Inside an Award-Winning Boutique Hotel in Washington, D.C.

2023 Best of Year Winner for Boutique Hotel

The Morrow Hotel, Washington, a 150,000-square-foot property aims to bring much-needed optimism to D.C., thanks to Interior Design Hall of Famer Lauren Rottet and her team, which handled the guest rooms and meeting spaces, and INC Architecture & Design, which oversaw F&B and public areas. Blending neoclassical, modern, and organic styles, the concept draws on the location—a new development in the formerly industrial NoMa neighborhood—and the passage of time throughout the day. Public spaces transition from light and airy to dark and moody. In the lobby, green ribbed-glass panels frame the lounge and fluted white-oak millwork wraps columns; in the bar, the latter reappears with a deep blue stain, similar to the shade of wainscotting in guest rooms, which also feature watercolor-esque wallcovering. Custom furnishings, pure geometries, and such elemental materials as burnished brass and travertine create a timeless refinement.

rottet studio: lauren rottet; david davis; james cull; chris evans; ashley lu; christian hinze; felipe cosio; sophie brasfield; stacy rapa; lori firpo.

inc architecture & design: adam rolston; drew stuart; gabriel benroth; tyler kleck; megan mcging; marissa zane; amy cahill; joselyn dontfraid; billy abramenko.

Boutique Hotel Meets Holiday Villa in This Mexican Oasis

Scouting for land with a local real estate agent in the small Mexican surf town of Sayulita, Robert Humble got an instant education in jungle topography. “We quickly realized that flat, level lots are pretty unattainable,” recalls the architect, who’s also founding partner and design principal of Hybrid, a multidisciplinary Seattle studio that designs, builds, and develops efficient, contemporary, contextually appropriate work that cultivates community throughout the West Coast and Canada. After touring a half dozen sloping sites surrounded by thick rainforest, he and his wife Nicole Johnson returned to the first—equally steep but whose lowest point from its residential street was met by a lush, undeveloped ravine. Its natural configuration assured an appealing sense of privacy. Humble’s team at Hybrid tried a few massing concepts, and the couple was sold on the location for Nico Sayulita, their and the firm’s first hospitality endeavor—and project—in Mexico, its moniker derived from Johnson’s nickname.

A series of five suites connected by a common party deck and an accessible rooftop, the 3,000-square-foot Nico is conceived to take advantage of the natural atmosphere provided by its forested site. “The empty spaces are the heart of the project,” says architect Ilse Cárdenas, coprincipal of Mexico City studio Palma, which collaborated with Hybrid on the modular system of concrete linear cubes that have been strategically stacked to descend the hill. “Everything is porous, and we closed as little as we could.” Each side of the volumes is either glazed, solid masonry, or left open to the elements, depending on purpose. The rooms feature walls of operable windows for protection from rain but also the ability to cross-ventilate, while the central stairwell is exposed to appreciate surrounding vistas but covered by a roof for comfort and safety when climbing between levels.

Nico Sayulita Reflects the Architectural Heritage of Its Surroundings

“What was important to me,” Humble continues, “is that Nico represent the architec­tural heritage and built typology of Mexico, which, in a lot of cases, is concrete columns, slabs, and infill,” that create a contemporary style with roots in Mexican modernism. This gridded building system also gave him the flexibility to continue tweaking the hospitality concept long into the design phases. What it became is something between a boutique hotel and a rentable private villa: Visitors can book a single suite, a few, or all five, and they share the rooftop with jacuzzi as well as the lap pool and chef’s kitchen, located on an open-air “social level surrounded by sunlight, foliage, and amazing views,” Cárdenas describes. Rather than a full staff, a concierge team provides a meet-and-greet and offers a host of personalized activities—from a private chef and on-site yoga class to local excursions. “It’s a guest experience that offers both the autonomy or privacy of an Airbnb with all the services of a boutique hotel,” explains Humble, who is exploring future Nico hotels in Morocco, Thailand, and elsewhere in Mexico.

The Property Invites Guests into the Jungle

Walking distance from both the town and the beach, the property is in a low-scale neighborhood, and its profile remains respectful of that density. From the street, the building appears just two stories tall. However, once inside the gate, the structure is built three additional levels down into the jungle, each height providing a unique experience in nature for guests. At the lowest story is the most private abode. Nestled in the tree canopy, this 560-square-foot suite features a romantic circular soaking tub, flooring of local brick, and three private terraces built around existing tree trunks. Each room has a different layout, arranged to take advantage of their specific vistas, sunlight throughout the day, and ocean breezes, though all contain their own bathroom, a wet bar in blackened steel, and a sitting area, sometimes located inside, sometimes outside on terraces that seem to float among the foliage.

Nature is the focus of Nico Sayulita, and the interiors let the environment take center stage. The material palette in the suites is subtle—concrete, wood, steel—and all the furnishings are handcrafted in Mexico, many custom-made. “Though we sought restraint, a lot of thought was put into each piece,” Cárdenas says. The Palma team engaged a group of Mexico City–based designers including Roberto Michelsen to create bespoke beds, side tables, and chairs, all of which use rounded geometric forms to complement the complex’s stark architectural expression. A few furniture pieces provide a pop of earthen color, like a red terrazzo drinks table by Guadalajara-based En.concreto and a striped textile on the cushions of a pair of armchairs by Zapopan-based Stown Design, but most maintain their natural patinas. A black-and-white abstract artwork by Diego Hernández Beauroyre hangs above each bed. “Bringing in these works makes the project feel Mexican and contemporary without going the Frida Kahlo route,” Cárdenas adds, referencing the tendency toward clichéd depictions of the infamous Mexican painter that travelers can find in other hotels across the country.

In Nico’s social spaces, material colors were inspired by the Pacific Ocean views. A Guadalajaran fabricator created the custom sky-blue tiles that line the pools. A stucco-clad bathroom off the party deck wears a lightly pink-brown hue. “The feeling we’re looking to convey is informality,” says Humble, who also hired Mexico City studio Trama to create the hospitality brand’s retro-inspired graphic design. “Nothing is precious or pretentious.” In the laid-back beach town of Sayulita, it’s truly of the place.

Inside a Hospitality Gem in Sayulita, Mexico

hybrid: alex herbig; scott goodner.

palma: regina de hoyos; diego escamilla; juan luis rivera; luisa rizo; constanza ponce de león; josué granados; nia jorquera; josé mendéz.

paar taller: landscape architect.

trama: custom graphics.

abm acero: steelwork.

adrián ramírez siller: general contractor.

taplong: tub fittings (jungle).

inblock: bricks.

la laguna: tile (pool).

stown design: lounge chairs (horizon), coffee table (papelillo).

anna cuadra home accents: armchairs (papelillo).

through decada: chairs (rooftop), bench (papelillo), green chairs, table (pool), daybed (horizon).

en.concreto: tables.

grupo urrea: sink fittings.

westinghouse: ceiling fans.

cemex: concrete.

perdura: wall coating.

grupo argos: decking.

Joali Being, a Maldives Resort, Takes Self-Care to the Next Level

Self-care is big business in 2023, as evidenced by a surge in health-conscious travel. Catering to that phenomenon is Joali Being, billed as the world’s first dedicated private-island wellness resort. Located on Bodufushi Island, the retreat is the sister property of the more art-focused Joali Maldives, both conceived by Turkish entrepreneur Esin Güral Argat. There’s no bottle-popping of Dom Pérignon here; the resort is largely alcohol-free, barring select biodynamic wines. Instead, the property defines indulgence as the luxury to focus on the self in a slow-paced and mindful environment: Practice breathwork on the over-water meditation deck, play instruments set between palm trees, make a custom tincture with the resident herb­ologist. Stays are tailored to goals such as antiaging, gut reset, weight management, and stress reduction, aided by profes­sionals including naturopaths, sound healers, nutritionists, and Ayurvedic practitioners.

Joali Being: A Health-Conscious Travel Destination

This Puglia Hotel is an Invitation to Enjoy La Dolce Vita

Located in a rural setting in the Italian region of Puglia, a hidden gem of a hotel, Tenuta Negroamaro, sits on nearly 10 acres of land but comprises only 10 rooms. Having lived in London since he was 16 years old, the owner decided to start a hospitality project in his native Puglia, and trusted designer Olga Ashby to craft the interiors.  

Created as a peaceful home away from home, the boutique hotel favors indoor-outdoor living, offering guests an invitation to slow down. 

Several projects and programs are already in the works for the hotel’s near future: organizing yoga retreats and—in the little round buildings, called “trullo,” a traditional Apulian dry stone hut with a conical roof—a meditation space and a private dining space for two are underway. 

Inside Tenuta Negroamaro, a 10-Key Boutique Hotel in Puglia, Italy

A Manhattan Neighborhood Welcomes Its First Boutique Hotel

Most people in New York City might think of a certain musical when they hear “in the Heights.” That means Washington Heights, located way up at the northern tip of the island. It’s known for its parks, food, and community, and now it has its first-ever boutique hotel. Radio Hotel, designed by MVRDV and Stonehill Taylor with interiors from Workshop/APD, opened last fall. Its exterior is comprised of LEGO-like “blocks” in bright primary colors, anchoring a mixed-use development that includes a Santo Domingo-inspired restaurant, 10,000 sq. ft. of dedicated event space, 175,000 sq. ft. of office and retail space, an 8,000-square-foot activated courtyard, and a rooftop lounge. As for the hotel itself, it boasts 221 rooms and suites that draw on the neighborhood’s own local flair.

An Apartment-Style Hotel by Belzberg Architects Sails into Mexico City

2022 Best of Year Winner for Boutique Hotel

Mexico City’s Roma Norte neighborhood possesses an eclectic mix of early-1900’s buildings in styles ranging from neoclassical to art nouveau. Now a decidedly modernist structure has sailed onto the scene: Xoma, an apartment-style hotel by Belzberg Architects that calls to mind a ship with the wind at its back, thanks to perforated screens that appear to billow from the seven-story structure. The property is the latest in a series of buildings with sculptural facade treatments that the Los Angeles firm founded by Interior Design Hall of Fame member Hagy Belzberg has designed in CDMX. Elsewhere, he and his team conjured up facades in aluminum strips or perforated carbon steel.

For Xoma, a collaboration with developer Grupo Anima, they turned to more traditional masonry. Concrete blocks, handcrafted with central openings, were fabricated on-site and connected by integrated C-shape steel plates. The permeable membranes, tapered at the street level, expand as they rise.

Sweeping forms appear on the interior, too. In the lobby, asymmetrical plaster ceilings arch over a brass-plated reception desk and floors of veined Tunisian marble. Arrayed around a central atrium, the 14 guest suites—one- and two-bedrooms with full kitchens—lead onto balconies partially enclosed by the facade screen, which provides privacy while allowing fresh air to circulate and natural light to filter in.

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belzberg architects: hagy belzberg; brock desmit; jennifer wu; jessica hong; josh hanley; david cheung; adrian cortez; mingyue hu; kris leese; aaron leshtz; corie saxman; filipa lima valente; katelyn miersma; melissa yip

BIG–Bjarke Ingels Group Designs an Artful Home for Birds That Supports Conservation Efforts in Sweden

2022 Best of Year Winner for Small Resort

BIG–Bjarke Ingels Group: bjarke ingels; joão albuquerque; geoffrey eberle; angel barreno gutiérrez; francisco abajo duran; eszter olah; ragna nordstrom; pawel marjanski; ulf öhman

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These Boutique Hotels Utilize Bespoke Elements to Nod to Their Locales

From Toronto, Canada, to Tbilisi, Georgia, these boutique hotels offer subtle nods to their surroundings with unique accents.

Shim-Sutcliffe Architects, with Atelier Ace

Ace Hotel, Toronto

Although the boutique chain’s first Canadian property is ground-up construction, its materials, like the massive concrete structural beams set in wood forms for a grainy texture, then edged in steel, were chosen to match the vintage feel of the brick-and-beam factories in the surrounding Garment District.

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Cole Martinez Curtis and Associates

Luma, San Francisco

The first-ever hotel in the city’s industrial turned tech-centric Mission Bay area includes the triple-height lobby’s Jim Campbell installation, which consists of 4,000 individual wires each ending in a single LED—fitting considering that luma is video lingo for brightness.

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Studio Shoo

Ibis Budget, Tbilisi, Georgia

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Inspired by the surrounding nightlife district’s street art, Georgian alphabet letters compose the custom graphics on tabletops and restroom walls while the cassettelike front desk and vintage record selection nod to the local music scene at this 3,400-square-foot property that elevates the typical budget concept.

Among Oaxaca Hotels, Casa TO Stands Out With its Cocooning Atmosphere

Hidden away down a quiet side street in La Punta Zicatela, Casa TO is a zen­like hotel inspired by the ancient temples of surrounding Oaxaca. Designed by French architect Ludwig Godefroy, the 10,000-square-foot property on Mexico’s southern Pacific coast provides a tranquil retreat for the surfers and tourists who flock to the area for its stunning beaches and laid-back lifestyle. Casa TO is located just minutes from the ocean, but unlike other Oaxaca hotels, Godefroy claims some guests feel so comfortable there they rarely venture outside. “People told me they stayed for a week and only went to the beach once,” he says with a grin.

Casa TO is the latest project from developer Surreal Estate, which has commissioned Godefroy to design several projects in La Punta Zicatela, a hamlet at the southern reaches of Puerto Escondido. The site was originally zoned for three adjoining residences, but a tourism boom in the area prompted the client to ask Godefroy if he could adapt the concept into a two-story hotel. “Rather than starting from scratch, I said, ‘Let’s work with what we have and I’m sure I can do something interesting,’” he recalls.

Ludwig Godefroy creates a meditative retreat drawing on brutalist architecture

The architect’s first idea was to punch circular openings through the walls—which are raw concrete, the project’s dominant material—that were originally intended to separate the three houses, creating a large communal lounge for the hotel’s pool and reception. This bold intervention references thermal baths and historic hydraulic sites like Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern and the Hornsey Wood Reservoir in London’s Finsbury Park, which both feature repeating reticulated forms that yield a dynamic sense of perspective. At Casa TO, the view through the portals instantly became a hit on Instagram, thanks to its gra­ph­ic shapes and pleasing symmetry.

Taking advantage of Mexico’s year-round warm climate, Casa TO’s public spaces are left open to the elements and utilize little or no air-conditioning. Breezes wafting over the pool’s surface bring cool air into the lounge, where guests can relax on chairs or floor cushions surrounded by tropical plants. “I like to create an atmosphere of an oasis of shelter from the sun and the rain,” explains Godefroy, who also used native plants and palm trees to form part of the facade, maintaining views and airflow through the hotel.

Design elements in Casa TO reference Mayan culture  

The communal areas extend to the opposite side of the pool, where large steps form a solarium for sunbathing. The massive steps, which are a recurring motif in Godefroy’s projects, are influenced by his fascination with Mexico’s ancient Mayan pyramids and temples, which he first visited shortly after arriving in the country 15 years ago. “Their monumentality and spiritual power awoke strong emotions in me,” he says. The hotel’s name, incidentally, is an abbreviation of Templo Oaxaque.

Other important influences for Godefroy include heavyweights of 20th-century brutalist architecture, such as Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn, and Carlo Scarpa, all of whom made innovative use of cast-in-place concrete during their careers. At Casa TO, Godefroy left the concrete structure bare and unfinished. The architect says he appreciates how the material looks in the warm Mexican light and complements the lush vegetation. “In an opposite way of thinking from the throwaway mentality of our modern societies, I’m looking for the same authenticity I find in vernacular architecture,” he explains. “This research of simplicity is leading me to create a clean and abstract architecture, composed exclusively of massive materials such as concrete, which gets better looking over time.”

A minimalist retreat among Oaxaca hotels

For Godefroy, though, the greatest luxury at Casa TO is the sense of pure isolation it offers guests. “We tried to create a cocooning atmosphere,” he says, “so people never want to leave.”

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Gisela Kenigsberg: landscaping consultant

Obed Moreno: general contractor

natural urbano: lamps (reception)

azotea: side chair

habitat creativo: vase

bamburen: lounge chairs (reception, suite, pool)

orozco taller textil experimental; taller ocho: rugs (suites)