BY: ARTFUL HOTELS
From a cliffside escape in Saudi Arabia to a bohemian icon in New York, these design-forward hotels are handpicked by the tastemakers behind the world’s most inspired stays.
What do the world’s most discerning hoteliers look for when they’re off duty? According to hotel geniuses Dayssi Kanavos, Robert LeBlanc, and Lyon Porter, the answer is equal parts soul, setting, and story. These hospitality leaders, known for their own genre-defining properties, have shared their personal favorite hotels around the world with Artful Hotels—each one offering an elevated, singular stay that transcends the ordinary.
These aren’t just places to sleep—they’re places that shape memory and mood, where every design choice, scent, and sunset feels considered. For the hoteliers behind brands like the Ritz-Carlton New York, Nomad, The Chloe, and Urban Cowboy Hotels, the standard is higher. They gravitate toward hotels that express deep cultural roots, thoughtful aesthetics, and a true sense of place—properties where narrative and nuance matter just as much as amenities.
Whether you’re craving the rustic romance of a Sicilian island inn or the cinematic edge of a Parisian-style château above the Mediterranean, consider this your curated list of destinations that impress even the experts.
Chosen by: Dayssi Kanavos, President of Flag Luxury Group
Perched high above the glittering coast of Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière is the kind of storybook estate that captures the Riviera’s timeless glamour—without losing its sense of intimacy. The 19th-century château was reimagined by Airelles and now pairs Belle Époque bones with contemporary art and curated serenity.
“It’s iconic yet peaceful, a true escape above the energy of Saint-Tropez,” says Kanavos. “The setting alone makes you breathe differently.”
Between panoramic terraces, museum-quality interiors, and access to Jardin Tropézina beach club, it’s no surprise that this palatial retreat is the French Riviera favorite of one of America’s top luxury developers.
Chosen by: Robert LeBlanc, Founder of LeBlanc + Smith
In the heart of downtown Manhattan, The Bowery Hotel remains a classic for good reason. With its velvet settees, Persian rugs, and iron balconies, the hotel channels old-world Europe through an East Village lens. For New Orleans-based hospitality maven Robert LeBlanc, it’s his NYC go-to.
“The Bowery captures this rare balance—elegant but not precious, cool but not cold,” say LeBlanc. “It feels like home, if home came with perfect martinis and a soundtrack of Lou Reed.” The atmospheric lobby, buzzy Gemma trattoria, and discreet service keep creatives, models, and musicians coming back—and inspired.
In the heart of downtown Manhattan, The Bowery Hotel remains a classic for good reason. With its velvet settees, Persian rugs, and iron balconies, the hotel channels old-world Europe through an East Village lens. For New Orleans-based hospitality maven Robert LeBlanc, it’s his NYC go-to.
“The Bowery captures this rare balance—elegant but not precious, cool but not cold,” say LeBlanc. “It feels like home, if home came with perfect martinis and a soundtrack of Lou Reed.”
The atmospheric lobby, buzzy Gemma trattoria, and discreet service keep creatives, models, and musicians coming back—and inspired.
Chosen by: Dayssi Kanavos, President of Flag Luxury Group
Set to open in late 2025 as part of the Red Sea Global initiative, Desert Rock is one of the most ambitious luxury hotel concepts in the world. Built directly into sandstone mountains near AlUla, the property blends sustainability with surreal design, offering an immersive way to experience Saudi Arabia’s Nabatean heritage and cinematic landscapes.
“It’s the future of hospitality,” says Kanavos. “A place that transforms how we think about design, land, and luxury.”
With rooms carved into cliff walls and views across desert canyons, this soon-to-open destination hotel is already earning buzz from insiders with an eye for innovation.
Chosen by: Lyon Porter, Founder of Urban Cowboy Hotels
Accessible only by ferry, the Aeolian island of Salina offers unspoiled Mediterranean beauty—and Hotel Signum is its soul. Set among citrus groves and facing the sea, the hotel blends antique Sicilian charm with modern refinement, making it a favorite of design-forward travelers like Lyon Porter.
“Signum is like a secret,” says Porter. “There’s a dreaminess to it—terracotta tiles, wild herbs, volcano views—and the food is outrageously good.”
Owned by the Caruso family, the hotel also boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant and a natural spa that uses local thermal waters. It’s a barefoot-luxury haven where time slows down and craft reigns supreme.
Each of these hotels reflects a personal connection between a place and a tastemaker. Explore more artful stays—from under-the-radar design hotels to storied icons—where every listing is curated by those who know perfect hotels.
