The Most Instagrammable Hotel Lobbies In the World
Just looking at these is like taking a vacation.
You know a hotel is going to be truly unforgettable when you've already dropped your jaw in the lobby. Like an entryway, it's where you make a first impression. And in a hotel lobby, there's even more opportunity to stun, given the scale. We rounded up the best hotel lobbies in the world so you can plan your next trip around them, or just take design notes to bring a piece of the destinations to your own home. So go globetrotting (at least virtually) and step inside the most beautiful hotel lobbies around the world below, from historic architectural classics to modern design-savvy stunners.
Feana, Miami
With columns and a recessed ceiling dipped in gold, it doesn't get more over the top than the lobby in Miami's Faena Hotel. Off in the distance, just outside the door, you can see Damien Hurt's famed "Gone but Not Forgotten" statue, a gilded woolly mammoth skeleton. Argentinian hotelier, Alan Faena, commissioned architects Rem Koolhaas and Norman Foster to craft a thoughtful narrative with the design, which is dominated by glitz and glamor but with a sense of humor. He collaborated with filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and his wife, costume designer Catherine Martin, which makes the lobby feel a 3D cinematic experience. It's a much different approach and outcome than what you'd get from a hotel designer who uses the same formula over and over.
Aman, Tokyo
NoMad Los Angeles, Downtown Los Angeles
In a Downtown Los Angeles historic 1920s Italian bank building, NoMad Los Angeles's lobby is breathtaking beyond belief. With vibrant colors, lush plants, and beautiful architectural details. When you're not busy taking in the beauty of all the rich green fabrics, look up—the lobby's gold-and-blue Italianate lobby ceiling has been fully restored and is an aesthetic delight. If you ever stop by for a visit, make sure to check out the bathroom (it's in what used to the bank's secret vault!).
La Mamounia, Marrakech
This Moroccan city is a packed with design inspiration, the hotels in particular being something of jaw-dropping beauty. Case in point? This kaleidoscopic lobby scene at La Mamounia. Bring a little piece of Marrakech's style home with you by taking note of the painterly details in the ceiling, a Moroccan pendants, iconic gold columns, and colorful tiles.
Chiltern Firehouse, London
London's Chiltern Firehouse was dreamed up by André Balazs, the same developer behind Chateau Marmont and the Mercer. The exterior is a classic English Neo-Gothic fire station, so you know you'll be in for a treat when you step inside. Unlike most other grand hotels, Chiltern Firehouse actually feels like a home away from home, with the distinct aim of creating a domestic-inspired setting. The lobby itself feels like a classic English parlor, complete with floral upholstery, hanging plants, and cozy fireplace nooks.
Parker, Palm Springs
Designed by Jonathan Adler himself, the Parker Palm Springs is a midcentury modern beacon in the iconic desert resort town and beyond. The grounds themselves are breathtaking, but the hotel lobby is a design feat you can't help but photograph from every angle. From the famous "Drugs" sign to the armor-clad knight statues flanking the door, Kubrik-esque carpet, and conversation pit, the lobby is a feast for the senses.
Cuixmala, Mexico
Just looking at Cuixmala's bright, white hotel lobby in Mexico is like a refreshing vacation. It's nestled in the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve and is considered a leading luxury-eco destination. It was a private estate until Sir James Goldsmith converted it into a hotel, which is now comprised of of casitas and villas. The Haciendas, domed brick, and scenic views in this lobby shot are just the beginning—wait until you see the rest of the property (that pool!).
New York Palace, Budapest
Built in the former Hungarian headquarters of the New York Life Insurance Company, New York Palace is like time traveling to a bygone era. Belle Époque frescoes, marble, and ornate crystal chandeliers rule at the New York Palace.
Proper Hotel, San Francisco
If we had to define the Kelly Wearstler-designed Proper Hotel in San Francisco in one word, it'd be fun. And this sense of fun comes across the second you step through the front door. From bright layers of Art Deco rugs to sophisticated marble flooring, modern furniture, eclectic art, and sky-high ceilings, there is so much design perfection to appreciate in the lobby alone. It's innovative, fresh, and wonderfully unpretentious.
Raffles Hotel, Singapore
Raffles Hotel in Singapore dates all the way back to 1887, and has been a beacon of Singapore style, culture, and history ever since. It's a lovely combination between grandeur and approachable charm, with a style that borrows a regal elegance and Old World appeal while still fitting into the city that's full of modern buildings.
Grand Hotel Kronenhof, Switzerland
Looking out on the Swiss Alps, the elaborate and old-world glamour of the Grand Hotel Kronenhof is a very special destination. The lobby maintains that 1848 old-world flare, but with modern and pristine amenities.
The Greenbrier, West Virginia
Bursting with Whimsy, West Virginia's Greenbrier Hotel & Resort looks like something out of a Wes Anderson film. The lobby in particular is full of brightly-hued photogenic nooks and passageways. It also happens to be a national historic landmark (it's been in operation since 1778) and was designed by Dorothy Draper until the 60s, with updates made by decorator Carleton Varney who is also now the president of Dorothy Draper & Co.
Vila Monte Farmhouse, Algarve
With bright white interiors and equally idyllic grounds, Vila Monte Farmhouse in Algarve, Portugal is the perfect beach escape for design lovers. The aesthetic is a magical mix between Malibu and Morocco style.
Hotel ICON, Hong Kong
At Hong Kong's Hotel ICON, you'll find breathtaking sights in every direction, whether you're looking out at the harbor in the distance, or up at the vertical garden wall that stretches several stories. Beyond the beautiful hotel lobby, you'll discover thoughtful and sustainable details throughout.
Union Station Hotel, Nashville
With incredibly detailed design from floor to high, high ceiling, the lobby of Union Station Hotel in the heart of Nashville feels more like a grand monument. The art collection throughout the hotel is also impressive, and keeps the classic, opulent Richardsonian-Romanesque architecture feeling fresh.
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