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Great Design HotelsDestination is key, of course, but what could be better than discovering high style upon arrival? Here, an array of chic hotels around the world worth the trip. By Alyssa Wolfe

HOTEL VIURA, Spain

Named for a white grape widely planted in the Rioja region, 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. 011-34-945-60-90-00; hotelviura.com

HEIDELBERG SUITES, Germany

Renowned Italian architect Michele Bönan designed this boutique hotel, which comprises three separate dwellings—two 19th-century villas and a new build-ing in a similar style. Behind the classic façade, the sophisticated suites are wittily decorated with Italian-

inspired sculpture and silhouettes of German poets; each has a kitchenette. Located on the banks of the Neckar River in Heidelberg, the hotel also operates its own floating restaurant, Patria, which offers dinner cruises. Bönan updated the vintage ship’s interiors by drawing from the classic decor of luxury yachts. 011-49-6221-655-65-0; heidelbergsuites.com

mAmILLA HOTEL, Israel

Moshe Safdie and Piero Lissoni joined forces for this cutting-edge hotel overlooking Jerusalem’s Old City. A dramatic staircase and Lissoni’s sleek furnishings provide a stark contrast to the limestone structure. 011-972-2548-2222; mamillahotel.com

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DELAIRE GRAff LODGES & SpA,

South Africa

Less than an hour from Cape Town are 10 chic lodges, each with a private pool and breathtaking views of the verdant Stellenbosch wine country.011-27-21-885-8160; www.delaire.co.za

ALILA VILLAS ULUWATU, Bali

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. 011-62-361-848-2166; alilavillas.com/uluwatu

W VIEQUES, Puerto Rico

Designed by Patricia Urquiola, the W Retreat & Spa on Vieques Island boasts 30 acres of beachfront land and a restaurant by Alain Ducasse. Bold furnishings by Urquiola were produced for the hotel by B&B Italia. 787-741-4100; wvieques.com

CApRI TIBERIO pALACE, Italy

Open from April to October, this hotel was recently renovated to reflect the vibrancy of midcentury style, with graphic textiles and wall coverings and vintage furnishings. Catch the sunset at the mod Jacky Bar.011-39-081-978-7111; tiberiopalace.com

HABITA mONTERREY, Mexico

Rooms decorated by Joseph Dirand in a palette of black, white, and gray complement this cool, concrete-accented hotel designed by Agustín Landa. On the roof, a bar and two pools offer views of Monterrey. 011-52-81-8335-5900; www.hotelhabitamty.com

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TIERRA ATACAmA, chile

This peaceful oasis sits at the foot of the Andes. Chilean architects designed the hotel with sustainability in mind, employing adobe brick and compacted earth for insulation. Bird watching and volcano climbing are among the many activities that are offered.800-829-5325; tierraatacama.com

NOBIS HOTEL, Sweden

Two late-19th-century residential buildings were renovated by Swedish design firm Claesson Koivisto Rune to form the luxurious yet laid-back Nobis Hotel in Stockholm’s popular Norrmalmstorg Square. Each room has high ceilings and a soothing, wintry palette.011-46-8-614-10-00; nobishotel.se

YAS VICEROY, United Arab Emirates

The 500-room hotel, designed by Asymptote Architecture, overlooks Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina de-velopment, which includes a Formula 1 racetrack. 011-971-2-656-0000; viceroyhotelsandresorts.com

LE ROYAL mONCEAU, France

Since its opening in 1928, this iconic establishment has hosted such guests as Ernest Hemingway, Walt Disney, and Sofia Coppola. Philippe Starck’s recent reimagining of the decor stays true to the hotel’s storied past. 011-33-1-42-99-88-00; leroyalmonceau.com

pLAYA VIK JOSÉ IGNACIO, Uruguay

This Carlos Ott–designed retreat is located just north of Punta del Este. Its strikingly sculptural building, which houses art from South America and elsewhere, has an impressive 55-foot-wide sliding wall of glass.011-598-94-605-212; vikretreats.com

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