20 Best Art Hotels in America

Look beyond ordinary hotel spaces with unremarkable design and ho-hum color palettes. Instead, check into a luxury art hotel for colorful, inspiring vibes.

April 23, 2021

By: Erin Gifford

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Photo By: 21c Museum Hotel Lexington

Photo By: David Mitchell

Photo By: Kimpton Hotel Born

Photo By: Andrew Bordwin

Photo By: Quirk Hotel / Keith Isaacs Photo

Photo By: FOUND:RE Phoenix

Photo By: Keenan McCarthy

Photo By: Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel

Photo By: W Atlanta Midtown

Photo By: Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

Photo By: Heritage Hotels & Resorts

Photo By: Sally Painter

Photo By: Porto Vista Hotel

Photo By: 21c Museum Hotel Louisville

Photo By: Aloft Greenville Downtown

Photo By: W Bellevue

Photo By: W Miami

Photo By: The Troubadour

Photo By: HALL Arts Hotel

Photo By: Studio Allston Hotel

Photo By: Hotel Indigo Lower East Side New York

Hotels That Double as Art Museums

Art hotels continue to pop up across the country, setting themselves apart from more vanilla stays with cream-colored walls and framed lithographs that hang over guest room beds. Art hotels transform spaces with bold colors, curious sculptures and creative vibes that inspire hotel guests, encouraging exploration of on-site art galleries, oversized murals and sophisticated installations. Here are 20 of the best art hotels that are so much more than a place to lay your head for the night.

Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel

Milwaukee's Saint Kate celebrates art in all its forms, including music, theatre, dance and visual arts. Named for Saint Catherine, the patron saint of artists, this boutique property rotates exhibitions in its 1,700-square-foot art gallery to expose guests to the works of emerging local and national artists. Guest rooms and public spaces were designed by interior design firm Stonehill Taylor, often incorporating art in unexpected ways, like on shower curtains, bathroom tile and guest room blankets. Guests can also book five hotel rooms designed entirely by local artists, like Leopard Room (shown above). Created by Lon Michels, this space fully immerses guests in a funky, glamorous leopard print.

Kimpton Hotel Born

Situated in Denver's bustling LoDo District (as in, Lower Downtown), the Kimpton Hotel Born was designed to reflect a hip, urban vibe intertwined with modern mountain inspiration. A collection of more than 700 original and limited run contemporary works of art are on display across the Kimpton Hotel Born, including in each of the hotel's thoughtfully-appointed guest rooms. Guests are encouraged to connect with the creative spirit of Denver, including the 32 talented local artists behind the works. At check-in, guests can gaze at paintings by Denver's Molly Bounds, whose artistic illustrations capture faceless female forms.

The Alexander

While some white-wash walls to remove graffiti, The Alexander in Indianapolis has done just the opposite. This stylish boutique hotel hired British street artist Nick Walker, a Banksy contemporary, to spray paint graffiti murals across the hotel parking garage, as well as in various public spaces throughout the hotel. Walker even went so far as to create a "Vandal" character that appears across the car garage. The Alexander boasts 16 large-scale contemporary works that were commissioned specifically for the hotel. Each has a tie to the area or tells a story about Indianapolis.

Quirk Hotel

The art-inspired Quirk Hotel was the first design-focused boutique hotel to open in Richmond, Virginia, when it debuted five years ago inside a former luxury department store that dated back to 1916. Hotel interiors wow with period hardwood floors, custom-designed furnishings and contemporary works of art. A stroll through the adjacent Quirk Gallery inspires with inventive exhibitions created by emerging and mid-career artists. Set in Richmond's Arts and Design District, art surrounds the hotel, in small galleries, boutique shops and art studios. A second Quirk Hotel opened in Charlottesville, Virginia, in March 2020, similarly interweaving chic, modern style with vintage-inspired charm to the delight of discerning hotel guests.

FOUND:RE Phoenix

FOUND:RE Phoenix is an art-filled boutique hotel situated in downtown Phoenix's walkable Roosevelt Row Arts District (RoRo). Guests are mere steps from colorful, oversized murals, creative sculptures and vibrant art galleries. Across the hotel space, original works of art have been created by more than 25 Arizona artists, including art works in industrial chic guest room and public areas, like the on-site lounge and outdoor pool area. Hotel meeting spaces host rotating art exhibitions, pop-up art galleries and meet-up events with local artists. Outside, FOUND:RE Phoenix lights up the night with a mesmerizing six-story light installation projected on the side of the hotel.

Hotel Chicago West Loop

Hotel Chicago West Loop welcomes guests to Chicago with a groundbreaking urban mural exhibit inside this boutique hotel. Local street artists, JC Rivera and Asend, created floor-to-ceiling murals in select first-floor guest rooms as a way to share the essence of the Windy City. The murals convey what’s most loved about Chicago, including architecture, music, food and diversity. When not occupied, the colorful mural rooms are open for public display, as is the dedicated Annex space, which showcases more than 100 renowned works of art.

Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel

The Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel has embraced the city’s burgeoning street art scene with open arms, celebrating the edgy art form across the 214-room property. Large, vibrant murals in common areas welcome guests, beckoning them to come in and explore. The Hideaway, a hip, underground event space within the hotel features graffiti art created by Joe C. Rock. A fine art muralist, Rock curiously blended street art, cartooning and realism into works that serve as conversation pieces. Stroll the art hallway for murals on display that rotate quarterly.

W Atlanta Midtown

At newly rebranded W Atlanta Midtown art takes center stage with the help of interior design firm, Virserius Studio. The design concept revolves around the life and estate, even a secret garden, of a fictional character named Arthur. Throughout W Atlanta Midtown, guests find conversational spaces beautified with works of art secured during Arthur's world travels. For example, the florals on the walls, ceilings and furnishings of the lounge inspire thoughts of Arthur's botanical garden. Select art works exude mystery too, like the curious woman who appears on the wall in the King Suite.

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

At the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, well-known Hawaiian painter and muralist, Kai'ili Kaulukukui, was tapped to create an enormous mural that brightens up the lobby. The playful mural portrays the underwater world at Pu'u Keka'a, or Black Rock, the iconic landmark at the resort. The mural took six days to complete and takes up 310 square feet. Called Ke Ola o Pu'u Keka'a, the painting boasts bright, vibrant colors and conveys the theme of unity between man and the world just under the ocean’s surface.

Nativo Lodge

At Albuquerque’s Nativo Lodge, more than 45 unique artist rooms welcome guests eager to sleep in a room that is a work of art thanks to large-scale art installations that adorn the walls. Each artist guest room is specially designed by a contemporary Native American artist, and each has deep roots in tribal culture and traditions. For example, the guest room painted by artist Rose B. Simpson (shown above) was designed to be a space for those seeking blessings and guidance.

Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland

The Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland was transformed to introduce a decidedly more urban feel into the hotel’s interior spaces. Over several days, communal area walls, stairwells, and select event spaces were livened up by graffiti artist, Andrew Horner, who drew free-hand using multiple cans of spray paint. Inspired by the energy and thriving subcultures within Oregon's most popular city, Horner cleverly integrated nods to the city into his art works, including iconic bridges. Ninth-floor balcony fences were later given new life with street art created by local non-profit, Viva La Free.

Porto Vista Hotel

San Diego's stylish Porto Vista Hotel is the city's first art hotel. Common areas and guest rooms enliven spaces with floor-to-ceiling murals, like the bold, 13-foot-tall geometric murals in the second-floor lounge. The boutique highlights art's potential to transform everyday places, while striving to make art accessible to guests and the community at large. To this end, the Porto Vista Hotel commissions artists for its on-site residency program and hosts regular art exhibitions. In the hotel lobby, an art vending machine filled with original paintings, drawings, sculptures and poems enables encounters and interactions with works of art.

21c Museum Hotel

Situated on Museum Row in Louisville, Kentucky, the flagship 21c Museum Hotel has been captivating hotel guests for more than 10 years with its massive contemporary art collection. On arrival, a 30-foot-tall gold replica statue of Michelangelo's David greets guests eager to check in and free-roam across the museum space. Near the elevators, look for Text Rain, an interactive installation that lets guests use their bodies to manipulate falling letters on an oversize projection screen. For a unique stay, book Asleep in the Cyclone (shown above), an immersive art experience with a domed ceiling sculpture and geodesic designs. Today, there are nearly a dozen 21c Museum Hotels, including hotels in Nashville and Oklahoma City.

Aloft Greenville Downtown

Located in Greenville, South Carolina, the hip and modern Aloft Greenville Downtown exposes guests to the thriving local art scene as early as check-in thanks to a welcoming, supersize chalk mural in the lobby. This colorful work changes monthly and showcases a mix of in-town landmarks and featured local events. Even the front desk wows with bold, vibrant colors and chic, industrial lighting. Meanwhile, more than 40 original works of art created by local artists beautify hotel guest rooms and common spaces, including the swanky Re:mix Lounge, which implores guests to sit and stay awhile with quirky pieces of wall art.

W Bellevue

W Bellevue is a delightful art-forward hotel in the Pacific Northwest. Thanks to colorful, floor-to-ceiling murals across the property, W Bellevue feels more like an art installation rather than a luxury hotel. Three celebrated street artists were tapped to conceptualize and bring to life the hotel’s artwork. Among them, Andrew "Gaia" Pisacane is the urban artist behind the vibrant three-story installation that envelops the floating staircase (shown above). His work has been displayed at galleries around the world, including the Baltimore Museum of Art and Italy’s Palazzo Collicola Arti Visive.

W Miami

W Miami has taken care to integrate local street art into its overall design, most notably in The Den, a VIP enclave for celebs and guests of note that’s situated on the hotel’s 50th floor. In 2017, the hotel tapped local street artist Tiago Magro to stamp The Den with his own artistic touch. Best known for upcycling 80s and 90s memorabilia using spray paints, newspapers, and varnishes, the mixed media artist graffitied and lined The Den with old-school concert flyers, mostly from hip-hop acts like The Beastie Boys, Dr. Dre and Public Enemy.

The Troubadour

In New Orleans, settle in with a craft cocktail at Monkey Board, the trendy rooftop bar on the 17th floor of The Troubadour. Relax atop this delightful boutique hotel and prepare to be wowed by the vibrant street art painted by local graffiti artist Gabe Flores of New Orleans Paint + Design, which playfully features monkeys from the popular Barrel of Monkeys game. While accomplished at charcoal drawing and illustrating, Flores' passion lies in reinvigorating common spaces through large-scale art installations and colorful murals, like those found at Monkey Board.

HALL Arts Hotel

The brand-new HALL Arts Hotel is the only hotel situated in the Dallas Arts District, a lively, cultural hub stretching across 20 square blocks. Not only is this art-inspired boutique home to a sophisticated collection of art works from established and emerging artists, but this hotel also boasts one of the most fantastic views of the Dallas skyline from the rooftop pool. Works of art are vibrant, colorful and often have a story to tell. Crimson and magenta tambourines that hang from the lobby ceiling reflect the historical use of tambourines by protestors and advocates. The colors and instruments are a nod to the Women's Marches of 2017.

Studio Allston Hotel

Boston's sleek Studio Allston Hotel envelops guests in works of art from the moment they enter this hip, boutique property. In the main lobby, a striking installation by contemporary artist Jason Woodside takes over the space and wows with bold geometric shapes and mesmerizing patterns. Vibrant paintings and alluring pops of color elevate each guest room, including five distinctive signature suites designed as immersive works of art. Suites range from Drink in the Cosmos, a mod space age suite, to Reel Countdown, a suite with a cinematic feel thanks to a black and white striped mural.

Hotel Indigo Lower East Side

The design of Hotel Indigo Lower East Side in New York City was inspired by the eclectic neighborhood. Street art that once graced subway cars and fire escapes can now be found hanging artfully in galleries. A large, colorful mural created by celebrated graffiti artist, Lee Quinones, welcomes guests upon entering the 14th-floor lobby. However, you may need to tilt back in your chair to take in this 40' x 16' mural named Voices Carrying. It’s properly displayed on the ceiling.