Resident Wanderlust

This time of year we get hit hard by wanderlust. Summer’s coming to an end, school’s getting ready to start (if it hasn't already), and all we can dream about is one last respite from routine. Lately, we’ve been eyeing some of the fabulous places we’d stay if given the opportunity—hotels and abodes abroad that pack a particularly interesting design punch. This is partially influenced by our dedication to local travel beacon the 21C Museum Hotel, recently named to Condé Nast Traveler's prestigious Platinum Circle. Here’s a bit about the 21C, and a few others at the top of our list:

The 21C Museum Hotel

Louisville, KY

Created on Louisville’s busy downtown Main Street from abandoned tobacco and bourbon warehouses, this remarkable property doubles as a contemporary art museum with more than 9,000 square feet of exhibition space, and artwork in every room. The hotel also boasts reclaimed-wood floors, hand-blocked linen upholstery, exposed brickwork and timber trusses, and glass transoms.

Photo Credit: cntraveler.com

Hotel Viura

Villabuena de Álava, Spain

Named for a white grape widely planted in the Rioja wine-producing region of Spain, Hotel Viura sits beside a 16th-century church in Villabuena de Álava. The contemporary structure of concrete cubes is an ideal base for exploring the surrounding countryside’s wineries and small towns. 

Photo credit: elledecor.com

Alila Villas Uluwatu

Bali, Indonesia

Situated high on a cliff more than 300 feet above the Indian Ocean, this resort was designed using locally sourced materials that blend seamlessly with the serene setting. Each of the 84 villas—decorated with traditional Balinese accents—has a pool and cabana, making it perfect for that tropical getaway of your dreams.

Photo credit:  elledecor.com

Opposite House

Beijing, China

Tucked away in a relatively quiet corner of Sanlitun Village in Beijing’s diplomatic quarter, the Opposite House features an eye-catching angular emerald-glass exterior. The guest rooms, designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, are calm and serene, with oak wood soaking tubs and sleek minimalist furniture. The 2,153-square-foot, two-level penthouse comes with an expansive outdoor terrace, an indoor-outdoor reflecting pool and use of a Maserati Quattroporte.

Photo credit: departures.com

Torre di Moravola

Umbria, Italy

A half-hour drive from Perugia, the Torre di Moravola offers a world of contrasts: ultramodern interiors and amenities within a 12th-century watchtower. In the tower’s atrium, a frosted glass and steel staircase is blended in with ancient stone walls, while the sitting room boasts hefty wood beams high above mahogany and cream colored sofas.

Photo credit: departures.com

 What hotels are on your bucket list? Consider adding the 21C and visiting us here in Louisville, KY!