World's 10 Hippest Hotels

New York's Hotel Gansevoort Sets the Bar

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. October 14, 2008

NEEDHAM, MA, October 11, 2006. TripAdvisor(TM), the largest travel community in the world, today announced the top 10 hip hotels from around the globe, according to traveler popularity and TripAdvisor editors.

1. Vibeful Views: Hotel Gansevoort, New York, New York

Nestled among warehouses and cobblestone streets, the Hotel Gansevoort features a sleek and striking exterior of glass and metal. Breathtaking views from the landscaped roof garden along with a pool that emits soothing underwater tunes, makes it a popular, one-of-a-kind night-spot. According to one TripAdvisor member, "the Gansevoort is super trendy, ultra modern, and a real hot spot to stay and be seen."

1. Surreal Sanctuary: Sanderson, London, England

With its lips-shaped couch and silver swan chair, the Sanderson might make a suitable second home for Mick Jagger. If you feel like you're being watched, it could be the piercing eyes sketched on the stool seat-backs at the glowing Long Bar, possibly the most expansive of its kind in London. Suspended bubble-chairs, serene paintings on the ceilings, and glass-walled bathrooms create a surreal environment that one TripAdvisor traveler notes, "is like being in a big art piece."

1. Style on the Strip: "THEhotel" at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada

The lobby of Mandalay Bay's "THEhotel" shuns its vibrant rivals by setting the tone in dark wood and rich earth tones. Leaving the slot machines behind, the blissfully tranquil lobby is a soothing alternative to others on the Strip. As one TripAdvisor traveler says, "This has to be the sexiest hotel in Vegas! I loved every moment of every area of the hotel from the lobby to the Mix Lounge (top floor)."

1. Down-to-Earth Haven: Hotel St. Paul, Montreal, Quebec

A marble-encased fireplace lights up the lobby of the Hotel St. Paul, creating a toasty haven even on the coldest winter nights. Housed in a 1900 Beaux-Arts building, the hotel's ethereal design incorporates elements of fire, ice, earth and sky. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, "Inside, features are minimal and simplistic to the point that it encourages you to relax on the very comfortable bed."

1. Museum Muse: Claris Hotel, Barcelona, Spain

With its contemporary decor, spacious and elegant rooms and rooftop swimming pool and terrace, the Claris combines comfort with design. Art lovers can check out the in-house gallery featuring more than 400 pieces of ancient Egyptian, Roman, Turkish and Indian art, including etches ordered by Napoleon himself. Have a drink next to Andy Warhol's portraits of Madonna, hanging in the wood-paneled bar. As one TripAdvisor member noted, "The hotel is very comfortable with a good hip atmosphere and a lot of artsy ambience."

1. Bay City Chic: Clift Hotel, San Francisco, California

With its fusion of traditional and contemporary design, including Philippe Starck furniture, the Clift Hotel is a treat for the eclectic art lover. The amenities are as striking as the rooms, including the Redwood Bar, which features digital image displays and floor-to-ceiling mirrors. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, "The Clift is for anyone looking to escape their normal life and enter an exciting hotel with buzzing public spaces."

1. SoBe Serenity: The Setai, Miami, Florida

The oceanfront Setai distinguishes itself from other Miami hotels by indulging in rich browns and neutrals. The Asian accents and tranquil pools make this hotel a stylish Zen-gem right in the heart of South Beach. Amenities include plasma TVs and bathtubs designed for in-room spa treatments and don't forget the freshly baked cookies delivered daily. As one TripAdvisor traveler describes, "Everything from the teak loungers to the umbrellas and serving trays delivered with Evian spritzers (an aerosol can of Evian water vapor) and frozen rolled up towels to cool down are of the utmost quality."

1. Bellissimo: Palazzo Versace, Gold Coast, Australia

With its classical Roman architecture, opulent decor, Italian craftsmanship and marble mosaics, Palazzo Versace remains true to its designer's Italian heritage. Palm trees, floor-to-ceiling glass and bright pastels bring a splash of Miami to the Gold Coast. As one TripAdvisor member said, "The furniture is extremely classy -- we felt like we were in a palace."

1. Your Cup of Tea: Morrison Hotel, Dublin, Ireland

With its high ceilings, stone floors and abundant natural light, it's no wonder the Morrison Hotel has a wait for tea and coffee. At night, when the bar lights dim and lounge music plays, one TripAdvisor traveler describes it as "wonderfully chilled, a great place to sip cocktails, chat and enjoy the vibe."

1. A Lofty Idea: Sezz Hotel, Paris, France

Although the exterior of the Sezz hotel is of typical Parisian style, the modern lobby "sezzles" with a mix of exposed stone, dim lighting and bright red furniture. The lofted beds, situated in the middle of each guest room, offer a unique perspective, allowing you to peer through a glass wall into the "spacious and seducing bathrooms," according to one TripAdvisor member.

"Before the rest of the world catches up, the in-crowd finds the up and coming star properties of the future, and today's online grapevine is the best place to monitor the buzz," said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor. "We can detect the buzz-building among the most adventurous of our 20 million unique monthly visitors for these magnificent hotels, just as we can see another wave building behind them with properties like the newly remodeled Gramercy Park Hotel in New York City, gaining momentum for the next list."