Back to the future: 10 modern hotels that push the boundaries
How about not just checking in to a hotel, but checking in to another era? You will have the chance to see the accommodation possibilities of the future with our list of unique and pioneering hotels.
YOTEL – New York City, New York, ABD
Stepping from the threshold of YOTEL, you will enter a universe inspired by luxury aircraft design. In the Ground Control section, you can use the self-service check-in counters that are open day and night. Next, Yobot will come to your rescue regarding your luggage and belongings that you want to keep during your stay. Once you enter the pin code and last name provided at check-in, Yobot will take your belongings and put them in one of the 150 lockers that will be kept until check-out time. The rooms are packed with tech-savvy dream features: a flat-screen TV, iPod/MP3 docking station, enough sockets for all your stuff, and a mechanical bed to help you find your ideal window-view position. On top of that, you can take the elevator and watch the panoramic view of New York City from the terrace.
Kameha Grand Zurich – Zurich, Switzerland
Located within the new Glattpark project with meadows and lakes at one end, Kameha Grand Zurich offers a stark contrast to geometric shapes and comes with a bold design. You will find yourself in space and fulfill your childhood dreams without leaving the comfort of your bed, which seems to be suspended in the air. In this best zero gravity experience ever, you’ll be surrounded by spaceship-inspired items like astronaut glove coat hangers, Star Trek designed seats, and lights reminiscent of space shuttle parts. When you return to Earth, you will be a feast for the eyes, thanks to what the gastronomic universe of this modern hotel has to offer. Sit under the giant plate of L’Unico restaurant and indulge yourself with Italian specialties or head to You restaurant for a journey into French-Far Eastern hybrid cuisine. The inscription “Life is Grand” on the facade of the hotel also determines the atmosphere of the hotel: From the moment you step into the hotel, be ready to encounter things more majestic than in real life.
Capsule by Container Hotel – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Don’t be fooled by the rough appearance of this hotel’s container walls, located in a Transportation Center at Gateway@KLIA2, a mall at Kuala Lumpur International Airport! Each container is actually a small living space that provides the most extreme comfort. You won’t find squalor or unnecessary luxuries at the hotel, as there is a perfect balance of needs and services just to have a good night’s sleep as close to the airport as possible. From the lounge to the library and the men’s, women’s and mixed CapSpace corridors, everything is created by a floor-to-ceiling array of 120 capsules inspired by the reuse of freight containers. Designed with the concept of “kyosho jutaku”, which means living a quality life in minimal space, everything has been thought for a perfect stay in the hotel. In addition to towels and slippers, there is also a personal locker that you can rent at the hotel, which also provides a compartment to store your shoes.
Silken Puerta America – Madrid, Spain
In the Space Club room at the Silken Puerta América Hotel, endless curves stretch from one corner of the room to the other. Designed by Pritzker award winner Zaha Hadid and available in two color options, pure white or petrol black, the Space Club room pushes the boundaries of classic accommodation. Sci-fi-like shapes that integrate the walls with the table, bed and floor await you in the rooms. As you lie on the bed and stare at the smooth ceiling, you may feel as if you are floating in space or in the belly of an alien. On another floor, Jean Nouvel, another Pritzker Prize-winning architect, takes guests on a sensory journey with materials and shapes that have an interactive appeal. Straight lines, smooth materials, Tetris-like furnishings blend wonderfully with this ultra-modern design, and the stunning floor-to-ceiling view of Madrid elevates the room to a divine level. With a stroll through the corridors of Silken Puerta América, you will have taken a step into outer space without leaving Earth.
Wanderlust – Singapore
You’ll witness worlds collide as you step out of busy Dickson Road in the Little India neighborhood into a world of innovation and “Industrial Glam” (as the hotel is named by various designers Asylum, Phunk Studio and fFurious). The printed advertisement collage crowned with a modern touch that you will find in the lobby is a small sign of the extraordinary design you will find in almost every hotel room. In rooms with names such as Pantone and Whimsical, you will find yourself in a color storm. You will feel like a cosmic explorer in the giant rocket surrounded by stuffed aliens in the space room. And let’s not forget the giant frosted-glass showers and baths placed in the center of the rooms – a night at Wanderlust will be a radical hotel experience worth a little detour from your itinerary. For those who can’t stay away from the internet, there are smartphones loaded with Singapore city guide with unlimited 3G data connection that they can borrow in the lobby!
Yas Hotel – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Nothing succeeds in reflecting futuristic developments like an island created by humans. Being one of the most prominent structures of the man-made Yas Island also brings being one of the most tangible symbols of Abu Dhabi elegance: Yas Hotel. The smooth curves and LED lights that make up this incredible roof create a peaceful universe filled with changing colors. One of the most outstanding features of the hotel is that it offers the opportunity to watch the races held at the Yas Marina Formula 1 ™ Track, right next to the hotel. To get the full experience of this hotel, you can sit by the pool under the shade of the roof during the day and have a drink at night at the ultra-modern Rush bar and nightclub.
Henn na Hotel – Sasebo, Japan
Henn means “change” in Japanese, and you shouldn’t be surprised to find robots, robots, and more robots in this modern hotel that strives to be extraordinary! You’ll be amazed by this ultra-technological form of communication, from the multilingual robotic dinosaurs at the check-in desk to the robotic arm that stows his suitcase in the enclosure, to the robot bellboy carrying it to the room. If you’re still not impressed, just wait until you’ve registered your face with facial recognition so you can walk around the hotel without a key! Henn na Hotel also prides itself on using eco-friendly building elements such as solar panels and cross-laminated wood (sourced from sustainably managed forests) to create a responsive and comfortable environment, perfect after a day visiting the Huis Ten Bosch theme park where the hotel is located. It offers an opportunity to rest.
nHow Hotel – Berlin, Germany
In a city already known for art and innovation, there’s nothing more natural than staying at the ultra-chic nHow Hotel. When bringing the life to the nHow Hotel, interior designer Karim Rashid must have been thinking about candy apples and pinball machines. With its bright colors emanating from everywhere and lines that draw fun curves, the hotel offers a lot to experience even before you get to the panoramic view of the River Spree offered by the floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining area.
Concerts, art exhibitions and fashion shows held within the hotel put the nHow Hotel in the top spots for a trendy stay in the German capital. The innovation is not limited to these; With LED lighting, floors made of recycled wood, locally sourced food and beverages, they have thought of everything to make the stay as stylish and delicious as possible.
Iniala Beach House – Phuket, Thailand
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the modern level of comfort that Iniala offers is beyond this world. Alongside the highly skilled staff who are ready to help you in every way, you will be pampered here with cutting-edge innovations. Choosing between three villas and a penthouse, you’ll encounter features such as memory foam floors, hanging beds resembling silkworm cocoons, and sculptural ceilings. Each villa has its own personality, shaped by the imagination of world-class architects and artists, and transformed into forms such as natural wood ceilings with rounded lines or white leather furniture that appeals to taste. Inspired by the lavish and private views of the Andaman Sea, Iniala villas invite you to satisfy your every desire with their inviting two-handed roofs.
NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding – Madrid, Spain
Rising in Madrid’s financial district, the cutting-edge technology offered by NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding makes it the perfect place to stay on business travel. Packed with innovations such as the arched LED display in the ceiling of the lobby, 3D Holography Technology, wireless chargers and sleep monitoring systems, this hotel is also part of the Living Lab initiative, where guests are the first to try some of the latest technological advances. If you wish, you can watch Real Madrid’s game at the neighboring Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, have dinner at one of the hotel’s three mouth-watering restaurants, and end the night with a view of the Madrid city from your hotel room.
