Fashion designers have become the rock stars of the hotel scene, redesigning lobbies, outfitting guestrooms, and even creating custom uniforms and costumes for hotel staffers.
The latest thing designers are putting their stamp on in the hotel realm: you. These fashion-focused hotels have partnered with local designers to fashion up some truly bespoke experiences that double as one-of-a-kind souvenirs for their guests, from tailor-made jeans in Nashville to craft cocktails while you wait for your custom-made suit to come together in Kentucky.
Thompson Nashville
WHERE: Nashville, Tennessee
Proof that Nashville has good jeans, Thompson Nashville recently partnered with local denim designers imogene + willie to offer guests a stylish takeaway. The imogene + willie package comes with accommodations, a phone consultation with a stylist prior to the trip, a one-on-one denim tailoring session in your room, one pair of custom fit jeans with an official Thompson Nashville and imogene + willie stamp, and a 10 percent discount on any additional imogene + willie items purchased within 24-hours of the styling session. Denim can either be delivered to your guest room or shipped to your final destination.
Detroit Foundation Hotel
WHERE: Detroit, Michigan
This 100-key hotel is the most fashionable hotel in the city, from the custom denim vests worn by the bartenders to the regular pop-up shops held in the Foundation studio. The Detroit Foundation Hotel also offers fashion experiences for guests, like the 1701 Bespoke add-on that includes transportation to and from a private fitting with a tailor at 1701 Bespoke, a free dress shirt with the purchase of a tailored suit, and a whiskey while you wait for the finished product.
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Hotel Covington
WHERE: Covington, Kentucky
Set in a renovated department store building, Hotel Covington has kept its doors open to new fashions by offering guests a “Tailored Experience.” With the purchase of the package, guests will select the fabrics, lining, and buttons needed to create a custom blazer, two dress shirts, and a custom pocket square to be made by a local tailor at Philippe Haas Bespoke Tailoring Company. The tailor takes no less than 37 measurements, and the experience includes a custom made Hotel Covington tie and a craft cocktail to sip while you wait.
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
WHERE: Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Plan your wedding at the gorgeous St. Regis Bora Bora Resort and you’ll get so much more than just a wedding planner and stunning pictures of the wedding day. The resort works closely with local designer Hani Haring to allow brides the option of working with the renowned designer to customize their wedding gown for their big day. Customize the package even more with his/hers Tahitian tattoos for a more permanent honeymoon souvenir.
The Landmark London
WHERE: London, United Kingdom
The “If the Shoe Fits” package at this five-star hotel pairs guests up with the official shoemaker for James Bond, Crockett & Jones. The experience begins with a chauffeured ride to meet Michael Quinn, who will assist guests in selecting the design and materials for their Bond-worthy kicks, and it ends with a private martini experience at the Landmark London’s Mirror Bar. Shoes are delivered eight weeks later.
Mandarin Oriental Boston
WHERE: Boston, Maryland
The Mandarin Oriental Boston has brought English fashion to New England soil. The hotel is home to the only U.S. location for English Cut, a British custom suit designer best known for their original pieces made for the British royal family. Guests can simply head to the lobby to begin their custom fitting for a soft-tailored suit to bring home.
Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt
WHERE: Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt in Buenos Aires recently partnered with famed silversmith Marcelo Toledo to feature his work for sale on the concierge level. Toledo is one of the most renowned silversmiths in the country, and his designs have graced the bodies of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Madonna, Robbie Williams, and more. For a more intimate look at the designer’s process, guests can book a private session with the Toledo to create their own one-of-a-kind piece to take home.
Hotel Valverde Lisboa
WHERE: Lisbon, Portugal
This boutique hotel’s exclusive relationship with Portuguese jeweler Maria João Bahia allows guests the chance to create handmade souvenirs alongside the artist herself, such as couples bracelets, engraved medallions, and even custom cuff-links. For two hours, guests will enter into the artist’s studio to sip Port wine and learn about the her process before heading to the workshop with Bahia to select the finishing touch to their new piece.
Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Resort
WHERE: Rome, Italy
Guests booking the Italian Craftsmanship Experience at the Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Resort won’t only go home with a pair of Italian leather sandals, but they’ll actually get to make the pair themselves. The hotel partners with LeMastro, an Italian shoemaker in the heart of Rome, to bring up to four guests into the workshop to learn the intricacies of shoemaking and actually work alongside skilled shoemakers to create their own pair. For those that aren’t as DIY inclined, LaMastro offers a 10 percent discount for made-to-measure shoes, fitted and ordered at the shop.
The St. Regis Aspen Resort
WHERE: Aspen, Colorado
Although the Mala Creation and Moonlight Sleigh Ride Blessing is listed as a wellness experience from Remede Spa at The St. Regis Aspen Resort, the custom-made piece is every bit as fashionable as it is meaningful. Guests work alongside Seeds of Remembrance founder Alexa Webster to develop a personal mantra based on set intentions before Webster creates a custom Mala Bead necklace that she presents during a private moonlight sleigh ride blessing and cacao ceremony.
Conrad Cartagena
WHERE: Cartagena, Columbia
Through the Stay Inspired programming at the Conrad Cartagena, guests can get a custom, hand-sewn guayabera shirt or tailored linen jacket from menswear designer Edgar Gomez Estevez. The local designer’s motto is “unique garments for unique customers,” where a few of his unique customers have included Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Bill Gates, and Barack Obama.
Sri Panwa
WHERE: Phuket, Thailand
Famous Thai designer Kem Issara happens to be a big fan of Sri Panwa resort in Phuket, so much so that she offers guests of the hotel an exclusive chance to customize their own version of her signature pleated dress. For guest booking a three-night stay at the hotel, Kem offers a workshop where she’ll help them customize their own resort getaway dress from their choice of colorful fabrics that form a free-flowing, beautifully pleated dress.
Six Senses Zil Pasyon
WHERE: Félicité Island, Seychelles
Island fashion isn’t limited to adults at this eco-chic resort. The Six Senses Zil Pasyon offers a custom bracelet program for children that starts with a guided scavenger hunt around the island to collect colorful coral pieces, delicate seashells, and other items found on the beach, and ends with a hands-on session with a local craftsman to weave those items into a unique souvenir from their trip to Seychelles.
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
WHERE: Dubai, UAE
Work side-by-side with local fashion designer Zena Presley and celebrated calligraphy artist Khalid Shahin to create a one-of-a-kind couture piece at this luxury hotel. The experience is offered at the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, where guests begin with a one-on-one session with Presley to select the cut, fit, and fabric, and then meet with Khalid to find the Arabic words you want represented in intricate calligraphy on your new piece.