Singapore hotelier Loh Lik Peng has cornered the market for quirky boutique hotels in Singapore, Shanghai, and London. But of the three he owns in the city-state, 29-room Wanderlust most successfully combines edgy design, decent prices, and a cool location in Little India — a salty, grungy neighborhood known for cheap eats and colorful characters. Four design firms were given free rein to create a different floor in this converted school building. Check out the Pantone rooms rendered in a single color (avoid the red, unless brothel-chic is your thing). The young at heart might prefer the "Tree Room," which has leaves on the ceiling and a loft bed for a tree house experience, or the "Space Room," for something a little more intergalactic, with twinkling fiber optic lights on the ceilings and walls. —Adeline Chia
2 Dickson Road, Little India
+65 6396 3322
Rates: from S$218/$175
Previous page: Room with a view -- Courtesy of Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund
Europe’s first new-build outpost of the Waldorf Astoria, which opened spring 2013, brings American opulence to Berlin's western half, an area currently abuzz with new galleries migrating back from the former East, even if it still lacks a bit in the buzzy dining and nightlife department; best stick to the hotel’s Romanisches Café or Lang Bar or cab elsewhere. The hotel picks up that arty vibe with gusto, decking out its 232 Art Deco-inspired gold-hued rooms and public spaces with 900 original works by students from the nearby University of the Arts. —Alexander Forbes
28 Hardenbergstrasse, Charlottenburg
+49 30 814 0000
Rates: from €250/$334
If you prefer to bed down in East Berlin, the 63-room Mani Hotel (the Amano's more function-minded and wallet friendly little brother) is steps off the well placed Rosenthalerplatz where visitors will find some of the city’s best restaurants and cocktail bars, including Katz Orange and newly Michelin-starred Dos Palillos a stone's throw from its door. The small guest rooms are minimalist in design, featuring dark woods and drapery in supple fabrics. There is a restaurant/bar which is not so noteworthy. It's a hotel for people who want a well designed, comfortable, budget option. —Alexander Forbes
136 Torstrasse, Mitte
+49 305 302 8080
Rates: from €70/$93
If you’re seeking the character of a traditional building but don’t want to sacrifice the luxuries you’ve come to expect from a boutique hotel, Chi Woon Jung is the place. This 3-suite hotel, plus one single “an bang” room, in a medieval building is well placed in the old town’s Bukchon neighborhood with meandering alleyways dotted with traditional “hanok” architecture and contemporary art galleries and cafes. It’s also within walking distance of Seoul's most popular attractions including Gyeonbok Palace, Samcheong-dong art galleries, and the world’s largest design library owned by Hyundai Card. The hotel’s guest rooms have plush silk bedding and stylish antique furniture inlaid with mother-of-pearl motifs, plus spa-like bathrooms with wooden tubs, aromatherapy products, and windows that overlook a beautiful interior garden. Meals are prepared by the chefs of the famed Korean Durae restaurant. —Hyo-Won Lee
31-53, Gahoe-dong, Jongno-gu
+82 276 57400
Rates: from $900
The intimate 15-room One Leicester Street is Singaporean hotelier Peng Loh’s latest boutique venture in London's West End, snapped up when the previous owners, chef Fergus Henderson and Trevor Gulliver, ran into financial difficulties with the then St. John Restaurant and Hotel. Revamped rooms in the five-story Georgian building are understated but extremely comfy, with all-white wood-paneled walls, soft touches of blue and grey, crisp Egyptian cotton linens, and slated window shades. For those looking to relax, the bathroom is one of the best features of the hotel, with extra deep tubs and Penhaligon’s bath products for a good, long soak. The restaurant is a must — which largely remains the same except in name — helmed by head chef Tom Harris, who won a Michelin Star for his work at St. John. Small tasty plates include delicious lamb sweetbreads paired with artichokes and celery. —Samantha Tse
One Leicester Square, Chinatown/Soho
+44 203 301 8020
Rates: from £141/$220
One of Hong Kong’s most charming places to stay, the Tai O Heritage Hotel is in a remote fishing village in a western corner of Lantau Island. The nine-room hotel was converted from a defunct police station known for fighting pirates and settling village disputes. The colonial-era architecture of the building has been beautifully conserved; the cannons, guard towers, turrets, and holding cells have all been restored. The guest rooms have a homey, modern aesthetic, and the hotel offers free WiFi (rare in Hong Kong). We recommend the Commissioner Suite, which was transformed from the old armory and the interview room into an airy, two-room suite offering stellar sea views from the veranda. Come mealtime, skip the hotel’s so-so restaurant and head instead into Tai O Village for some humble but authentic Chinese food at one of local cafes. —Zoe Li
Shek Tsai Po Street, Tai O, Lantau Island
+852 2985 8383
Rates: from HK$1,400/$180
The Medusa Hotel not only has the feel of a luxury private residence, its also located in the chic inner-city hot spot of Darlinghurst. Opt for one of the five artistic Grand Rooms located in the high-ceilinged historic part of the 19th century townhouse; additional modern addition were retrofit around a grand Victorian terrace and courtyard to house the rest of the 18 rooms. The use of bold colors, sumptuous woods, circular motifs, mirrors, and designer furnishings throughout the property add a touch of drama in reference to the Medusa myth: an up-lit reflecting pool provides willowy snake-like shadows, the red façade echoes the blood of Medusa’s severed neck as well as the “painted ladies” of the night who used to stroll the neighborhood. There’s no restaurant or bar, but in this part of town that’s no bad thing. —Nicholas Forrest
267 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst
+61 2 9331 1000
Rates: from $310
Hotel S, a stylish 47-room hotel in a former midcentury office building near Tokyo’s infamous Roppongi intersection, is a welcome addition in a city with few boutique properties. Splurge on the gleaming white “hanging garden” room, with a courtyard-like, green-carpeted space in the center of the room. Other options include Japanese-style suites with intricate wooden louvered screens and lattices, or the compact but ingeniously designed “four cube” rooms. Night owls and the severely jetlagged can kick back with a drink at the 24-hour Nishiroku Labo library lounge, which is stocked with art and design volumes chosen by the in-house book concierge. —Darryl Jingwen Wee
1-11-6 Nishi Azabu, Minato-ku
+81 357 712 469
Rates: from ¥23,100/$245
For charm and character, seek out The Claska hotel in Tokyo's exclusive residential district of Meguro-ku. Each of the 18 guest rooms have been created by a different designer, including Intentionallies, Torafu, and Kaname Okajima, and feature a mix of antiques and traditional tatami mats alongside contemporary Japanese furniture with a sleek finish. No surprise that your fellow guests come from the design, fashion, and art set. Drop by the in-house DO gallery and store, which stocks an eclectic selection of artisanal sake and wine glasses, folk crafts, ceramics, and cool minimal interior pieces such as handmade ultra-thin "usuhari" Shotoku wine glasses. —Darryl Jingwen Wee
1-3-18 Chuo-cho, Meguro-ku
+81 337 198 121
Rates: from ¥19,950/$212
Following his work on the Shangri-La in Paris in 2012, architect Pierre-Yves Rochon turned his attention to 25-room Hôtel Montaigne, a small property that sits among the city’s great haute couture boutiques. The interiors have a casual 1930s aesthetic with a black, white, and brown color palette; African animal artwork adds a hint of the colonial. The hotel restaurant, Bar de l'Entracte (named for the Theatre des Champs-Elysées on the other side of the street), is decorated with portraits of famous French actors and serves bistro style food until 11pm. —Egmont Labadie
6 Avenue Montaigne
+33 180 974 000
Rates: from €275/$367
The VIP privilege of wading in the Thompson Toronto’s rooftop infinity pool — or lounging in a cabana with house specialty mojito — tops the Canadian culture hub’s jet set summertime experiences. At night, the 16th-floor terrace’s cinematic view of the city’s skyline out over King West Village is breathtaking (more than making up for the $15 martinis served in safety-first plastic cups). And thanks to a new pet package, Muffy can chase after complimentary toys on the dark hardwood flooring of your suite, and then curl up for a nap in pop-orange wingback or custom SFERRA linen bed sheets while you re-center with 889 Spa’s flow-based yoga sessions. —Rea McNamara
550 Wellington Street West
416-640-7778
Rates from: $275
Rather than find a warehouse to house his huge antique collection, dashing Thai actor and singer Krissada Sukosol Clapp, or Noi Pru as he's known, built this resplendent riverside resort instead. A popular location for magazine photo-shoots, The Siam is inspired by the King Rama V (1853-1910) era, with gardens by acclaimed landscape designer Bill Bensley. The opulently attired suites and villas each embrace a unique theme — from local architecture to beauty queens — and include “Connie’s Cottage,” a century-old teak house that was brought downriver from the ancient capital Ayutthaya by Connie Mangskau, a good friend of late American silk magnate Jim Thompson. —Max Crosbie-Jones
3/2 Thanon Khao, Vachirapayabal
Dusit
+66 02 206 6999
Rates: from THB 10,593/$347
Mexico City’s first eco-friendly B&B, the El Patio 77, is an eight-suite gem in a renovated 19th century grand house located in the colonial neighborhood of San Rafael. Green credentials include furniture made from reclaimed wood, water heated by solar panels, and a system that recycles all water used in the hotel as well as rainwater collected on the rooftop. The wood-floored guest rooms are decorated with one-off vintage and modern furnishing and small details like canopied beds (Guerro) or colorful throw pillows (Veracruz, Hidalgo) and artworks that reference the country’s 32 states. Service here is friendly, and the breakfast pancakes with fruit pico de gallo are some of the best you’ll taste in the city. —Aline Cerdan
77 Icazbalceta, Colonia San Rafael
+52 555 592 8452
Rates: from MXN 950/$75
Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund looks out over the Huangpu River from its north Bund location beside a large park, its glass façade allowing the reflected light of the greenery to “paint” the granite interiors. In contrast to the cutting edge exterior, inside it’s all natural elements: 130 elegant guest rooms have light wood walls and neutral fabrics, while bamboo design elements and essential oil infusers lend an aroma of freshness throughout the hotel's nine floors. A lap pool and three relaxation pools under an oversized window allows guests to soak up the sun and enjoy view the Huangpu River and surrounding skyscrapers. Or you could shell out for the top-floor presidential suite where you’ll have your own pool, wooden sun deck, and an outdoor garden with dining area. —Belle Zhao
19 Gongping Road, The Bund
+86 212 509 1188
Rates: from RMB 1,700/$277
Hotel Emiliano brings an authentic yet contemporary Brazilian sophistication to the heart of São Paulo. Located near the Paulista and Faria Lima Avenues in one of the most upscale neighborhoods in town, the Emiliano goes big on service, right down to supplying the right toiletries for your skin type. Rooms are decorated with designer Charles Eames armchairs, minimalist artwork, and a soothing earth-tone color scheme. Emiliano Restaurant serves some of the best Italian food in São Paulo: try the rack of lamb with pistachio crust and eggplant parmigiana or the veal cutlet with mushrooms and asparagus. —Thais Pontes
384 Oscar Freire Street, Jardim Paulista
+55 113 069 4369
Rates: from $630
Located in the Russian replica of France’s Château de Chenonceau on a quiet central Moscow street just round the corner from the capital’s main shopping street Tverskaya, this nine-room property is commendable only for its suites, which evoke their 16th century namesake with chandeliers, Rococo-style mirrors and furniture, and French paintings. A peaceful garden with a fountain and the nearby Patriarshiye Ponds make this a sedate — if endearingly tacky — respite in the heart of bustling Moscow. —Nastassia Astrasheuskaya
15 Trehprudnyi Pereulok, Moscow
+74 956 992 141
Rates: from 6,500 RUB/$208
BLOUIN ARTINFO’s international editors share sweet dreams of a staycation with their favorite hometown hotels from Bangkok to Berlin