Shop Like A Local - Inside Tips From Paris to Sydney

Shop Like A Local - Inside Tips From Paris to Sydney

Design Hotels™ properties aren't only cutting edge in their design, they are also gateways to experience the surrounding neighborhood, where guests can immerse themselves into the local culture and community. When it comes to shopping in a new city, we all know there is nothing better than the advice of a local. Whether you are the committed bargain hunter or a whimsical window shopper these four Design Hotels™ will sweep you off your feet with insider recommendations and irresistible offers.

If your idea of shopping heaven is exploring the hip, energetic streets of Madrid in search of one-of-a kind fashion then Hotel Único Madrid offers the ideal base. For upmarket shops and the undivided attention of staff members look no further than The Sofa Hotel and Residences in Istanbul. Their -anything anytime' in-room button means that retail recommendations and insider knowledge really are just a click away. Hotel Sezz in Paris is the perfect starting point for exploring designer boutiques and well-loved brands in the famously elegant neighborhood of Passy. And for those hoping to come back from holiday a transformed person, QT Sydney's VIP styling and shopping experience provides personal and expert styling advice.
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Hotel Único Madrid
Located in Salamanca, a district scattered with trendy cafes, restaurants and new Spanish and international designer shops, Hotel Único's neighborhood provides a lively shopping experience. Whether on your own or taking advantage of a shopping tour with influential stylist Beatriz Moreno de la Cova, advice from knowledgeable staff and collaborations with nearby boutiques saves you from aimless wandering and misguided tourist trails. For shopaholics who want to take the experience to another level, the hotel also offers the -Madrid & Shopping' package which includes two nights in a deluxe room for two people, buffet breakfast prepared by two Michelin star chef Ramón Freixa and four hours of Personal Shopping service with access to exclusive ateliers and showrooms. The hotel itself is housed in a 19th century palace characterized by an elegant white façade, marble mosaic floors, high ceilings and wide windows looking out on to the hotel's tranquil garden. The 44 room hotel is remarkably quiet considering its inner city location. The feeling of calm this instills is essential to the worn-out but satisfied shopper.

The Sofa Hotel and Residences
At The Sofa Hotel and Residences which houses 65 deluxe rooms and 17 suites, luxury is paramount. From the plush interiors and a world class spa to bespoke service and an -anything anytime' button offering 24/7 service and personalized recommendations, this hotel is dedicated to making guests feel like VIPs. The affluent district of Nişantaşı in which the hotel resides does nothing to detract from this. The area which boasts architecturally impressive malls and the first luxury retail house to open in Turkey is graced by big names such as Armani, Gucci, Prada and Alexander McQueen. For the hagglers among us is also the authentic Grand Bazaar in the Old City. This labyrinth of enchanting passages offers a mecca of Turkish crafts, jewellery, excellent quality leather goods and unique souvenirs.

Hotel Sezz Paris
With its art nouveau façade and haute-design interior, Hotel Sezz harks back to the decadence of by-gone eras. This makes the ultimate destination for fancies of self-indulgence and luxury shopping. Only with Hotel Sezz, fancies extend into reality. Located in Passy, the noble 16th arrondissement of Paris, the hotel which has 26 rooms, 12 suites and one Eiffel suite with hilltop views of the city and the Eiffel Tower, is quintessentially Parisian. A short stroll from the hotel is a fortune of high-end boutiques and upmarket brands selling fashion, leather goods, cosmetics and luxury items. With specials deals like 15% off at Acqua Di Parma fragrance store and VIP attention at shops such as Francis Kurkdjian boutique, guests are made to feel as special as the luminaries who came before.

QT Sydney
Located in Sydney's shopping precinct and set within two heritage-listed buildings, the Gowings department store and State Theatre which housed Australia's first vertical shopping centre, shopping is inherent to the character of QT Sydney. A combination of unique features such as quirky interiors and cutting edge art, makes this 200 room hotel an entirely unique place as well as a hot spot for shopping aficionados. Alongside an abundance of designer stores and Westfield shopping centre on the hotel doorstep, QT Sydney also offers two fantastic packages to get you on your way. The QT Style packages offer VIP styling and shopping experiences providing personal and expert advice with all the trimmings including French bubbles and chocolate-dipped strawberries. High street addicts can opt for the hotel's second package which includes a VIP shopping spree at Topshop with 15% off. Both packages include two nights accommodation in a QT King Deluxe with breakfast, spaQ treatments and late checkout.

Design Hotels™ represents and markets a curated selection of 250 independent hotels in over 40 countries across the globe.

More than a collection of hotels, the company is a collection of stories. Each property reflects the ideas of a visionary hotelier, an "Original," someone with a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, thought-provoking design and architecture. Each "Original" stands for the individual, aesthetic and service-driven experience that his or her hotel provides.

Founded by Claus Sendlinger in 1993, Design Hotels™ offers its members insightful travel industry knowledge, from market trend consultancy to international sales representation. The company has its headquarters in Berlin and branches in London, Barcelona, New York, Singapore and Perth.