne combined with typical cicchetti – Venice's version of tapas. The PG's Club Restaurant offers a tailor made -experience with the chef', which begins with shopping at city markets and ends with a dinner cooked with a chef at a seven-meter long show kitchen table. Guests can also choose from dinners in the homes of Venetian nobles, a guided discovery of the city's best-kept secrets, picnics on the islands in the lagoon and many other personalized -Venetian experiences.'

www.designhotels.com/palazzina_grassi