Take 3 Revamped Hotels
Castille Paris, France
33-37 rue Cambon, castille.com
This renovated hotel, beside Coco Chanel’s original atelier (which is now the company’s flagship store), combines French and Italian style. Aristocratic 18th century French architecture spills on to a Florentine patio with a Roman fountain. The 108 bedrooms span two wings, one channelling Chanel with its black, white and beige palette. Doubles from €250.
Sheraton Grand Edinburgh, Scotland
1 Festival Square, sheratonedinburgh.co.uk
Looking on to Edinburgh Castle, this revamped hotel has a strong sense of place, mixing contemporary with traditional, notably in its tartan accents. High-tech touches extend from computers in the lobby to a bedside array you can plug almost anything into. Chic frosted glass bathrooms sit within bedrooms; the spa has a rooftop whirlpool bath, and the bar has 40 varieties of gin. Doubles from €170.
Hilton Barcelona, Spain
Avenida Diagonal, hilton.com
The Hilton group is revamping its lobbies globally to the tune of $3 billion (€2.2bn) and the Barcelona refurb gives a foretaste of the drama that awaits. A vibrant installation by artist Jacopo Foggini dangles into the happening lobby designed by architect Matteo Thun. The hotel has been revamped with an eye on the locale: ergo good, natural light, expansive spaces and and creativity. Doubles from €123.