We’re all about a funky hotel or two, but some of the coziest spots are those with shabby-chic decor — just homey enough to be comforting, while still packing in a lot of style. Shabby-chic hotel design is a study in the art of textural contrasts: vintage leather, velvet furniture, deliberately faded rugs, woods and rich prints all add to the look. And when shabby-chic is done well, the end result is impressively style-conscious, yet more livable than some, shall we say more modern, spots we’ve visited. So today we’re giving a photo tour of our favorite hotels that have the shabby-chic vibe down pat. Get inspired — and get the look.
Petit Ermitage, Los Angeles: We love the cozy, laid-back look of the Petit Ermitage, a quaint boutique in West Hollywood. The hotel's bohemianism — think stained glass, distressed fixtures, and plenty of interesting artwork — gives the common areas and rooms a whimsical vibe and clearly attracts a fair share of hipsters, who can be found by the rooftop pool or in the lobby. It may not look like much from the outside, but the Petit Ermitage not only boasts an attention-to-detail in the design, but also in the amenities it provides (rooftop garden, tasty restaurant, pool), especially for a hotel of its size.
The Greenwich Hotel, New York City: This virtually flawless 88-room TriBeCa hotel (opened in 2008 by Robert de Niro, among others) features shabby-chic decor throughout, with emphasis on the "chic." Meticulously chosen leather settees, Moroccan tiles, Oriental rugs and artwork are all placed in rooms constructed of reclaimed woods, hand-applied stucco and hand-crafted tiles, so they feel more like an old Italian apartment than a New York hotel room. A hand-chosen selection of books, including several newly released art and photo books, fill the shelves of each room. Add in a peaceful underground pool, Shibui Spa, and the homestyle Italian Locanda Verde restaurant, and it's hard to find a better hotel in all of Manhattan.
Carlton Oslo Hotel Guldsmeden, Norway: This 50-room boutique hotel is notable for two reasons: Its charming Norway-meets-Bali, shabby-chic decor, and its eco-friendly philosophy. Features such as four-poster beds with fur throws, organic wooden furniture, Oriental rugs and even bright, "country home" dishware create the rustic-chic look. Perks also include a small spa and free organic breakfast.
One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos, Mexico: The One&Only Palmilla is easily one of the most luxurious resorts not only in Cabo, but in Mexico. Every single feature here has an upscale touch to it, from the exclusive spa, to the wonderful cuisine, to the beautiful pools — and certainly the rooms are nothing less than lavish, with gorgeous shabby-chic decor to boot. We love the wrought-iron detail, the massive four-poster beds and the airy, open floorplans.
Korakia Pensione, Palm Springs, Calif.: Korakia Pensione is a striking hotel. Modeled after a Mediterranean pensione, it looks like something out of Greece or Morocco — Forbes named it one of the sexiest hotels in America. The many outdoor spaces, including fire pits, fountains and stone paths, are all beautiful and unexpected. And the hotel plays old movies every night outside on the terrace. The rooms are named, not numbered, and each is slightly different, but all have a shabby-chic look, particularly in the aptly named artist studio, where an antique four-poster bed, interesting sketches and light-filled French doors add to the aesthetic.
The Bowery Hotel, New York City: The Bowery Hotel redefines class in a gentrified downtown neighborhood where punk rock and squalor once ruled. With its faded oriental rugs, shabby-chic vintage (and faux-vintage) furniture and wrought-iron detailing, the lobby of the Bowery Hotel is unlike any other in New York. The atmosphere is darkly brooding and richly nostalgic; you wouldn't be surprised to see the dandified thug played by Daniel Day-Louis in Gangs of New York stroll past tasseled velvet couches, examine one of the strategically placed peacock feathers, and sit in one of the leather club chairs. A super-hip bar and free bike rentals make this spot even cooler.
Jake's, Jamaica: With just 30 boho cottages in secluded Treasure Beach, Jake's is one of the quaintest boutique hotels in Jamaica. Guests come to unplug — there's no phone, Internet or TV in the cottages. But there is plenty of shabby-chic decor: canopied beds, colored glass, rustic wooden decor, you name it. The property feels like it was plucked out of a hippie artist's utopia of the '70s and filled with well to do New Yorkers and Brits fresh off of their JetBlue and British Air flights. Guests don breezy linen tunics from boutiques back home and peep through designer sunglasses while they sip fresh-squeezed juice next to the sea.
Hotel Daniel, Paris: Hotel Daniel is an elegant boutique located between the Champs Elysees and Rue du Fauburg Saint-Honore, two of the most famous streets in Paris. With an abundance of silks, rich fabrics, furniture from around the globe and hand-painted wallpaper on walls adorned with quaint china, this small property has shabby-chic charm to spare. The rooms are decent-sized for Paris, and come with great amenities including luxurious bathrooms with big soaking tubs and striking antiques. The restaurant is outstanding (but expensive), and service is top-notch.
The Vermont Inn, Mendon, Vt.: The Vermont Inn is a historic, family-run property in tiny Mendon, located halfway between Killington Ski Resort and Rutland. It has classic New England decor throughout, but after a visit from the crew of Hotel Impossible on Travel Channel, the Bridal Suite got a shabby-chic makeover. The champagne-flecked walls, mirrored vanity, and shabby chic vibe would make any woman want to get ready for her wedding in this very room.
