Hotels

Our Destinations Page features four great cities this month: Paris, London, Amsterdam and Barcelona. So if you plan to visit, here are four glam and unusual hotels you can stay in, in each city. What can be better? Beautiful city,out-of-the-ordinary hotel; you'll have stories to tell for years.

The Five Hotel - PARIS

Located in the hip and happening Latin Quarter, The Five Hotel’s unique calling card are rooms that engage one’s five senses (Five, get it?).

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SMELL: Upon check-in, guests are asked to chose one of 5 fragrances that will fill your room during your stay.

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SIGHT: Each room is a light sensation with optic fiber lights incorporated into the décor as well as luminous glass desks, star-studded ceilings, light sculptures and drawn, heavy curtains that enhance the experience.

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SOUND: Quiet and serenity are big pluses here; you’ll have a deeply restful experience thanks to the calm and tranquility of the area and the hotel’s double-glazed windows.

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TOUCH: Furnishings in each room are designed for the ultimate tactile experience with sumptuous carpets, velvet drapes, ceramic stoneware and Chinese lacquer providing a sensual and cozy feeling.

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TASTE: The restaurant’s on-site restaurant has tasty treats: a crusty breakfast of Viennese bread and buns from the famous Monge bakery, washed down with tea or coffee from the Mariage Frères brand with its unique flavors. .

The Pavilion Hotel - LONDON

Owned by former fashion model, Danny Karne and his sister, Noshi, the Pavilion Hotel is a small funky townhouse in central London, that Danny said he wanted to open as an alternative to “boring hotels around the world.”

The Pavilion is all Rock ‘n Roll with 30 rooms decorated in a variety of amazing styles from “Honky Tonk Afro” - as a tribute to the 70's - to Better Red Than Dead, a room covered in every imaginable shade of red. Popular for photo shoots and with actors, musicians and pop stars, it's also regularly used for TV and music videos.

Recent guests have included supermodels Naomi Campbell, Erin O'Connor, Bridget Hall and Honor Fraser as well as actors, Kate Beckinsale and Daniel Day Lewis and musicians, Duran Duran, Jools Holland, Bryan Ferry and Neneh Cherry.

The Dylan Hotel - AMSTERDAM

The Dylan Amsterdam - a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World - is a sophisticated collection of color themed rooms and suites with superb canal views and an intimate atmosphere, that provides calm in the center of Amsterdam.

Each room is unique with highly imaginative combinations of colour-textures and culture; from raspberry and grey wall coverings with linen curtains and Asian influences to oriental-styled navy and black rooms with hand-painted kimonos.

The hotel is in the heart of the city, close to the Nine Streets shopping district, where you can find boutiques, museums and galleries. After a day of shopping, dine at the hotel's Restaurant Vinkeles, where executive chef Dennis Kuipers is known for his impeccable blend of classic and contemporary cuisine.

Gran Hotel La Florida-BARCELONA

Soaring high above Barcelona on Tibidabo Mountain, the Gran Hotel is miles away from the crowds and noise of downtown Barcelona. Renovated and restored, the resort has commanding views of the city and the sparkling Mediterranean. Five-star luxury plus intimacy and warmth make this one of the most stylish places to stay in Barcelona.

The glowing fireplace in the lobby and sleek hardwood floors call to mind a stylish private residence. The spa soothes, imaginative on-site restaurants offer gourmet cuisine and splendid outdoor terraces offer breath-taking night time (and day) views. Just 15 minutes from downtown Barcelona, Gran Flora is the hotel of choice for glamorous travelers to the city.