These Incredible Budget-Friendly, Design-Forward Hotels Are Definitely Worth A Stay

by Karen Gardiner and Rachel Friedman

These Incredible Budget-Friendly, Design-Forward Hotels Are Definitely Worth A Stay

by Karen Gardiner and Rachel Friedman

The high-end hotel experience is being redefined: luxurious is no longer synonymous with expensive. That's good news for travelers of all generations; gone are the days when a low budget meant bland and basic accommodations – as these properties prove.

The high-end hotel experience is being redefined: luxurious is no longer synonymous with expensive. That's good news for travelers of all generations; gone are the days when a low budget meant bland and basic accommodations – as these properties prove.

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Qbic London / Courtesy of the property
25 Hours Hotel Bikini Berlin
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25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin (Berlin, Germany)

25hours Hotels has multiple locations throughout Germany and Europe, but its flagship, 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin, offers a unique, urban jungle oasis with views of the Zoologischen Garten and the Kaiser-Wilhelm memorial church. With a hammock lounge in the lobby, an in-house bakery, and a rooftop restaurant and bar, this trendy hotel oozes creativity for those seeking a stay to let their minds roam. Rates are from $142 per night.

Read more: Berlin Port Review

25hours Hotels has multiple locations throughout Germany and Europe, but its flagship, 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin, offers a unique, urban jungle oasis with views of the Zoologischen Garten and the Kaiser-Wilhelm memorial church. With a hammock lounge in the lobby, an in-house bakery, and a rooftop restaurant and bar, this trendy hotel oozes creativity for those seeking a stay to let their minds roam. Rates are from $142 per night.

Qbic London
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Qbic (London, England)

The Qbic, located just off Brick Lane in the hip East London Shoreditch district, prioritizes the hotel experience by saying they "treat a hotel not merely as a place to sleep but as a meeting place for the like-minded. A theatre for the spontaneous. A space that opens to its surrounding area and welcomes life in." That's not at the expense of amenities, though: find free coffee machines on every floor and rooms with splashy artwork; rugs that resemble postage stamps; bright pops of canary yellow in the bathrooms; and freshly filtered water. Rates are from $75 per night in early 2021.

Read more: 6 Affordable Ways to See London

The Qbic, located just off Brick Lane in the hip East London Shoreditch district, prioritizes the hotel experience by saying they "treat a hotel not merely as a place to sleep but as a meeting place for the like-minded. A theatre for the spontaneous. A space that opens to its surrounding area and welcomes life in." That's not at the expense of amenities, though: find free coffee machines on every floor and rooms with splashy artwork; rugs that resemble postage stamps; bright pops of canary yellow in the bathrooms; and freshly filtered water. Rates are from $75 per night in early 2021.

The Qbic London is located just off Brick Lane in the hip East London Shoreditch district and funky design details include rugs that resemble postage stamps and bright pops of canary yellow in the bathrooms.

Hlemmur Square
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Hlemmur Square (Reykjavik, Iceland)

Pricey Reykjavík has long lacked accommodation options that are both affordable and stylish; Hlemmur Square helps remedy that situation – though you might have to share a room. Located on the city's main street, the hotel has three floors of dormitory space, where rooms are outfitted in bright Danish-designed furniture. Eighteen rooms are located on a separate floor, and many have private balconies with views across the colorful rooftops of the city. Rates for a bed in the hostel start at $25 and hotel room rates start at $133.

Read more: 4 Ways to Save in Iceland

Pricey Reykjavík has long lacked accommodation options that are both affordable and stylish; Hlemmur Square helps remedy that situation – though you might have to share a room. Located on the city's main street, the hotel has three floors of dormitory space, where rooms are outfitted in bright Danish-designed furniture. Eighteen rooms are located on a separate floor, and many have private balconies with views across the colorful rooftops of the city. Rates for a bed in the hostel start at $25 and hotel room rates start at $133.

Downtown Mexico
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Downtown México (Mexico City, Mexico)

Downtown México is part of the 10-property Design Hotels group and is located in the city’s historic center. This outpost occupies a renovated 17th century palace, blending contemporary design with original features like high ceilings and a brick faςade. The hotel has two courtyard restaurants, as well as a rooftop bar and pool. Rates are from $200 per night.

Read more: Planning Your Trip to Mexico

Downtown México is part of the 10-property Design Hotels group and is located in the city’s historic center. This outpost occupies a renovated 17th century palace, blending contemporary design with original features like high ceilings and a brick faςade. The hotel has two courtyard restaurants, as well as a rooftop bar and pool. Rates are from $200 per night.

Motel One
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Motel One (Edinburgh, Scotland)

German hotel chain Motel One has nearly six dozen properties throughout Europe. At the Motel One Edinburgh Royal, in the heart of the city's Old Town and next to the Waverley Railway Station, you'll pay only $75 for a basic room (with no view, but with wifi); a buffet breakfast costs around $20 extra. Rooms here are decorated in neutral palettes with a bright pop in the turquoise-colored blankets. Bathrooms feature sleek marble furnishings and you'll find tartan accents – and an extensive whisky collection – at the bar.

Read more: A Budget Guide to Edinburgh, Scotland

German hotel chain Motel One has nearly six dozen properties throughout Europe. At the Motel One Edinburgh Royal, in the heart of the city's Old Town and next to the Waverley Railway Station, you'll pay only $75 for a basic room (with no view, but with wifi); a buffet breakfast costs around $20 extra. Rooms here are decorated in neutral palettes with a bright pop in the turquoise-colored blankets. Bathrooms feature sleek marble furnishings and you'll find tartan accents – and an extensive whisky collection – at the bar.

Freehand Miami
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Miami: Freehand

Interiors at the Freehand were designed by Roman and Williams – the duo responsible for New York City's Ace, Royalton, Viceroy, and Standard hotels – and draws inspiration from oceanside summer camps and boathouses. Decor in the common areas and 60 rooms (15 of which are private) feature bright colors and artwork from local Miami Beach artists; facilities include an outdoor pool and award-winning food and beverage at 27 Restaurant and Broken Shaker bar, where you can sip on handcrafted cocktails. Nightly rates start from $127 for a bunk bed in a shared dorm and $150 for your own room with a king size bed.

Read more: What to Do in Miami

Interiors at the Freehand were designed by Roman and Williams – the duo responsible for New York City's Ace, Royalton, Viceroy, and Standard hotels – and draws inspiration from oceanside summer camps and boathouses. Decor in the common areas and 60 rooms (15 of which are private) feature bright colors and artwork from local Miami Beach artists; facilities include an outdoor pool and award-winning food and beverage at 27 Restaurant and Broken Shaker bar, where you can sip on handcrafted cocktails. Rates start from $127 for a bunk bed in a shared dorm and $150 for your own room with a king size bed.

 

Generator Hostel Barcelona
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Barcelona: Generator Hostel

The hip Generator chain has hostels all over Europe – including Copenhagen, Berlin, Venice, and London – but the Barcelona property was the first to also have private hotel-style accommodation. Anwar Mekhayech (of Soho House) was responsible for the property’s bright and colorful urban design look. The 154-room property offers a variety of room types, all of which are en-suite. Located on the top three floors of the property, each hotel room has its own private balcony with striking views of the city, and the penthouse suite includes a terrace with wrap-around balcony, hot tub, DJ decks, and a wet bar. Nightly rates are from $72 for a room with two single beds and private bathroom, or $82 for a king-bed room with private balcony.

Read more: The Sweet Spot: Barcelona

The hip Generator chain have hostels all over Europe - including Copenhagen, Berlin, Venice, and London - but the Barcelona property is the only one to also have private hotel-style accommodation. Anwar Mekhayech (of Soho House) was responsible for the property’s bright and colorful urban design look. The 154-room property offers a variety of room types, all of which are en-suite. Located on the top three floors of the property, each hotel room has its own private balcony with striking views of the city, and the penthouse suite includes a terrace with wrap-around balcony, hot tub, DJ decks, and a wet bar. Nightly rates are from $72 for a room with two single beds and private bathroom, or $82 for a king-bed room with private balcony.

 

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