Best Urban Hotels 2013: The shortlist

Gritti Palace, Venice, Italy

One of Venice's most celebrated hotels has now reopened after a complete refurbishment, which included restoring the palace's hundreds of paintings, mirrors, chandeliers, and priceless pieces of antique furniture. It also meant working around Italy's strict laws to demolish and reconfigure the space to create 82 rooms, down from the original 91. It has now become an intimate and refined version of its iconic self.

Opening date: February 2013; Rates: From €425

Address: Campo Santa Maria del Giglio 2467; tel: 39.04 1794 611; www.hotelgrittipalacevenice.com

Four Seasons, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Located in the historic La Recoleta neighbourhood, the Four Seasons Buenos Aires has undergone a complete renovation of its rooms and suites, lobby, grounds, spa, and dining and meeting spaces thanks to the joint effort of design groups WA International, EDG and 40NORTH. A new outdoor venue called Nuestro Secreto is also set to open on the rooftop garden, where alfresco dining will be available as well as traditional Argentinian asados (open fire barbecues).

Opening date: September 2013; Rates: From $525

Posadas 1086/88; tel: 54.11 4321 1200; www.fourseasons.com

Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

One of Rio's most iconic landmarks, this palace first opened in 1923. This is the hotel's second renovation project, with the main alterations being made to the lobby (which has been extended to double its original size) and all of the rooms on the first and second floors. The interiors, however, have remained consistent with the hotel's history.

Opening date: December 2012; Rates: From £345

Avenida Atlântica 1702; tel: 55.21 2548 7070; www.copacabanapalace.com

Hotel d'angleterre, Copenhagen, Denmark

A Copenhagen icon, Hotel d'Angleterre has just completed the most ambitious hotel restoration in Danish history, undergoing a complete renovation to include all of its rooms, including the Royal suite, which is now the largest hotel room in the city. First opened in 1755, it is located on Kongens Nytorv, in the heart of Copenhagen, minutes away from the Royal Theatre, Nyhavn Canal and the pedestrian shopping street Strøget.

Opening date: May 2013; Rates: From DKK3,500

34 Kongens Nytorv; tel: 45.33 12 00 95; www.dangleterre.com

Metropol Palace, Belgrade, Serbia

Designed by famous Serbian architect Dragiša Brašovan and originally opened in 1957 next to the city's Tasmajdan Park, the Metropol Palace has always been the most luxurious hotel in Belgrade. Now the interiors of the modernist building have been completely renovated by London studio MKV Design in a manner that celebrates its glamorous heyday as the haunt of famous movie stars and powerful statesmen.

Opening date: September 2012; Rates: From €130

Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra 69; tel: 381.11 3333 100; www.metropolpalace.com

QT Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Located in the heart of the central business and retail district, only a short walk away from Sydney's landmark Opera House, QT Sydney occupies the former Gowings department store and State Theatre buildings, both completed in the 1920s. Many of the two buildings' gothic, art deco and Italianate features have been restored, but the quirky new interiors by Nic Graham, Shelley Indyk and Anna Roberts also feature an extensive contemporary and digital art collection.

Opening date: September 2012; Rates: From A$380

49 Market Street; tel: 61.2 8262 0000; www.qtsydney.com.au

Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai, China

Home to one of the most extensive collection of Chinese contemporary art in Shanghai (4,000 original artworks are displayed in the hotel's public areas and guest rooms), the Mandarin Oriental is located on the banks of the Huangpu River in the new Harbour City district, a mixed-used development on the site of the city's old docklands. The glitzy, glamorous interiors are by Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Arquitectonica.

Opening date: April 2013; Rates: From RMB3,600

111 Pudong Road, Harbour City District; tel: 86.21 2082 9888; www.mandarinoriental.com

Twelve at Hengshan, Shanghai, China

Located in Shanghai's historic French Quarter, an area known for its shops, bars and restaurants, Twelve at Hengshan is housed in a striking new terracotta building designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta (whose previous projects include the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art). Its interiors, by Yabu Pushelberg, feature soft, natural colours and contemporary furnishings, as well as hand-painted screens, silk lanterns and latticework.

Opening date: November 2012; Rates: From RMB1,500

12 Hengshan Road, French quarter; tel: 86.21 3338 3888; www.twelveathengshan.com

Twelve at Hengshan, Shanghai, China

Located in Shanghai's historic French Quarter, an area known for its shops, bars and restaurants, Twelve at Hengshan is housed in a striking new terracotta building designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta (whose previous projects include the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art). Its interiors, by Yabu Pushelberg, feature soft, natural colours and contemporary furnishings, as well as hand-painted screens, silk lanterns and latticework.

Opening date: November 2012; Rates: From RMB1,500

12 Hengshan Road, French quarter; tel: 86.21 3338 3888; www.twelveathengshan.com

W Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China

The asymmetrical W Guangzhou building was designed by architect Rocco Yim, also responsible for the LHT tower in Hong Kong and the Guangdong Museum in Guangzhou. The hotel's interior design is the collective effort of Yabu Pushelberg, Toronto's Glyph, Hong Kong's André Fu, Tokyo's AND and Kuala Lumpur's Design Wilkes. The hotel is located on the Pearl River in the lively Pearl River New Town district.

Opening date: April 2013; Rates: From RMB2,013

26 xian Cun Road, Pearl River new town; tel: 86.20 6628 6628; www.wguangzhou.com

V Wanchai2, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

This hotel is conveniently located in Wan Chai, formerly a prosperous fishing village and now one of Hong Kong's busiest business and entertainment neighbourhoods. It is within walking distance of the HK Convention and Exhibition Centre, Happy Valley racecourse and harbour. Designed by local practice Edge Design Institute, the V Wanchai 2 building features a striking lattice façade inspired by traditional abacuses, a gold and silver palette, and a mix of contemporary and traditional furniture.

Opening date: March 2013; Rates: From HK$1,688

139 thomson Road, Wan Chai; tel: 852.3602 2388; www.thevhotels.com

V Wanchai2, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

This hotel is conveniently located in Wan Chai, formerly a prosperous fishing village and now one of Hong Kong's busiest business and entertainment neighbourhoods. It is within walking distance of the HK Convention and Exhibition Centre, Happy Valley racecourse and harbour. Designed by local practice Edge Design Institute, the V Wanchai 2 building features a striking lattice façade inspired by traditional abacuses, a gold and silver palette, and a mix of contemporary and traditional furniture.

Opening date: March 2013; Rates: From HK$1,688

139 thomson Road, Wan Chai; tel: 852.3602 2388; www.thevhotels.com

Leela Palace, Chennai, India

The only Chennai city hotel with sea views, the Leela Palace Chennai - the eighth Leela property in India - is set in five acres overlooking the Bay of Bengal and the Adyar River. Both the 11-storey new structure (by SRSS) and opulent interiors (by Design Wilkes) are inspired by the ornate architecture of the Chettinad dynasty.

Opening date: December 2012; Rates: From inR9,000

Adyar Seaface, MRC nagar; tel: 91.44 3366 1234; www.theleela.com

Shangri-la, Mumbai, India

The Shangri-La Mumbai is located above the upmarket Palladium shopping mall in High Street Phoenix, Mumbai's largest retail and entertainment district. It is the second luxury hotel to open in the area, conveniently located between the Nariman Point and Bandra Kurla business districts. The lavish interiors, by Singapore's Wilson Associates, include a sumptuous lobby adorned with Rajasthani tikri work, a palette of creams, browns and ochres, and more minimalist guest rooms.

Opening date: December 2012; Rates: From inR10,900

462 Senapati Bapat Marg, lower Parel; tel: 91.22 6162 8000; www.shangri-la.com

Alma, Tel Aviv, Israel

Located in Tel Aviv's White City district, surrounded by beaches, bars and galleries, the Alma building was originally designed as a private residence by architect Dov Tchendovski in 1925. It has been restored and turned into a boutique hotel by design team Shaltiel- Kastiel, along with mosaic and glass artist Lauri Recanati.

Opening date: November 2012; Rates: From ILS1,300

23 Yavne Street; tel: 972.3 630 8777; www.almahotel.co.il

Alma, Tel Aviv, Israel

Located in Tel Aviv's White City district, surrounded by beaches, bars and galleries, the Alma building was originally designed as a private residence by architect Dov Tchendovski in 1925. It has been restored and turned into a boutique hotel by design team Shaltiel- Kastiel, along with mosaic and glass artist Lauri Recanati.

Opening date: November 2012; Rates: From ILS1,300

23 Yavne Street; tel: 972.3 630 8777; www.almahotel.co.il

Delano, Marrakech, Morocco

Located in Hivernage, an increasingly buzzy part of the new town, the latest Delano hotel in the Morgans hotel group has been designed by French interior designer Jacques Garcia. With its soaring white atrium that riffs on the traditional riad, it strikes a dramatic note from the moment you enter the lobby.

Opening date: October 2012; Rates: From MAD2,600

Avenue Echouhada/ Rue des Temples; tel: 212.524 42 42 42; www.delanomarrakech.com

Marti, Istanbul, Turkey

Located in the cultural hotspot of Taksim, close to theatres and ancient bazaars, the Marti has been designed by Zeynep Fadillioglu, who was the first woman in Turkey to design and build a mosque. Works by Turkish artists Devrim Erbil and Kutluğ Ataman (a Carnegie Prize winner) are also displayed around the hotel.

Opening date: July 2012; Rates: From TRY205

Abdülhak Hamit Cad 25B; tel: 90.212 987 4000; www.martiistanbulhotel.com

Oberoi, Dubai, UAE

The Oberoi is located at The Oberoi Centre, next to the tallest building in the world - the Burj Khalifa. It is also close to downtown Dubai and the Dubai Mall.

Opening date: June 2013; Rates: From AED2,900

The Oberoi Centre, Business Bay; tel: 971.44 441 444; www.oberoihotels.com

Oberoi, Dubai, UAE

The Oberoi is located at The Oberoi Centre, next to the tallest building in the world - the Burj Khalifa. It is also close to downtown Dubai and the Dubai Mall.

Opening date: June 2013; Rates: From AED2,900

The Oberoi Centre, Business Bay; tel: 971.44 441 444; www.oberoihotels.com

Park Royal On Pickering, Singapore

Located close to Raffles Place, this hotel is a lush example of green architecture: tiers inspired by rice paddies dominate the lower levels of the 16-storey tower, and foliage spills out at regular intervals from ever-higher terraces. Architects WOHA and landscape specialists Tierra Design have continued the natural theme inside, too: the lobby features a vertical garden, while pale green hues and wood dominate the guest rooms. Apart from enchanting visitors, the thick vegetation acts as insulation and shade, and allows natural ventilation.

Opening date: January 2013; Rates: From S$278

3 Upper Pickering St; tel: 65.6809 8888; www.parkroyalhotels.com

Park Royal On Pickering, Singapore

Located close to Raffles Place, this hotel is a lush example of green architecture: tiers inspired by rice paddies dominate the lower levels of the 16-storey tower, and foliage spills out at regular intervals from ever-higher terraces. Architects WOHA and landscape specialists Tierra Design have continued the natural theme inside, too: the lobby features a vertical garden, while pale green hues and wood dominate the guest rooms. Apart from enchanting visitors, the thick vegetation acts as insulation and shade, and allows natural ventilation.

Opening date: January 2013; Rates: From S$278

3 Upper Pickering St; tel: 65.6809 8888; www.parkroyalhotels.com

Sans Souci, Vienna, Austria

A former inn dating from 1872 has received a vigorous makeover by Philippe Starck and John Hitchcox's London-based Yoo Studio along with Archer Humphryes Architects. Sans Souci is located in the central, bohemian district of Spittelberg, a pedestrianised neighbourhood next to the capital's MuseumQuartier area. The boutique hotel comes with lavish interiors featuring marble flooring, silver and gold details, and crystal chandeliers hanging above the swimming pool. Art and design features throughout, with original artworks by the likes of Allen Jones and Steve Kaufman, antique furniture, and modern pieces by Arne Jacobsen.

Opening date: December 2012; Rates: From €219

2 Burggasse; tel: 43.1 522 2520; www.sanssouci-wien.com

Sense Hotel, Sofia, Bulgaria

Surrounded by historic buildings such as the National Art Gallery and the golden-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sense Hotel cuts a striking figure on Sofia's famous yellow paved road, the Boulevard Tsar Osvoboditel. The first upscale design hotel in the Bulgarian capital, the contemporary glass structure by Rome-based practice Lazzarini Pickering Architetti is innovative, yet sits sympathetically within its grand surroundings. The immaculate guest rooms all boast floor-to-ceiling windows with great views over the city.

Opening date: March 2013; Rates: From €108

16 Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard; tel: 359.700 20670; www.sensehotel.com

Hôtel de nell, Paris, France

Nestled in a quiet corner of the otherwise lively 9th arrondissement, the Hôtel de Nell is a short walk away from the department stores of the Grands Boulevards. The boutique hotel was designed by renowned Parisian architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, who took care of every detail, from the ergonomic door handles to the retro Artemide lampshades. The establishment dubs itself a 'hôtel bistronome', letting its chic ground-floor brasserie La Régalade Conservatoire take centre stage.

Opening date: February 2013; Rates: From €300

7-9 rue du Conservatoire; tel: 33.1 44 83 83 60; www.hoteldenell.com

Hôtel Paradis, Paris, France

Once one of Paris' many hotels in need of some TLC, the former two-star Hôtel Paradis has been transformed into a boutique hotel by French designer Dorothée Meilichzon. It now features a reception desk fashioned out of old travel trunks, original padded headboards and banquettes, and individually designed rooms. Located near the Gare du Nord and Porte Saint-Denis, the hotel is housed in one of Paris' typical Haussmannian buildings and has beautiful attic rooms overlooking the rooftops of the city and the Eiffel Tower.

Opening date: November 2012; Rates: From €102

41 rue des Petites-Écuries; tel: 33.1 45 23 08 22; www.hotelparadisparis.com

Hôtel Paradis, Paris, France

Once one of Paris' many hotels in need of some TLC, the former two-star Hôtel Paradis has been transformed into a boutique hotel by French designer Dorothée Meilichzon. It now features a reception desk fashioned out of old travel trunks, original padded headboards and banquettes, and individually designed rooms. Located near the Gare du Nord and Porte Saint-Denis, the hotel is housed in one of Paris' typical Haussmannian buildings and has beautiful attic rooms overlooking the rooftops of the city and the Eiffel Tower.

Opening date: November 2012; Rates: From €102

41 rue des Petites-Écuries; tel: 33.1 45 23 08 22; www.hotelparadisparis.com

InterContinental, Marseille - Hotel Dieu, Marseille, France,

The third French property of global hotel group InterContinental is housed in a magnificent 18th- century building overlooking the Old Port and located next to the historic district of Le Panier. A former hospital with a long and varied history dating back to 1166, the building is blessed with sweeping staircases, grand arched windows and elegant vaulted ceilings. Its features have now been lovingly restored (the €100m renovation took three years to complete) by Parisian architect Anthony Bechu, with interiors by Jean-Philippe Nuel.

Opening date: April 2013; Rates: From €175

1 Place Daviel; tel: 33.4 13 42 42 42; www.intercontinental.com

Das Stue, Berlin, Germany

The Das Stue hotel is housed in what was formerly the Royal Danish Embassy building, built in the 1930s and designed by Johann Emil Schaudt. Axthelm Architekten has added a new wing, LVG Arquitectura has redesigned the rooms, and Patricia Urquiola was in charge of the décor of all the hotel's public spaces, including the lobby, cocktail bar and restaurants. The hotel is located next to Tiergarten Park and the Berlin Zoo, and is also close to the Berlin Philharmonic and the New National Gallery designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

Opening date: December 2012; Rates: From €200

Drakestraße 1; tel: 49.30 311 7220; www.das-stue.com

Aman Canal Grande, Venice, Italy

Located in one of the city's oldest quarters, San Polo, the Canal Grande is Aman Resorts' fifth and most sumptuous Mediterranean property. The restoration of the imposing 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli took 18 months, with the interior design by long-time Aman collaborator Denniston, and the structural engineering and architecture by Claudio Rebeschini and the Dottor Group. Highlights include the property's neo-renaissance and rococo flourishes, historic frescoes and peaceful gardens.

Opening date: June 2013; Rates: From €1,000

Palazzo Papadopoli, Calle Tiepolo 1364; tel: 39.04 1270 7333; www.amanresorts.com

Sir Albert, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Housed in a striking 19th-century industrial building formerly known as the Van Moppes diamond factory, Sir Albert is located in Amsterdam's bohemian De Pijp neighbourhood, a stone's throw from Museumplein and the city's busiest street market, the Albert Cuyp Market. Sir Albert's interiors are by Tel Aviv-based designers Irene Kronenberg and Alon Baranowitz of BK Architecture, who have also included pieces by Achille Castiglioni, Piet Hein Eek and Nika Zupanc.

Opening date: February 2013 rates: From €159

Albert Cuypstraat 2-6; tel: 31.20 305 3020; www.siralberthotel.com

The Thief, Oslo, Norway

The Thief is a nine-storey hotel in the Norwegian capital's new waterfront district of Tjuvholmen, known as Thief Island because of its former role as a prison. Created by hotelier Petter A Stordalen and built by Mellbye Architects, it comes with interiors by Anemone Wille Våge and features designs by the likes of Antonio Citterio, pieces by young local designers such as Magnus Pettersen and Anne Haavind, and unique artworks handpicked by the hotel's very own art curator.

Opening date: January 2013; Rates: From NOK1,690

Landgangen 1; tel: 47.24 00 40 00; www.thethief.com

Hotel Nikol'Skaya Kempinski, Moscow, Russia

The second Moscow property from the Kempinski group, this hotel is located in the heart of the capital, in a historical building - the former residence of Count Orlov-Davydov - dating back to the 1870s. The original façade, swirling staircases, stained glass dome and turn-of-the-century mosaic floors have been renovated, while the new interiors - a plush mix of gold, cream and dark furniture - are by Kempinski stalwarts Leo International Design Group. The hotel is located minutes away from the Bolshoi Theatre, the Duma and the famous GUM department store.

Opening date: May 2013; Rates: From RUB9,900

St Nikolskaya 12; tel: 7.495 967 7776; www.kempinski.com

Mercer Hotel, Barcelona, Spain

The hotel, located on Calle dels Lledó in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, is built on part of the walls of the ancient Roman city of Barcino. The renovation of the hotel was carried out by Pritzker Prize-winning Spanish architect Rafael Moneo and interior design is by Madrid-based firm Gastón y Daniela. The property's highlights include artworks by local painter Agustí Puig, a peaceful indoor patio with orange trees, a rooftop pool, and an atmospheric dining room in a meticulously restored Roman defence tower.

Opening date: September 2012; Rates: From €200

7 Calle dels Lledó; tel: 34.93 310 7480; www.mercerbarcelona.com

Café Royal, London, UK

Café Royal is one of only two hotels of The Set, a group founded in 2012. Opened on the site of a famous café frequented over the years by the likes of Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf and Rudyard Kipling, the hotel is situated on Regent Street, within walking distance of attractions such as the Royal Academy, the National Gallery and the Royal Opera House. The 1860s and 1920s rooms of the hotel have been restored by David Chipperfield Architects in collaboration with Historic Building Architects and Donald Insall Associates.

Opening date: December 2012; Rates: From £300

68 Regent Street; tel: 44.20 7406 3333; www.hotelcaferoyal.com

Click Clack, Bogotá, Colombia

The debut hotel from local entrepreneurs Juan Felipe Cruz and Tomas Beltran, Click Clack is one the city's few urban resorts that truly breaks ranks with Colombia's painfully corporate hotel scene. The façade of the 11-storey building, designed by Felipe Mesa of Plan B Arquitectura, features a road map of Bogotá fashioned from black laminated steel, while the interiors feature Scandinavian pieces by the likes of Hay and Bo Concept. Other highlights include a 500 sq m vertical garden, two display spaces for art installations, and bedrooms with jutting floor-to-ceiling windows.

Opening date: August 2013; Rates: From US$120

Carrera 11 No. 93-77; tel: 57.1 743 0404; www.clickclackhotel.com

Waldorf Astoria Panama, Panama City, Panama

The work of Miami-based interior designers Ba-haus/KNF, the Waldorf Astoria Panama is located in the fashionable Calle Uruguay district, close to the Panama Canal and Cinta Costera - one of Latin America's best running and walking trails, by the Pacific Ocean. The first foray of the Waldorf Astoria brand into Latin America, the hotel features high ceilings, exotic wood details, elegant public spaces and multiple dining options.

Opening date: May 2013; Rates: From US$179

47th Street and Uruguay Street; tel: 507.294 8000; www.waldorfastoriapanama.com

Hotel B, Lima, Peru

Hotel B is housed in a former seaside retreat built in 1914 in the Belle Époque style by French architect Claude Sahut, who also designed many of Lima's main avenues, parks and theatres. Located in the capital's bohemian Barranco district, the mansion has been carefully restored by master carpenters and sculptors from Lima's Fine Arts Academy, and now comes with a new wing, and classic interiors with a French twist.

Opening date: June 2013; Rates: From US$450

San Martín 301, barranco; tel: 51.1 206 0800; www.hotelb.pe

Hotel B, Lima, Peru

Hotel B is housed in a former seaside retreat built in 1914 in the Belle Époque style by French architect Claude Sahut, who also designed many of Lima's main avenues, parks and theatres. Located in the capital's bohemian Barranco district, the mansion has been carefully restored by master carpenters and sculptors from Lima's Fine Arts Academy, and now comes with a new wing, and classic interiors with a French twist.

Opening date: June 2013; Rates: From US$450

San Martín 301, barranco; tel: 51.1 206 0800; www.hotelb.pe

Hotel B, Lima, Peru

Hotel B is housed in a former seaside retreat built in 1914 in the Belle Époque style by French architect Claude Sahut, who also designed many of Lima's main avenues, parks and theatres. Located in the capital's bohemian Barranco district, the mansion has been carefully restored by master carpenters and sculptors from Lima's Fine Arts Academy, and now comes with a new wing, and classic interiors with a French twist.

Opening date: June 2013; Rates: From US$450

San Martín 301, barranco; tel: 51.1 206 0800; www.hotelb.pe

Sofitel, Montevideo, Uruguay

Built in 1921 in the style of a French palace by architects Gaston Mallet and Jacques Dunant, Montevideo's listed Hotel Casino Carrasco has just reopened as the Sofitel Montevideo. A US$75m restoration has helped bring the grand Belle Époque interiors and formal gardens back to their former glory. Located in one of the smartest neighbourhoods of the Uruguayan capital, the hotel overlooks the Rio de la Plata.

Opening date: June 2013 rates: US$272

Rambla república de México 6451; tel: 598.2 604 6060; www.sofitel.com

Sofitel, Montevideo, Uruguay

Built in 1921 in the style of a French palace by architects Gaston Mallet and Jacques Dunant, Montevideo's listed Hotel Casino Carrasco has just reopened as the Sofitel Montevideo. A US$75m restoration has helped bring the grand Belle Époque interiors and formal gardens back to their former glory. Located in one of the smartest neighbourhoods of the Uruguayan capital, the hotel overlooks the Rio de la Plata.

Opening date: June 2013 rates: US$272

Rambla república de México 6451; tel: 598.2 604 6060; www.sofitel.com

Shangri-La, Toronto, Canada

Designed by Vancouver-based architect James Cheng, the Shangri-La is located in the centre of Toronto, just a stone's throw from the city's theatre district and vibrant waterfront area, and the Art Gallery of Ontario. The sophisticated interiors are a joint effort by B+H CHIL Design, in charge of the guest rooms and health club, and Office of McFarlane and Biggar, responsible for the lobby and Bosk restaurant.

Opening date: September 2012; Rates: From CA$355

188 University Avenue; tel: 1.647 788 8888; www.shangri-la.com

HoteL Zetta, San Francisco, USA

Located within walking distance of the Union Square, SoMa and Mid-Market districts, Hotel Zetta - the newest property in the Viceroy Group's Urban Retreat collection - occupies the neo-classic shell of the century-old Hotel Milano. Revamped by Seattle-based Dawson Design Associates, it now features eclectic interiors with repurposed materials, such as a striking lobby chandelier made of recycled sunglasses.

Opening date: February 2013; Rates: From $245

55 5th Street; tel: 1.415 543 8555; www.viceroyhotelgroup.com

The Langham, Chicago, USA

The Langham Chicago occupies the first 13 floors of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's iconic, 52-storey IBM building. The 40-year-old office tower has been sensitively transformed into a luxurious hotel with 20ft windows and white travertine marble walls, in keeping with Mies van der Rohe's aesthetic. Designed by his grandson, architect Dirk Lohan, the hotel's lobby features two never-produced sofas that the modernist architect designed for his daughter Waltraud.

Opening date: July 2013; Rates: From $480

330 North Wabash Avenue; tel: 1.312 923 9988; www.langhamhotels.com

Refinery Hotel, New York, USA

Once a millinery factory with a swish tea salon attached, the new Refinery Hotel has brought a touch of nostalgic elegance back to New York's oft- neglected Garment District. The 12-storey, 1912 building's original neo-gothic arches and windows have all been preserved, while inside, the space has been decked out in an industrial style by Stonehill & Taylor, the design firm behind hip favourites the NoMad and Ace hotels. The site's fashion heritage is picked up in small details, such as carpets with scissors motifs.

Opening date: May 2013; Rates: From $350

63 W 38th Street Tel: 1.646 664 0310; www.refineryhotelnewyork.com

Refinery Hotel, New York, USA

Once a millinery factory with a swish tea salon attached, the new Refinery Hotel has brought a touch of nostalgic elegance back to New York's oft- neglected Garment District. The 12-storey, 1912 building's original neo-gothic arches and windows have all been preserved, while inside, the space has been decked out in an industrial style by Stonehill & Taylor, the design firm behind hip favourites the NoMad and Ace hotels. The site's fashion heritage is picked up in small details, such as carpets with scissors motifs.

Opening date: May 2013; Rates: From $350

63 W 38th Street Tel: 1.646 664 0310; www.refineryhotelnewyork.com

The Jade Hotel, New York, USA

A stone's throw from New York's Union Square, The Jade Hotel, designed by local firm Andres Escobar & Associates, features an entrance that comes complete with burning gas lamps and opens into a sunken lobby with a library. Each room boasts retro details, including ebony desks, rotary dial telephones and subway-tiled bathrooms. The best-kept secrets, however, are the second-floor rooms that come with individual garden terraces, concealed by leafy trellises.

Opening date: March 2013 rates: From $399

52 West 13th Street, greenwich village; tel: 1.212 375 1300; www.thejadenyc.com

The James Royal Palm, Miami Beach, USA

The James Royal Palm is located in one of Miami South Beach's art deco gems, a striking building which originally opened in 1939, but has since been extended and restored many times since. Celebrated US architect Lauren Rottet, in charge of the interiors, describes the ocean-front boutique hotel's style, a contemporary twist on art deco elegance, as 'Virginia Woolf and Jean-Michel Basquiat meet on the beach'.

Opening date: January 2013 rates: From $350

1545 Collins Avenue; tel: 1.305 604 5700; www.jameshotels.com

The Quin, New York, USA

Opening this autumn in Manhattan's Midtown, The Quin is located on the corner of 6th Avenue, right next to Central Park, and is only a few blocks away from landmarks such as MoMA and Carnegie Hall. Housed in a 17-storey pre-war building, the property (formerly known as the Buckingham Hotel) has been updated by design firm Perkins Eastman and now boasts slick public spaces with textured walls, blown-glass chandeliers and floral detailing - the latter in homage to famous Buckingham Hotel guest, artist Georgia O'Keeffe.

Opening date: October 2013; Rates: From $350

101 West 57th Street at 6th Avenue; tel: 1.212 245 7846; www.thequinhotel.com