Design accommodations: Connoisseurs seek perfection while on holiday.
09.02.2026Those who enjoy the privilege of living in a luxurious house or stylish flat in their everyday lives have high expectations of their surroundings. But not all luxury is created equal. While many high-end hotels focus on standardised opulence, marble bathrooms and gold decorations, people with a trained eye for aesthetics often look for something else: authenticity, history and a creative vision.
In this article, we explore why staying in architecturally significant accommodation is much more than just an overnight stay – it is an encounter with the art of building that broadens one’s horizons.
The appeal of contrast: why aesthetics never take a break
For owners of luxury properties, their home is a retreat that is perfectly tailored to their own needs. Why should they lower this standard when on holiday? However, staying in an architectural gem offers an opportunity that one’s own home often cannot provide: the experience of a completely different spatial philosophy. Whether it’s the minimalist design of a modern exposed concrete building or the venerable atmosphere of a restored farmhouse, architecture on holiday allows us to immerse ourselves in another world for a short time without sacrificing our usual comforts. It’s about the quality of the light, the feel of the materials and the interplay with the surroundings.
Holidays in a historic building: Feel the soul of history
In Switzerland, the Ferien im Baudenkmal foundation is dedicated to preserving historic buildings through gentle tourist use. For travellers looking for something special, this is a unique opportunity. Instead of staying in a soulless new building, you can stay in houses that tell stories – from centuries-old timber-framed buildings in the Alps to iconic modernist villas. The luxury here lies not in abundance, but in the exclusivity of the experience and the craftsmanship of bygone eras. It is a form of sustainable travel where you literally inhabit the cultural history of a place.
Living Architecture: When contemporary art becomes habitable
In the United Kingdom, the Living Architecture project takes a radically modern approach. Founded by philosopher Alain de Botton, the organisation works with leading architects from around the world, such as Peter Zumthor and MVRDV, to create holiday homes that are considered modern monuments. These accommodations are not mere holiday homes; they are built manifestos. Those who stay here experience how modern architecture can influence well-being. It is an intellectual luxury that encourages reflection on one’s own living situation and shows that bold design and cosy hospitality are not mutually exclusive.
Holiday architecture: good taste lovingly curated
The URLAUBSARCHITEKTUR platform has become a bible for design lovers. It brings together a hand-picked selection of accommodation worldwide that has one thing in common: outstanding architectural quality. For people who already live in beautiful homes, this site acts as a curator. Here you will find individuality rather than mass-produced goods. Whether minimalist lofts, converted industrial halls or sculptural villas by the sea – the focus is on the integrity of the design. A stay in one of these properties is an inspiration for your own four walls and a treat for the senses.
Design Hotel: Aesthetics as a way of life
In addition to specialised portals for holiday homes, there is a group in the hotel sector that has been setting standards for decades: Design Hotels. This association of over 300 independent hotels worldwide focuses on exceptional hoteliers and their modern buildings. Each hotel in this group is characterised by a strong design signature, often in collaboration with renowned interior architects and designers. Here, architectural sophistication meets first-class hotel service. For travellers who seek the comfort of a full-service hotel but do not want to forego the visual stimulation of sophisticated architecture, this is the perfect choice.
Stylish holidays are an investment in inspiration.
Anyone who values architecture in their own four walls knows that rooms shape our mood and our thinking. A holiday in architecturally valuable accommodation is therefore not merely a pastime, but an enrichment for the mind. It is an opportunity not only to look at architecture, but to ‘experience’ it. Anyone who has ever stayed in a house where every angle, every light axis and every material has been carefully chosen will never want to stay in an average hotel room again. It is the ultimate luxury: spending time in a place that is itself a work of art.
Have we whetted your appetite? If you would like to live in an architectural gem that combines design with sustainability in your everyday life, then you should request a personal consultation now.