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These Hip, Irreverent Hotels Are Transforming Luxury Travel

From shopping sprees in Singapore to thumping clubs in Berlin, the world is full of cool cities that move to the pulse of pop culture. Staying at the right hotel is one way to find the hippest places to eat, shop, and play.

These Hip, Irreverent Hotels Are Transforming Luxury Travel

Inspired by the whimsical spirit and personalities of their respective cities, SO/ Hotels & Resorts put an irreverent spin on luxury with fashionable collaborations, exciting events, and hotspot bars and restaurants. SO/ Hotels & Resorts embraces statement-making details for some of the most social media-worthy experiences in the world: They’re audacious, unconventional, and unmistakably playful—especially for anyone with a keen appreciation of stylish design, tantalizing food, and energizing entertainment.

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SO/ Sofitel Singapore In a city where jet-setting locals still crowd into the humble hawker stands of Newton Centre for ultra-authentic eats—albeit with one of the first Michelin-starred street stalls in the mix—Singapore buzzes with an insatiable energy. Right in the heart of the Central Business District, SO/ Sofitel Singapore has transformed a 1920s heritage building into the perfect blend of old-school glamour and new-school design, with separate wings designated as “Hip” and “Heritage” (the latter even boasts Karl Lagerfeld–designed Lion’s Seal doorknockers). Custom furniture, art pieces, and a sleek restaurant and bar make it the ideal spot for indulging in Singapore’s glittery lifestyle.

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SO/ Berlin Das Stue From edgy Kreuzberg to posh Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Berlin is one of the most exciting capitals in Europe for art, music, and design—known for street artists, bike culture, and legit DJs who spin well into the night. Steps from the Berlin Zoo and Tiergarten, SO/ Berlin Das Stue is a fitting example of the old-meets-new vibe that fuels this sprawling city. Inside the neo-classical building that once housed the Royal Danish Embassy’s headquarters, the beautifully designed SO/ Berlin Das Stue features its own avant-garde art collection—and an impressive live music series.

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SO/ Sofitel Bangkok There’s never a dull moment in Bangkok: modern malls, historic temples, and bustling markets all coexist in its vibrant cityscape. Overlooking the lush Lumpini Park, SO/ Sofitel Bangkok is a five-star urban oasis with a resort feel. Featuring designs by fashion icon Monsieur Christian Lacroix, a vibrant HI-SO rooftop bar, and thoughtful HIS & HERS amenities (also available in HIS & HIS and HERS & HERS) in every room, it’s a tony haven for fun and relaxation. Link into the local social scene at the monthly SO Pool Party happening on select Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Water Club—the place to see and be seen among the city’s fashion-obsessed denizens.

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SO/ Auckland Situated in the up-and-coming Britomart district, the newly opened SO/ Auckland has taken its place among the restaurants, bars, and shops that have made this neighborhood the trendiest place in Auckland. Grab cocktails at the HI-SO rooftop bar or party at nearby spots like REC, a.k.a. Recreation Records, a record store, bar/restaurant, and live music venue that transforms into a dance party after dark. With its coveted coordinates in this revitalized waterfront precinct between Waitemata Harbour and the lower CBD, SO/ Auckland, which was once the New Zealand Reserve Bank, is among the city’s hottest lifestyle luxury hotels.

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SO/ Vienna With its urban vineyards, eclectic music scene, and bohemian art galleries, Austria’s capital has quietly remained one of the coolest cities in Europe. Situated in the 2nd District, or Leopoldstadt, SO/ Vienna has rooms overlooking the famous Wiener Riesendrad Ferris wheel, which has been the backdrop to noir classics and meet-cute romances. Check out the trendy “beach” bars that pop up along the canal in summer and enjoy the unrivalled city view from the Michelin-starred Das Loft restaurant any time of year. On the hotel’s ground level, have your cake and eat it too at Bar/Terre which gives Vienna’s traditional café experience an avant-garde spin.

SO/ Hotels and Resorts
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