Facing the 17th-century Nijo Castle in Central Kyoto across the Horikawa-dori street, The Mitsui hotel combines modern-day luxury with ryokan aesthetics, staff dressed in kimono uniforms, and traditional hot spring onsen baths. Kyoto's brand-new hotel takes inspiration from traditional Japanese inns but replaces thin wooden walls with a rock-solid structure, …

Looking at the facade of the Spanish country house where Les Cols Pavellons, Girona, is based, you might think this is a lovely but nothing-out-of-ordinary place. Nothing more wrong! The historic building hides five high-concept glass rooms that feature architectural design out of this world. The rooms are entirely made …