It all started with the humble souvenir. Though the word (French for ‘to remember’) didn’t enter the English language until the 18th century, the concept has roots that stretch as far back as the Roman Empire, when people would collect pottery or coins as mementos of their journeys. It’s since evolved into a global industry, typically touting kitsch postcards, fridge magnets, ‘I heart (insert city here)’ T-shirts, or novelty keyrings. At a select few design-forward stays, however, the concept of the souvenir has been quietly expanding to include everything from sofas to sculptures.
We all know the heartache of checking out of a hotel you’ve come to love. It’s a series of small goodbyes: farewell to the mid-century dresser that brought a fleeting sense of order to your ‘just-in-case’ outfits; au revoir to the cloud-like pillows that hosted your most ambitious lie-in to date; arrivederci to the abstract painting you spent 40 minutes analyzing while waiting for room service. In the past, travelers were left to scour the internet for lookalikes upon returning home, but this new breed of shoppable stays makes the dread of departure a little less acute, offering guests the chance to take those beloved details home with them.
This shift reflects a new era of hospitality as curation, where hoteliers act as tastemakers, and every touchpoint is an invitation to discover design pieces in their most natural, lived-in context. It’s also an intimate way to trial high-ticket items before committing; after all, showrooms have their place, but there is nothing like a full eight hours on a mattress to know if you’ve found ‘the one.’ And the benefits are mutual: Guests gain the confidence to invest in a piece that comes from genuine familiarity, while brands get to see how their pieces age and perform in a real-world environment.
So, whether you are looking to road-test your next big investment or simply want a more meaningful memento, this selection of stylish—and shoppable—stays will keep that five-star feeling alive long after check-out.
The Darling, Copenhagen
Housed within the bones of a magnificent 18th-century building, The Darling is a trio of intimate apartments tucked away in Copenhagen’s historic centre. Meticulously curated by the Darling Creative Studio (the tastemakers behind the now-defunct Danks magazine), each space serves as a living tribute to Danish design. The concept was born from the shared frustrations of travel-loving founders Jens Løkke and Uffe Buchard, who had a habit of falling for hotel furnishings and artworks they couldn’t bring home. With The Darling, they removed that barrier, meaning everything within the apartments—from iconic pieces of Finn Juhl furniture and Louis Poulsen lighting, to the custom Københavns Møbelsnedkeri kitchens—is available for purchase.
Artwork is another major draw here. Collaborating closely with a roster of leading Copenhagen galleries and over 60 local artists, the team curates and hangs every piece themselves. It’s a project in constant motion. “On average, we sell a piece every third day,” explains Løkke. “This means the art is constantly changing, ensuring that guests experience something new each time they stay with us.” This transience helps The Darling stay fresh, allowing guests to engage with works at the cutting-edge of the Danish art scene. For collectors and homemakers alike, it is a welcome departure from the sterile white walls of a traditional gallery. “At The Darling, guests see how art interacts with furniture, colours and light, making it easier to imagine the pieces in their own homes,” Løkke adds. To further bridge the gap between hospitality and the art world, the guest house hosts monthly events, allowing a wider community to engage with the ever-changing collection.
Mona, Athens
Crouched down a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it backstreet, Mona Athens is a hip, honey-hued hangout with Psirri-ous style. Once a textiles factory, the hotel has ‘shabby chic’ lovingly pinned to its moodboard, with peeling paint and exposed steel woven into its elegant, but deceivingly effortless, design. It’s a look so convincing that you’ll want to take it home, and fortunately, you can. Designed by the Greek creative studio House of Shila, each room is decorated with a mix of bespoke creations, commissioned pieces, or one-of-a-kind finds from Athenian antique stores. “Mona is imagined as a living and ever-evolving home where art, craft, and design are woven softly into the experience of each space,” the studio explains.
Helmed by entrepreneur Shai Antebi and photographer Eftihia Stefanidi, the House of Shila Studio uses the space as a physical stage for its network, giving local artists and makers a new, global audience. The ‘shoppable’ element here is exhaustive. Everything from the custom-knit rugs and exotic plants to the organic cotton sheets and signature gauze curtains is available to buy. In rooms, guests will often find jewelry by heritage-rich Athens brand Hermina, as well as bespoke clothing pieces developed in collaboration with interior designer Spyros Goudelis. Artworks such as photographic works by Eftihia Stefanidi, Martina Matencio, Maxime Ballesteros, and paintings by Archer Defterios, among others, are an integral part of the space, each made to be lived with—and, perhaps, carried into a new home.
Pavillon Southway, Marseille
Genre-defying artists Emmanuelle Luciani and Alex Dante have turned Pavillon Southway—the guest quarters of their Marseille studio—into a living portfolio. Here, frescoed walls are adorned with bas-relief sculptures and whimsical tapestries, while shelves are scattered with curious ceramics, all of which are for sale. “The house is contextual art,” Luciani explains. “We build worlds; environments that encompass interiors, architecture, art, and performance.”
Originally conceived as a hub for artistic residencies, the two-bedroom Pavilion eventually opened its doors to those outside the art world. “It’s an open ecosystem,” Luciani continues. “People can buy artworks or just take a look inside our universe; it’s an opportunity to meet people.” Guests are encouraged to explore the artists’ world freely, including their main studio located 15 minutes away. This lack of traditional structure is intentional; they present themselves not as a hotel, but as a house where guests are invited to curate their own experience.
As a former ballet dancer herself, Luciani works with performers to create choreography that activates the space, hosting shows that engage with the interiors. “We are really a 360-degree studio,” she added. While other artists are occasionally invited to contribute, almost everything within the walls is the work of Luciani and Dante. “Sometimes it extends the relationship with a potential client because they can enter our universe and better understand the work,” Luciani concludes. “I think it’s important to see that art is something that is alive.”
The Kin, Mumbai
Just metres from the Shivaji Park shoreline, The Kin is a spirited, sun-drenched addition to Mumbai’s boutique scene. Housed in a building with deep family roots (it was formerly a two-star hotel owned by the founders’ grandfather), the hotel has been reimagined by siblings Imrun Sethi and Guneet Singh as a spend-worthy stay that prioritises personality. Here, the lobby doubles as a gallery, and the corridors serve as a talismanic trail of the siblings’ global travels.
Singh, a product designer with a penchant for antique hunting, has filled the hotel’s 15 rooms and common areas with “rabbit holes” of discovery. You’ll find winged, tasselled armchairs, tables that appear to be melting in dripping metal, and a dedicated under-stairway vinyl listening booth for solo retreats. Each room is an individual character study, featuring a tactile mix of Jaisalmer stone, chevron-patterned floors, and retro push-button rotary phones sourced from Delhi’s antique markets. Almost everything guests encounter during their stay can be pre-ordered and shipped home. This includes a rotating collection of contemporary art curated by A&H Collab, sculptural floor lamps with signature squiggles, and even the bespoke bed throws.
Yowie, Philadelphia
One of Philly’s coolest boutiques—and boutique hotels—can be found in the city’s historic Queen Village neighbourhood, where leafy streets, independent shops, and a thriving bar and restaurant scene make a fine spot for a weekend city break. Founded in 2016 by designer and art director Shannon Maldonado, Yowie has evolved from a curated lifestyle shop into a design-led hospitality concept with 13 individually designed rooms. Each suite is layered with artworks, curated books, handmade objects sourced from local creatives, and a ‘shopping manual’ of sorts, detailing the provenance and inspiration behind every item in the room.
While smaller treasures like ceramics, robes, and stationery can be scooped up in the shop downstairs, guests looking for a more substantial acquisition will find that most furniture can be ordered or customized through their online platform. The inventory is a testament to Maldonado’s curatorial eye: think funky coffee tables by Philly-based artist Paradise Grey, sculptural kitchen islands by Carl Durkow, and tactile ceramics from Cloud 9 Clay and Frunzi Ceramics. The palettes are equally bold, featuring chocolate-brown, woolen Swell sofas by Normann Copenhagen paired with lilac Waka Waka cylinder-back chairs and tasseled light pendants by Berlin-based studio Llot Llov. “We have been intentional about contributing to the local creative economy,” says Maldonado. “The brand is rooted in community and design, known as much for its workshops and collaborations as it is for its aesthetic.”