NoMad Las Vegas

Located inside the Park MGM, NoMad Las Vegas is swapping the usual cheesy glitz of The Strip for the romantic refinement of a residence overseas. The hotel stays true to the chain's vision by paying homage to its location with a European influence. Its 293 rooms feature a desert-inspired palette, furnished with custom leather headboards, rich Mahogany writing desks, and a collection of original artwork curated by Paris-based studio be-poles. The sophisticated affair is completed with Carrara marble walk-in showers and pedestal bathtubs. NoMad OGs Chef Daniel Humm and Will Guidara run the lounge and restaurant as well as a cafe and bar for the Moroccan garden pool area. Since it wouldn't be a Vegas hotel without a casino, they offer Roulette, Blackjack, and Baccarat housed below a vintage Tiffany glass ceiling.

Rimrock House

Straddling the terrain on a bluff in Washington, the Rimrock House respects its cliffside property. The structure bridges over a natural wash, maintaining the site's existing animal path while also elevating the glazed facade above the winter snow. The remainder of the exterior is clad in weathered steel, a material that can handle the harsh climate and also meshes with the rugged scenery. The opaque regions of the home are reserved for the private rooms. Slim windows offer glimpses of the landscape without sacrificing privacy. On the lower level, the main living area is wrapped in glass. This transparent boundary provides the kitchen, dining, and sitting room with panoramic views over Riverside State Park and the north end of Spokane.

Photos: Kevin Scott / Olson Kundig

Santa Clara 1728

Located in the heart of Portugal's Old Quarter, Santa Clara 1728 is the best way to experience the capital city. The hotel is housed in an 18th-century palace. Although it has been completely renovated, the new updates still pay homage to the building's original historic charm. Each light-filled room offers a serene atmosphere with billowing fabrics, pale woods, and soft, neutral tones throughout the bedroom, bathroom, and sitting area. Views of the Tagus River are available in all six suites while terraces overlook the property's private garden. A complete cultural experience is right outside the doorstep with the Feira da Ladra flea market, ancient castles, and 17th-century monasteries are just a short walk away.

House Between Pillars

Using traditional Japanese framework, the House Between Pillars turns a vacant Tokyo home into a modular masterpiece. The interior is fitted with wooden pillars, spaced equal distance apart. Between each column, tracks were placed and fitted with interchangeable partitions. This allows potential owners to divide and create rooms to fit their lifestyle. Along with the adjustable walls, moveable furniture adds to the home's adaptability while the mix of plywood and timber provides a minimalist palette that can accommodate any style.

Photos: Kentahasegawa / Camp Design Inc.

La Valise Tulum

If the Swiss Family Robinson designed a luxury oceanfront resort it would be the La Valise Tulum. The property sits on a strip of beach where the jungle meets the sea. Tucked into the lush vegetation, each of the hut-style rooms is fit for a modern castaway with handmade Palapa roofs and an eclectic mix of Mexican art and objects. Many of them come with their own terraces fitted with hammocks overlooking the Caribbean.

House MK

House MK reimagines a traditional Austrian farmhouse by giving it a contemporary new extension. The original structure is a prime example of the region's vernacular architecture with white granite block walls and a clipped gable roof. While these historic characteristics were preserved for the existing residence, the addition takes on a more modern form. The buildings rough-sawn spruce cladding and an asymmetrical gabled roof are reminiscent of a barn, a current complement to the former farmhouse. Inside, the rustic touches continue with timber beams and knotted wood flooring. Sleek white walls and minimalist cabinetry create an updated atmosphere while openings in the ceiling flood the interior with natural light.

Photos: Dietmar Hammerschmid / Hammerschmid Pachl Seebacher Architekten

Hotel Covell

Inspired by the life of a fictional author, Los Angele's Hotel Covell has an interesting story to tell. Made up of just nine suites, each room is dedicated to a chapter in the character George Covell's life. For instance, Chapter 1's room features shiplap walls and reclaimed wood accents to represent his rustic upbringing in Oklahoma while the patterned tiles and marble wallpaper in Chapter 4 is an ode to the imaginary writer's travels to Monaco and India. Although no two rooms are alike, they do all offer a homey atmosphere with Crosley turntables, parachute linens, and kitchenettes with Smeg refrigerator. It all sits on top of the hotel's sister bar that boasts an extensive list of beer and wine.

Zealand Villa

English country meets modern Scandinavia at Zealand Villa. The structure that previously occupied the site was destroyed by a fire and although the new construction isn't an exact remake of the original, it does replicate some of the former home's traditional features. It's divided into three symmetrical volumes. Clad in white brick, their metal roofs and oak accents give off a barn-like appearance. The kitchen resides in one wing and the master suite in the other. At the center is the main living space. Celestial windows wash the Nordic-styled interior with natural light while glazed doors open out to the Denmark countryside.

Photos: Jørgen True / C.F. Møller Architects

Ark Shelter

An ark is defined as a place of protection, refuge, or asylum and these sleek shelters are just that. The minimalist cabins come in a variety of sizes, offering all of the comforts of home while getting you as close to nature as a tent. Its foundation-less design allows it to be moved from location to location without disrupting the natural environment. Each one is lined with a cozy wood interior and comes fitted with custom-made cabinets and furniture. To ensure the focus stays on your landscape of choice, vast expanses of glazing blur the boundaries between the living spaces and the outdoors. Every unit is prefabricated off-site and can be installed in just a few hours.

La Dacha Mountain Retreat

Rising through the treetops of a forest in the Chilean Andes, the La Dacha Mountain Retreat is heavy on views and design. Its verticle approach allows for a small footprint, causing little disruption to the natural landscape while the charred conifer cladding compliments the surrounding evergreen trees. Internally, native Lingue wood lines the interior provides a rustic warmth for the worldly mix of modern furnishings. The interior is spread throughout three levels. The main living area has been placed above in the surrounding canopies to maximize views. Overlooking both the Nevados de Chillan volcano and the Valle Las Trancas, strategically placed glazed panels take advantage of the home's V-shape to frame-in distinct scenes of the mountainous setting.

Photos: Felipe Camus, Nico Saieh / DRAA

Zwavelpoort Conservatory

Surrounded by 85-acres of South African farmland, the Zwavelpoort Conservatory highlights the local landscapes with a steel and glass facade. The showpiece of the home is the double-height glazed gabled structure. Sitting at the center of the residence, the conservatory is the social hub where guests can gather and take in views from the light-filled space. Automated doors open the room up to the dramatic scenery turning the area into an open-air pavilion. A glazed panel in the concrete floor reveals a subterranean wine cellar accessed by a hidden trap door. The kitchen sits to the east while guestrooms extend to the west in a two-story brick volume. Each bedroom walks out to a covered balcony — a prime spot to watch the sunset behind the Magaliesberg range.

Photos: Marsel Roothman / Nadine Engelbrecht Architects

Six Senses Zil Pasyon Hotel

Félicité is a small private island in the Seychelles archipelago. It's lush landscapes and turquoise waters create a dreamy backdrop for the Six Senses Zil Pasyon Hotel. The beachfront resort is made up of just 30 villas and 3 residences. Each one is nestled into the native vegetation offering privacy to the private sundecks and infinity edge pools. Inside, wood-clad vaulted ceiling create spacious retreats that offer a personal wine cellar, soaking tubs, and four-poster beds overlooking the Indian Ocean. Tucked into the rocky coastline is a full-service spa. The five-treatment villas specialize in holistic wellness inspired by the tropical setting while a saltwater pool and yoga platform help guests find their vacation zen.

Houses A2

Set on the Greek island of Paros, the Houses A2 transforms the ruins of two rental studios into a pair of impressive holiday homes. The new residences take on a modern, cubic form offering a sleek reinterpretation of traditional Cycladic architecture. Its interior layout if flipped, placing the guest rooms on the ground floor and the living spaces above to maximize views of the sea. Much of the exterior is wrapped in a slatted pergola. The expansive shelter offers protection from the sun and wind allowing guests to take advantage of the outdoors all year long.

Photos: Yiorgis Yerolymbos / Buerger Katsota Architects

High Country Cabin

Admire the New Zealand landscapes from the comfort of a custom built sofa at the High Country Cabin. Although it's inspired by the backcountry huts that dot the area, it's hard to imagine those mountainous shelters are as impressive as this. The quaint 535-square-foot retreat and offers an open living space with a kitchen and dining area and a cozy bedroom all fitted with various hands crated treasures. Guests can in the scenery from the vast expanses of glazing or get out and explore it first-hand on the property's 10-acre site.

American Prairie Reserve Huts

Yurt hop across northeast Montana with the American Prairie Reserve Huts. The non-profit organization has stitched together over three million contiguous acres of the Great Plains and are now providing adventurers a place to stay while exploring the vast landscapes. Its network of shelters currently consists of two circular tents. The John and Margaret Craighead Hut is situated in cottonwood grove off the banks of the Judith River, making it ideal for those looking to fish or kayak while the Founders Hut overlooks the Missouri River valley and is close to hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing trails. Both offer two 30-foot yurts that can sleep up to 9, a full kitchen, dining area, and library. Powered by solar panels, there's plenty of juice to heat, cool, and charge up devices for the next great photo op.

Porsche Writing Desk

Crafted by 3 GJB 17, a design firm that specializes in creating custom furniture and objects out of vehicle parts, the Porsche Writing Desk is a highly unusual piece. The base is made from American walnut and is topped by an original Porsche 911 rear-end panel, painted an iconic Arctic Silver. Open the hatch to reveal a handsome wood surface, with a drawer on the side for holding keys, pens, or raceway passes.

Payette Lake Cliff House

Sited on a jagged bluff in Idaho, the Payette Lake Cliff House weaves between the existing trees and rock formations, almost becoming a part of the natural landscape. Its exterior blend into its surroundings with a facade of teak, concrete, and weathered zinc. The interior continues the warm, rugged appearance with plaster walls, timber ceilings, a fireplace made from locally quarried stone, and exposed boulders. Concrete surfaces run throughout the kitchen and bathrooms while I-beams hold up the second level. Every room — including the home gym — is afforded expansive views of the lakeside setting through massive steel-framed windows. The outdoors is easily accessible with multiple walkways and terraces tucked between the towering conifer trees.

Photos: Gabe Border & Laura Hull / McCall Design & Planning

Artery House

Inspired by the personal collection of an art enthusiast and his wife, the Artery House is a live-in gallery. Unlike most homes where the kitchen or the living room is the heart of the home, the sub-level exhibit hall is what keeps this dwelling alive. Its white walls are filled with vibrant masterpieces that flow out from the central area and into the surrounding hallways like blood pumping through an artery — hence the name. The main living is contained in the limestone ground floor while five bedrooms cantilever in the timber-clad box above. The artwork isn't just contained to the interior. Its landscaping doubles as a sculpture park featuring delicately crafted pieces intermingled with grass pavers, terraces, and a tension-edge pool.

Photos: Michael Robinson / Hufft Projects

Tourists Hotel

Occupying 55 acres along the Hoosic River in the Berkshires, the Tourists Hotel is the modern traveler's roadside motor lodge. The timber-clad inn houses 48 rooms and suites. From the floor to the ceiling, each minimalist retreat is decked out in wood panels including the king beds and sleeping nooks. Outdoor decks look out onto the surrounding trees and feature a soundtrack created by the streaming waters. Housed in an existing 1960s ranch, the lounge has been peeled back to its studs and fitted with vintage furnishings organized around a two-story fireplace. The site also includes a saltwater pool, deck bar, farmhouse, and lodge. Adventure seekers are in luck with many trails and paths running directly onto the property.

Sverdlovsk Philharmonic Concert Hall

Located in Yekaterinburg, Russia, the Sverdlovsk Philharmonic Concert Hall is inspired by the music that is performed inside it. The building's form mimics the physical aspects of sound waves resulting in a curved glass exterior sitting below a massive suspended canopy. As the home base for the Ural Philharmonic Orchestra, the new venue will hold a 1,600-seat concert hall and a 400-seat chamber music hall. The neighboring Weiner Gardens can be viewed from the glazed facade, acting as a backdrop for performances. It also offers a rooftop terrace looking out onto the Church of All Saints. While concerts will be its main purpose, the building will function as a public plaza for the growing city as well.

Photos: Zaha Hadid Architects

San Luis Hotel

The alpine lodge undergoes a modern makeover at the San Luis Hotel. Nestled on 40 hectors in the Italian Alps, the resort consists of 22 chalets and 6 treehouses situated around a manmade lakeshore. Timber lined interiors are adorned with warm linens, neutral hues, and dark stone floors and feature fireplaces, kitchens, dining areas, and expansive views of the mountainous setting. The centerpiece of the property is the clubhouse. The two-story hub houses a lounge, a spa, and an indoor swimming pool that extends to the lake outside. There's also a restaurant. Overlooking the water, the eatery serves both local fare and Mediterranean-inspired dishes prepared around a wood-fire grill.

Hendrick's Gin Palace

Located an hour southwest of Glasgow, Scotland sits Hendrick's brand new Gin Palace. The custom-designed complex falls neatly in line with the brand's modern use of Victorian design on their packaging, complete with a walled garden that leads to a Victorian inspired palm house. Two new still houses that churn out every drop of Hendrick's are the centerpiece of the new compound that houses all six of the distillery's stills, including an antique copper pot still that dates back to 1860. Two botanical hot houses help cultivate the unique ingredients that go into each bottle of Hendricks, while Master Distiller Lesley Gracie dreams up new recipes in the lab that includes an extensive flavor library, a lecture theatre, and a bar.

Sun City Camp

Get a taste of life on Mars at the Sun City Camp. The futuristic resort is situated among the red desert of Jordan's Wadi Rum where guests can stay in a variety of Bedouin-style tents or Martian Domes. Each one offers hotel-worthy amenities like private bathrooms, terraces, king-size beds, and views of the mountains and night's sky. Although it looks like you're on another planet, the reception tent offers wifi as well as authentic Middle Eastern meals. During your stay, explore the alien landscape on a jeep tour, dune buggy ride, or from above in a hot air balloon. For a more laidback approach, take advantage of the sunset yoga and end the day with an intense stargazing session.

Sea Ranch Retreat

Perched on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Sea Ranch Retreat is a modern interpretation of the Sonoma County community homes from the 1960s. The cedar-clad getaway is comprised of two wings angled at the water. Connected by a corrugated steel walkway, one unit is reserved for the bedrooms while the other is comprised of the living spaces. Each one features a minimalist aesthetic with plywood lined walls and concrete floors. Generous amounts of glazing warm the interior with the coastal sun and highlight views of the California landscape. The site's towering mature trees were preserved to protect the outdoor patios from the noisy highway, allowing for a peaceful area to enjoy glimpses of both the forest and the sea.

Photos: Joe Fletcher / Malcolm Davis Architecture

Vestry Street Loft

Making good use of the existing 100-year-old beams, the Vestry Street Loft transforms a Tribeca space into an airy bohemian abode. The two-story interior compliments its historic framework with reclaimed white oak floors and exposed brick. Fresh white paint highlights blackened steel windows that frame in views of the street below. Most of the 3,100 square feet are on the main level where you'll find an expansive living space with a kitchen decked out in custom cabinets and a Calacatta Borghini stone island, a dining area, and a living room with a wood-burning fireplace along with three bedrooms and an indoor vertical garden. At 800 square feet, the lower level is bigger than most New York City apartments offering a second living room, its own kitchenette, an additional bedroom, a flex room, and a separate entrance.

Londolozi Game Reserve

Bathe with elephants and hang with leopards at the Londolozi Game Reserve. The South African resort is located on the Sand River and is part of the 6-million acre Greater Kruger National Park. Wildlife freely roams throughout the property making it a prime location for encounters with the Big Five. The property consists of five camps each with their own unique experience and luxury accommodations ranging from treetop villas with private swimming pools to Granite Suites with soaking tubs overlooking the river bank. With over 90 years of Safari experience, a trip wouldn't be complete without taking advantage of one of their guided tours through the African bush.

Teton County House

Built on the remote wetlands of Idaho, the Teton County House was designed to respect the diverse ecosystem that inhabits the land on which it sits. The home features a small footprint, opting for a verticle arrangement. Its exterior is clad in local stone and timber, a combination that compliments the natural scenery. Internally, the dwelling presents a reverse layout with guests rooms on the ground floor and the main living area and master on the second level. This arrangement allows for prime viewing of the pristine landscape from behind the floor-to-ceiling windows. The glazed facade opens to a terrace covered by the oversized roof, creating an outdoor shelter to take in the surrounding mountain peaks.

Photos: Gabe Border / Ro Rockett Design