Night at the Museum? Four Art Hotels

For those who have ever wanted to spend a night surrounded by genius and creativity, a new trend in art-focused hotels is gaining steam and with new and legendary properties happy to accommodate.

According to a survey from Americans for the Arts, 72 percent of participants said they enjoyed the arts in “non-art” venues, 69 percent of the adult population believe the arts “lift me up beyond everyday experiences,” 73 percent feel the arts give them “pure pleasure to experience and participate in,” and 81 percent say the arts are a “positive experience in a troubled world.”

This year, travelers can experience art and culture through their accommodations by booking a stay at some of the world’s best boutique hotels.

Shinola Hotel – Detroit, MI

The recently opened Shinola Hotel, from Detroit-based companies Shinola and Bedrock, is located in the heart of Downtown Detroit. The 129-room property is operated by Mac&Lo and features food and beverage venues overseen by Chef Andrew Carmellini of NoHo Hospitality Group. Designed by Gachot, the hotel boasts an art program curated by Detroit-based gallery Library Street Collective that emphasizes the brand’s roots in Detroit and growth globally.

• Notable highlights include: Nick Cave’s intricately hand-crafted Tondo, Beverly Fishman’s Untitled (Insomnia, Anxiety), and Paul Kremer’s Crevice 33.

• The collection features works by a significant number of Detroit artists, as well as those nationally and internationally who have presented their work through exhibitions, murals and installations in the city.

• The art offering is full of surprises, bringing elements of bright color and 3-dimensionality to public space.

• The works included in the collection have unique stories but collectively touch on themes of personal experience, perseverance and triumph.

The Rooms at Fitler Club – Philadelphia, PA

Fitler Club is the ultimate “work/stay/play” destination where some of the city’s most sought-after accommodations allow guests to become a member of The Club for the duration of their stay. The 14-room hotel, known as The Rooms at Fitler Club,  was designed by a team comprised of Fitler Club’s Founder and CEO, David Gutstadt, Head of Design, Amanda Potter, and LA award-winning architecture firm M-Rad and offers guests exclusive access to the club’s amenities including a world-class gym and spa (The Field House), a restaurant with a menu by renowned chef Mark Vetri (The Dining Room), collaborative workspaces (The Study) and more. The Club, also boasts a museum-quality art collection, with much of it from its founders’ collections.

• Notable highlights include: Joseph Beuys’ La rivoluzione siamo Noi, Charles Gaines’ Numbers and Trees, Alex Katz’s Suite of 3, Adam Pendleton’s 36-piece Our Ideas and Damien Hirst’s Forgotten Blossom.

• Fitler Club also offers residencies to artists in exchange for work that becomes part of the club’s ever-evolving environment. Fitler Club’s first artist in residence is King Saladeen, a Philadelphian whose abstract work has been displayed at the New York Stock Exchange, and whose capsule collection for Champion x FootAction was a smash sellout. As part of his residency, he has created a bespoke mural called “Motion, Energy and Movement” inside Fitler Club’s Field House.

• Fitler Club also works with Philadelphia arts collective, Tiny Room for Elephants to curate a miniature gallery and mural inside a photo-booth room in the club’s high-tech event space with the first gallery show by Philadelphia artist Flygirrl.

Hamilton Princess – Bermuda

Nicknamed the “Pink Palace,” the crown gem of Bermuda, Hamilton Princess initially opened its doors in 1885 and is the perfect blend of vintage with a modern twist. The property was purchased in 2012 by the Green Family who now proudly display roughly 300 modern and pop contemporary works all throughout the property. Guests can expect pieces of work from some of the best contemporary artists including Warhol (roughly 40 alone), Banksy, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Takashi Murakami, KAWS, Julian Opie, Yayoi Kusama and Ai Wei Wei throughout the lobby, public spaces, corridors, suites, and even the gym. Additionally, the property has its very own art curator who leads guided tours every Saturday. Listed below is a sample of the works Hamilton Princess displays:

• Reigning Queens – a stunning portrait of Queen Elizabeth II finished in 1985 (two years prior to Warhol’s passing)

• Mick Jagger – A series of 4 paintings showcasing different emotions and expressions of the Rolling Stones lead singer. Located in the private dining section of Marcus’ (the hotel’s restaurant from Marcus Samuelsson)

• Balloon Girl – A Banksy located in the hotel’s lobby

• At this Time – A towering 18 foot wooden sculpture by KAWS that is reminiscent of Mickey Mouse, located in the outside courtyard

Ocean House – Watch Hill, RI

Perched atop a bluff in Watch Hill, Ocean House is Rhode Island’s first and only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star hotel. Reopening in 2010 after a $140 million renovation, the Relias & Chateau property debuted a new restaurant and epic 12,000 square foot spa. The property boasts an impressive 250-piece art collection with work by Ludwig Bemelmans, which includes original work form the famous “Madeline” children’s book. Additionally, Ocean House also offers an Artist In Residence program, which aims to foster collaboration in the community and celebrates the arts while furthering art education. ​