Article by steve
Great design isn’t necessarily something that is specifically noticed by guests and attendees of a particular resort. Alternatively, of course, the opposite might be the case, with the aesthetics of a given resort being the star attraction.
We’ve all stayed at beach resorts – or at least read about them in a magazine or newspaper – that have taken our breath away from a visual perspective. We therefore decided to list just five of our own favourites here at Skyline Design.
Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes, French Riviera
Let’s start with one of the finest beach hotels of the late 19th century, the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc. It opened its doors in 1869 and has since welcomed so many of the international great and good, from Ernest Hemingway and Marc Chagall to Sir Winston Churchill and the film stars who attend the Cannes Film Festival every year.
But the resort is also significant from a design perspective. It sports a great number of the hallmarks of the Napoleon III architectural style of the era in which it was built, including pavilions, mansard roofs and high facades.
Four Seasons Resort, Bora Bora, Tahiti
We may be just a little biased about this one here at Skyline Design, given that it is – after all – one of our past completed projects. However, it’s also seemingly impossible not to fall in love with Bora Bora, with its legendary translucent lagoon and lavish floating overwater bungalows.
This Four Seasons Resort provides you with quite the base from which to make magical memories during your time on the South Pacific’s most celebrated island. With its spacious suites perched on stilts around the lagoon and outer beaches, complete with private decks and plunge pools, they really do transport you to an altogether separate and more idyllic world.
Casa Xixim, Tulum, Mexico
The bedrooms of this fully rentable guesthouse for large groups open onto expansive terraces with a view of the tropical forest and beach. It sports an aesthetic that is contemporary, yet also in tune with its unique and natural surroundings, as shown in part by the extensive use of indigenous materials encompassing the likes of polished concrete, pasta tile and limestone.
When you are seeking a Caribbean coastline resort representing the finest in exotic beauty, eco-minded innovation and refined luxury, we suspect you would struggle to make a superior choice to Casa Xixim, which was organised as a T-shape in plan and designed to be fully self-sufficient.
Fairmont Kea Lani, Wailea, Hawaii
Immerse yourself in the true spirit of ‘aloha’ – the Hawaiian word for love, affection, peace and mercy – at a resort also offering no shortage of good old-fashioned luxury and chic. This 22-acre property on Wailea’s Polo Beach recently underwent a $70 million renovation, so its design charms extend well beyond its stark white Moorish-inspired architecture.
Expect stylish private two and three-bedroom, two-level villas consisting of their own living rooms, kitchens and even private courtyards, with swimming pools, water sports and beach amenities all close to hand.
Kempinski Palace Portoroz, Istria, Slovenia
The location of Kempinski Palace may seem astonishing enough – a heritage-protected landscaped park in the centre of the resort town of Portoroz on Slovenia’s Adriatic coast – but this five-star luxury establishment is also quite the attraction in itself.
The imposing external architecture is certainly one thing, as is the resplendent interior, with a luxurious room or suite here characterised by a unique amalgam of timeless classical decor and modern design. During your stay here, you might want to keep an eye out for the sophisticated, but practical outdoor furniture that has been sourced from Skyline Design.
That’s enough about others… what about your own resort?
As you will see when you visit any one or more of these fine resorts, design does make a difference to the guest’s experience – and it’s something well worth taking note of when you are next planning a getaway sunshine break.
Alternatively, you may be the owner of such a beach resort or an interior designer overseeing a hotel renovation project, with an interest in ensuring the most pleasant and hospitable experience for everyone who stays there. That’s why you may look to such outdoor furniture options of ours as our designer rattan loungers, including the likes of the large and generous Anzio lounger and the spectacular and bespoke Ribbon double lounger.
Or why not opt for something like our Dynasty Day Bed or Strips Cabana Day Bed, which are better alternatives for resorts that wish to give their guests a combination of canopies and loungers as options for relaxing in the shade? They’re all great possibilities, and they’re all available to order right now from Skyline Design.
