Design Journey #21 - Community focused holiday homes
Sharing some outstanding community focused, and beautiful holiday homes that target different interests.
Hi together,
while I’m still processing all the impressions from Milan, I recently shared a summary on Linkedin about a talk hosted by Design Hotels & The Lobby on the topic “How hotels can cultivate micro-communities, and in turn, increase their social, intellectual, and cultural value”.
As a passionate traveller, always seeking to get to know new cultures — sometimes solo, sometimes with my partner or a bunch of friends — I’ve realized more and more that how we live and how we want to travel are getting closely linked. It’s about finding places that help you properly unwind, clear your head, feel inspired, soak up culture, learn new things — and maybe most importantly, places that make you feel emotionally connected. Wellbeing — physically and mentally — is coming more and more into focus. Just lying on a beach might no longer be enough to come back truly energized.
That got me thinking: which hotels or Airbnbs are already doing that really well? The ones that are high on my wishlist not just because they look good, but because they somehow create a sense of community or offer something niche that I really care about?
I’m super fascinated by the future of travel — and hopefully you’ll find this as exciting as I do. Today I take you on a journey to discover places that are already doing a great job at this.
MOND, Sri Lanka
The first place that immediately came to mind is MOND, located in Hiriketiya Dikwella, which I first came across a few years ago when they offered a yoga & clay retreat. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go at the time, but the concept stayed on my mind. Mental health issues are expected to rise in the coming years, handcrafting and being creative are powerful forms of prevention or healing. Pair that with yoga, and you've got the perfect balance. This is the kind of retreat I’d book for myself — because I already know that whoever else books it shares a common passion, which creates an immediate sense of connection.
But that’s just the start. MOND offers a wide variety of workshops — from batik to jewelry making, painting, poetry, sound healing, and even self-expression collaging. The list is extensive, and each workshop serves as a catalyst for creativity and community building.
The founders from Zurich, describe MOND as “a place for people to connect, experience, and co-create. It is not an ordinary hotel.” And they’re serious about this vision: they regularly invite artists from all over the world with diverse backgrounds to share their expertise and collaborate with guests. For them, community is at the heart of everything. As they explain: “Our vision for our artists in residence is to foster collaboration between local and international communities, with the shared goal of exploring Sri Lankan culture.”
Casa Lawa, Sicily
Next up is Casa Lawa in Sicily, a place where you can either book the entire house (perfect for a group of 8) or join one of their culinary retreats focused on local flavors. If you’ve seen it before, it might be because it’s been a photoshoot location for campaigns or brands like Marimekko hosted an event there.
It’s a space where guests are invited to immerse themselves in the Sicilian lifestyle — through food, yes, but also through the connection to local traditions, culture, and, of course, the people. The retreats are designed to bring people together to learn, create, and share experiences.
For me, it’s the perfect example of how a space can foster community through the shared experience of food and culture.
Trevarefabrikken, Lofoten Norway
Lofoten is another one of my wishlist - dramatic peaks, Arctic light, and that raw beauty. Last year, while searching for a summer festival, a friend stumbled upon Trevarefabrikken - Trevarefest that looks like the place to be in July.
But there is more history to it.
Trevarefabrikken is a former carpentry and factory from the 1940s, located in the fishing village of Henningsvær. Two pairs of brothers discovered the abandoned building and saw its potential. They transformed it into a cultural hub and boutique hotel, blending its industrial roots with warm, modern design. Today, it's a space where people come together - whether for concerts, yoga sessions, or simply to enjoy the view from the sauna overlooking the sea.
Community is at the heart of everything they do. They organize the annual Henningsvær Half Marathon, a scenic street race that starts and finishes at Trevarefabrikken, winding through the village and along the coast. It's not just about the run; it's about bringing people together, celebrating the landscape, and fostering connections.
In winter, they shift gears and offer Trevaretur - full-board ski touring trips that include guided backcountry skiing, communal dinners, sauna sessions, and cultural events. It's a holistic experience that combines adventure with community living.
Trevarefabrikken is a great example for finding a new purpose of a once-abandoned factory into a vibrant gathering place that honors its history while embracing the present.
Hotel Ebenrieder, Germany
Nestled in the south of Bavaria, Hotel Ebenrieder is a blend of traditional Bavarian charm and modern design, brought to life by Munich-based interior designer Stephanie Thatenhorst. It opened its doors just a year ago.
What speaks to me is how they connect the surrounding nature and local culture. For instance, this autumn, they’re hosting a weekend dedicated to mushrooms, where an expert will teach guests how to identify, collect, and cook with them — a beautiful way to connect with the land and local traditions.
The hotel offers a variety of experiences, from wild herb tours followed by a 5-course meal, to pottery workshops, flower arranging, and holistic health retreats. It’s a wide mix of activities, supporting a deep connection to the area and creating opportunities for guests to bond over shared learning experiences.
Azores Wine Company, Pico Island
The Azores have been high on my travel wishlist for a long time, but due to flight connections and prices, I haven’t made it there yet. So, I’m excited to mention these stunning islands here too. What I love about Azores Wine Company is the story behind it.
The founders — two Portuguese architects and two English ones — teamed up to create a space that’s about so much more than wine production. They’ve designed a space that invites people to experience the full wine culture, to get involved, and to be part of the process. As someone who isn’t especially crazy about wine (though my partner definitely is), what draws me in is the architecture and the interior design, which are absolutely stunning. I’d definitely accompany him here, not just for the wine, but for the space itself!
The Azores Wine Company is the perfect example of how architecture and nature can come together to form an immersive experience. The way they’ve integrated the natural surroundings into the design creates a seamless flow between the landscape and the space itself — making it feel like the building is almost a natural extension of the island.
But beyond that, the wine culture here isn’t just about the product; it’s about the experience. It’s about connecting with the land, with the culture, and with the people who share a passion for it. For me, this place really embodies the idea of community — a place where people can come together, share stories, and learn about the world around them, all while soaking in the beauty of Pico Island.
Stamba Hotel, Tbilisi Georgia
Tbilisi and Georgia itself are also another destination I badly want to visit soonish. Stamba was actually the first location I saved on my Georgia Google list — and not without reason. It's also a member of Design Hotels, which usually already is a good sign if you’re into thoughtful & aesthetic places.
There are several points that fascinate me about Stamba. First, the building itself is super special — it used to be a publishing house from the 50s, and you can still feel that industrial soul. But it’s been blended with bold, contemporary design. It’s not just about the looks though — Stamba truly reflects the creative pulse that's happening in Georgia right now, and I love the depth it brings. Just reading about it makes me feel like I could spend a full day just inside without getting bored.
It has an amphitheater that during the day serves as a communal open-air hangout, and at night transforms into a space for workshops, concerts, talks, and other gatherings — super dynamic and open to whoever wants to connect. They also have a special focus on professional networking with their D Block workspace — basically co-working spaces and meeting rooms with creatives, founders, and investors.
But that’s not all, they also have their own museum — the Tbilisi Photography & Multimedia Museum — connecting curators, artists, and audiences with the goal of pushing local talent into wider international conversations.
And last but definitely not least: the Space Farm. Stamba is home to Georgia’s first vertical farm, producing fresh herbs and greens for the hotel and nearby restaurants — all while saving a massive amount of water compared to traditional farming. For me, it’s a perfect example of how hotels can go way beyond accommodation and actually shape a new, sustainable, future-forward way of traveling.
Leyja, NEOM Saudi Arabia
Neom is a project I first heard about last year — and honestly, it blew my mind a bit. If you’re not familiar with it yet: it’s basically a futuristic new region being built from scratch in the Saudi Arabian desert, stretching 170 km along the coastline, aiming to host around 9 million people once completed (predictably by 2030). The vision behind it is sustainability, high-tech living, and a whole new way of thinking about urban and rural spaces.
Of course, hotels and hospitality concepts are playing a big role here too. One that caught my attention is Leyja by Our Habitas Group (definitely worth checking out if you're into community-focused and aesthetic hotels).
Leyja will be built into nature, not just next to it. The architecture looks surreal, almost like it grew out of the cliffs itself. It’s made for the adventurous traveller: climbing cliffs, mountain biking on wild trails, horseback riding through untouched landscapes, multi-day trekking — all part of the experience.
Yes, the first visuals look quite luxurious, but the approach seems also very intentional, focused on real experiences and creating a deep bond between the traveler, the place, and the local community — the usual Habitas spirit.
Looking at it feels like a glimpse into the future of travel — and I think this whole region is one to watch closely. Compared to Europe, it’s moving at such a different speed and mindset when it comes to shaping what’s next.
Of course, this is just a tiny glimpse into what the hospitality world has to offer when it comes to fostering communities — but I hope you found the variety as inspiring as I do. If you have any other spots high on your want-to-go list that are also community or niche focused, feel free to share them in the comments.