7 iconic designer chairs I was happy to spot in my hotels

The stories and the names behind the creation of these iconic design chairs are really worth knowing!

Who doesn’t adore hotels that offer their guests the chance to live among legendary objects? Narrating fascinating stories of contemporary design, these hotels feature a unique selection of brilliantly conceived items created by famous designers.

I love to spot iconic design items in the hotels I stay or visit. Such emblematic objects always reflect the superb inspiration of their creator not only regarding aesthetics but also the functionality. I like to connect with the era, the feeling and the background of the designer; the materials, the innovations, the thinking process behind each creation. This can be a really eye-opening experience for me. Therefore I consider it unbelievable luck to be able to spend time with them,  even if its for a certain period of time.

Find below a list of 6 iconic designer chairs spotted in hotels I stayed or visited

1. The Moroso Shadowy Armchair at Ekies Resort

Ekies Resort at Halkidiki is heaven for design lovers. (See here what I mean). The famous Shadowy Armchair designed by Tord Boontje for Moroso is a true eye-catcher at the pool area of the hotel.  One of the most iconic designer chairs, it is made with coated steel frame and hand-woven coloured polyethylene yarns. The Shadowy Armchair has shapes that evoke the beach furniture found at the North Sea in Northern Europe in the twenties, which become contemporary by the use of digitally drawn colour patterns and woven by expert African craftsmen.

2. The Cassina LC3 by Le Corbusier at AthensWas

AthensWas’ owner Errika Benakopoulou and creative designer Stavros Papagiannis have created a hotel which really stands out for its vibes and its design. From the general concept to every small detail, urban modernism of Athenian architecture, as seen during the decades 1930- 1970, becomes the starting point for a modern city hotel, full of iconic design chairs and city trademarks. In the Hellenic Suite on the top floor of the hotel, one can sit comfortably at two LC3 armchairs which were designed in 1928 by Le Corbusier. This furniture object from the Bauhaus era, with its clear form, an interesting mix of industrial steel tubing and high-quality natural leather presents an almost unequaled comfort. The Le Corbusier LC3 armchair is part of the famous LC collection from Italian manufacturer Cassina, and is produced exclusively according to the original drafts of the Swiss designer.

3. The Hideout Lounge Armchair at Kimpton de Witt

This was a major hotel lobby moment! While I was staying at Kimpton De Witt (one of the coolest stays in Amsterdam as you can see here) I loved to hide out in the Hideout Lounge Armchair.

Full of relaxing areas and unique pieces of furniture, books and modern artworks, Kimpton de Witt’s lobby is one of the most enjoyable and visually appealing for guests to hang out. There I found this inviting armchair by GTV Design, called the Hideout Lounge Armchair, clearly reminding the classic Viennese chair, eager to create an intimate space for any guest who would like to take advantage of its unique design!

4. Mama bear at Le CouCou

Pierre Yovanovitch is known for his signature luxury aesthetic and his great architectural and interiors projects at hotels all over the world. Since 2017, the designer has pulled his furniture and lighting designs from his architectural projects to make them available in stand-alone collections. One of his most famous concepts is the Bear Family Chairs, inspired by the Goldilocks fable and spotted in Le Coucou. Like in the fairytale, the Bear armchairs come in three sizes – Mama, Papa, and Baby – and are handmade in the famous Atelier Jouffre, by the most skilled artisans.

5. The Lui 5/A Armchair at La Maison Champs Elysées

In the heart of Paris‘ “Golden Triangle” designed by Martin Margiela, La Maison Champs Elysées is a one-of-a-kind hotel with theatrical elements and a subtle relaxed atmosphere. Spotted at the Boris Vian Suite and the Gilded Lounge Suite (two of the “Couture Rooms” of La Maison Champs Elysées) are the Lui 5/A Armchairs designed by Philippe Bestenheider for Fratelli Boffi.

With a modular chair silhouette crafted of pentagonal elements, the Lui 5/A Armchairs are covered with Viennese cane, combining traditional materials with a contemporary aesthetic.

6. The Butterfly Chair at Kinsterna Hotel

One of the most recognizable chairs in the history of design, The Butterfly Chair or The BKF Chair or The Hardroy Chair was designed by three students of Le Corbusier: Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari Hardoy at Buenos Aires in 1938. The 3 of them were working with Le Corbusier’s studio, and formed the architectural collective Grupo Austra.  They chose their initials as a name for the Butterfly Chair. A whole “flock” of white canvas Butterfly Chairs contribute to the unique beauty of the historic hotel Kinsterna in Peloponnese, Greece.

7. The Finn Juhl’s Pelican Chair at Claridge’s Hotel in London

When it was presented by Finn Juhl at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition in 1940, the Pelican Chair stood out with its unusual shape and sturdy legs. The characteristic soft and organic shape is almost like a body holding a body. When you sit down, the chair practically gives you a friendly hug. The legendary armchair has been spotted at the new Mayfair Suites of Claridge’s Hotel in London, decorated by interior designer Bryan O’Sullivan in a style inspired by the Art-Deco era. 

See also:

Suite of the day: Suite No.67 by Matthew Williamson at Belmond La Residencia