Louisville’s 21c Museum Hotel
Photo Courtesy of Museum Hotel Louisville
Some have said art is everywhere. When you’re talking about these inspired hotels, that’s exactly the case. Instead of just hanging a soothing painting here and there, all five of the following properties go above and beyond when it comes to showcasing painters, sculptures and photographers. Some focus on artists from their location, while others have collected the latest in modern masterpieces from around the globe. If you love art, book your next trip around these artistic addresses.
The Hazelton Hotel in Toronto
In a neighborhood that boasts more than 40 art dealers and galleries, it’s only fitting that a high-end hotel in Toronto’s Bloor-Yorkville area would also feature an extensive private collection. Such is the case at Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Hazelton Hotel, which highlights mainly Canadian artists like Sorel Etrog (we like his bronze tango dancers in the lobby), Greg Payce and Laura Wood.
See sculptures and paintings in nearly every crevice of the hotel, from Four-Star One Restaurant and the lobby to the hallways and the large suites (and if you want to know more, consult the hotel’s art concierge). To add to the luster, the interior, created by famed luxury designer Yabu Pushelberg, proves to be a masterpiece in its own right.
The Art, a Hotel, Photo Courtesy of The Art, a Hotel
The Art, a Hotel in Denver
It’s no secret that this new hotel in Denver is all about visual stimulation. You can see it in the name, the unique architecture, the painting-clad halls, Fire restaurant, and even when you pull in at the valet station. More than 200 original works decorate the space — including pieces by Ed Ruscha, Deborah Butterfield and Kiki Smith, who created a friendly looking sculpture called Singer that greets you with a bouquet of flowers as you enter the lobby.
The Art, flanked by many modern sculptures, resides next to the Denver Art Museum and the Clyfford Still Museum. At this hotel, you can clearly feel Denver’s push to support the arts.
21c Museum Hotels
Given the name of this property group, it might not surprise you that this line of sleek boutique hotels also offers a ton of art. Contemporary collectors and preservationists Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson opened the first concept in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2006, kicking off the idea that a chic, high-end hotel could also have a hip art vibe.
One notable feature is the giant colorful penguins by the Cracking Art Group that pop up in various spots throughout the hotel. Each property has its own color-specific flock of penguins and also boasts a special art gallery with rotating collections. The group has six hotels across the South and Midwest (a seventh in Nashville has an early-2017 opening planned) that collectively host about 2,500 pieces, a number that is constantly growing.
The Merrion, Photo Courtesy of Linnea Covington
The Merrion in Dublin
Since 1997, The Merrion has treated Dublin visitors to one of the best Irish art collections available, a display rivaled only by the nearby Irish Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery of Ireland. (The latter happens to be right across the street from the hotel.)
Inside, you will find 90 works from artists such as Robert Ballagh, John Boyd and Roderic O’Conor. Take in the original paintings adorning your room, lining the staircase, decorating the lobby and drawing room, and livening up the garden. The Georgian-style hotel offers guided tours of the public spaces, and if you’re feeling peckish, you can enjoy a special art tea featuring pastries inspired by three of the hotel’s works.
Hotel Murano in Tacoma, Washington
The 319-room Hotel Murano expertly combines a luxury boutique hotel with a contemporary art museum. In fact, one of the first things you will see at the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star property is Orizon, a 75-foot-tall steel-and-glass commissioned sculpture by Greek artist Costas Varotsos.
Each floor features a specific work made of glass that is accompanied by information about the piece. Learn more about the art by scheduling a docent-led tour of the collection.
In addition to the hotel, you’ll be surrounded by creativity during your stay in Tacoma — keep in mind that this city is the epicenter of the American glass-art scene and home of iconic sculptor Dale Chihuly, two facts that almost implore you to visit the nearby Museum of Glass.
