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Five Architect-Approved, Incredibly Stylish Stays

Five Architect-Approved, Incredibly Stylish Stays

George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg open up their little black boutique book.

?Ever had a hotel design or a restaurant detailing take your breath away? Chances are it was a Yabu-Pushelberg. Partners -- both in business and life -- for over 30 years, NYC-based architects George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg are tastemakers responsible for such stunners as the Graves 601 in Minneapolis, Smyth Tribeca and W Times Square, the erstwhile Waikiki Edition in Hawaii, as well as Ian Schrager?s new venture, PUBLIC in Chicago.

Discerning is as discerning does -- so where do these inveterate travelers bed down when on the road? Why the most stylish stays around the world, of course!

The Upper House (Hong Kong)"We love the Upper House because the rooms are generous with beautifully appointed bathrooms. The staff is well-informed and the free pantry amenities are such a great idea!" UpperHouse.com

Tawaraya Ryokan (Kyoto, Japan)"One of the oldest Japanese inns -- it catered to Samurai warriors, as well Barbra Streisand and Pierre Trudeau. We were assigned a grandmother who prepares your bath, makes your bed, and serves you breakfast! It takes you back in time to the days of true inn-keeping. Beautifully proportioned, it epitomizes traditional Japanese aesthetic."

Il Convento di Santa Maria di Costantinopoli (Puglia, Italy)"You are coming into a cultured couple's home as a personal guest. They invite you to help yourself to the refrigerator and tell the chef what you want for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Everything is taken care of, from your laundry to your grocery list. It?s hard to get into, though -- the lady of the house has to like your voice on the telephone!" [Ed note: it?s even harder to get a photo. The above is just the countryside. Pretty though, no?]

"This is a renovation of an old convent with an open courtyard in the middle. At night, the owner lights it with candles and the light reflects off the red walls and surrounding loggia -- it's magical." +39-7736-362328

PuLi (Shanghai)"The anti-hotel in a hotel city. It feels Chinese! The rooms are big, but intimate and serene. They are beautifully lit -- an oasis in the middle of a big city. You get a sense of rural China in the bustling city of Shanghai with the updated charm of Hutong aesthetic." ThePuli.com

Amantaka (Laos)"This French-colonial hospital was converted into a chic hotel. The simple monastic rooms that are calm and serene, arranged around an open courtyard covered in grass. The best part of the experience is seeing the traditional longboats on the Mekong River. We recommend getting up at 5:30am to go see the hundreds of monks in training receiving food offerings from people -- so peaceful and quiet and amazing." AmanResorts.com
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