Art and hospitality are increasingly linked. More and more hotels have ceased to be mere places to pass through to become living spaces of cultural expression, where museum-worthy works are exhibited and emerging talent is promoted. Staying in them is not only an aesthetic experience, but also a sensorial, creative and transformative one.

While art in hotels is not new, a new generation of accommodation is taking the concept further: acquiring original pieces, installing ambitious works and supporting emerging and local artists, all with the aim of enriching the guest experience and introducing art to a wider audience.
In these hotels, art ceases to be a decorative accessory and becomes the protagonist. They are spaces that stimulate, move and tell stories. For the contemporary traveller, staying in them is not just about resting: it is about living a cultural experience that begins from the moment you walk through the door.

21c Museum Hotels: rooms with a story

The 21c Museum Hotels group has taken this concept to a new level. Founded by collectors Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson, their first hotel in Louisville (2006) transformed the city center into a creative hub. Today, 21c operates in nine cities across the southern and Midwestern United States, housing over 3,000 contemporary artworks. Each hotel features site-specific installations such as Astrid Krogh’s fiberoptic tapestry in Cincinnati or the monumental gold replica of Michelangelo’s David in Louisville. “Visitors are immersed in artistic narratives addressing topics like the environment, gender, and race,” explains Alice Gray Stites, museum director and chief curator of the group.

https://21cmuseumhotels.com/

The Dolder Grand: art as immersion

In Zurich, The Dolder Grand—owned by collector Urs Schwarzenbach—hosts works by Dalí, Kapoor, and Miró. Its restaurant, Saltz, designed by Rolf Sachs, transforms art into a sensory experience. “It’s not mere décor; it’s part of the guest journey,” says James Hedges, curator at iconic hotels like The Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel BelAir.

https://www.thedoldergrand.com/

Palace Hotel Tokyo: the subtlety of Japanese art

With a collection curated by Art Front Gallery, the Palace Hotel Tokyo incorporates works by artists such as Huang Yuanqing, Masahito Katayama, and Naoto Sunohara. “Many guests enjoy the art as if they were visiting a museum,” notes general manager Masaru Watanabe.

https://es.lhw.com/hotel/Palace-Hotel-Tokyo-Tokyo-Japan

The Lanesborough: art within Georgian frames

In London, The Lanesborough boasts a Regency art collection that rivals the National Gallery. Its restaurant pairs this heritage with works by contemporary British artists. “Our Georgian setting offers a warm, sophisticated counterpoint to a gallery’s white cube,” says Stuart Geddes, the hotel’s managing director.

https://www.oetkercollection.com/hotels/the-lanesborough/

BnA Hotels: sleeping within an artwork

In Tokyo and Kyoto, BnA Hotels (Bed and Art) offer a radically immersive experience: each room is conceived and created by a local artist. Psychedelic murals, suspended installations, and visual narratives turn every night into an aesthetic adventure. “We create an ecosystem where the artist and guest feed each other,” explains cofounder Keigo Fukugaki.

https://bnawall.com/

Platforms for emerging art

Other hotels serve as incubators for talent. Art’otel in Rome and London hosts works by artists like Pietro Ruffo and Banksy, while The Hoxton supports up-and-coming creators through its Hox Gallery and Artist Open Call programs. “Contemporary art allows each location to tell its own unique story,” says Katherine Gass Stowe, curator of The Beekman in New York.