Delano, Miami
We start, if not quite at the beginning for that youd have to look back to Starcks New York hotel, The Royalton then still practically in the dawn of hotel time, with Miami and the Delano. As youd expect with a hotel that opened almost 20 years ago, its seen its fair share of cosmetic tweaks (they even got Lenny Kravitz to design a space), but its still very much a Philippe Stark hotel. It also still pulls the celebs in, with everyone from Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Alba to P Diddy and Matthew McConaughey having checked in at one time or another.
Read our review of Delano
Sanderson, London
Next up is a London fashion week favourite, the Sanderson. Its hard to know what else there is to say about this former textile factory. The rooms are celestial-feeling, the reception and public areas are packed with design pieces from lips/swan/bubble-shaped chairs and oversized chaise longue and theres a whimsical, through-the-looking-glass aesthetic running throughout. And if its no longer quite the edgy enfant terrible of London hotels, then its certainly not rolling over and ageing gracefully.
Read our review of the Sanderson
JIA, Hong Kong
The Philippe Starck hotel caravan rolled onto Hong Kong in 2004. While JIA is smaller than many of the projects he worked on with Ian Schrager (both in the number and size of rooms), all the trademark Starck touches can be seen in the hotels interiors from the ethereal, floating white curtains and Louis XV-style sofas upholstered in gleaming silver to the classic Ghost chairs.
Read our review of JIA Hong Kong
Faena Hotel & Universe, Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires got its Starck hit in 2006. And for our money Faena Hotel & Universe is one of the most accomplished of all Philippe Starck hotels, with plenty of glittering mirrors, Murano glass and dramatic baroque futurism coming together to stunning effect. Only the restaurant falls slightly flat. But then there are so many wall-mounted unicorns heads anyone can take
Read our review of Faena Hotel & Universe
Palazzina G, Venice
2009 saw Starcks arrival in Venice. With a Murano glass bull at the entrance, glass sculptures from Aristide Najean in reception, Flos reading lamps in the rooms, lots and lots of mirrors throughout (and not an old-fashioned twiddle or twirl to be seen), Palazzo G is far from the classic Venice palazzo. But then it was never going to be. Its typical of a man who, love him or loathe him, changed the way hotels looked. Happy birthday, Philippe Starck.
Read our review of Palazzina G
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