Tribe Hotel, Nairobi, a Member of Design Hotels (Nairobi, Kenya)

Urban, loft-like style blends effortlessly with warm African colors at Nairobi's Tribe Hotel, a pioneering lifestyle property that sets itself apart with atypical angles and an unrivalled appreciation for tribal crafts. Some 900 hand-sculpted artifacts from all over Africa have been gathered here, capturing the diversity of the continent and evoking a sense of splendor that is raising the luxury hotel stakes in the continent. Spread across three wings in the heart of Nairobi's diplomatic district, a soaring sunlit atrium links the Tribe's 137 guest rooms and suites. Inside, cool granite and stretches of dark Indian slate temper earthy combinations of cumin, sandstone, and brown-sugar hues. Architect Mehraz Ehsani continues this balance by using authentic Kenyan materials in the public spaces. These include the Kaya Spa, which takes its inspiration from the country's sacred forests; the well-stocked library; the rooftop bar; and the heated pool, surrounded by waterfalls and gardens.