| What a fantastic year "2006". After getting | | | | views of the park and meals in the Lobby Bar. |
| feedback from clients about hotels from | | | | |
| around the world that are hipper than hip, I | | | | 6. Clift Hotel (San Francisco) This Ian |
| have listed ten cosmopolitan retreats below. | | | | Schrager hotel incorporates Philippe Starck |
| Outstanding designs, great locations and | | | | furniture, guestrooms draped in leathers, |
| trendy bars and restaurants make each of | | | | silks and velvets and blends tradition with |
| these hotels a unique experience. So in no | | | | cutting-edge design. Rooms offer great views |
| particular order. | | | | of the city while the Asia de Cuba restaurant |
| | | | is one of San Francisco's hippest venues. |
| 1. Soho Grand Hotel (New York) a favourite | | | | |
| with stars of the fashion and entertainment | | | | 7. Art'Otel Mitte (Berlin) Beautifully |
| industries, the Soho Grand is ideally located | | | | decorated hotel in Berlin's historical Mitte |
| for exploring the trend-setting shops and | | | | district, decked in art by contemporary |
| galleries in the surrounding area. | | | | artist Georg Baselitz. Stylish rooms offer |
| | | | plenty of comfort while the hotel's |
| 2. Pavillon De Paris Hotel (Paris) Within | | | | restaurants offer a variety of modern |
| walking distance of some of the most | | | | cuisine. |
| attractive areas of Paris, this design | | | | |
| boutique hotel is high on the style stakes | | | | 8. Avalon Hotel (Los Angeles) Just a short |
| offering hi-tech furnished rooms and a | | | | stroll from the world famous Rodeo Drive, the |
| relaxed ambience. | | | | Avalon features an hourglass swimming pool |
| | | | and 68 separate guest rooms all benefiting |
| 3. Lloyd Hotel (Amsterdam) a design hotel | | | | from separate sitting and dining areas; many |
| located in the fashionable Eastern Docklands | | | | of which have private balconies. |
| area of Amsterdam, the Lloyd Hotel offers | | | | |
| individually styled guest rooms furnished by | | | | 9. Andel's Design Hotel (Prague) Surrounded |
| Dutch artists within easy reach of the city | | | | by the shopping complexes of the renovated |
| centre. | | | | Andel City, Andel's Design Hotel epitomises |
| | | | the area it inhabits. Expect |
| 4. Hotel Birger Jarl (Stockholm) Located in | | | | architect-designed guestrooms with heated |
| the centre of Stockholm, Hotel Birger Jarl is | | | | bathroom floors and minimalist but |
| a uniquely-designed contemporary testament to | | | | comfortable furnishings. |
| Swedish creativity. The rooms mix fun modern | | | | |
| touches with authentic Swedish décor. | | | | 10. Aleph A Boscolo Luxury Hotel (Rome) A |
| | | | short walk from the city's famous Spanish |
| 5. Bryant Park Hotel (New York) Bold colours | | | | steps (and many of its better shops), the |
| and modernist furnishings fill this stunning | | | | Aleph and its award-winning design are housed |
| 25-storey building opposite New York's Bryant | | | | in a Renaissance building on a quiet side |
| Park and close to 5th Avenue. Sip Martinis in | | | | street. Massage and saunas are available in |
| the hotel's candlelit Cellar Bar or enjoy | | | | the hotel spa. |