[Weekly Design] One Night, One City: The History and Design of the World’s Cities

here are five extraordinary hotels where architecture, design, and travel come together. capturing the culture and period sensibility of their respective cities, these spaces are more than just places to stay; they’re places to experience history and art. reinterpreting old architecture or reflecting the local context, these hotels are design trips in themselves.

helsinki – Finlandia Hall

designed by Finnish master Alvar Aalto in 1971, Finlandia Hall has reopened after a three-year renovation. the multipurpose cultural space, which hosts concerts and international conferences, is considered a masterpiece of modernist architecture. the most noticeable change in the renovation is the conversion of two former staff quarters into accommodation spaces called Finlandia Homes. with a local flair, guests can experience Aalto’s architectural philosophy and design firsthand.

berlin – Chateau Royal Hotel

designed by interior designer and architect Irina Kromeyer, the Chateau Royal Hotel recreates Berlin’s prosperous early 20th century. with 93 rooms, lounges, bars, restaurants, a winter garden, and more, each room has been carefully designed to respect the structure of the building, which dates back to 1850 and 1910.

kyoto – Ace Hotel Kyoto

ace Hotel Kyoto, the first Ace Hotel in Asia, is a new building designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and a renovation of the original Kyoto Central Telephone Office building designed by Tetsuro Yoshida in 1926. throughout the hotel, furniture, lighting, textiles, tiles, and artwork created by more than 50 American and Japanese artists combine to create a space where traditional and modern, Eastern and Western aesthetics coexist.

łódź – Pułódź

opened in the industrial city of Łódź, Poland, Puro Łódź is a boutique hotel created by London-based design studio Superfutures and Polish architecture firm ASW Architects. reflecting the city’s artistic and cinematic identity, the hotel features a movie theater called Cinema Paradiso, and the overall design emphasizes cultural sensitivity.

yuzhou Island, Guangxi – Puyin Hotel

opened in January 2024 on Yuzhou Island, dubbed “China’s most beautiful island,” Fuyin Hotel was inspired by the island’s unique volcanic landscape. the exterior uses red natural marble to represent lava flows and traces of marine erosion, while the interior is flooded with natural light, allowing the play of light and shadow to enliven the space.