Image via The One&Only Resort in Palmilla.
The quality of the gift shop usually doesn't usually make or break hotel booking decisions—well, at least it didn't until Opening Ceremony teamed up with the Ace. Now, hotel shops are less of an afterthought. Instead, they're turning into destinations in their own right.
Meet 12 of the world's best shopping stops attached to and ensconced within hotels. Forget token keychains or screen-printed tees—these boutiques' inventories include falconry equipment and locally-sourced mattresses as well as Oscar de la Renta and Jimmy Choo. Because you never know when you'll need couture on the road.—Erika Graham
Photos courtesy of the Singita Sabi Sand.
Singita Wine Boutique at Singita Sabi Sand
Although the boutiques at the Ebony Lodge and the Boulders Lodge—both Singita properties located on the Sabi Sand private game reserve in South Africa—come complete with the usual safari fare and local artisan merchandise, the Singita Wine Boutique is what's worth the investment here. Singita's extensive wine collection is considered one of the finest in South Africa, and each of its lodges carries, on average, 180 unique wines.
Image via discover-dubai.ae.
Kempinski Mall of the Emirates
Located in Dubai, the Kempinksi Hotel connects right to the Mall of the Emirates, a Dubai landmark that is essentially 233,467 square meters of extravagant retail therapy. From scoring the region's first Prada boutique to housing the largest Harvey Nichols department store outside of the UK, the Mall of the Emirates takes the phrase "retail heaven" extremely seriously. And if you're traveling with some not-as-serious shoppers, there's always the full-size indoor ski slope to keep them occupied.
Image courtesy of Mondrian South Beach/Facebook.
Semi Automatic Vending Machine at Mondrian South Beach
The Semi Automatic vending machine housed in Miami's Mondrian South Beach sold everything from gold handcuffs to the keys to a nearby condo when it first opened for business. Now, boutique retailer BASE has fully stocked the Semi Automatic with a curated selection of goods from cult favorite brands including Miansai, Urbanears, Nixon, and Flight 001. It's worth the extra cost, because where else are you going to be able to vend a "Flyin' Drunk" luggage tag?
Image courtesy of Gleneagles.
The Shops at Gleneagles Hotel
Regular activities at Scotland's Gleneagles include a spin through any of four golf courses (one of which was selected to host the 2014 Ryder Cup), lessons at their world-famous falconry school, and bonding with a lab at the first public gundog school in the world, all of which lends itself to some pretty unique gift shop fare. Browse through classic sporting wear brands like Escada or Barbour, pick up some classic falconry equipment to support your brand new hobby, or invest in a customized golf club from the Golf Academy on the grounds.
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Images courtesy of Four Seasons Maui
22 Knots by Seaside Luxe at Four Seasons Maui
If there was ever a time where you absolutely needed great swaths of sheer tropical caftans and printed maxi dresses, it'd be while on vacation at the Four Seasons Maui. Thankfully they already thought of that, and 22 Knots by Seaside Luxe was put in place to satisfy all your resortwear cravings from high-end designers like Oscar de la Renta, Tory Burch and Jimmy Choo.
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Images courtesy of Ace Hotel.
Ace Hotel NYC
This hipster hub located in midtown Manhattan has a retail selection inside the building that rivals what can be found outside its doors. The front desk store and online shop stocks Ace's many brand collaborations, from Reigning Champ to Converse to Moleskin. But, if Proenza Schouler and Alexander Wang are more your speed, there's an Opening Ceremony store located inside Ace's building that's got Proenza, Wang, Band of Outsiders, Commes des Garçons, and Maison Martin Margiela's interpretations of travel essentials.
White Mansion Boutique Hotel courtesy of TripAdvisor.
Boutique at the White Mansion Hotel
This boutique hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, uses its gift shop as a platform of support for WAC (Watthan Artists Cambodia), which employs disabled artisans throughout Cambodia. Do good while stocking up: The shop sells apparel and accessories using locally woven silk, upcycled materials and reclaimed hardwoods.
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Images courtesy of The Wynn
The Wynn and Encore Esplanades at Wynn Hotel
Tucked into a bright and shiny corner of Las Vegas' hospitality scene is a mini version of New York City's Fifth Avenue in the form of the Wynn and Encore Esplanades. Chanel, Cartier, Alexander McQueen, the second Manolo Blahnik boutique in the U.S., and the only Oscar de la Renta store in Las Vegas all take up residence on this dazzling shopping strip connected to the Wynn Hotel.
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Images courtesy of the Ballymaloe House
The Ballymaloe Shop at The Ballymaloe House
On the other end of the dazzling retail spectrum, there's the Ballymaloe Shop at the Ballymaloe House in Cork, Ireland. The shop sells everything you'll ever need for that dream country kitchen, from an impressive line up of tea cozies to a wide range of hearty Irish soaps (and it's all online, too!). It also carries seasonal foods from the 100+ acre organic farm in the backyard, and if you need to brush up on your kitchen skills, there's a Cookery School located on the grounds to point you in the right direction.
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Images of via Fearrington.com.
Fearrington Village Shops at Fearrington Village
Traveling to Ireland is not the only way to get a strong dose of country cooking. Fearrington Village in North Carolina retains the same quaintness while staying more budget-friendly. The Fearrington Village Shops (not kidding about the quaint feel) include McIntyre's Books, an independent bookstore with one of the largest author event programs in the South, Dovecote, an old milking barn that's been converted into a lifestyle boutique, and Haven, a spa and home furnishings shop that sells locally-made mattresses.
Image courtesy of One&Only Resorts.
Boutique at The One&Only Resort in Palmilla
The One&Only resort boutique in Palmilla, Mexico houses a pretty spectacular blend of designer merchandise and local artisan wares. Consider this the go-to place to pick up Stella McCartney's latest resort collection and one of Alfonso Castillo's Trees of Life with the same credit card swipe.
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Images courtesy of SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills.
Regalo in SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills
Kiki de Montparnasse lingerie, Assouline books, Baccarat jewels and D.L.&Co. home goods are what guests are guaranteed to find in Regalo, the uniquely curated boutique inside the Bazaar at the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills. To add to the atmosphere of luxurious fantasy, the shop also hosts tarot card readings every Friday and Saturday.
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