Many may argue that the architecture and interior design of a business are just as important as the merchandise and service itself. Well-thought-out designs have been captivating the public since day dot, working as one of the most impactful customer acquisition techniques a business can implement.
With everything now online, it’s common for many to shop without in-person experiences. But which businesses are making people put down their phones and step back into brick-and-mortar to experience beauty and opulence like no other?
Eager to find out, Alan Boswell Business Insurance analysed Instagram hashtags, reviews and mentions of beauty for stores and restaurants around the world, to crown the Most Beautiful premises.
The most beautiful businesses in the world
|
Rank |
Building |
Location |
Store Type |
Beautiful Business Score /100 |
|
1 |
Boekhandel Dominicanen |
Maastricht, Netherlands |
Bookshop |
83.3 |
|
2 |
Sketch Mayfair |
London, UK |
Restaurant |
75.5 |
|
3 |
Serge Lutens |
Paris, France |
Perfumery |
72.5 |
|
=4 |
Prada Marfa |
Texas, USA |
Art |
70.6 |
|
=4 |
El Ateneo Grand Splendid |
Buenos Aires, Argentina |
Bookshop |
70.6 |
|
6 |
Dior Flagship Store |
Seoul, South Korea |
Fashion |
63.7 |
|
7 |
Cafe De La Paix |
Paris, France |
Cafe |
61.7 |
|
8 |
Zambezi House |
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe |
Restaurant |
58.8 |
|
9 |
Libreria Acqua Alta |
Venice, Italy |
Bookshop |
57.8 |
|
10 |
Livraria Lello |
Porto, Portugal |
Bookshop |
56.9 |
-
Boekhandel Dominicanen (Maastricht, Netherlands) – 83.3/100
Copyright: (Peeradontax) / Shutterstock.com
Almost 20 years ago this Dominican Church was transformed into a bookshop, overflowing with history and literature, this 13th-century gothic church draws in natives and tourists alike. Boasting 7,350 Instagram hashtags, 3.1% of reviews declaring this location ‘beautiful’ and a 4.7/5 review score, it has earned itself the title of the most beautiful store in the world
-
Sketch Mayfair (London, UK) – 75.5/100
Copyright: (schristinephoto) / Shutterstock.com
Sketch is one of the few places with a bathroom so iconic it draws in Instagram users from around the globe. Alongside its euphoric bathrooms, this destination serves Michelin-starred food with a view. Every element of this establishment has been meticulously thought out and brings gasps along with it. Sketch is firmly placed in second with a stand-out score of 75.5. This quirky location is the most Instagrammed in the study, with 92,880 posts. Alongside its Instagrammability, it has the third-highest number of ‘beautiful’ reviews at 4.15%.
-
Serge Lutens (Paris, France) – 72.5/100
Copyright: (Kiev.Victor) / Shutterstock.com
The only palace in the ranking, this store scores 72.5 out of 100. Opened by Serge Lutens in 1992 in the Palais Royal, this dark and striking store is full of violet and black, a colour Lutens holds dear to his heart. Situated in the middle of the store is a spiral staircase which leads to an equally fascinatingly adorned upstairs area. This hidden flagship store is often missed by travellers who are drawn into the Louvre a stone’s throw away but still brandishes a 4.5-star review score.
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Prada Marfa (Texas, USA) – 70.6/100
Copyright: (anitatakespictures) / Shutterstock.com
Although technically not an operating store, this artistic installation brings intrigue and of course Instagram tags with a score of 70.6 making it tied for fourth place. Set in the beautiful Chihuahua desert, this ‘store’ was a response to commercialism, built in 2005. Originally left to decay, this art installation has been maintained and become a beacon for fashion fanatics and art lovers, attracting 75,294 posts to date. This store has grown beyond initial intention, even featuring in an episode of The Simpsons, the dreamy desert location only adds to its charm. This faux store has earned itself a 4.6-star review score on Google, even if you can’t step inside.
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El Ateneo Grand Splendid (Buenos Aires, Argentina) – 70.6/100
Copyright: (guillermo_celano) / Shutterstock.com
Another bookstore graces the top 5 with a score of 70.6 in joint fourth place, frequently named as the world’s most beautiful bookstore, battling it out with our first place, Boekhandel Dominicanen. This location has over 18 thousand Instagram hashtags and more than 73 thousand reviews, the bookstore has the joint highest review score in the list with 4.8 stars out of five.
The former theatre was opened in 1919 and has been home to art from performances to literature now for more than 100 years. Over one million visitors come to peruse and purchase whilst in this decadent theatre. You can even take centre stage in the bookstore’s cafe and bask in the many beautiful fine features of the building, including the famous painted ceiling which many have dazed upon in its vast history.
Rounding up the top ten is Dior flagship store in Seoul in sixth place, followed by Paris’s Cafe De La Paix, Zambezi House in Victoria Falls, Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice and Livraria Lello in Porto.
Which countries have the most beautiful businesses?
|
Country |
Number of shops |
Percentage of all beautiful businesses |
|
USA |
6 |
18.2% |
|
Japan |
6 |
18.2% |
|
UK |
3 |
9.1% |
|
France |
2 |
6.1% |
|
Argentina |
2 |
6.1% |
|
South Korea |
2 |
6.1% |
|
Italy |
2 |
6.1% |
|
Portugal |
2 |
6.1% |
|
Germany |
2 |
6.1% |
|
Netherlands |
1 |
3.0% |
|
Zimbabwe |
1 |
3.0% |
|
Turks and Caicos |
1 |
3.0% |
|
Singapore |
1 |
3.0% |
|
China |
1 |
3.0% |
|
Greece |
1 |
3.0% |
In joint first place are Japan and the USA, with an 18.2% share of the most beautiful businesses in the world. Two Louis Vuitton stores based in Japan made it into the most beautiful shops list, in a country where they take both fashion and architecture to a new level it is unsurprising that their works of art made it into the ranking.
Meanwhile also in first place, the USA makes its way onto the list. Two McDonald’s locations based in the US are deemed amongst the most beautiful, including Denton House in New York and the modern architectural gem, Mcdonald’s in Butami, Georgia.