Artistic Hotels to Stay in Around the World That Double as Galleries 

Hotel Marqués De Riscal, in Spain, is an art gallery as well as a place to stay
Hotel Marqués De Riscal, in Spain, is an art gallery as well as a place to stay | Courtesy of Hotel Marqués De Riscal, A Luxury Collection Hotel / Expedia
Konstantina Pyrnokoki

Travel Writer

Would you sleep in a bed that’s also a tram cart? How about walking down a hallway that serves as a mini art installation? If the answer to these questions is ‘yes’, then you will love these hotels. Some have lively murals and quirky rooms, while others showcase paintings by local and international artists. Whatever the case, these creative havens will make you feel as if you’ve stepped right into an art museum. Read on and discover the places to stay around the world that double as art galleries.

Hotel Marqués De Riscal, A Luxury Collection Hotel

Spa Hotel, Hotel

Hotel Marqués De Riscal, A Luxury Collection Hotel_a80c750b
Courtesy of Hotel Marqués De Riscal, A Luxury Collection Hotel / Expedia

From the futuristic exterior of the Hotel Marqués De Riscal in Elciego, Spain, you can tell this is no ordinary property. In fact, it is the only hotel designed by Frank Gehry, the architect behind the Guggenheim Bilbao and many other buildings. Inside, the rooms are done out in shades of red and come with sleek furnishings and designer touches, while common areas are adorned with paintings. Enjoy local dishes at the 1860 Tradición restaurant, and treat yourself to a vinotherapy session at the spa.

Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam

Hotel

Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam_ae193d61
Courtesy of Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam / Expedia

It doesn’t get much more peculiar than the exterior of this playful hotel. Looking like a collage of facades of various traditional Dutch houses, Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam in Zaandam, Netherlands (Amsterdam is just 12 minutes away by train), feels more like a Monopoli board and less like an actual hotel. The one blue house that stands out is inspired by a work by Claude Monet, painted during a trip to Zaandam in 1871. Step inside to find rooms in white-and-green featuring wall-sized vintage adverts, and lounge areas in warm colour shades. Don’t miss your chance to fully recharge at the ultra-modern Wellness Club with a relaxing massage or a Turkish steam bath.

21c Museum Hotel Kansas City

Hotel

21c Museum Hotel Kansas City_10ec3fc8
Courtesy of 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City / Expedia

In 2016, 21c Museum Hotels took over the historic Savoy Hotel and Grill building in Kansas City and gradually transformed it into a multi-space dedicated to collecting and exhibiting 21st-century art. Art is the heart and soul of the property, with rotating curated exhibitions and site-specific installations by emerging artists, alongside a series of cultural events. And even if you don’t feel like attending an exhibition at the on-site gallery, you’ll still be basking in art as you walk down the halls or unwind in your room.

Xva Art Hotel

Boutique Hotel, Hotel, Budget Hotel

The bright courtyard with two trees at XVA Gallery, Hotel and Café
Courtesy of XVA Gallery, Hotel and Café
Think Dubai is all about the high life and the glitzy department stores? Think again, as heritage is also a big part of this lavish emirate. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Xva Art Hotel, in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, the oldest community in Dubai. This charming boutique is housed in the former home of a merchant family, hence the old-school, rustic decor paired with patterned carpets and elaborate tapestries. The rooms are individually themed and feature works by artists represented by the prestigious XVA Gallery, a pioneer in contemporary Middle Eastern art. For yet more culture, head to Dubai Museum, a 10-minute walk away.

Hotel Not Hotel

Boutique Hotel

The unique and stylish lobby with a long wooden table at Hotel Not Hotel
Courtesy of Hotel Not Hotel

Aptly named Hotel Not Hotel, this creative property in Amsterdam is, of course, a hotel, yet it feels more like an art gallery. Each room has a different theme that comes to life through spaces and furnishings resembling imaginative installations. Care to sleep in a tram cart that doubles as a bed? Or a Mediterranean villa? Whichever you choose, you’re guaranteed a fun stay. Behind most of these fantastic creations, you’ll find Collaboration O, a group of graduates from the Design Academy Eindhoven. Don’t forget to pass by Kevin Bacon – the bar, not the actor – for a cocktail or a live gig.

Paradiso Ibiza Art Hotel

Hotel

A dipping pool and shaded dining tables at Paradiso Ibiza
Courtesy of Paradiso Ibiza / Expedia

This jolly, adults-only hotel in San Antonio Bay, Ibiza, is filled with so many pastel colours and neon spots, it looks like some kind of irresistible candy. Retro details such as Smeg fridges and pinball machines add to the theme, while splashy art is all around. Enjoy works by more than 60 international artists as well as an art-book library, curated by artist Iñaki Domingo and photographer/filmmaker Diana Kunst. Paradiso also hosts parties that fuse art with fashion and music. If you don’t snap that perfect Insta shot right here, it may never happen.

Park Hotel Tokyo

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

A bed with Japanese culture-inspired artwork on the walls in a hotel room at Park Hotel Tokyo
Courtesy of Park Hotel Tokyo

There’s art in every room at the Park Hotel Tokyo; and 31 suites on the 31st floor, known as the artist floor, have been decorated by Japanese artists who have stayed here. Each mural follows a different theme, from geishas and sumo wrestlers to pagodas and serene gardens. Seasonal exhibitions are held in various spaces around the hotel, while Corridor Gallery has been set up to allow guests to feel closer to art, even when you’re walking down the hall.

Hotel Clover the Arts

Boutique Hotel

Hotel Clover The Arts_08cb87f6
Courtesy of Hotel Clover The Arts / Expedia

Hotel Clover the Arts in Singapore did not only rely on professional artists – such as local graffiti artist Ceno2 – to paint its walls; it also invited students from different arts and design schools around the island to put their own artistic spin on the rooms. Murals here range from natural landscapes to urban street art and manga-inspired creations that turn each of the 44 rooms into a unique work of art. When you’re done admiring the artworks, relax on the lush Rooftop Garden Terrace, taking in the skyline views of the Central Business District. The hotel sits near the Singapore River, so boat tours are a must.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

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