It’s true, we never mind being packed off to our room. After all, testing the bedsprings and lathering up with bath potions is all in a day’s work. And we especially love discovering added incentives for hanging out the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign. So we’ve compiled a top 10 list of Smith hotels with unexpected extras – from porch swings to pianos – that will have you demanding to be sent straight to bed, too.
1 DEEP GROOVES
What Turntables and fire pits
Where Ace Hotel & Swim Club, California
A former 1960s roadside motel-turned-hipster-desert-oasis, the Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs is one of the grooviest hotel scenes – anywhere. With a photo-booth in the lobby, an on-site barbershop and a Mexican-inspired lounge you think you’d want to just drop your bags and head straight to the poolside parties. Well, that is until you’ve checked out the record player, indoor hammock or private patio with fire pit found in select rooms. Yep, we know where the late-night party will be… And, if heading to the East Coast, keep the good times rolling at the Ace Hotel New York – where you’ll find vintage turntables, acoustic guitars and even mini Smeg refrigerators in rooms.
2 SWINGTOWN
What Porch swings and plunge pools
Where Anantara Kihavah Villas, Maldives
You know what would go so nicely with that private pool overlooking the piercing-blue ocean just a splash from your villa? An enticing porch swing, of course. When it comes to other luxe touches – private butlers, stocked wine cooler, sunken tubs-for-two – the tranquil Anantara Kihavah Villas in the Maldives really knows how to make you feel right at home (if home were paradise). If this has you in the mood to, er, swing, have a peek at our fab round-up of top 10 hotels with swings.
3 PIANO MAN
What Baby grand and stocked bar
Where Claridge’s, United Kingdom
Plump for a Grand Piano Suite at London’s iconic Claridge’s hotel and you’ll find yourself tickling the ivories on a glossy baby grand in front of a roaring fireplace. The glamorous art deco-inspired, Diane Von Furstenberg-styled suites also have a private (and expertly stocked) bar, butler service and loads of room for entertaining. Perhaps you can get Sir Elton to stop by if he’s in the neighbourhood…
4 VINTAGE VINYL
What Record players and dressing tables
Where Soho House Berlin, Germany
Wanna come up to my room and listen to some records? No longer a thinly veiled pick-up line, you really can stay up all night spinning vintage vinyl on the record players at Berlin’s well-placed and effortlessly hip Soho House Berlin. Industrial chic-decor – exposed beams, artfully mix-and-matched fabrics, freestanding tubs and vintage dressing tables – make for very pleasant (and super-cool) listening rooms.
5 GUITAR RIFFS
What Acousitc guitars and art galore
Where Le Royal Monceau Raffles, France
Picture this: you lazing on a sprawling four-poster, serenaded by your love as the lights of the Eiffel Tower twinkle in the distance like stars. Play out this cinematic scene at Le Royal Monceau Raffles, a fantasy world of 1920s Paris as reimagined by Philippe Starck. Acoustic guitars in room, walls adorned with original artwork and mirrored ensuites all help to set the mood.
6 HULA DANCE
What Sarongs and ukuleles
Where The Modern Honolulu, Hawaii
Ready for the hukilau? With bright floral sarongs, an iPad loaded with Hawaiian music and a ukulele for the plucking in your room, Modern Honolulu, overlooking the pristine Pacific, will have you styled like a native Hawaiian the moment you arrive. It’s a charming nod to tradition in this otherwise sexy and sophisticated white modern tower with a big name chef and late-night club scene.
7 TYPING POOL
What Typewriters and instant cameras
Where Hotel San José, Texas
In Austin – the coolest city in all of Texas – the Hotel San José, an impressively remodelled roadside motel, with understated minimalist decor, and spiffy mid-century furnishings (much of it handmade), stands out. And, with added touches like the Fujitsu instant cameras and vintage typewriters that can be borrowed from the front desk for use during your stay, the hotel, in the spirit of the city’s slogan, continues to ‘Keep Austin Weird’ (in the best way possible).
8 COCKTAIL LOUNGE
What Cocktail-making kits and wine fridge
Where The House Hotel Nisantasi, Turkey
Perfectly position in the shopping, dining and entertainment centre and just a short stroll from the Bosphorous, The House Hotel Nisantasi is an ideal base for exploring Istanbul. However, this design den with an elegant Bauhaus feel and whimsical flourishes, such as chairs that look like birdcages, will have you hanging around indoors. And we know just the place for a drink – your room. Each of the sleek, spacious rooms has a mixologist-worthy minibar with cocktail-making kits and a wine fridge, too. Serefe!
9 ZEN DEN
What Traditional robes and soaking tubs
Where Beniya Mukayu, Japan
Craving a moment of Zen? Beniya Mukayu, in the spa town of Yamashiro, is an intimate 17-room ryokan (Japanese-style guest house) in Kanazawa that gracefully blends tradition (tatami mats, kaiseki cuisine) with modern perks (a stylish boutique, minibars). Once in your tranquil room, slip into your yukata (traditional Japanese robe) for afternoon tea ceremony before having a soak in your private onsen (hot spring bath).
10 NATURE NEST 
What Wool blankets and binoculars
Where Wickaninnish Inn, Canada
Tucked deeply into the woodlands on the craggy Pacific coast, the Wickaninnish Inn hotel in Tofino brings together the best of land and sea. The lodge is home to a top restaurant, there’s a nature-embracing spa and cosy library worth holing up in on chilly nights. But you might find it hard to leave your room. These luxury nests have a roaring hearth, thick wool blankets to take out onto your ocean-facing balcony and tide timetables and binoculars for spying on whales at play. And if you do decide to explore outdoors, you’ll find Helly Hansen rain coats and trousers that are just your size in your closet.
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