Ode to a Hotel Stripe

8 Hotels to Book When You Need to Feed Your Insatiable Stripe-loving Appetite.

Sep 10, 2024

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published

Thou long and narrow strip of color
       How I do adore thee
The joy you bring unto a room
       So uncomplicated, yet so alluring

What sorcery is this you furnish?
       Through simple use of repetition. 
Oh to finally be recognized 
       For your staggering expression.

Stripes might not be the most ground-breaking design style, but they are definitely having a moment. According to Vogue, stripes are in for 2024 — and I, for one, am here for it.

The year was 2005 and I, a twenty-something NYC public school teacher, decided that the anchor piece for my bedroom should be a Simply Shabby Chic floral duvet from Target — so naturally I painted my apartment in pink-and-brown stripes to match! Now I’m not saying I’d win any design awards, but I think we can all agree I was clearly ahead of my time. My tastes have evolved, but I still love a good stripe thrown in the mix — especially in a hotel.

So whether it’s a classic cabana stripe at a luxury beach resort in the Caribbean or a fresh new take like a custom terra-cotta bench at an ancient Italian palazzo turned boutique stay, here are eight hotels that are doing stripes right.

* This site contains affiliate links, so I may get a small commission when you book through my links (at no additional cost to you). I’m verrrry picky and only recommend places I’d be excited to stay. Thank you for supporting my work!

The Colony Hotel - Palm Beach, United States

If you’re a fan of the Palm Royale aesthetic (please tell me you’re watching), this one’s for you. Starting out strong with stripes on stripes on stripes is Villa Aralia at the iconic pink Palm Beach institution, The Colony Hotel. The two-bedroom suite, done in collaboration with Los Angeles-based interior designer Mark D. Sikes, elevates the classic blue-and-white stripe to a fun new level by layering it throughout the room by way of hand-painted walls, custom canopies and upholstered furniture. Talk about sunshine in a bottle.

Byblos - Saint-Tropez, France

Known for her eclectic style and work in luxury spaces, Paris-based interior designer Laura Gonzalez created four signature suites in collaboration with Byblos. “The approach involved conceptualising the suites as if they were part of a family home, designed to provide a warm and inviting space or its guests,” Gonzalez shares in Byblos’ press release. Case in point: the custom striped banquette in the Junior Suite that’s practically begging for you to linger over your morning café au lait.

Mesón Hidalgo - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Being a writer, I appreciate a hotel with a good backstory and Mexico’s Mesón Hidalgo has just that. Featuring three unique and layered guestrooms by interior designer Laura Kirar, plus boutique shops like Xinū (a perfumería), Mesón Moda Colectivo (clothing), and Laura Kirar Design (home goods) it’s a unique collaboration between four women-led brands that allows guests to experience San Miguel de Allende in a more authentic way. For bold and playful stripes, room Chana is where you want to be.

Villa Palladio - Jaipur, India

High on my hotel bucket list, the nine-room Villa Palladio Jaipur is a whimsical, color-filled fantasy land. A collaboration between entrepreneur Barbara Miolini and designer Marie-Anne Oudejans, Palladio is chock full of vibrant reds and pinks with its crisp white exterior serving as a visual palette cleanser. While full of playful patterns reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland (I see you lattice, checkerboard and chevron), we’re here to talk about stripes. Whether its ceilings and awnings or chaises and pillows, Villa Palladio’s candy-striped interiors are — dare I say — flawless.

Palazzo Petrvs - Orvieto, Italy

The stunning 15th-century palazzo turned nine-room boutique hotel Palazzo Petrvs is a work of art (hello, frescoes). With nearby Duomo di Orvieto’s black-and-white facade as inspiration, architect Giuliano Andrea dell’Uva was able to preserve many of its original features, like its vaulted ceilings and sandstone walls, while adding contrast with modern details like its signature black-and-white terra-cotta tiling in the courtyard. Whether through linen bed frames, terra-cotta stairs or custom pedestal tables, the stripes at Palazzo Petrvs are an admirable exercise in restraint.

Grand House - Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal

Old-world glamour, but make it fresh. Grand House is a 28-room luxury boutique stay (and Relais & Chateaux property) in the Eastern Algarve that’s equal parts opulent and playful, thanks in part to the period details of its Belle Époque building and its mix of design styles. The Grand Salon features blue-and-white nautical stripes alongside more refined furnishings while the Grand Beach Club (complete with chilled out, DJ-spun tunes) offers a more rustic chic vibe. The best of both worlds.

Round Hill - Montego Bay, Jamaica

If a timeless luxury getaway is what you’re after, Round Hill Hotel & Villas in Jamaica’s Montego Bay is the place to be. An exclusive hideaway comprised of both Ralph Lauren-designed rooms and suites along with individually-owned villas, Round Hill has hosted its fair share of royalty — Hollywood or otherwise. Its classic green-and-white resort stripes are peppered throughout the property on awnings, beach umbrellas and pillows, adding just the right touch of seaside sophistication. If it was good enough for Stella to get her groove back and JFK to visit, then it’s probably worth checking in, right?

The Siam - Bangkok, Thailand

One of Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List picks in Asia for 2024, Bangkok’s 5-star stunner, The Siam, uses a classic black-and-white stripe throughout the property (think walls, floors and furniture) to achieve a sophisticated look. For me, the pièce de résistance is their striped infinity pool that looks out onto the Chao Phraya, or “River of Kings.” Talk about a statement piece!

And now that I’ve successfully convinced myself that I need to book a stay at each and every one of these hotels (a girl can dream), I must exercise some restraint. So tell me, which is your favorite?