2 days ago
Why 'quiet luxury' hotels are the new travel obsession
In recent years, quiet luxury—a trend of pared-back elegance driven by cultural phenomenon and social media influencers—took over fashion. The same ethos has been guiding travelers to certain hotels.
'Quiet luxury is about spaces that feel effortlessly refined, where everything has been carefully considered but nothing screams for attention,' says Pamela Schein Murphy, founder of Wandrist Travel. She notes that details like the texture and weight of linens, perfectly balanced lighting, and technology that enhances rather than intrudes are telltale signs. Structural and practical elements are also important.
'I like the luxury of a great layout and a special view,' says Ashley Isaacs Ganz, founder and chief executive officer of luxury tour operator Artisans of Leisure. 'Also, literal quiet—I do not want to hear the crowds on the street or a party downstairs.'
Here are eight hotels where you can experience quiet luxury for yourself.
If there's one name that embodies quiet luxury, it's Aman. For 35 years, the brand has developed some of the most rarefied properties in the world. Its newest addition, Aman Nai Lert, is no different. The 52 suites are among the largest in Bangkok, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the cityscape and neighboring seven-acre Nai Lert Park. The suites' clean lines and tone-on-tone neutrals set the stage for distinctive Thai design elements. Think decorative banana bark panels behind each bed and bespoke tables made of local supergenti stone. While all guests have access to the ninth-floor outdoor pool, book the Aman suite to soak in your own private spa with hot and cold plunge pools and a sauna.
Manhattan's Upper East Side is both classic and chic, and The Surrey has been right at home there for almost a century. While its new renovation, guided by Martin Brudnizki of Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, captures the area's storied sophistication, it also doubles down on modernity, layering rich color palettes and exquisite finishes in the 70 rooms and 30 suites. The craftsmanship is as intricate as it is subtle, like the custom Schumacher trim accenting the silk Phillip Jeffries wall coverings along the rooms' perimeters. Other discerning details—sculpted crown moldings, Frette linens, fresh flowers—bring an understated opulence that invites you to feel at home.
Located in Cap d'Antibes, one of the most sought-after locations on the French Riviera, Villa Miraé envelopes guests in the region's warmth. Designer Oscar Lucien Ono used soft gradients of golden hues and tranquil blues along with curvaceous Art Deco lines to create a sun-kissed sanctuary that's both calming and lush. Each of the 35 rooms and eight suites has a harmonious feel, outfitted in Casamance and Pierre Frey textile wall coverings, woven leather headboards, and Maison Paradis ceramics cast in the glow of Murano glass bedside lamps and wall sconces. For an extra dose of serenity, stroll the century-old olive trees and umbrella pines in the Mediterranean gardens outside.
Snaking along a limestone clifftop on the remote Kangaroo Island, Southern Ocean Lodge feels special even before stepping inside. The 25 suites cascade outward from a central lounge and in each there's equal emphasis on the wild beauty outside and the curated beauty inside. Everything from the bleached wood furniture to the glass-blown light fixtures to the commissioned artwork is crafted by South Australian artists, creating a cohesive, curated environment. Zoned lighting and EcoSmart fireplaces enhance the ambiance, and private terraces offer the perfect perches for gazing at the surf below.
Mollie makes a good case for luxury that does more with less. Committed to a reduction of excess, design firm Post Company infused the property with a quiet confidence. The 68 rooms, like the entire hotel, reflect the mountain landscape outside, using earthy tones and natural textures like leather and wood. The Aspen Mountain rooms offer particularly stunning views from private terraces, while soft touches like Egyptian cotton sheets and Coyuchi organic robes balance the ruggedness with considered comfort. White oak millwork on the ceilings and black matte porcelain tiles in the bathrooms finish the rooms with just the right amount of design decadence.
While the iconic London hotel Claridge's exudes an Art Deco glamour throughout, rooms are chicly contemporary. Each of the 11 signature suites has its own character, including the Grand Terrace Suite with a gentling curving interior, original artwork dotting plush Jacquard wall panels, and a private terrace with views across Parliament. There's also the Octagon, a two-bedroom landing pad with a grand piano, gleaming bronze accents, and an eight-sided glass turret. The 248 rooms, smaller in size, are just as plum, what with details like shagreen lamps, generous wardrobes, backlit shelving, and polished marble bathrooms with heated floors.
Not far from Echo Beach, the famed surf spot in Indonesia, the new Regent Bali Canggu brings carefree opulence to the beach. Inspired by traditional Balinese villages, the 141 suites and seven villas are spacious jewel boxes, ranging from 818 square feet to the two-bedroom penthouse that stretches over 6,000 square feet. The rich teak floors create striking contrasts with the crisp white walls and linens, and slatted millwork on the ceilings. But the real showstoppers are the hand-carved teak bathtubs, from which you can sip a cocktail and take in the verdant gardens. Opt for a beachside villa and alternate between dips in a private plunge pool and the Indian Ocean.
Situated above its three-Michelin-starred restaurant, the five-room SingleThread Inn is built on the concept of omotenashi, the Japanese art of hospitality that extols taking care of guests, among the spoils of California wine country. The AvroKO-designed rooms are airy and light with a nonchalant elegance from natural brick, redwood ceilings, and custom art and furnishings like handcrafted vases filled with flowers from the farm. Kitchenettes are stocked with local, cold-pressed juices and bathrooms have heated floors, Toto toilets, soaking tubs, and walk-in rain showers. Wake up each morning to a multi-course breakfast delivered to your room or served on the inn's rooftop.
Amy Thomas is a freelance writer specializing in travel, food and lifestyle. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, BBC Travel, and others. She is the author of two books: Paris, My Sweet and Brooklyn in Love.
