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2016 Year in Review: Destination Design

We went around the world and then some over the last 12 months so we could virtually take you to some of the most incredible design-focused hotels out there. Did you miss any? If so, let’s revisit these delightful places to stay and catch up with our Destination Design column from 2016.

12.20.16 | By
2016 Year in Review: Destination Design

A Modern, Loft Apartment Available for Rent in Ghent
We skipped a hotel this time and headed straight to an unusual setup in Ghent, that’s a loft apartment located on the top floor of WATT Ghent.

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A Colorful Mexican Hotel With Classical European Design
Located in Guadalajara, Mexico, the recently opened Casa Fayette brings a classic Art Deco-inspired hotel to the neighborhood.

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A Hotel in Athens That’s a Throwback to Classic Modernism
In one of Athens’ most ancient areas, AthensWas is a hotel with a classic modernist feel with its nod to mid-century details and ancient Greek architecture.

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A Smart Hotel in Istanbul for Tech-Savvy Travelers
The affordable Cloud 7 Hotel in Istanbul might just have you thinking you’re on cloud nine with its relaxing accommodations and modern details.

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Arrive Hotel Lands in Palm Springs
ARRIVE hotel landed in Palm Springs with its cozy desert vibe settling perfectly into the neighborhood with its natural palette and relaxed atmosphere.

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An Abandoned Inn Becomes an Eco-Conscious Hotel in Iceland
A luxurious Icelandic hotel that was once an abandoned building that was renovated to become the modern, eco-conscious ION Adventure Hotel.

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A Colorful, Cabaret-Inspired Hotel in Paris
We headed to Paris to visit Hôtel Joséphine, a boutique hotel with a cabaret vibe located minutes from the famed Moulin Rouge.

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An Eco-Friendly Resort in Idyllic Byron Bay, Australia
The Elements of Byron Resort maximizes the views and sustainability of the landscape for a distinct Australian experience.

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11 Howard: A Hotel That Feels Like a Home
Design studio SPACE Copenhagen designed the interiors of this new NYC hotel to make you feel like a local, not a tourist.

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Unplug and Blend In at the VIVOOD Landscape Hotel
A modern, innovative hotel in Benimantell, Alicante, Spain that blends into the landscape so you can really get away from it all.

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Patricia Urquiola Brings Milanese Style to The Room Mate Giulia Hotel in Milan
Experience a taste of Milanese culture at the boutique Room Mate Giulia Hotel in Milan with modern rooms and design by Patricia Urquiola.

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The Valencia Lounge Hostel by Masquespacio
Masquespacio designed the interiors of the Valencia Lounge Hostel, a bright, graphic hostel that has the look of a modern hotel but the coziness of a home.

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A Chic Hotel With Quintessential British Charm
A hotel that’s quintessentially British in all aspects of the property as it employs local designers and merchants from London.

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The ODDSSON: A Ho(s)tel That Combines The Best Of Both Worlds
What happens when you combine the best parts of a Reykjavík, Iceland hostel and a hotel? You get the ODDS-ON.

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The Milu: A Modern Hotel in Classic Florence
Old world Italian charm meets modern art and design at this newly opened hotel in Florence’s fashion and arts district.

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Hotel V Fizeaustraat in Amsterdam
Mirjam and Tom Espinosa decided to turn an abandoned Dutch structure into a modern hotel in Amsterdam that evoked the warmth and nostalgia of the 70s.

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The Old Clare Hotel: A Blend of Contemporary and Heritage Design
If you want to stay in a modern, design-led property that still has a lot of soul left, then the Old Clare Hotel in Australia is for you.

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The Postcard Inn Hotel in Florida Mixes It Up Tiki Style
A boutique hotel that’s a blend of mid-century Route 66 aesthetics and modern design (yes, it can be done!).

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The Hotel Presidente Intercontinental Cozumel: A Blend of Modern and Mexican Design
Hotel Presidente Intercontinental Cozumel was redesigned by mob who created a hospitality concept that represented contemporary Mexican design and culture.

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A Music-Inspired Boutique Hotel in Paris
Located in a music loving neighborhood, the Idol Hotel is a colorful Parisian hotel that pays homage to its neighbors like nearby instrument makers.

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Sleep, Stay, Work, and Play at the Leman Locke
An apartment/hotel hybrid designed for modern travelers who are doing more than just sleeping during their stay.

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A Vacation Meant For Staying In At The Hotel Nira Montana
The interiors of this Montana hotel make it really easy for you to *not* go outside.

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Take A Coastal Escape At The Brown Beach House Croatia
The Brown Beach House Croatia is a resort property that infuses Mediterranean-inspired design into contemporary and classic design aesthetics.

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Restored Bauhaus Building Gets the Karim Rashid Treatment in Tel Aviv
The new Poli House boutique hotel, which underwent a three-year restoration, got the Karim Rashid touch with brightly colored interiors to greet guests.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.