We can’t get enough of copper, and nor can hotel designers. So we travelled the world (virtually, unfortunately) to find some of the finest copper hotel designs on the planet. From glam to industrial, there are so many ways to make this unique metal work in a wide range of interiors. Be inspired by these hotels when you’re designing your space. We’re not saying install a glitzy escalator at your front door, but with some clever panelling or copper wall art, you really can bring the warmth and luxe looks of this magical metal into your home.
1. Sea Containers, London
Occupying the iconic seventies Sea Containers building on the banks of the River Thames, this decadent hotel is all about the nautical. The building was the brainchild of American architect Warren Platner, who also designed cruise ships, and it shows. When designer Tom Dixon was called in to convert it from an office block into the grand hotel it was originally supposed to be, he stayed loyal to Platner’s maritime style. Guests are greeted by a magnificent distressed copper-panelled hull in the lobby, and wowed by a spectacular copper drop sculpture suspended from the ceiling of the sumptuous spa.
2. PUBLIC, NYC
From the moment you arrive at Public in New York’s Bowery district, you know you’re checking into a very special hotel. Esteemed hotelier Ian Schrager created Public to compete with the neighbourhood’s thriving Airbnb scene, and thanks to designers Herzog & de Meuron, it’s certainly packed with instagrammable scenes. A gleaming copper escalator ushers guests into the main building, and the rooms are simple and elegant, styled like yacht cabins with lots of calming wood. When it’s time for sundowners, the rooftop bar offers breathtaking views of Manhattan and a shimmering copper ceiling to reflect the candlelight and match that grand entrance.
3. Paramount House Hotel, Sydney
Located in the upmarket Surry Hills suburb of Sydney, this boutique hotel occupies the former HQ of Paramount Pictures. When tasked with designing the conversion, Breathe Architects linked the raw, industrial looks of the warehouse with the building’s glam, cinematic heritage. It all starts on the outside, where the upper floors are clad in a screen of herringbone copper tiles. A blend of natural and patinated copper, the tiles continue inside the lobby. And there’s more – see that copper sink unit next to the reception desk? That’s where guests are welcomed with ice cold local beer, on tap.
4. Ace Hotel, Kyoto
Ace Hotels have a strong reputation for luxurious, design-led hotels – and their Kyoto branch is no exception. Guests arriving here enter an airy, spacious lobby with industrial copper light fittings in an angular style that’s a nod to the city’s traditional architecture. The centrepiece of the lobby, though, is the large, curved reception desk, clad in aged copper. The copper theme carries on in the bar, which is clad in polished natural copper. This is an excellent example of how both raw, shimmery copper and rustic, aged copper can work in one, well-designed place.
5. Hotel Tou Nishinotoin Kyoto
Staying in Kyoto, let’s pay a visit to the Hotel Tou Nishinotoin Kyoto. It begins with one of the finest deep-blue-and-copper-combinations we’ve ever seen. The facade of the building is a rich midnight shade, with just one standout strip of contrasting aged copper above its entrance. That entrance leads you into a shiny, copper-clad corridor that transports you from the street into a tranquil courtyard and the hotel lobby. Design studio Suppose have worked hard here to marry the historic culture of the city with modern comforts. Guests can take a traditional tea ceremony, for example, dip in the spa bath, or relax on bamboo tatami mats in their room. The overall aesthetic, though, has a calming vibe with a futuristic edge.
6. Wynn Las Vegas, Las Vegas
Las Vegas is well-known for its theme-park style, novelty hotels, but the Wynn and its sister hotel Encore don’t need any of that. These two sweeping architectural curves shine over The Strip in can’t-miss-it copper, making them landmarks like no other. The breathtaking exterior tells you all you need to know: this is one classy, elegant place to stay. Inside, the luxury continues, from the lobby to the rooms. We love the interior of the newly-opened Delilah Supper Club restaurant inside the hotel, too: with golden palm tress and copper tables and ceilings, it’s the epitome of metallic grandeur.
7. 25Hours Hotel Bikini, Berlin
From classical to contemporary; the 25 Hours Hotel Bikini in Berlin is about as hip as you can get. Overlooking the city’s zoo, the hotel is themed around the jungle. The sauna boasts views of monkeys and elephants, and the quirky bar is called Monkey Bar (of course). The playful theme continues into the rooms, some of which even come with hammocks. We love the smooth copper panelling behind the beds in these rooms, though. With fixtures and fittings on display, they show how copper doesn’t have to mean high-end glamour. Yep, this versatile metal can be used to create an industrial, down-to-earth look that could be easily recreated in your bedroom at home. Now, where’s my toolkit?
8. Hôtel National Des Arts et Métiers, Paris
It’s worth remembering that oxidised copper looks like a completely different material compared to when it’s in its raw state. This installation, designed by Raphael Novet for a Parisian hotel restaurant, is a case in point. Novet has used aged copper pipes to create a dramatic wall dripping in textures and varying shades of brown and turquoise that’s sure to be the talk of the dinner table. Not everyone has the space to completely cover the wall of their room in patinated copper pipes, but a good way to introduce similar shades and textures to your home is to install an aged copper splashback. Voilà! Your very own industrial wall feature to really get guests talking.
9. OFF Paris Seine
Our next featured hotel is also in Paris, but is very different to the last one. OFF is a floating hotel on the River Seine, boasting its very own bar and restaurant, plunge pool and even a marina. Check in at the stylish aged copper reception desk, complete with a feature copper light fitting. There’s a wide choice of rooms, but we love the Sunset Suite, below. Featuring a copper four-poster, wardrobe and lamp, it is completely decorated in orange. Could you get any warmer? It’s everything we love about copper in one lavish room.
10. Number 38, Bristol
We couldn’t talk about copper hotel interiors and not include a copper bathtub. This one is in Number 38, a fully-refurbished Georgian townhouse in the upscale Clifton area of Bristol. With panoramic views across the downs on one side and the city on the other, this guesthouse is really sitting pretty. We love how this deep petrol blue panelling contrasts with the glow of the classic copper freestanding tub, perfect for long soaks when the English weather isn’t playing ball. You absolutely can’t go wrong when combining vivid shades of blue with copper. Not ready to invest in a copper bathtub just yet? Opt for a copper bath panel to achieve a similar look at home.
