BEAUTY: Interior Design--The Hotel Puerta America, Madrid

When I was young, back in the 70s, I loved science fiction television shows and films like "Space: 1999" and "Logan's Run" as much for the implausible plots as for the gorgeous, futuristic sets and art direction. And when I saw the interiors of much of the Hotel Puerta America in Madrid, I flashed on those fantastic sets.

Each floor in the Hotel Puerta America has been designed by a different esteemed architect or interior designer. Some are colorful with pattern and texture, and while I am a maximalist at heart, I really love the smooth, sleek floors. The late Zaha Hadid's firm is responsible for the first floor whose entry lobby features a swirling light fixture called The Vortex.

Norman Foster's second floor lobby and halls sure do look like Moonbase Alpha.

British architect David Chipperfield has a darker, moodier take on the sci-fi look for his halls on the third floor...

...while on the sixth floor, Marc Newsom employs a dose of glossy red while maintaining a minimalist sense.

Ron Arad's seventh floor suites feature bathrooms with circular elements. I love the curved tub/shower flanked by curved sinks.

Architect Kathryn Findlay beautifully recreates the "Space: 1999" art direction with a sense of "2001: A Space Odyssey" thrown in for her halls and suites on the eighth floor.

And finally, Richard Gluckman's ninth floor suites are based on the idea of a box within a box. I love the modular units built into the wall to house the monitor and desk.

https://www.hotelpuertamerica.com/

The Anthenea Floating Hotel Pod

Made in France, the Anthenea floating pod is a new kind of hotel room. The website describes how it came to be:

At the origins of this incredible project, there is the dream of Jean-Michel Ducancelle, Naval architect, directly inspired by James Bond’s floating pod in "The Spy Who Loved Me" , 1977.

For 25 years, Jean-Michel has been wondering about how humans can inhabit the Earth. He passionately cultivates the idea that tomorrow’s habitat should be at the heart of natural environment in order to offer to all, a life in an immersive marine & submarine world. He envisions a way to apprehend the future differently, with a solution for the increasing reduced availability of construction on the coast and a new look at the floating habitat.

His decisive meeting with the visionary industrial Jacques-Antoine Cesbron, enabled the culmination of such years of patented research and innovation.

With the birth of Anthenea, the dream has become reality.

The Anthenea pod comes with an adjustable sunshade roof, solar panels, a panoramic bathtub, and over 7 feet of bedding diameter. The pod is 100% recyclable, while its design has been studied to resist cataclysms and the rise of oceans. Only running on solar power, the floating habitat features an energy sensor dome that meets the electrical and hot water needs. The Anthenea pod is equipped with certified black and gray water stations, and produces what it consumes, releasing clean water only. The manufacturer might want to look at ways of adapting the pod for permanent living, since we are all going to be floating in another 20 years or so...

https://www.anthenea.fr/

Jungle Bubbles at the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort

Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort in Thailand offers unique accommodations to view the elephants as they pass by from the adjacent Elephant Camp...

A NIGHT IN NATURE
Our unique Jungle Bubbles were custom designed by Eye In The Sky and are constructed with high-tech polyester fabric, using exclusive Precontraint Serge Ferrari technology. Step inside yours at sunset for an immersive natural experience.

Enjoy the cool comfort of air-conditioning in your spacious bedroom and living space, complete with a king bed and seating area under a transparent roof, with your enclosed, nontransparent en-suite bathroom on hand. Additional touches include bathrobes and slippers, crisp white bed linen and exquisite bathroom amenities. Spend an unforgettable night, from dusk till dawn, completely ensconced in nature, with access to a delectable dinner basket, a fully stocked mini bar, 24-hour in-room dining service and tea and coffee making facilities.

https://www.anantara.com/en/golden-triangle-chiang-rai