Discover the 10 Top Hotels for Art Enthusiasts

Art travelers understand that some of the finest collections are not solely in museums. One of the most thrilling and personal ways to engage with art while traveling is in your choice of accommodations. An increasing number of hotels boast their own exceptional on-site collections, while others collaborate with art experts to offer private tours focused on renowned artists.

As part of our Hotels We Love series highlighting the best hotels and resorts of 2023, we have curated a list of ten retreats that art lovers will want to center their entire trip around. From a coastal hideaway in Cape Town housing one of South Africa’s premier private art collections to a traditional escape in Rome offering insightful private tours of Caravaggio, these hotels celebrate creativity.

1. Hotel Eden

This sophisticated 98-room hotel from the Dorchester Collection occupies a historic apartment building from 1889, and its lobby, featuring inviting corners and an honor bar, exudes a homely ambiance. In 2022, the hotel introduced “Caravaggio—Rebel and Rome,” a unique two-hour private tour led by an art historian, guiding guests through the city via the lens of the baroque artist’s works and vibrant life. Starting from $1,610

2. The Merrion Hotel

Housed in four beautifully restored Georgian townhouses, the Merrion features one of Ireland’s largest private art collections, rivaling that of the National Gallery just down the street. Each of the 142 rooms and suites includes a catalog to browse, or guests can embark on a self-guided audio tour showcasing works by Jack Yeats (brother of poet W.B. Yeats), William Scott, Louis le Brocquy, and more. Every two years, the Merrion Plinth Award highlights a contemporary artist alongside historical pieces. Afternoon tea is accompanied by desserts inspired by the art collection. Starting from $424

3. Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris

At Philippe Starck–designed Le Royal Monceau, art concierge Julie Eugène conducts complimentary tours of the hotel’s 149 rooms, showcasing both permanent and rotating exhibitions. The collection includes paintings by Salvador Dalí and photographs by contemporary artist Arlette Kotchounian, with some pieces displayed in the expansive Gallery Suites. Eugène can also arrange studio visits, private gallery dinners, after-hours tours of the Louvre or the Picasso Museum, and art workshops for children. Starting from $1,926

4. 21c St. Louis

This summer, the U.S.-based hotel group 21c unveils its tenth location, contributing to a citywide initiative to revitalize downtown St. Louis through the arts. Housed in a former YMCA building, the hotel allocates over 14,000 square feet for public museum exhibition space, showcasing a rotating collection of works by renowned artists alongside permanent installations by local creators. Be on the lookout for public events and site-specific displays, including a striking 20,000-pound water-filled orb by Turkish American conceptual artist Serkan Özkaya. Starting from $220

5. Ellerman House

Perched on a cliff with stunning ocean views, Ellerman House features 13 uniquely designed rooms. It also serves as an art gallery, showcasing owner Paul Harris’s collection of South African art spanning the 19th century to today, including works by renowned social realist painters George Pemba and Gerard Sekoto. The hotel’s art guide, Talita Swarts, organizes private workshops in textiles, painting, and printing with contemporary artists, such as Kimathi Mafafo, who blends embroidery into her artwork. Starting from $742

6. The Langham Boston

Located in the historic former Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, The Langham reopened in 2022 featuring a collection of 290 artworks—many sourced from the Copley Society of Art, the nation’s oldest nonprofit focused on artists. This collection includes pieces by colonial portraitist John Singleton Copley and contemporary artist Mary Hughes, alongside the bank’s original murals depicting Abraham Lincoln and Alexander Hamilton by N.C. Wyeth. Guests can scan a QR code for a self-guided tour, complete with video interviews of contemporary artists. Starting from $806

7. Rosewood Baha Mar

Nestled on the pristine white sands of Cable Beach in Nassau, the 226-room Rosewood Baha Mar offers a tranquil escape with stunning ocean views, featuring works by renowned artists including Damien Hirst and over 100 pieces by prominent Bahamian mixed-media artist John Cox. Cox also leads the arts and culture initiatives at The Current, a creative hub within the resort that hosts art exhibitions, lectures, and workshops. Guests can explore a coral reef sculpture garden crafted by local artists while snorkeling. Starting from $815

8. Rosewood Hong Kong

This 413-room luxurious retreat, designed by Tony Chi and located in the Victoria Dockside district, is surrounded by premier art institutions, including M+, Hong Kong Palace Museum, and K11 Musea. The interiors of Rosewood Hong Kong are adorned with gallery-worthy artworks throughout its inviting spaces, with expansive picture windows showcasing views of Victoria Harbour. Renowned artists like Thomas Houseago, Clarita Brinkerhoff, Wang Keping, and Damien Hirst are displayed alongside notable local talents such as Wing Chan. Resident art ambassadors lead hour-long tours twice weekly, enriching the experience, while Asaya Spa offers private Expressive Art Therapy sessions for guests to explore their own creativity. Starting from $958

9. Capella Sydney

The 192-room Capella Sydney opened its doors in 2023, featuring neutral-toned interiors within a beautifully restored century-old building that formerly housed the Department of Education. The hotel’s curated art collection provides guests with an intimate connection to Aboriginal and Australian art. The interiors display textiles and photography sourced and commissioned by the online gallery the Artling. Highlights include vibrant canvases by Waanyi artist Judy Watson, a landscape by Max Berry, and a striking swirling mural by First Nations contemporary artist Otis Hope Carey in McRae Bar, representing the spiritual emblem of the Gumbaynggirr people. Art enthusiasts can partake in the hotel’s complimentary Sydney Architecture Walk through the historic Central Business District. Starting from $483

10. Dolder Grand

The Dolder Grand, featuring 173 lavish rooms, boasts interiors partially crafted by architect Norman Foster, adorned with sparkling chandeliers and elegantly designed contemporary furniture. This circa 1899 property resembles a castle more than a hotel and is home to a remarkable collection of 100 artworks, including pieces by Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, Keith Haring, Fernando Botero, and Takashi Murakami. To fully appreciate the art, guests can borrow an iPad for a self-guided tour. Starting from $890