1. Hannah St Hotel – Melbourne
Melbourne’s vibrant cultural scene finds a new home at the Hannah St Hotel, the latest creation from the TFE Hotels group. Nestled in the vibrant Southbank neighborhood, just a stone’s throw from the Yarra River, this brand-new 188-room property was approached as a blank canvas by interior designer David Flack.
The hotel’s aesthetic, both sophisticated and dotted with unexpected details, is the brainchild of his eponymous studio. The ambiance is built on a bold blend of eras: it features the purity of 1920s Franco-Italian modernism, the refinement of the 1930s, the organic lines of the 1950s, and the powdery hues typical of the 1980s. The firm took its attention to detail so far as to design custom furniture for the rooms. “The electric blue armchair, for example, is a deliberate nod to the famous Bibendum chair designed in 1926 by Eileen Gray,” notes David Flack. “Our goal was to give this hotel a timeless soul, to give travelers the impression that it has always been part of the landscape. ”
The European inspiration continues at Coupette
, a charming neighborhood bistro with a view of the city. The offerings are further enhanced by the very trendy Bar Hannah
and Hannah St Coffee
, a space dedicated to connoisseurs of specialty coffee, so dear to the region’s residents. To round out this Australian getaway, guests can enjoy a large indoor pool, a fitness center, and a spacious coworking area.
hannahsthotel.com
2. Le Provençal – French Riviera
Standing majestically at the tip of the rocky Giens peninsula, Le Provençal has been given a new lease on life. This establishment, jealously preserved by the same family for three generations, was recently redesigned by Parisian interior architect Rodolphe Parente. “Our passion for this place and our craft is stronger than ever,” says Damien Piffet, who took over the reins in 2012 alongside his brother Benjamin and their respective partners, Julie Liger and Lene Arentsen.
Originally opened in 1957, this 41-room boutique hotel now features a bright color palette blending light tones with warm accents to highlight its architectural heritage. The property is home to no fewer than four restaurants—including the prestigious Rascasse
and the Bar du Soleil
, a true gem of 1960s design—which make it a point of honor to use ingredients sourced from within a 30-kilometer radius. As you stroll through the landscaped grounds designed by Jean Mus, a local figure in garden design, a winding path leads to the iconic pool carved directly into the rock, famous for serving as the backdrop for numerous films and fashion campaigns. Preserving the spirit of the French Riviera’s golden age is the family’s true mission. “We grew up in this village,” recalls Damien Piffet. “The spirit we breathe into this place every day cannot be invented—it must be lived.”
provencalhotel.com
3. Pocketbook Hudson – New York
The Pocketbook Hudson has made its home in the heart of a superbly restored 19th-century textile factory, a hybrid living space blending hospitality, fine dining, and carefully curated boutiques. The decor showcases contemporary craftsmanship: guests can admire lighting fixtures and mirrors designed by Misha Kahn, wooden structures carved by the Primary Visual collective, and custom-made blown-glass pitchers by Mamo. The attention to detail extends even to the bathrooms, which are equipped with luxurious Eckhaus Latta bathrobes.
In the kitchen, the Ambos restaurant is helmed by the talented Argentine chef Norberto Piattoni. The menu is a vibrant tribute to fresh produce from the Hudson Valley, prepared with an impressive mastery of wood-fired cooking and fermentation techniques. “This style of cooking immediately reconnects me with my roots in Argentina,” Piattoni enthuses. The must-try specialty during your visit: the thick, charcoal-grilled pork chop, enhanced by the sweetness of a flame-seared Asian pear.
pocketbookhudson.com