Minimalism might be timeless, but maximalism is certainly giving it a run for its money at the moment. This cache of maximalist hotels celebrate all things print, pattern and colour and are a reminder that good design isn’t just about clean lines.
Here are 8 of our favourite maximalist hotels where you can drink in the design.
Oakley Court, Windsor, England
Fresh from a refurbishment courtesy of British interior design duo Eagle & Hodges, this Victorian hotel confidently juxtaposes furniture, patterns and colours with maximalist abandon. But don’t let the apparent mish-mash of styles fool you, everything inside the Windsor hotel’s bright, light spaces is very cleverly curated, with midcentury classics sitting comfortably next to neo-gothic pieces and Victorian chintz, modern art and photography.
The reading room and lounge are particular highlights, as is the all-green breakfast room which offers a mental lift as well as a hearty menu of local dishes.
Read our interview with Alex Eagle about Oakley Court’s revival.
The Fife Arms, Braemar, Scotland
Scottish chic and Baronial architecture was all the rage in Victorian Britain following Queen Victoria’s purchase of Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, where she and Prince Albert would holiday every year. The Fife Arms in Braemar is a category B listed hotel that dates from this time, designed by architect Alexander Marshall Mackenzie and beautifully reimagined for the 21st century by creative Swiss duo Iwan and Manuela Wirth of Hauser & Wirth fame.
The arty bolthole was updated by Moxon Architects, while maximalist interiors are the handiwork of Russell Sage and celebrate all things Scottish. Rooms are decked in 70 shades of wallpaper, as well as modern tartans, curios and 14,000 pieces of art and antiques, carefully curated and displayed in the Scottish hotel’s reception, corridors, bedrooms and restaurant.
Les Deux Gares, Paris, France
English chic meets French soul at this Paris hotel, which brings elegant colour blocking together with William Morris-worthy pattern. The joy is in the contrast here, with designer Luke Edward Hall decking out rooms in soft blues, pinks and greens, and introducing candy-striped headboards for guests to recline and enjoy the views from.
Read more about the Paris hotel’s playful design and explore a gallery of images of its renovated rooms.
Castle of Trematon, Cornwall, UK
The fairytale setting of this Cornwall hotel creates a fitting backdrop to its flower-powered interiors – which come courtesy of London lifestyle brand House of Hackney. Rooms are wall-to-ceiling patterns, with flower prints joyously clashing with leopard and tiger. Guests are encouraged to ‘rewild themselves’ by switching off phones and being handed a writing kit and Leica camera.
The 21c Museum Hotel, Kentucky, USA
The 70s are back in a big way at this Queen’s Gambit-themed room at Lexington’s 21c Museum Hotel. Fans of the hit Netflix show will enjoy the olive-green wallpaper, which features chess knight motifs, as well as the coffee table topped with issues of Chess Review. And at night, visitors can recline on the bed beneath an oversized upside-down chessboard.
Naumi Studio Hotel, Wellington, New Zealand
Florals are the order of the day at this Wellington hotel, which is decked out in swathes of chintzy fabric and flowery carpets. Giant 3D blooms also form wall lights and an oversized pink floor lamp, which is the centrepiece of the lobby. Pattern overload continues in the suites, which go all out on clashing botanical patterns. See more on its chaotic stylings.
The Mitre Hotel, Surrey, UK
King Charles II commissioned royal riverside retreat The Mitre back in 1665 to accommodate courtiers from nearby Hampton Court. Centuries later, the East Molesey hotel’s 36 rooms have been masterfully updated by Hector Ross of The Signet Collection in a country maximalist style. Interior designer Nicola Harding has drenched spaces in bold colours and busy patterns, matching them with rustic furniture straight from a cosy farmhouse.
The Zetter Townhouse Marylebone, London, UK
Maximalism is having a moment right now, but some have spent a long time waiting in the wings for their moment in the spotlight. The Zetter Townhouse Marylebone opened its doors in 2015, with interiors inspired by a rakish fictional resident, Uncle Seymour. The hotel belongs to boutique outfit The Zetter Group, set up in 2004 by restaurateurs Michael Benyan and Mark Sainsbury, who have slowly been expanding their empire ever since. Designer Russell Sage crafted its clever interiors, inspired by the contents of Sir John Soane’s Museum. Rooms are a visual feast, brimming with curios, artworks, colours and patterns.
