Design Retreats to Inspire Your Next Home Makeover
If the time spent at home while the world was on pause has left you tired of looking at the same four walls and searching for interior design inspiration to freshen up your home, these amazing retreats from around the world will spark some renewed creativity. We have delved into our more than 29 million reported listings to share a list of fabulous interior design destinations and stunning places to stay that will encourage some serious design envy - and hopefully a few fresh ideas on how to bring elements of these beautiful getaways into your redesign dreams.
Stockholm, Sweden
The Scandinavian style has long been a firm favorite for design lovers, due to its modern and simple, yet functional vibe. When it’s possible and safe to travel to Sweden again, a trip to its capital city Stockholm will leave travelers with not just a sense of what the Scandi style is, as every shop, café and restaurant have been impeccably designed, but for the local cultural heritage too, thanks to the city’s world-class museums and galleries, with glittering historic treasures. A visit to Stockholm’s oldest district will transport travelers to a former time, with cobblestone streets, gabled buildings and a royal palace – it is truly an enchanting, historic destination.
Where to stay: For travelers who are after the Scandi style but searching for something more unique, the At Six Hotel is an inspiring, modern design escape located in central Stockholm. While this Brutalist-style building was once a bank, it has since been transformed into a contemporary hotel, finished with an iconically Scandi interior, fused with sublte flourishes of art deco sensibility. The striking retreat offers state-of-the-art sleakness with cozy furnishings, providing guests with a healthy dose of new décor ideas.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo’s cityscape is well known for its urban landscape and contemporary architecture. But it’s also home to a rich history of unique architecture and design traditions, meaning visitors will find a broad range of options for design inspiration. Whether strolling down Omotesandō, a street designed by a Pritzker Prize winning architect with its ultra modern buildings and shopfronts, or visiting the traditional Nezu Museum by Kengo Kuma, amongst the bamboo and rocks of its peaceful gardens, travelers will be treated to an eclectic mix of both the old and the new styles of Japanese architecture and design.
Where to stay: Travelers that are inspired to visit Japan at some point in the future, and are also looking for a traditional and unique design experience should be sure to seek out a ryokan, a type of Japanese inn that typically features communal spaces where guests can relax, public baths, and rooms with woven-straw flooring and futon mats. A fabulous option, is cyashitsu ryokan asakusa, a modern ryokan with a sleek design execution, great for travelers looking for minimalist design inspiration. The ryokan is ideally located, just a short walk from the Edo Taito Traditional Crafts Center, handy for those on the hunt for equally chic souvenirs to take home.
Fes, Morocco
Morocco’s unique design aesthetic has resulted from an amalgamation of diverse styles from Mediterranean, African, Persian and Islamic influences. Its unique architectural structures include hammams, riads and souks, making it the perfect destination for a future, design-focused trip. Fes in particular is often considered the cultural and spiritual center of Morocco, with its architecture helping secure its World Heritage List status in 1981. With a traditional Arabic center and the more modern La Nouvelle Ville area, Fes is a great choice for couples or groups with differing design tastes!
Where to stay: Stemming from the Arabian term for garden, a riad is a type of traditional Moroccan house or palace built around an interior courtyard. These palatial stays offer beauty in their architectural and floral design, and Hotel & Spa Dar Bensouda is no exception. Located in the heart of Fes' Medina, just a 15-minute walk from Batha Square, this riad offers ensuite rooms, two exquisite courtyards and a swimming pool. Dar Bensouda’s rooms combine the traditional architecture of the original palace with modern comforts, perfect for guests looking to be inspired by its decor.
Mykonos, Greece
Synonymous with sparkling white walls, contrasting with the crisp blue of water and sky and bright pops of color through painted wooden accents, Greece’s color pallet is a design-lover’s dream. Part of the Cyclades group of islands in the Aegean Sea, Mykonos’ breath-taking landscapes and distinctive architectural style are sure to inspire a refined simplicity in design approach for travelers. With its traditional, cubic houses with flat roofs, wooden colored doors and windows, Mykonos has a unique atmosphere that has been emulated by designers around the world.
Where to stay: Amongst traditional houses with brightly colored doors, Pnoe is a beautiful villa offering a modern take on the island's easy-breezy design aesthetic. This chic stay is found in Yialos, an authentically charming neighborhood of winding narrow streets filled with vibrant nightlife. Just a short stroll from Agia Anna Beach, the villa itself boasts three immaculately styled bedrooms, a shared kitchen and lounge, and a terrace. A bicycle rental service is even available for guests who want to set off on two wheels to experience more of the beauty and design inspiration the island has to offer.
Bibbona, Italy
Those looking to recreate the mood of an Italian country villa will be truly captivated by the rolling hills of Bibbona. Situated in the province of Livorno in Tuscany, the area is dotted with multiple working vineyards. Those interested in older architecture and design traditions can visit the Castle of Bolgheri, now home to a famous winery. The town itself boasts a picturesque historical center, with the old town formed around the church of Sant'Ilario. Its unique layout is a series of concentric circles connected by narrow streets and steps - a labyrinth of medieval design inspiration waiting to be explored by future travelers.
Where to stay: Picture perfect Villa La Salina is the ideal Italian getaway for the design enthusiast. With its rustic brick facade and large, arched windows providing panoramic views of the surrounding lush green hills, this villa's stone floors and crisp white walls exemplify rural charm. The communal living area features a massive traditional fireplace and with exposed wooden beams spanning the ceiling. Outside, visitors can enjoy the pool, terrace and hot tub, soaking up the verdant vistas with a glass of local wine.