Volga

Volga—a futuristic monolith of wood and steel—is the best place to book a suite and turn it into the year’s most memorable afterparty. There are live performances on the roof. There’s an underground club. And there are chill rooms full of natural light and clean lines to get a solid eight hours before your next bout of revelry.

I barely knew where to rest my eyes at the architecturally inventive Volga Hotel, the latest offering from the Mexican hospitality group Hamak that takes the concept of a "design hotel" to new levels.

Volga is full of contemporary art, from large-scale installations to small framed works. And its architecture and design, rather than recede gallery-like into the background, provide aesthetic interest of their own. The rooms are thoughtfully furnished and subtly luxe, with spa treatments available en suite. And while it’s no resort, Volga does feature a lovely little rooftop pool.