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Hotel Design / Ace Hotels / Standard Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / Hip Hotels / → All Tags

The Dynamic Design Duo: Roman and Williams Talks

So you're in New York City, and you walk into the dark and cozy hotspot that is the lobby of the Ace Hotel, and you wonder, "whoa, who designed all this?" And then perhaps you go over to the other happening hotel in the city right now, The Standard, and you think the same thing. And the answer to this question—which is really who are the hottest interior designers out there right now—is Roman & Williams.

From the Standard's notoriously exclusive (and decadent) Boom Boom Room to the Breslin restaurant at The Ace, the dynamic design duo is behind the look of some of the buzzingest Manhattan properties these days. Curious to catch up with them, and see if designers—Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch—could get them into the Boom Boom, Gothamist contacted them for a brief interview, and discovered a few choice tidbits.

You should really read the whole brilliant little exchange between them, but we've pulled out the best info for your skimming pleasure, after the jump.

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Hotel News / Guides / Hip Hotels / Herbert Ypma / → All Tags

Herbert Ypma Says Britain Has Hip Hotels Too

The bar at The Sanderson Hotel in London.

Mr Hip Hotels himself, Herbert Ypma, has finally decided that there are enough hip (Highly Individual Places) hotels in Britain to write a book about them. Despite living there much of the time that he's not traveling, Ypma thought that

when Hip Hotels started there were only three or four hotels [in Britain] you could say were Highly Individual Places, but now there are enough to fill a book ... He also credits global warming with improving British weather to the point where people think they can escape into the countryside with a fair chance of not being rained on.

In general, Ypma's hippest hotels around Britain tend to be either "gastro-pubs-with-rooms" complete with cosy open fires, or "groovy grands": old manors that have had a trendy makeover, perhaps with funky furniture added to a regal ballroom and creating a must-see mix.

Personally, we just love to groove along to the funky music at Ypma's website, but getting our hands on the new Britain's Hip Hotels book would also give us something to do.

Related Stories:
· Britain's Hip Hotels [UK Times]
· Hip Hotels [Official Website]
· Herbert Ypma's Hippest Hotels List [HotelChatter]

Playa Del Carmen Hotel Reviews / Hip Hotels / Mexico Hotel Reviews / → All Tags

Hotel Básico: Women Topless, Vibe Relaxed

Where: 5 Avenida y Calle 10 Norte, Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Suncrawler, over at the always entertaining W4 blog, was in Mexico this month, lucky bastard.

Upon arrival at Cancun airport all of our worst fears were realized -- drunken midwesterns doing tequila shots in the departure lounge, overweight mammas in far too revealing shirts which read Spring Break 2007, and more than a few passed out high school kids who looked like they needed medical attention after doing too many Jello shots at Wet Willies.

Luckily, Suncrawler escaped Cancun and made it to Playa Del Carmen.  When it came time to sleep, Hotel Básico got the call:

The hotel Basico, we were greeted with a chilled out - dare we say - even Mediterranean vibe? The hotel is the sister hotel to Mexico City's uber trendy Habita Hotel and features an elaborate rooftop pool / lounge area. Playa itself: tacky - kinda; Americans - not too many; cocktails - strong; women - topless; vibe - relaxed.

Remember, Bonnie Tsui told us this place was not right on the beach, however it still sounds well worth a look.

[Photo: Orrin]

Related Stories:
·   Hotel Básico Comments [TripAdvisor]