Drift Hotels, known for its minimalistic Baja-inspired design and vibrant communal spaces, is the newest addition to Design Hotels curated portfolio of boutique hotels. With locations in San Jose del Cabo, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, and Nashville, Drift Hotels’ boutique properties are curated for the modern traveler providing well-designed accommodations alongside thoughtful and elevated food and beverage concepts that stand out from the sea of same. Joining the Design Hotels portfolio allows Drift Hotels to broaden its reach and exposure to a global audience of creative and lifestyle-focused travelers. This partnership aligns Drift Hotels with a hand-picked collection of uniquely independent hotels worldwide, each celebrated for cutting-edge design and architecture, and offers access to a network that values distinctive guest experiences.

We are honored to join the Design Hotels community, said Philip Bates, co-founder and CEO of California-based TMC Hospitality. Our inclusion in the portfolio underscores our commitment to design excellence and immersive hospitality. This partnership will allow us to further highlight the exceptional design and local artistry that define Drift Hotels.

We are delighted to introduce Drift to the Design Hotels portfolio, said Stijn Oyen, Managing Director at Design Hotels. Drift’s fresh approach to hospitality, combined with its discerning design and dynamic program of social happenings, aligns perfectly with the needs of our culturally connected traveler. We’re thrilled to welcome Philip and his team into our community of visionary owners, and look forward to a longstanding, successful partnership.

Baja-inspired design

With a signature Baja flair that embraces minimalist modernity, each Drift property is meticulously crafted in collaboration with local artists, resulting in spaces that not only reflect the surrounding culture but also foster a sense of place. This dedication to local artistry and design ensures that every guest experiences an authentic and visually stunning environment. At Drift Santa Barbara, dark walls and cool, gray concrete contrast against oak millwork, soft, diffused lighting, and natural fibers. Black painted walls, headboards constructed from repurposed redwood indigenous to California, and pops of brass accents are dotted throughout the venue along with art by Will Adler and Anacapa Ceramics. With the newly opened Drift Nashville, Baja flair comes alive with warm colors and a bold mash-up of materials, such as leather, concrete, and terra cotta. Local artisanal touches are found throughout, from the custom wood door handles and the handmade plaster lighting sculptures over the welcome desk to the handmade tiles from Red Rock Tileworks in the rooms, cafe, and lobby bar. At Drift San Jose del Cabo and Drift Palm Springs, minimalist architecture and a restrained material palette create a welcoming industrial aesthetic inspired by desert textures and the airy simplicity of Baja. In Palm Springs, guests will discover handmade ceramics from Mexico City, artisanal textiles from Oaxaca and handcrafted millwork. At San Jose del Cabo, simple handmade finishes, such as polished concrete and white plaster walls, are sparingly complemented with Mexican fixtures and fabrics.

Gather & Mingle

A cornerstone of every Drift Hotels property is intentionally designed social spaces that encourage guests and locals to gather, relax and engage in meaningful conversations. Creating spaces that seamlessly transition from afternoon to evening hangout spots, Drift Hotels encourages interaction and community through ample communal seating, natural light and a calming design aesthetic. At Drift Nashville’s lobby-level bar, The Sun Room, guests are invited to unwind on comfortable lounge seating or take a seat at the terrazzo-flecked bar while taking in the sunset from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Led by hospitality veteran Alexis Soler, who is behind several of Nashville’s top bars, The Sun Room offers creative craft cocktails served alongside Spanish-inspired tapas. Meanwhile, Drift Palm Springs Baja-inspired restaurant Maleza, helmed by Chef Ysaac Ramirez, exudes an upscale ambiance complete with soaring ceilings, a massive fireplace and outdoor patio seating surrounded by panoramic mountain views. Drift Hotels also feature stunning pools designed to blend seamlessly with the local environment and provide a space where guests can soak up the sun, enjoy poolside service, and experience the beauty of their surroundings.

Discover & Connect

Providing the perfect backdrop for unforgettable group travel experiences, Drift Hotels offers a range of room sizes from one to four-bedroom suites that are both stylish and welcoming. The suites feature a sleek design and functional layouts, complete with living rooms with cozy seating arrangements that invite conversation and relaxation and full kitchens equipped with full-sized refrigerators, dishwashers, and Balmuda toaster ovens to ensure comfort and convivence. Drift Santa Barbara and Drift Nashville both offer luxurious penthouse accommodations that elevate the guest experience with expansive living spaces, private balconies with stunning city views, and bespoke interiors that blend comfort with sophisticated design for an exclusive retreat. Whether planning a family reunion or a getaway with friends, Drift Hotels offers the ideal setting for a memorable stay, positioning guests at the heart of vibrant and emerging neighborhoods.

Joining the Design Hotels portfolio marks a significant milestone for Drift Hotels. As part of this esteemed collection, Drift Hotels will offer access to the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program comprising over 200 million members worldwide and providing guests with even more benefits and rewarding travel experiences.

Follow Drift on Instagram for updates and special events. For more information or to make a reservation at one of the Drift properties, visit https://www.drifthotels.co.

About Drift Hotels

In 2021, Drift emerged as the second brand from TMC Hospitality, an elevated hospitality company founded by young entrepreneur Philip Bates. Drift encourages authentic travel experiences that draw from the surrounding area with services that seek to ensconce guests in the local culture. The growing brand currently has locations in San José del Cabo, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs and Nashville.

About Design Hotels

For 30 years, Design Hotels has been at the forefront of a movement in travel by crafting a handpicked portfolio of 300+ independently owned and operated hotels in over 60 countries. From cultural hubs in fast-paced cities to tiny off-the-beaten-path escapes, each hotel reflects the vision of its pioneering owner—or “Original”—who possesses a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, thought-provoking design, and architecture.

More than a collection of hotels, Design Hotels brings forward-thinking member hotels insightful travel industry expertise – from trend forecasting and creative consultancy, to PR, marketing, and global sales representation.

Design Hotels is headquartered in Berlin, with branches in London, Los Angeles, New York, and Singapore. In 2019, the company partnered with Marriott Bonvoy®, expanding the reach of its member hotels and offering its community access to the industry's leading loyalty program.