Attracting a cultured guest, our edit of the must-visit hotels for art lovers sees covetable collections take centre stage.
From suave city stays with private art vaults located in the hotel car park to a French country inn brimming with works by Léger, Scully, and Baldaccini, these museum-like stays will take your next getaway to new (creative) heights.
The Fife Arms, Braemar, Scotland
Situated in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands, this five-star hotel is as sensational a UK hideaway as you’re likely to find. The creative brainchild of Iwan and Manuela Wirth, the Swiss gallerists behind Hauser & Wirth, The Fife Arms features over 16,000 antiques and 12,000 works of art, ranging from Pablo Picasso to Gerhard Richter. Located in the historic Scottish village of Braemar, the hotel is framed by dramatic mountain ranges and an idyllic landscape – meaning a variety of activities from fishing, to foraging and golfing are readily available to guests. If you only have time for one extracurricular over the course of your stay, make it a special art tour of the hotel’s top 20 pieces (including works by Martin Creed and and Lucien Freud).
The Beaumont, London, UK
As you approach The Beaumont you’ll notice a cubic structure at odds with the rest of building’s facade. The stainless-steel Cubist figure of a man clutching his knees towers over the Beaumont’s entrance is the work of artist Antony Gormley, titled ROOM. Contemporary art fans – you really can’t get closer to a Gormley work than this: a 10-metre-by-4-metre bedroom that art-loving guests can check into for an evening of zen. Enter through black curtains to a dark, wood-panelled room and embrace the “intimate space” for an evening at The Beaumont. One to pencil in for 2021, when the hotel reopens.
La Colombe D'Or, Saint Paul de Vence, France
Many French artists retreated south during World War One, taking up residence along the Cote d’Azur. Among them, Fernand Léger, Georges Braque, and Henri Matisse. Relative unknowns at the time, they offered their works in exchange for bed and board at La Colombe D’Or (who’s owner had a particular interest in the arts). Today, the hotel boasts an impressive collection which includes a sculpture by César Baldaccins and a Fernand Léger mosaic, which is located in the outdoor dining space. A mobile, be Irish artist Sean Scully, is the latest edition to an impressive art collection which has continued to grow.
The Silo, Cape Town, South Africa
Hoteliers Liz and Phil Biden are the brains behind The Silo – Cape Town’s most expensive hotel. Resting above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art in Africa, the hotel is a fun, fanciful, and creative destination by the V&A Waterfront and docklands. For art enthusiasts, it’s a must stay. The Vault – The Silo Hotel’s private art gallery – on level P3 (you’ll enter through the car park), further sweetens the deal. Showcasing both up-and-coming and established artists, a price list is available if something takes your eye.
The Rosewood, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
On the Kowloon waterfront, the Rosewood Hong Kong shines bright, oozing with glamorous grandeur. With jaw-dropping views of the harbour, it takes something pretty fabulous to turn attention elsewhere. To that end, the Rosewood more than delivers, with an in-house art collection including: a XXL Henry Moore sculpture at the top of the hotel’s driveway; a life-size sculptire of an elephant by Indian artist Bharti Kerr; and abstract paintings by American artist Joe Bradley, amongst other standouts. Hungry for more? Stop by the Butterfly Brasserie, an eatery decorated with Damien Hirst’s trademark winged creations.
Brown's Hotel, London
Surrounded by some 190 galleries and dealers, Brown’s Hotel is the perfect launching-off point for art lovers. Art aficionados keen to immerse themselves in Mayfair’s vibrant scene will be eager to book a stay at this creative haven. Guests can sign up for one Brown’s Art Walks, hosted by BBC Art Correspondent, curator, and gallery owner Maeve Doyle. You’ll discover many of Mayfair’s hidden gallery gems before returning to Brown’s for a welcome glass of Champagne followed by a three-course lunch with a glass of the Sommelier’s choice wine.
Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amistà, Italy
Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amistà is a beacon of joy and whimsy – and boasts some rather impressive contemporary art works too. The grand, Venetian-style villa situated in Verona is an OTT oasis best enjoyed by those whose love of colour knows no bounds. Behind its classical facade, guests will encounter ultra-modern finishes, courtesy of architect and designer, Alessandro Mendini. Each of the villa’s 58 bedrooms are individually decorated – we’re talking vivid palettes, colourful fabrics, and zany furnishings – but if you think your bedroom is stylistically akin to a Picasso painting, you ain’t seen nothing yet. The hotel’s main spaces are amongst the most wowing. Works by Marc Quinn, Damien Hirst, Anish Kapoor, and Vanessa Beecroft can be found throughout; take yourself of a mini treasure hunt to explore the museum-worthy collection housed here.
Any Questions or Tips to add?