Tourists looking to combine creativity and relaxation should consider boutique hotels offering immersive art experiences. This year, try checking out the hotels below, all located in American cities with their own thriving art scenes. Visitors may even return to their homes with a new piece of art!
1. Atlanta, GA: The Artmore Hotel
Atlanta’s High Museum of Art is one of the most well-regarded contemporary art museums in the U.S., and the city’s Artmore Hotel provides the perfect place to stay for visiting art-lovers. Located in the heart of midtown, the independent boutique hotel is housed in a building whose facade is based on the Spanish-Mediterranean style, built in 1924 and restored in 2009. For art lovers, the hotel offers an “Art in Motion” package, which includes admission for two to the High Museum, a stay in an executive king suite, and breakfast for two at the Gallery Cafe.
2. Louisville, KY: 21c Museum Hotel
Kentucky’s largest city boasts the hip 21c Museum Hotel, located in the city’s historic downtown. The hotel bills itself as Louisville’s “only true boutique hotel,” and its 90 room venue is also host to a contemporary art museum, fine dining restaurant, bar, and a cultural civic center. Luxury amenities include a full spa and the option to order fresh cookies and milk for a nightcap! The 21c museum contains works by Alfredo Jaar, Kara Walker, Sam Taylor Wood, and many others. The museum is also open 24/7 (though certain video installations are only open between 7 am and 1 am).
3. San Francisco, CA: Hotel des Arts
Those journeying to the Bay Area and wishing to discover the next big artist should consider a stay at San Francisco’s Hotel des Arts, where rooms showcase contemporary art by emerging artists from around the globe. Staying in the hotel, located in the city’s French Quarter right next to Chinatown, is the closest art lovers can get to spending a night in a gallery. The hotel’s 51 rooms are surprisingly affordable, with a standard queen room starting at $89, making it a great choice for the budget-conscious traveler. Furthermore, those looking to add to their art collection can look no further than the hotel’s hallways — the majority of pieces exhibited there are in fact for sale. Consider multiple stays — each room is unique, and commissioned artists were given full control to create an immersive art experience for guests.
4. Chicago, IL: Hotel Palomar
The Windy City’s River North neighborhood is the chic place for art lovers to visit; it’s home to the highest concentration of art galleries in the U.S., outside of Manhattan. River North is also the home of the Hotel Palomar, which aims to immerse its guests in art. A program called “Sleeping with the Artists” showcases the work of emerging local artists inside the hotel, all of which is available for purchase. The works frequently rotate, so chances are return visitors will always see something new!
5. Minneapolis, MN: Le Meridien Chambers
Minneapolis is more than just half of America’s Twin Cities: It’s also the proud home of the Walker Art Center and its famous Sculpture Garden. Art-loving visitors to the city should stay at Le Meridien Chambers, a boutique hotel with 60 guest rooms and unparalleled amenities: valet service, 24 hour room service, and in-room massage being just a few. The hotel’s halls display more than 200 contemporary art pieces from the owner’s collection, while the sleekly designed minimalist rooms offer a chic contrast to the typical hotel experience. The museum is a proud partner of the Walker Center, and guests can present an Unlock Art Pass to receive complimentary admission as well as access to private events.
