Award season
Selected by RG Awards 2020
It is that time of the year when you look back and evaluate matters. A time to think about what has happened during the year to establish what stood out to you and has stayed with you.
I have put together my own ”Selected by RG Awards” for 2020. The jury is made up of only me and the decision making process has been very undemocratic. Below I have listed my favorites among the hotels I stayed at during this past year in 9 different categories. So it is no complete mega-global list but focused on hotels I’ve stayed at during this past year. I hope you enjoy the read and feel inspired by these amazing places.
My favorite alpine hotel of 2020…
…and the winner is: Bühelwirt, Italy
A beautiful design hotel, well off the beaten track that embodies what I always look for in an alpine hotel: a combo of tradition and contemporary design that shelters you from the elements, great food an authentic hospitality.
Link to my blog post about Bühelwirt
My favorite rural hotel of 2020…
…and the winner is: Talldungen Gårdshotell, Sweden
In Brösarp among the rolling hills of Österlen in the southern part of Sweden you’ll find this “gårdshotell” (which means farm hotel in Swedish). The location is beautiful and the food is amazing. They even have their own on site bakery! A worthy winner of rural hotel of the year.
Link to my blog post about Talldungen
My favorite hotel by water of 2020…
…and the winner is: Timber Cove Resort, CA, USA
On the Californian coast, just north of San Francisco is where you’ll find this unique hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Beautiful, dramatic nature and laidback atmosphere where the design feels like a combo of Wild West and Californian Hippie.
Link to my blog post about Timber Cove Resort
My favorite historic hotel of 2020…
…and the winner is: Villa Arnica, Italy
In South Tyrol in the northern part of Italy interesting design hotels are popping up like mushrooms. Villa Arnica is situated in this Old World villa, designed in 1925, and located n the middle of the small village of Lana. It is a treat for the soul to stay here. Can’t wait to go back.
Link to my blog post about Villa Arnica
My favorite urban hotel of 2020…
…and the winner is: SoHo House Amsterdam, The Netherlands
A real urban resort. Located in favorite Amsterdam in an amazing old building that sets the tone for the design. Unique, eclectic interior with bold design choices. And then there is the food, the great service and the roof top pool. A worthy winner of urban hotel of the year.
Link to my blog post about SoHo House Amsterdam
My favorite B&B of 2020…
…and the winner is: TypeO B&B, Sweden
This one-room B&B in the middle of the country side, outside Ystad in south Sweden is so beautifully designed. All the items you’ll find in the loft are carefully selected by owners Magnus and Micha and everything is for sale. A tranquil escape to the country.
Link to my blog post about TypeO B&B
My favorite budget design hotel of 2020…
…and the winner is: Student Hotel Delft, The Netherlands
This budget design chain is growing across Europe. They offer a combination of long term and short term stays. The Student Hotel in Delft is full of colorful, vibrant design and it all comes at a very agreeable cost. It goes to show that staying at a cool design hotel doesn’t always mean that you need to empty your bank account.
Link to my blog post about Student Hotel Delft
My favorite sustainability focused hotel of 2020…
…and the winner is: Quartier Lodges Biohotel, Germany
In famous ski resort Garmisch-Partenkirchen you’ll find this biohotel that takes circularity seriously. Everything from the bath to the bed is made with local materials. The organic food is only sourced regionally. They do their own laundry in house and use only ecological detergents, also for cleaning. And the list goes on. I hope they set the bar for more hotels.
Link to my blog post about Quartier Lodges
And the big one, Selected by RG’s Unique Award of 2020…
…and the winner is: Ett Hem, Sweden
This place is more than only a hotel. It is such an amazing place that almost left me speechless. I was taken aback by everything from the architecture, the design (by my favorite Ilse Crawford), the service, the food, the bed, the hotel scent… This hotel has (rightly so) gained a global reputation so you have to plan ahead if you want to snag one of the desirable rooms. I hope to come back again soon. I just need to save up some more money before we do. :-)
Link to my blog post about Ett Hem
Now I look forward to what will hopefully be a new, good hotel year! I hope you will join me as I explore new hotels!
