If you know me well, or you read my book, it will become clear that I have a penchant for hip hotels. Accordingly, it is with great excitement that I reveal this year's countdown of the top 50 hip hotels. These hotels represent the most innovative, unique and viral hotels that popped up during the year.
If you need more, cruise to our hip hotels database, which has over 1,700 hip hotels.
If you are looking for professional trend research, check out Trend Hunter PRO our 2010 Trend Reports, or our FREE Video of the Top 20 Trends in 2010.
Top 50 Hip Hotels in 2009

50
Droplet Architecture
Hi-Tech Resort Design Especially for Humid Coastlines

49
Bizarre Themed Hotel Rooms
Sleep in Coffins and Lion Cages At Berlin's Propeller Island

48
Hotels on Stilts
Angsana's InOcean Villas are Island-Free Vacations in the Maldives
47
Rockin' Hotel Rooms
The Vegas Hard Rock Hotel Paradise Tower is a Rock 'n' Roll Haven
46
Mobile Hotel Pods
The SLEEPBOX Could Make Hotel Reservations Obsolete
45
Lavish Lavatories
The Upper House Luxurious Bathrooms Impress on Many Levels
44
Self-Service Hotels
Base2stay in London is Budget-Friendly, Looks like a Dorm
43
Shipping Container Hotels
$20 Rooms at 41 Berangan Hotel for Credit Crunch Travel
42
Ice-Age Superstructures
Herzog & De Meuron's Elbe Philharmonic Hall
41
Luxury Bunk Bed Hotels
The Pod Hotel Offers Cute Manhattan Rooms Under $100
40
Billion Dollar Hotels
The Mardan Palace Luxury Surpasses Larger Than Life Status
39
Singing Disco Showers
Retro-Chic Butlins Ocean Hotel Features a Fun Party Vibe
38
Indian Princess Baths
The Alva Park Resort & Spa Features 6-Star Luxury in Costa Brava
37
Stellar Fantasy Suites
Sin City's The Palms Hotel Houses Sizzling Themed Rooms
36
Tree House Resorts
Club Med in Senegal Looks Like Peanuts, Costs Many Sheckels
35
Hoax Hotelicopters
Faux Flying Hotel Sends Bloggers Who Don't Fact Check Into a Frenzy
34
British-American Boutique Hotels
Firmdale Opens the Crosby Street Hotel in NYC
33
Self Serve Nightclubs
Amsterdam's Bartenderless MiniBar is World's First
32
Recycled Aircraft Suites
Costa Verde Hotel's Boeing 727 Airframe Room
31
Stone House Hotels
Amanresorts Villa Milocer Montenegro is a Modern Escape in Historic Setting
30
Drug Themed Nightclubs
Miami's "Opium" is Designed to be a Modern Day Opium Den
29
Vibrant Rainbow Hotels
The G Hotel in Ireland is a Contemporary Design Lover's Pot of Gold
28
Black & White Boutique Hotels
Habita Monterrey Delivers Affordable Luxury
27
Oil Rig Resorts
Sustainable Developments to Beautify Floating Gulf Coast Eyesores
26
Zero Star Hotels
The Null Stern Hotel in Switzerland Is In An Old Bomb Shelter
25
Tacky Travel Destinations
Madonna Inn Shares Name, Age + Gaudy Style With the Material Girl
24
Floating Swedish Hotels
The Salt & Sill is Sweden's First
23
Teeny Boutique Hotels
David Carter Designs the Interior of London's Smallest Hotel
22
Recession Worthy Hotels
The Ace Hotel in NYC Offers Bunkbed Rooms Starting at $99
21
Desert Skyscraper Hotels
The Stone Towers in Cairo, Egypt by Zaha Hadid Are a Cool Oasis
20
Candy-Colored Spas
Rogner's Bad Blumau in Austria is Swank and Sweet
19
Pennies as Floor Tiles
The Standard Hotel New York Uses Currency as Interior Decor
18
Hotels That Inspire Creativity
Groovy Retro-Themed '25Hours Hotel' in Hamburg
17
Docked Cruise Ship Hotels
Vancouver 2010 Olympics Opt For Floating Tourism Solution
16
In-Room Coffee Bars
Viceroy Miami Brings Hollywood Sensibilities to the East Coast
15
Hip Hotel Recession Marketing
Luxury Hotspots Offer Travelers a One Night Stand
14
California Eco-Resorts
Monterey Bay Shores Will Be World's Greenest Getaway
13
Salt Hotels
Please Do Not Lick The Walls in This Bolivian Inn Made Entirely of Salt
12
Competitive Ice Hoteling
Designers Sculpt Their Way to Sweden's Heart
11
Scattered Accommodation
The Pixel Hotel of Linz Has Random Rooms Around the City
10
Artistic Hotel Promos
Eden Rock in St. Barts Offers Free Painting Lesson for Kids
9
Greek Luxury Resorts
La Marquise Rhodes Has Views, a Lagoon Pool. Fitness Suites
8
Seychelles Sanctuaries
Maia Hotel Luxury Villas Offer Pristine Views & Personal Butlers
7
Romantic African Hideaways
Bilila Lodge Kempinski in Serengeti National Park
6
Urban Beekeeping
Rooftop of Toronto's Fairmont Royal York Hotel Is A Hive Heaven
5
Fairy Tale Themed Hotels
Grand Daddy's Goldilocks Trailer in South Africa
4
Eco-Friendly Hotels for Oenophiles
Fall Asleep Inside a Wine Cask at De Vrouwe van Stavoren
3
Seaside Coworking Campuses
The 'Healthy HouZe of Work and Rest Ithaca' For Freelancers
2
Holidays with Monks
The Augustine Hotel Prague Envelops A Historic Monastery
1
Beachside Casino Hotels
The Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa in St. Maarten
Related Ideas
Themed Celebrity Activations
Sheraton Centre Toronto will Host Numerous Taylor Swift Experiences
Traveling Luxury Retail Events
The Bal Harbour Shops Access Pop-Up Tour is a Unique Concept
Tennis-Ball-Themed Hotel Suites
IHG Presents the ‘IHG Rally Room' for Tennis Fans
Plush Pet Hotels
Goodwoof 2025 Will Feature a Jellycat Dog Hotel Pop-Up
Nostalgic 70s-Inspired Apartments
The House Special Studio Designs a Compact Apartment
Modernized West Hollywood Hotels
Short Stories Hotel Blends Californian and European Elements
90's Archival Footwear Pop-Ups
Dr. Martens Hosted a 'Buzz Bus' in NYC
Hotel Portfolio Expansions
Destination by Hyatt Enters Canada with Hotel X Toronto
Cinema-Inspired Hotel Packages
The St. Regis Hotel Boasts the Cinematic Experience Room Package
Luxurious Rapper-Backed Getaways
Booking.com and Ludacris Partner to Offer a VIP Experience
Luxurious Membership-Based Hotel Initatives
Proper Hotels Debuts the Exclusive Proper Club
Enchanted Film-Inspired Hotel Stays
The Hilton Debuts Whimsical Elphaba and Glinda-Themed Suites
Individually Designed Suites
The Palma Riad Boutique Hotel Features Unique Accents and Foliage
Futuristic Baroque Rome Hotels
Zaha Hadid Architects Revives the Remeo Hotel Roma
Luxury Branded Hotels
Elie Saab Unveils First Luxury Hotel, ' Post Hotel & Residences'
Collaborative Cosmo Experiences
Absolut x Paris Hilton Present the 'Absolut House of Cosmo'
Anthropomorphic Bell Mascots
Bellboy is Hotels.com’s Newest Ambassador
Modernized Toronto Hotels
The Union Hotel Boasts Local Inspiration and Historic Charm
Luxurious All-Inclusive Resorts
Marriott Hotels Launched Its First All-Inclusive Resort in Cancun
Unique Resort Vacations
'All-Inclusive' by Marriott Bonvoy Destinations Features Diverse Offerings
Insightful AI Travel Planners
Tripadvisor's 'Trips' Platform Unveiled Themed Itineraries
Rooftop Pool Pop-Ups
Hôtel Swexan X Missoni Partner for a Luxurious Rooftop Experience in Dallas
Vibrantly Comedic Travel Campaigns
The 'Booking.yeah' Campaign Features The Muppets
Exclusive Travel Promotions
Expedia Group is Offering Black Friday and Travel Tuesday Deals
AI-Powered Accommodation Tools
TakeUp Offers Pricing Technology for Boutique and B&B Stays
Functionally Elegant Hotels
TOOR Hotel and Residences is Set to Open in Toronto's Garden District
Hotel-Friendly Tattoo Pop-Ups
Kimpton Hotels Has Partnered with Tiny Zaps Tattoo Studio
Ultra-Modern Fashion Boutiques
Zimmermann's New Ibiza Boutique is Chic, Modern, and Minimalist
Wellness-Inclusive Boutique Hotels
The Bellyard Hotel in Atlanta Provides In-Room IV Therapy
Festively Decorated Hotel Suites
The New York Marriott Marquis is Decked Out for the Holidays
Globalized Spooky Destinations
Intrepid Travel Presents a Curated Selection of Spooky Adventures
Comprehensive Wellness Programs
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Has Elevated Its Offerings
Rebranded Tourism Solution Platforms
Clicktripz Rebrands itself to 'Tiki' with AI Ambassadors
Playful Hotel Campaigns
BWH Hotels Launches a Campaign to Reclaim Stolen Treasures
Simplified Hotel Inquiries
Hotels.com Introduced an AI Chatbot for Trip Planning
Invasive Wood Hotel Interiors
Policronica Transforms the Hotel Elysée Montmartre Interiors
Hospitality-Inspired Pajama Capsules
Four Seasons Unveils its 'Hotel Pajamas Collection'
Artisan Drinking Chocolate Mixes
Hotel Chocolat Drinking Chocolates Come in Two New Flavors
Sleep-Focused Hotel Offerings
The Equinox Sleep Lab Unlocks the Future of Sleep Tourism
Personality-Matched Luggage Collections
Airs Debuts Personality Quiz-Based Travel Gear for 2025
Scenic Poolside Studios
Wayfinder Waikiki Boasts Modernized Tropical Elements
Immersive Hotel Sound Suites
'W Toronto Hotel's Sound Suite' is Reimagined
Sleep-Focused Travel Campaigns
KAYAK Launches its 'In Search of Sleep' Campaign
Singer-Songwriter-Inspired Hotel Stays
The Bisha Hotel Presents a Unique Taylor Swift Experience
Shoppable Travel Storefronts
Expedia Travel Shops Make It Easy to Book Recommended Getaways
Luxury Travel-Ready Summer Programming
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Debuts New Offerings
Trend Prediction Services
Tagwalk Revolutionizes Fashion Forecasting with a New AI Dashboard
Iconic Vacation Itineraries
Intrepid Travel Launches Epic Vacays Inspired by Blockbuster Films
Tiki-Inspired Cocktail Pop-Ups
Omni Hotels & Resorts' Tiki Social Shares Curated Summery Cocktails
Hotel Reward Campaigns
Keegan-Michael Key Stars in Choice Hotels' 'Check Into More' Spot
Collaborative Auction Experiences
Hospitality Meets Collectible Art Through This Auction Event
Stylish Soda Pop-Ups
Poppi World Enticed Health-Conscious, Fashionable Visitors During NYFW
AI Property Maintenance Systems
MyHotel AI Optimizes Hotel Management for Profitability
Pyramid-Inspired Hotel Suites
Productora and the Book of Wa Introduces the Kymaia Hotel
Sporty Resort Capsules
Paper x Four Seasons Hampshire Host a Soft Pastel Pop-Up
Retro Surf-Nostalgic Boutique Hotels
Gorrow Design Studio Completed the Sea Sea Boutique Hotel
Urban Houston Hotel Designs
Bunkhouse Hotels Presents the Hotel Saint Augustine
Vibrant Independent Hotels
The Memphian Hotel Features a Low-Pressure Environment for Workouts
AI-Backed Hotel Complexes
Otonomus Hotel is a New Artificial Intelligence-Powered Property
Child-Forward Travel Planning Kits
Trip Jones Offers Kid-Friendly Travel Planning
Documentary-Style Hotel Campaigns
W Hotels' 'Hotel Tales' is a Captivating New Campaign
LA Art Books
Golden Hour is a UK Artist's Retro-Inspired Tribute to LA Architecture
Jazz-Inspired Valentine's Experiences
Bisha Hotel to Host a Jazz Bar Experience and Pop-up Dinner
Hospitality Loyalty Programs
Millennium Hotels and Resorts Revamps Its Reward Program
Ultra Luxury Hotel Expansions
The 'Rocco Forte House' Concept in Milan is Private and Intimate
Woman-Focused Travel Companies
Girls' Guide to the World Serves a Niche Market
17th-Century Converted Hotels
Post Company Designs the Locke de Santa Joana Interiors
Elegant Global Travel Publications
Agape Destinations Guides Readers Through Elegant Global Travel
Album-Inspired Clothing Capsules
Pacsun x Paris Hilton Present the Infinite Icon Collection
Cutting-Edge Lighting Collections
Roll & Hill Presents its Latest Handcrafted Light Collection
Collaborative Hotel Canvas Totes
W Hotels x Thomas Lélu Debut a Collection of Playful Accessories
In-Room Wellness Experiences
Hilton and Calm Partnered to Enhance Mindfulness and Sleep
Stylish Airport Lounges
Virgin Atlantic Introduces 'The Clubhouse' for a Multisensory Experience
Destination-Inspired Shampoos
SHAMPOOHOTEL Recreates Hotel-Quality Experiences at Home
Affordable Luxury Vacations
Sunwing Vacations and Hyatt Partner for the Benefit of Canadians
Real-Time Trending Spot Features
Roadtrippers Introduces the Trending Spots Feature to Its App
Rental App Holiday Campaigns
Airbnb Presents its Santastrophe Campaign Following Santa Claus
Nostalgic Nantucket Hotels
Parts and Labor Design and Brad Guidi Design the Beachside Hotel
Hospitality-Focused Tattoo Services
The Standard Hotel Offers the Inked Out Package to Guests
Chinese Youth Search Reports
Xiaohongshu Has Released Report on Search Habits Among Youth in China
Global Digital Marketplaces
Renaissance Hotels' R FINDS Shares Goods from Local Artisans
Exclusive Summer-Enthused Collaborations
Madhappy Partnered with Hysteric Glamour and Crocs
Holiday Modern Hilltop Homes
Feldman Architecture Created the Phoenix Hilltop House
Urban Toronto Sanctuaries
Nobu Hotel Toronto will Open its Doors of Summer 2025
Artist-Collaborative Travel Accessories
Jaden Smith and Harper Collective Join on a New Capsule
Music-Themed Travel Guides
Skyscanner Music Guides Were Created with Exceptional ALIEN
Iconic SoHo Hotels
The Mercer Hotel Offers Zero Bond Access to Members
Bohemian Heritage Beach Hotels
LAND and Electric Bowery Refresh the Casa Loma Beach Hotel
Unique Destination Initiatives
Intrepid Travel Unveiled its 'Not Hot List' for 2025
Curated Holiday Experiences
The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort Boasts Unique Programming
Luxurious Thai Resorts
The InterContinental Phuket Features Five Unique Pools and Scenic Views
Travel-Themed Book Recommendations
Belletrist Curated The Reading Route for Trainline
Centralized Metropolitan Hotels
The New York Hilton Midtown Offers Sweeping Views
Whimsical Urban Hotel Extensions
Neri&Hu Complete the Artyzen New Bund 31 Hotel Design
Stealthy Modern Toronto Penthouses
Reflect Architecture Designs the 40 PH for Noah '40' Shebib
NYC-Hotel Holiday Programs
Thompson Central Park Announced a Lineup of Festive Offerings
Bespoke Hotel Restaurants
The Four Seasons Achieves Global Acclaim for its Dining Concepts
Modern Rock-Themed Hotels
The Hard Rock Hotel in London, Ontario Offers a Music-Inspired Stay
Californian Desert Modern Guesthouses
The Vipp Todos Santos Guesthouse Opens in the Desert
Exclusive Luxury Properties Previews
Home Team Luxury Rentals Debuts Coming Soon Properties
Hard-Shell Luggage Campaigns
TUMI Unveiled its 'Uncompromisingly Light' Campaign
Extravagant Catalan Hotels
SLS Barcelona will Open its Doors April 2025
Real-Time Nightlife Finders
HotSpot Discovers Trending Nightlife Spots With Real-Time Insights
Hospitality-Focused Cultural Initiatives
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts Debuts 'Behind the Journey'
Historical Mining Hotels
The Mining Exchange Hotel Fuses Old and New Charm
Luxurious Milan Hotels
NEMI Hotel Milano will Offer Sophisticated Modern Stays
Instant Trip Planners
Moon Trip Generates Quick Itineraries, Hotels, and Activities
Sustainable Earthy-Toned Hotels
Delek Tulum in Mexico Features Mayan-Rooted Wellness Rituals
Design District Boutique Hotels
Studio Collective Designs the Hotel at the Moore in Miami
Spring-Inspired Hotel Offerings
The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto Features a Curated Springtime Stay
Modern-Aesthetic Californian Hotels
The AC Hotel Pasadena Features Dynamic Spaces
Harajuku-Inspired Slip-Ons
Vans Taps Guest Designers on the Harajuku Punk Design Series
Fashion-Forward Hotel Transformations
SO/Paris Gets a New Design with Annual Lobby Activations
Unique Hotel Wedding Packages
Karisma Hotels & Resorts Unveils a Beer-Inspired Wedding Experiences
Nautical Themed Hotel Suites
Lore Group and Vinterior Join to Create Themed Sea Containers Suites
Classically Inspired Localized Hotels
Hotel Henrietta Features Warm Interiors and Vintage Art
Personalized Honeymoon Booking Platforms
Honeymoons.com Streamlines Romantic Getaway Planning
Global Destination Awards
Air Canada Vacations Launches the 'Travellers’ Top Picks Awards'
Exclusive Gold-Hued Luggage Collections
Tumi Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary with New Designs
Harmonized Luxury Japanese Hotels
HOTEL THE MITSUI HAKONE Maintains Standards of Tradition
Tokyo-Inspired Contemporary Hotels
Jamo Associates Dreams Up the TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET
Custom Hospitality Mattresses
MLILY Creates Tailored Sleep Solutions for Hotels
Hotel Art Openings
Perrotin Gallery Will Open an Outpost in London's Claridge’s Hotel
Expansive Month-Long Fashion Celebrations
Fashion Art Toronto Marks Its 20th Anniversary
Local Craft-Incorporated Hotel Redesigns
Holloway Li Reimagined the Interiors of the Puro Hotel
Soft Industrial Brooklyn Hotels
Morris Adjmi Architects Designs the Interiors at the Huron
Elevated Hospitality Rewards Programs
Al Khoory Hotels Implements a Premium Loyalty Program
Streamlined Hotel Management Solutions
Venus Software Enhances Hospitality with Cloud Platform
‘90s-Inspired Cocktail Menus
Bar Louie is Celebrating 35 Years with a ‘90s Cocktails Menu
Custom Hospitality Solutions
Hudini Implements a Digital Interface for Royal Mansour Marrakech
Instant Accommodation Bookings
Travly Debuts its New Online Travel Agent
Pet-Honoring Toronto Hotels
The Kimpton Saint George Hotel Offers a Pet-Friendly Stay
Repurposed Metropolitan Landmarks
The Great Scotland Yard Hotel is a Former Police Headquarters
Enchanting Folklore-Inspired Hotels
Marcel Wanders Designs the Kimpton BEM Hotel in Budapest
Connective Economic Travel
Swapper Helps Business Travelers Use Hotel Budgets to Stay with Friends
Streamlined URL Organizers
Hot Lists Simplifies Saving And Organizing Favorite URLs Effortlessly
Modernized Landmark Hotels
Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa Captures the Unique Charms of Budapest
Travel Rewards Platforms
Hostel Hop Unites Travelers with Rewards, Insights, and Engagement
Greek Island Tranquil Resorts
Block 722 Designs the Gundari Resort Along the Cliffside
Amenity-Based Hotel Searches
HotelsWith Helps Find Hotels by Amenities and Location Preferences