Checking in: 5 stylish boutique hotels with fashion roots

Yves Saint Laurent had Morocco, Christian Louboutin has Portugal. The French shoemaker has owned homes in Lisbon and Comporta, but his first-ever hotel is in a less-trodden area of Portugal: Melides. Located 75 minutes from Lisbon, Louboutin stumbled upon this coastal area of the Alentejo region over a decade ago and fell in love—and he’s betting every visitor will, too.

Today, Louboutin’s secret sanctuary is firmly on the map thanks to Hotel Vermelho, his 13-room property that opened in May. Vermelho, which means red in Portuguese, is a tribute to local craftsmanship and an ode to dramatic interiors, featuring hand-painted frescos, glass-blown mural chandeliers, and a smattering of red of course. The hotel may be a kaleidoscope of colour, texture and pattern, but at its core is to introduce the gentle pace and sublime beauty of this region to the world.

Hotel Vermelho Melides is at R. Dr. Evaristo Sousa Gago 2, Melides 7570-635, Portugal

Trust Bulgari to be masters in translating the signature Italian glamour etched in their watches and jewellery right into interior spaces. This year, they chose two major cities in which to plant their hotel flag—Tokyo and Rome. Jewels in the Bulgari crown, these properties opened in April and June respectively.

Sitting on the top five floors of the gleaming Midtown Yaesu tower in Marunouchi, Bulgari Hotel Tokyo is surrounded by serious competition including the Aman and Four Seasons. However, the 98-room hotel is the first to blend Japanese minimalism with streamlined Italian design thanks to Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, the Milan-based studio behind all the Bulgari hotels worldwide.

In Rome, the opening of the Bulgari Hotel Roma marks a heartfelt homecoming for the brand, which was born here 140 years ago. It took a decade for them to find its distinguished setting of 10 Piazza Augusto Imperatore—located in the centre of Rome and steps away from their flagship store on Via Condotti. Spanning 14,000-square-metres and seven floors, this hotel is not merely a tribute to Bulgari’s style but a true celebration of the Eternal City and its deep connection to it.

Bulgari Hotel Tokyo is at 2 Chome-2-1 Yaesu, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0028, Japan
Bulgari Hotel Rome is at Piazza Augusto Imperatore, 10, Rome, Italy

Widely considered as the first “fashion hotel”, this storied property in Florence, Italy is part of the Lungarno Collection, a group of boutique hotels owned by the Ferragmo family. Perched along the Arno River, with an enchanting view of the Ponte Vecchio, this intimate hotel is known for the interplay of crisp blue, white and leather in the lobby—one of the memorable aesthetic moves of acclaimed designer Michele Bönan.

Each space epitomises quiet luxury but they’ve splashed out on the art: there are 400 top artworks that adorn the hotel, including original Cocteau and Picasso pieces. Don’t miss aperitivo at Picteau, where you can sip exquisite cocktails crafted by award-winning bartenders Marco Colonnelli and Vincenzo Civita while taking in the prized perspective of Florence. Should you want to linger, there is a bistro menu by Claudio Mengoni, who has created a smattering of Mediterranean dishes to pair with the drinks.

Hotel Lungarno is at Borgo S. Jacopo, 14, Firenze 50125, Italy

For a brand that embraces the world of travel so dearly, it’s surprising that Louis Vuitton doesn’t have a hotel just yet. Rumours of a Louis Vuitton hotel have been circulating for a while, and there seems to be confirmation of a launch soon. The first stop? Nowhere else but Paris.

The upcoming Louis Vuitton hotel in Paris is poised to redefine luxury hospitality. Expect opulent interiors where contemporary art meets classic Parisian elegance, and a lot of bespoke elements that reflect Louis Vuitton's meticulous craftsmanship. For now, however, we can look to its sister property, Cheval Blanc Paris, for cues. Overlooking the Seine, the LVMH-owned hospitality brand exudes an air of refined glamour. Combining historical architecture with modern luxury, it’s the kind of hotel that attracts the style set all year round.

Cheval Blanc Paris is at 8 Quai du Louvre, Paris 75001, France

While there is no fashion house behind this new hotel, 100 Princes Edinburgh is said to be inspired by the rebellious spirit of one of the world’s most beloved designers: Alexander McQueen. The soon-to-open boutique hotel by Red Carnation—the company behind the ultra-luxe Ashford Castle in Ireland and Xigeria Safari Lodge in Botswana—reimagines luxury through the lens of fashion and adventure.

With rooms featuring bespoke tartans, the interiors are a tribute to McQueen's visionary artistry and also embodies the adventurous spirit of Scottish explorers who once called the historic former Overseas League their home away from home. Overlooking the Edinburgh Castle and close to the National Gallery,100 Princes Edinburgh offers a window to Scotland’s history as well as a chic taste of the country’s capital city.

100 Princes Street Edinburgh is at 100 Princes St Edinburgh EH2 3AB, United Kingdom