Unexpected destinations

A sense of history

Italy is a country full of history, and the Vocabolo Moscatelli in Calzolaro, Umbria is a great way to experience it. This Design Hotels member is housed in a former monastery dating back to the 12th century, the contemporary elements mixing with the original stone and brick. Opened in August 2022, the property features original beamed ceilings, heavy stone fireplaces, and soft wooden floors, as well as airy spaces, colour, and custom artworks and furnishings by local artists and artisans. Jacopo Venerosi Pesciolini of Archiloop was responsible for the restoration, renovation and interior design, commissioned by Vocabolo Moscatelli’s Frederik Kubierschky and Catharina Lütjens. There are 12 guest rooms and suites, some rooms featuring four-poster beds. Two suites have soaking tubs overlooking the Umbrian countryside. There is a bridal suite and spa suite, the latter with an in-room sauna and outdoor Jacuzzi. A bar and restaurant are on the ground floor; outside are a courtyard, travertine pool, lounge areas connected by paths lined with rosemary bushes and oak trees, and a 1 ha Mediterranean garden designed by Fabiano Crociani.

Manhattan tranquillity

Aman New York has opened in the Crown Building in Manhattan at 730 Fifth Avenue. Inside are 83 spacious suites, an Aman Club, 22 Aman Branded Residences private homes on the upper floors, and the Aman Spa set over three floors. The spa includes a 20 m pool, 10 treatment rooms, fitness facilities, and two private Spa Houses with double treatment room, sauna and steam rooms, plunge pools and an outdoor terrace. On the 14th floor is a wraparound garden terrace with year-round dining. There are two signature restaurants, and a jazz club with daily live performances. Its design has been created in partnership with Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston Architects. It is Aman’s third US destination.

Pinnacle

Serhant has listed the Penthouse at Central Park Tower for US$250,000,000. For those who wish to live large 431·6 m (1,416 ft) above the ground in a three-storey penthouse with 1,630 m² (17,545 ft²) of interior space (including seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, three powder rooms, two kitchens), and a 133 m² (1,433 ft²) outdoor terrace, here is the property for you. It’s the US’s highest private terrace and, inside, there’s the country’s highest private ballroom. You can even see the earth’s curvature while you’re 131 floors up, and the 27 ft high ceilings give an airy, spectacular feel.

Unexplored

Albania isn’t the country that pops into mind when considering a beach-side holiday, but the Maritim Rafaelo Resort in Lezha might just change your mind. In northwest Albania, and an hour’s drive from Tirana airport, the resort comprises 627 rooms and suites, six restaurants and three bars, two spa and fitness centres, as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools. (Between November and April, the selection is more limited.) The resort joins Maritim properties in Tirana and Vlora in Albania.

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