At Livingetc, we are always after destinations that don't just ignite our sense of wonder, but also capture the authenticity of specific geographical locations — whether that's presenting us with their traditions, natural and cultural highlights, and curiosities, or challenging the preconceptions we had of them altogether. We think the world's best design hotels should do exactly the same, and for a reason.
As we explore in detail in our Travel Trends 2025 Report, today's travelers are far more interested in the experiences that shape their itineraries than they are in solely the destinations per se. But don't get us wrong: this doesn't mean that the places we choose to visit are losing importance — the opposite. Now, staycations, wellness-aiding retreats, and slow travel are redefining the face of tourism, prompting us to rediscover previously overlooked areas of our countries, take up vacations as an opportunity to put our physical and mental wellbeing first, or do so over lengthier periods of time than we have been used to. Within this picture, the best design hotels in the world have the opportunity to truly become what they have long longed to be: homes away from home. Places that can, at once, comfort, uplift, and inspire us.
