Destination Design

This month, Destination Design travels to the world's first ever wholly submerged getaway, the Poseidon Undersea Resort, which will be located in a lagoon off a private island in Fiji. The property, which is relatively small compared to a similar but much larger project being proposed in Dubai, was developed by L. Bruce Jones, president of U.S. Submarines, Inc. The resort is comprised of 25 guest suites, spa, 100-seat restaurant, bar/lounge, fitness center, conference room/wedding chapel/theater, and of course, a dive shop. Not a diver? No problem. Guests descend via elevator from a pier.

For this month's Destination Design we fly up and over to Iceland (not really, we wish!) for a stay at the dramatic 101 Hotel Reykjavik. Situated in the heart of the city's historic district, the sleek design is a symphony of black and white, punctuated with cozy touches like the fireplace in the lounge, and old-fashioned freestanding tubs in some guest rooms. Contemporary art, from standing and crouching nudes of slightly indiscriminate gender to misty abstract canvases, dot the public spaces, lending an almost eerie feel to the cutting-edge design. As you've probably figured out by now, we're huge fans of boutique hotels that incorporate art galleries into the experience.

It may look like the most traditional of villas on the outside, but inside the Byblos Art Hotel, located near Verona, Italy, is a glorious blend of Old World meets hot-right-now, for an over-the-top effect of modern madness. Furnishings with Baroque and Napoleonic silhouettes are executed in acid hues, mid-century masterpieces are nestled in front of ornate moldings and wall panels, and formal grounds are dotted with vibrant sculpture.