If you’re looking for inspiration with your accommodation you can’t go past these striking art hotels, where culture and tradition are infused into every unique space.
Gone are the days when hotel art was synonymous with bland, uninspiring pieces. Over the past decade or so, a dramatic shift has taken place: hotels have transitioned from displaying generic art to becoming vibrant cultural hubs. Today, many hotels are destinations in their own right, offering guests an immersive experience of the local contemporary art scene.
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From showcasing commissioned artworks to dedicating spaces for exhibitions by prestigious galleries or individual artists, these establishments are redefining themselves. Some even host artist residencies, deepening their cultural imprint. The following properties encapsulate how hotels are defining their identity and creating an atmosphere through art.
Hotel Eclat
This boutique gem is home to the largest private collection of contemporary art in China, with more than 100 pieces, including several works from Salvador Dali; most striking is his bronze sculpture, Man Riding a Dolphin, along with Andy Warhol’s iconic Marilyn Monroe prints and Shen Jingdong’s solemn saluting soldiers.
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Featuring Philip Starck chairs and goose down duvets, there are more than 100 rooms and 20 suites; highlights include the Miami Suite, which features a baby grand piano, sky terrace, jet pool and dining table that seats 18 along. Sample modern European cuisine at George’s Restaurant – there’s a vibrant pop art menu with dishes inspired by Warhol (Campbell’s Soup) and Pollock (A Purple Splash) – then check out George’s Bar, where an extensive whisky menu awaits.
Junó Hotel Sofia
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Sofia’s downtown, Junó Hotel Sofia offers a unique blend of urban charm and artistic flair. This cosy sanctuary in the Bulgarian capital showcases stunning pieces by notable sculptor Pavel Koychev and internationally acclaimed artist Tatiana Harizanova while the hotel’s garden recently hosted Rada Yakova’s impactful installation The Pink Cloud.
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In collaboration with the Emprove Foundation, Yakova drew inspiration from WomenSurvivors, a pioneering Bulgarian community of women breaking free from abuse. Her installation—a delicate yet resilient metal structure bathed in soft pink—symbolises a safe, personal haven. Complementing this powerful exhibit, Junó has created a special cocktail, with proceeds supporting the cause, blending art with advocacy in the heart of Sofia.
Byblos Art Hotel, Italy
The exclusive Byblos Art Hotel in the heart of Verona’s viticultural zone is more like a museum than a hotel, with pieces from a who’s who of the art world housed within its 15th-century villa confines. The owners are the same family who own the prestigious Byblos fashion label, and their penchant for art has driven the procurement of choice pieces from dozens of contemporary and master artists.
Glass sculptures by the French artist Jean Michel Othoniel enrich the double staircase up to the entranceway, and custom-designed metalwork by the Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor greets visitors inside. There are famous design objects and furniture items created by the likes of Proust and Anna Gili decorating the 60 guestrooms, while the hotel’s Peter’s Bar, dedicated to the American artist Peter Halley, hangs one-of-a-kind fluorescent pieces created especially for Byblos.
The Dominican
Set against the grand backdrop of Brussels’ former Dominican abbey, The Dominican recently revealed a stunning artistic journey. Croatian artist Klara Rusan’s illustrative art graces the historic monastery’s windows, while Belgian sculptor Antoine Leclercq’s contemporary metal sculptures weave captivating narratives throughout the space.
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More recently, The Dominican enhanced its commitment to innovation by collaborating with Augusta Gallery for Brussels Design in September. The event spotlit sustainable designs by Louise Richard, Roxane Lahidji, La Gadoue Atelier, and Didier Henry, focusing on unique pieces made from reused or bio-based materials. This exhibition underscored The Dominican’s role in promoting both contemporary art and environmental awareness in Brussels’s cultural scene.
The Silo
Towering above Cape Town’s picturesque Victoria & Albert waterfront, The Silo, part of The Royal Portfolio, is one of the city’s most ground-breaking houses of slumber. Perched above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), a modern art museum, and built within a converted grain elevator that was once the tallest building in sub-Saharan Africa, the hotel was the creation of London’s Heatherwick Studio and boasts just 28 individually designed and decorated guest rooms, including a spectacular penthouse with ocean views.
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The hotel’s unique and varied art collection (complete with its own dedicated art concierge) is the creation of Royal Portfolio owner Liz Biden, complements that of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA), and showcases the works of young and aspiring artists, as well as established, highly acclaimed creators like Beezy Bailey, Kudzanai Chiurai, and Frances Godman, with each piece specifically chosen to enhance the unique interiors of each of the hotel’s 28 rooms as well as its stunning public spaces.
The PuXuan Hotel and Spa
Embracing a modern, minimalist aesthetic – think muted greys, creams and artisan furniture – the PuXuan Hotel and Spa features 92 rooms and 24 suites, many with uninterrupted views of the Forbidden City. Art lovers can admire pieces in the hotel lobby, such as the Chinese landscapes by Deshu Qi, or book bespoke programmes at the National Museum, where highlights include Houmuwu Ding, the largest piece of bronze work in the world, and a Han dynasty jade burial suit.
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Guests can expect round-the-clock access to the club lounge, or dine at Rive Gauche, where Black Angus beef short ribs and monkfish poached in olive oil are on the menu, or sample traditional Cantonese fare like spiny lobster with garlic and chilli at one Michelin-starred Fu Chun Ju. You can also chill out at UR Spa, where treatments include a 3D Collagen Shock and a traditional Hufu massage.
Hotel St. George
Taking things up a notch is the Hotel St. George in Helinski. Greeted by Ai Weiwei’s “Tianwu” sculpture, guests enter a world where curator Mirkku Kullberg aims to “redefine the concept of luxury by creating a space where guests feel genuinely comfortable. New luxury is all about silence, privacy, and security. Experiencing art fits this puzzle perfectly.”
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The hotel boasts over 400 artworks, including Klaus Haapaniemi’s enchanting tapestry in the Wintergarden and abstract pieces by acclaimed Finnish modernists Juhana Blomstedt and Lars-Gunnar Nordström. Last autumn, St. George launched its first residency with the Finnish Museum of Photography’s youth group, Photofuss, whose work will grace the St. George Bakery until the end of 2024. This innovative approach to hospitality ensures that each stay is not just a visit, but a cultural immersion.
The Bellagio, Las Vegas
At first, a trip to Las Vegas may not sound like a cultural experience, but sometimes it’s only a casino hotel that has the resources to invest in a curated art experience. Guests don’t have to delve deep into The Bellagio to get a taste for its opulence or its art credentials, with an impressive ceiling of 2,000 hand-blown coloured-glass blossoms suspended nearly five meters above the hotel’s marble lobby, in the largest installation ever created by renowned artist Dale Chihuly.
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While numerous works of art can be found throughout public areas, the gorgeous indoor conservatory and garden, and right through 3,000 plus rooms and suites, the Bellagio also has its own Gallery of Fine Art, which provides a special exhibition space for artworks on loan from various museums and private collections around the world. The hotel’s art hub is currently exhibiting BGFA From Grain to Pixel: Contemporary Chinese Photography, which showcases 37 works created between 1993 and 2006 by preeminent Chinese artists amidst a backdrop of cultural and technological transformation.
Perianth Hotel
In the heart of ancient Athens, Design Hotels member Perianth Hotel stands out for many reasons. It boasts a striking neomodernist design by local ‘starchitects’ K-Studio and a remarkable art collection that captures the essence of the regional contemporary art scene. The hotel features over 80 works by 60 artists, exclusively showcasing Greek and Cypriot talent, both commissioned and on loan from studios and galleries.
Celebrated artists like Apostolos Georgiou and Maria Papadimitriou share space with rising stars such as Marina Xenofontos and Lito Kattou. More than just a display, Perianth Hotel collaborates with artists like Valinia Svoronou, who designs plates for the hotel’s restaurant. Since opening in 2018, “the collection has evolved organically, offering visitors a unique glimpse into Athens’ vibrant contemporary art scene—a fresh complement to the city’s classical heritage,” explains visionary and OriginalAnastasia Sgoumpopoulos.
The Cullen Hotel, Melbourne
A new boutique hotel sitting in the bohemian Prahran area of Melbourne, The Cullen is an ode to the work of Australia’s bestselling contemporary artist, Adam Cullen, renowned for his bright, quirky and famously controversial artworks. Expect some lucid dreams thanks to Cullen’s original paintings and prints adorning guestroom walls, or select from two urban and edgy penthouses designed with his influences in mind.
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Sharing the building’s upper levels are three distinct Street Art Suites, which were designed by international artists following a night’s stay. Each expresses a different artist’s first impressions of the property and surrounding area, with New York-based female artist Swoon choosing to decorate with her specialist life-size wheatpaste prints, while British artist D*Face has opted for graphics and stencils to emblazon the walls of his suite in pop art style.
The Opposite House, China
Located in Beijing’s vibrant shopping area of Sanlitun, The Opposite House‘s artistic leanings are reflected in a fascinating collection of modern pieces themed after clothing and fashion. The works are by Chinese artists from China, Hong Kong, Australia and the UK, and have been created in various mediums, from porcelain and grass to terracotta and PVC.
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A creation by Li Xiao Feng entitled Beijing Memory No.2, a traditional Chinese dress made from pieces of shattered antique blue and white Ming and Qing dynasty porcelain, is housed in the Living Room. Other artworks can be found inside speciality restaurant Mesh, with other exclusive pieces also exhibited in the Penthouse and nine spacious suites. The hotel’s exterior is an innovative Japanese design by architect Kengo Kuma, styled with a striking emerald glass façade to allow abundant natural light to highlight the art pieces within.
Benesse House
Located on Japan’s Naoshima Island, Tadao Ando-designed Design Hotels member Benesse House is a museum-cum-hotel that features bright and airy guest rooms with sweeping sea views, complemented by an extensive art collection punctuated by pieces from a wide range of artists, including Dan Graham, Hiroshi Sugimoto, and Niki de Saint Phalle.
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One of Yayoi Kusama’s famed polka-dotted pumpkins can also be seen at the end of a pier. Be sure to check out Shinro Ohtake’s Shipyard Works, a spiky, outdoor installation built on the terrace of the property.
