Colour psychology studies have long discussed the effects of warmer, brighter colours on increasing positivity, productivity and creativity, while soothing shades of blue and green can induce a calmer state of mind. Join us on a multi-coloured journey around the world in ten vibrant visits to these aesthetically pleasing places.
Palm Suite, Rome – Italy
A riot of tropical colours and exotic patterns, these eclectic Roman residences are moments from the Eternal City’s ‘big five’: Capitoline Hill, the Forum, the Pantheon, the Colosseum and Basilica of Saint Peter in Chains. Housed within a grand 18th-century building, each of the 12 suites at Palm Suite has its own whimsical style – a statue of a tiger in one, a golden palm-shaped lamp in another. This meticulously mismatched palette is made to be as memorable as the Forum views.
Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amistà, Verona – Italy
A statement art hotel combining contemporary works by world-famous artists with the grandeur of a 16th-century Venetian villa, Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amistà has been given an ultra-modern makeover by architect and designer Alessandro Mendini. Each one of the 59 rooms is individually decorated and masterfully styled with the use of vividly coloured fabrics and furnishings as well as works by Marc Quinn, Damien Hurst, Anish Kapoor and Vanessa Beecroft.
Galleria VIK Milano, Milan – Italy
Housed within Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest active shopping centre, the Vik family have established a Milanese home-from-home inspired by the architecture of the 19th-century arcade and the city’s world-renowned design scene. Reflecting the art and soul of Milan, Galleria VIK Milano is part hotel, part modern art gallery. Clearly unafraid of colour, bold murals, striking sculptures, and a vibrant palette paint a vivid picture, though no two rooms are the same – each bearing the hallmark of a renowned artist, from Giuseppe Gonella and Pino Pinelli, to Felipe Cardena and Shinya Sakurai.
Latest stories
Crowd-free alternatives to our favourite European destinations
Long days with the sun stretching late into the evening. Lazing on the beach after slow lunches of fresh seafood dressed with olive oil and lemon. Following unmarked paths off the map to beautiful views and empty coves. Spontaneous encounters with locals in sleepy villages. Flavourful fruits and vegetables glowing in the
Island swing: Island hopping from Mykonos to Naxos
When travelling in search of slow, sensory wellbeing, the Cyclades islands have much to offer, from small rituals and restorative nature to poignant moments of humanity that are best experienced and reflected on at leisure.
Into the wild: a family safari in Tanzania
Alive with intrepid adventure, breathtaking wilderness and bucket-list wildlife encounters, a luxury safari is an inspired choice for all ages — as one writer discovers on her first family trip to Tanzania, a journey that proves as much a long-awaited homecoming as an unforgettable escape.
Independent Minds: Carmen and Klaus Alber
Having met while studying hospitality management, Carmen and Klaus bonded over a shared dream: to open a small boutique hotel that would attract dynamic international travellers seeking a calm respite from a chaotic world. So when the opportunity arose to take over what is now the Miramonti Boutique Hotel in
