John Wick showed us that the Continental Hotel was quite dangerous indeed. It’s the sort of place that attracts a sinister, criminal clientele whose tenuous code of honor is the only thing maintaining order. Most guests are one promised bounty away from assassinating one another. Still, the “faux-tel’s” design is so damn cool that it seems worth risking your life for an overnight stay. The eclectic mashup of iconic over-the-top design styles from Beaux-Arts to Rococo peppers in vibrant, Great Gatsby-inspired elements to create a look that’s opulent, atmospheric, and instantly recognizable.
Sadly, for those not fortunate to crash the recent pop-up Continental Hotel in Brooklyn, it’s impossible to visit in the real world. However, these four luxury hotels are every bit as worthy of John Wick — dark, moody, and perfect for plotting your next hit.
John Wick: Chapter 3 is in theaters now.
Hotel Herman K
Copenhagen
The Danish know a thing or two about swish design. The location of Copenhagen’s Hotel Herman K inside a repurposed, 50-year-old electrical transformer station gives it an immediate sense of cool. It’s sleek, industrial, and raw — a sideways, Scandinavian take on all the things that make the Continental so damn cool in the first place. The building’s original metal grid facade frames an entrance that’s dramatic and unique. Inside, the towering lobby bar combines exposed concrete walls, two-story accordion-style panel doors, terrazzo stairs, Nordic-inspired accents, and sleek furnishings. Guest rooms are luxurious with lavish marble bathrooms, leather drawer pulls, and a minimal, gray tone-on-tone decor that feels plucked from a near-future sci-fi world.
Gramercy Park Hotel
New York City
Even among New York City hotels, few have the brand-name panache of Gramercy Park Hotel. For nearly 100 years, it’s drawn heavy-hitting creatives from the worlds of art, music, and literature. The Renaissance Revival property was brought into the 21st century in the early 2000s. While the exterior retained much of its classic look, the interior received a deft reimagining that blends reclaimed wood, bespoke, smoking-lounge-worthy furnishings (every space is awash in leather and velvet), and jewel-toned colors on every curtain, carpet, and wall throughout. It’s bold, classy, and dead sexy.
The NoMad Hotel
Los Angeles
Like its New York City sibling, The NoMad Hotel Los Angeles has all the style and swagger of the Continental Hotel. Designers started with the iconic Giannini Bank building, an ornate historical structure heavy on Neoclassical architecture. Most of the century-old building’s original details remain, including pilaster columns with Corinthian capitals and the lobby’s ornate gold and blue Italianate ceiling. Great Gatsby-inspired touches define the decor. Plush velvet upholstered seating, dark wood, and bold accents create a look that’s both moody and decadent.
La Maison Champs Elysees
Paris
Designing a standout hotel in one of the world’s most prestigious design-centric cities is no small feat. Yet, La Maison Champs Elysees dishes out copious doses of swagger even among Paris’ world-class hotels. Renowned architect Danièle Damon maintained much of the building’s heritage while enhancing its original, historical details. Inside, fashion design powerhouse Maison Margiela uses clever optical illusions and ironic interior design twists to create a look that’s unique and instantly memorable. The hotel’s social scene is book-ended by the appropriately named The White Lounge and jet black The Cigar Bar. Guestrooms are sparsely though tastefully furnished, and muted color palettes exude a vibe that’s chic and comforting.
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