The Most Beautiful Hotels, Restaurants and Cafés by the 2026 AD100
From Dubai to Paris, these stylish hotspots were designed to be seen at
Planning your next escape? Let this year’s AD100 2026 designers guide the way. From reimagined heritage stays, beautiful hotels, and serene eco-retreats to boldly designed cafés and contemporary riads, these standout destinations offer the best. Let this round-up serve as your guide to design-driven escapes, spanning Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Marrakesh, Cairo and beyond.
Photo: Oculis Project1/20Daily Press, Abu Dhabi, by Styled Habitat
Brushed steel meets richly veined stone and the warmth of burl veneer at Daily Press — an idyllic stop to start your morning with a coffee and waterfront views along Abu Dhabi’s promenade. For the café’s design, Styled Habitat loosely drew inspiration from the modernist public spaces of the ’60s and ’70s, reimagining their flair to frame the space. A diagonal layout opens the perspective, a sculptural stone island bar, becomes a natural point of gathering, and a quietly repeating grid connects the exterior canopy to the floors, walls, and lighting inside.
Photo: Mohammad Ashkanani2/20Matchbox JACC, Kuwait City, by Studio Nama
Matchbox JACC feels like a small celebration of Persian warmth and colour translated into a modern, easy-going diner. Studio Nama approached the project in Kuwait City with a storyteller’s sensibility, drawing on the nostalgia of Persian prints and the joy of shared meals to shape an interior that feels both familiar and gently surprising. Deep green burled wood, terracotta tones, and sun-baked shades of orange and yellow give the room its lively pulse, while patterned gypsum and eclectic wallpapers offer flashes of personality without overwhelming the space. A softly illuminated, curved ceiling greets guests at the entrance, hinting at the playful spirit within, and booths positioned towards the fountains and gardens outside lend the dining room a sense of openness despite its intimacy.
Natelee Cocks3/20Wave, Dubai, by IDST
IDST's Wave brings a sun-soaked Mediterranean ease to Dubai, infused with a touch of Memphis playfulness that gives the all-day diner its spirited identity. The studio let the space build itself through colour and mood, using terracotta and deep blue as anchors and allowing sculptural, custom-made furniture to soften the room’s geometry for a sensorial dining experience. Gentle curves appear throughout — in the joinery, the textiles, even the movement of the floor — giving the interior a relaxed, undulating rhythm.
4/20Kimyona, Riyadh, by Azaz Architects
Riyadh-based Azaz Architects' latest project, Kimyona (its mocktail menu includes a no-groni), has a darkly glamorous interior which mixes back-lit glass bricks, walls clad with stacks of ceramic Chinese roof tiles and graphic inlaid marble floors to dazzling effect. Inspired by analogue photography, the space takes guests on a journey from a zen-like gallery, bathed in bright lights and minimal tones, to a dimly lit dining hall, reminiscent of a photographer’s darkroom.
5/20Perlage, Abu Dhabi, by Verhaal
A decadent escape to disco nostalgia, Perlage at the Galleria Mall in Abu Dhabi is draped in magnetic, passionate red: from the velvet curtains that line its curved walls, to the bespoke banquettes and a fiery ceiling that comes to life with a disco ball installation shimmering in the dimly lit bar, casting a dance of light and shade across the space. In true Verhaal style, Perlage is brimming with custom pieces, from a glass sculpture depicting a merry bottle, to hand-crafted lighting and textiles, that together celebrate the expertise of global artisans and artists.
Photo: Oculis Project6/20Milk Haus, Dubai, by Bone
In Dubai’s Nad Al Sheba Mall, studio Bone has created a small café-bakery that balances the raw and the refined to become a familiar neighbourhood retreat away from the pace of the city. Milk Haus’ interiors centre on simplicity and rhythm, allowing the acts of making and enjoying coffee and bread to unfold at an unhurried pace. A long, linear counter organises the interior, its open shelving turning loaves, books, and small goods into part of the architectural composition. Material warmth does the heavy lifting: pale plywood with expressive grain forms a gentle backdrop, deepened by the glow of terracotta flooring and the cool solidity of marble, while a sweep of lime-green drapery diffuses the daylight into something gentler. Seating tucks itself into this calm palette, with timber chairs, upholstered benches, and the occasional glimmer of sculptural lighting carving out cosy corners of atmosphere.
Photo: Supplied7/20Villa A&N, Marrakech, by Studio KO
If you think you know hotels in Morocco, this earthy Marrakech retreat will make you think again. On the outskirts of the city and nestled within a sprawling estate that's dotted with olive groves, a working farm and sculptural desert garden, the getaway – called Villa A&N – designed by practice Studio KO, stands out for its sleek lines, minimal (and modern decor) and ten-bedrooms that spell calm, earthy luxe.
8/20Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Dubai, by Killa Design
Shaped like a sweeping super-yacht anchored between the Burj Al Arab and a new marina, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is one of Dubai’s most sculptural new hospitality landmarks. Designed by Shaun Killa, the curving structure rises from the Gulf with cinematic confidence, while interiors by Tristan Auer bring a Côte d’Azur-inspired calm through golden woods, soft neutrals and sea-toned finishes. With expansive terraces, thoughtful in-room details and a line-up of standout dining and wellness spaces, the hotel signals a new mood in Dubai: refined, design-forward, and quietly luxurious.
Read more about Dubai’s newest superyacht-inspired hotel here.
Nour El Refai9/20Esca Cueva, Cairo by Badie Architects
One of the most beautiful restaurants in the Middle East. In New Giza, what was once an ordinary villa perched atop a hill is now home to the cavelike Esca Cueva, Cairo’s most sought-after dining venue. Conceptualised by Egyptian architect Mohamed Badie (founder of Cairo-based Badie Architects), the undulating curvature of the design was made possible due to advanced 3D technology software, which captured its organic forms precisely. Drawing inspiration from the natural world (a concept prevalent in most Esca concepts), its creases and textures are reminiscent of the natural weathering of rocks. Digital wizardry ultimately gave way to traditional craftsmanship, with local artisans realising a steel infrastructure that was then covered in stucco.
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Photo: Natelee Cocks10/20The Cullinan, Dubai, by Tristan Du Plessis
The Cullinan at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is a high-end steakhouse with serious visual drama. Designed by Tristan du Plessis, the space is rich in materiality and mood, oozing Art Deco glamour. Inside, prime cuts are served up against an elegant scenography, where smooth white and grey marble meet monochrome tiles, mirrored ceilings, and glints of gold. Around them, hand-painted murals, embroidered detailing, and textured finishes create a setting that feels both luxurious and grounded in place. The expansive dining room is cleverly zoned to feel both grand and intimate, with a sweeping alfresco terrace on the other side, perfectly angled for head-on views of the Burj Al Arab against the glistening waters.
Read more about this Art Deco-inflected Dubai steakhouse here.
Shoayb Khattab11/20Dar Tantora The House Hotel, Alula, by Shahira Fahmy
One of the most sustainable and beautiful hotels to open in 2024, Dar Tantora in AlUla has history that matches its otherworldly landscape. Under the watch of The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the organisation entrusted with the environmentally- and historically-sensitive transformation of AlUla, 30 buildings have been faithfully restored as Dar Tantora The House Hotel. Collaborating with the RCU, local artisans and tradespeople, and Egypt-based Environmental Quality International, architect Shahira Fahmy transformed the ruins of historic homes into suites. In keeping with how families lived – the ground floor was for socialising, the first floor for bedrooms and the bathroom – the split-level concept has been retained.
Discover how the Dar Tantora eco-lodge rose from the ruins of AlUla.
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Natelee Cocks12/20Desert Villas at Bab Al Shams, Dubai, by Anarchitect
Bab Al Shams’ new desert villas – which as their name suggests – are tucked into the folds of the Dubai desert, surrounded by the silence of endless sand dunes. Their buildings – designed by Dubai-based studio Anarchitect – draw inspiration from Bedouin lifestyles and the community's deep connection to the desert. “The goal was to create a balance between authenticity and modernity, imagining spaces that reflect the simplicity and resilience of traditional desert living whilst reinterpreting new standards for luxury hospitality,” says founding principal, Jonathan Ashmore.
Photo: Supplied13/20Kintsugi, Beirut, by Marc Dibeh
A snapshot of Lebanon's diverse design scene, a symbolic ode to the indomitable joy of the Lebanese, a chic stay in the heart of Beirut – Kintsugi is all that and more. This pistachio-hued new seven-bedroom boutique hotel was envisioned by Olivier Gasnier-Duparc shortly after the 2020 blast, when he was forced to move apartments and recover from his injuries. To create a unique experience – and to spotlight local talent – each room is inspired by the style and work of a unique Lebanese designer, with local talent Marc Dibeh masterminding the overall look and feel.
Step inside Kintsugi in Beirut’s bustling Mar Mikhael district.
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Photo: Supplied14/20Serai Wing at the Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah, by Anarchitect
Glistening in white and adorned with sculptural, leaf-like awnings that dance in the wind, Serai Wing, a new addition to the elegant Chedi Al Bait Sharjah hotel is both contemporary and historic. The extension was born from Anarchitect's reworking of two 1950s homes, once the residence of pearl merchant Khaled bin Ibrahim and his family. Divided into twelve rooms and suites, each residence – now known as House One and House Two – has been imagined as an inner-city sanctuary. They border a tranquil courtyard garden with a modern swimming pool and lounge terrace.
15/20Signature Villas, The Ritz Carlton Residences Al Wadi Desert Resort, Ras Al Khaimah, by H+A
Human wellbeing is at the centre of Dubai architecture and interiors studio H+A’s practice. Led by Stas Louca and David Lessard, who between them have a wealth of experience designing for healthcare, hospitality and lifestyle, its latest project is the Signature Villas at The Ritz Carlton Residences Al Wadi Desert resort in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The eight villas are designed to “synchronise with the flow of the sand dunes” and feature sustainable natural materials such as limestone and rattan, inspired by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi.
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16/20Common Breads, London, by MA Studio
Just a short walk from Buckingham Palace is an unlikely Lebanese bakery in London that evokes the spirit of Beirut's streets and a cherished culinary tradition. Called Common Breads, it was brought to life by local firm MA Studio, who were tasked with designing a space that could convey the cultural richness of kaak bread, a sesame-coated Lebanese street food and a centuries-old Middle Eastern staple. Their clients – a group of three friends – wanted to transport the essence of Lebanese street food to London, which presented MA Studio with the challenge of creating a modern yet inviting space that not only served kaak but also told its story, evoking nostalgia while being rooted in the modern context of central London.
Photo: Francisco Nogueira17/20Leña Dubai, by Astet
This hotspot makes a mark on AD's guide to the most beautiful restaurants in Dubai for good reason. Located on the rooftop St. Regis Garden in Palm Jumeirah, the sinuous ceiling of Leña Dubai – featuring 40,000 hand-applied ash-wood scales illuminated with undulating lighting – is a larger-than-life sculpture that encompasses the entire restaurant. It also sets the tone for its culinary concept of grilling and smoking meats over searing coal. Designed by Astet, a rosewood and smoked glass entrance hall opens up to a moody, predominantly black central dining space with charred wood accents, inspired by the ancient Shou Sugi Ban technique, a Japanese method of fire-proofing timber by torching it, that tip their hat to the primitive cooking style.
18/20Soub, Dubai, by VSHD
Rania Hamed’s architecture and interiors, created with her Dubai- and Montreal-based studio VSHD, possess a Zen-like simplicity, reflecting her choice of Japanese design and Brutalist style as inspiration. Both are front and centre at Soub, a new Dubai café awash with 1970s references (think Panton-esque curves and flashes of chrome) and an auction house's worth of rare vintage furniture. This is without doubt one of the most stylish cafés in Dubai.
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YANN DERET19/20Bar des Prés, Paris, by Studio KO
Since establishing Studio KO in 2000, Olivier Marty and Karl Fournier have carved a niche creating interiors with a sense of place. They appreciate classic materials and sensual contrasts – rugged with refined, light with dark. “For us, the future doesn’t lie in new technical materials, but in new ways to use noble, timeless finishes,” they explain. Their latest project, the Japanese restaurant Bar des Prés in Paris, is moodily sophisticated: behind its midnight-blue façade lies a richly textured space with marble counters, patterned carpets and banquettes embroidered with peacock feathers.
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20/20Rosemary Riad, Marrakech, by LRNCE
Voluptuous brushstrokes, carved details, collage-esque cutouts are key features of Rosemary, a super stylish riad in Morocco's bustling Marrakech – and its background story is just as charming. It is the brainchild of Laurence Leenaert and Ayoub Boualam – the co-founders of LRNCE, a lifestyle brand whose textural rugs, hand painted ceramics and chromatic artworks have enchanted the design world since the duo began collaborating with Moroccan artisans nine years ago. “It felt like the right time for us to create a new universe – an experience that combines my aesthetic with the know-how of Morocco’s talented artisans,” says Leenaert, the creative force behind LRNCE. “There are so many new projects coming to life in Marrakech at the moment, and it’s nice to be part of that positive momentum.”
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