If designers had a dime for every client who requested a space to feel like the boutique hotel where they once stayed, they could retreat to said resort themselves, permanently. While these jewel-box hotels have long been the inspiration for a chic primary bath or the ultimate, out-on-the-town home bar, the trend has made its way outdoors; for everyone, not just those lucky Southern Californians. As such, sun chaises have made serious strides.
Glam cabanas and futuristic pods once novelties around hotel pools to shield high-profile guests from prying eyes (not to mention the sun) are now readily available online and commonplace in backyards. We chose five ultra-posh standouts that provide style, privacy and protection. There’s the ladder-like daybed from Gloster that could double as a jungle gym, the triangular cabana from Vondom that gives off A-frame cabin vibes and a clean-lined, unassuming chaise with a sun canopy from MamaGreen. They’re all a tiny slice of stay-at-home nirvana.
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Cradle, Gloster
Image Credit: Courtesy of Gloster One might mistake the Cradle as a piece in a modernist playground—those sturdy, solid teak slats practically invite climbing (social or otherwise)—but the design is meant to lend a sense of retreat. Left bare, the rhythmic frame allows one to catch some sun and enjoy the tiniest bit of separation from the gang. Accessorized with sunshades (so it looks less like a hamster wheel), the sculptural sunbed becomes a secluded shelter. This ultra-functional objet’s versatility isn’t surprising, given the fact that designer Henrik Pedersen has a background in fashion. From $15,915
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Boulevard, MamaGreen
Image Credit: Courtesy of MamaGreen The Boulevard is sleek enough to set up several in a row while still offering autonomy. The integrated side table means you needn’t share, and if your poolside companions don’t understand that you’d rather soak up the rays in solitude or be at one with your book, just flip the adjustable sunshade. Its discreet wheels allow you to chase the rays or seclusion all day. When it’s finally quiet enough to dream, push its gas spring button; the ergonomically shaped headrest will smoothly recline. From $6,100
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Trampoline Love Bed, Cassina
Image Credit: Courtesy of Cassina You can’t actually use it to jump up and down, but no matter—this sunbed provides a thrill just for its sheer size. Measuring an expansive nearly seven feet in diameter, the Love Bed, the newest addition to Cassina’s Trampoline collection, is made for all-day lounging. Playing with the curves of the silhouettes she designed for its siblings, Patricia Urquiola pulled the painted stainless-steel frame into a perfect circle, then topped it with a matching canopy. The hand-braided rope detail is timeless, while the 80-plus upholstery options let you fine-tune the look. From $9,205
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Temps Calme Outdoor, Roche Bobois
Image Credit: Courtesy of Roche Bobois The French furniture-maker’s in-house studio conjured what’s sure to be a classic with Temps Calme Outdoor. In addition to low-slung, modular components that allow for all manner of configuration on the patio, the line also features an even lower-slung sunbed. The brand’s Méridien fabric covers Dryfeel polyurethane foam, a load-bearing material with a reduced drying time, making these groovy loungers both picture-perfect and practical for positioning around the pool. $4,995
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Vineyard, Vondom
Image Credit: Courtesy of Vondom Architect Ramón Esteve drew on his profession’s most iconic form—the pyramid—in designing these two-person cabanas for Vondom. The three-sided aluminum structures can be made up in woven polypropylene rope for a traditional outdoor aesthetic or fabrics that run the gamut from no-nonsense canvas to supple faux leathers. Vineyard gets even better at night thanks to integrated ambient lights that turn the furniture into an art installation. It’s even outfitted with Bluetooth connectivity. From $10,244
