Travelling means experiencing. You travel in search of new adventures, new landscapes, new places, looking for somewhere new to live, either temporarily or long-term. This is why hotels have now become places to learn about the history and traditions of your destination, catering to adventurous travellers. Whatever your tastes, there are artistic accommodations somewhere in the world to match it, from a small Provençal inn where great artists met in the ‘50s, to a Norwegian five-star luxury hotel that boasts an acclaimed curator of international art. Here is a selection of the most creative hotels in the world.
La Colombe d’Or, France
In Saint-Paul de Vence, there is a beautiful hotel done in pure Provençe style. La Colombe d’Or first opened in 1920 as a restaurant and café, then later became an inn, and, in the 1950s, a meeting place for artists and writers. Illustrious names such Joan Mirò, Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Georges Braque, César Baldaccini, and Fernand Léger were known to frequent the inn, and the latter even has a ceramic work in the restaurant area. The art collection has grown over the years, and the pool area most recently acquired a ceramic piece by Sean Scully, which joins an installation by Calder.
The Merchant House, Bahrain
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The Merchant House opened in Manama in September 2018 and is already among the most popular art hotels in the world. Strategically positioned near the headquarters of the Bahrain International Art Fair, the hotel dedicates space to emerging local artists as well as internationally recognisable names such as Henri Matisse, Paul Gauguin, Marc Chagall, Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst.
Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria
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This luxury hotel in the centre of Rome hosts one of the most important private art collections in the world. A selection is dedicated to the Great Masters, with Giambattista Tiepolo as the protagonist: three large paintings executed in 1725 are hung in the bar area of the hotel, so that guests may drink a coffee or a glass of champagne with a breathtaking view. In addition to classical works of art, the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria exhibits, among others, Andy Warhol and Mario Schifano.
Capri Palace, Anacapri
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The Capri Palace is a five-star hotel adored by Hollywood stars. As soon as you cross the threshold, you are greeted by the 40-metre Atlantis from Arnaldo Pomodoro, an installation that recalls the topography of the seabed. Then, next to the sliding door, a helmet by Mimmo Paladino, and near reception a painting by Giorgio de Chirico. The founder, Tonino Cacace, gave it the moniker of ‘The White Museum’, intending it to be a sort of dispersed museum that represents the spirit of Anacapri. Each hotel suite is dedicated to an individual internationally-known artist, such as René Magritte, Joan Mirò, Wassily Kandinsky, or Piet Mondrian, giving guests a chance to immerse themselves in their favourite styles.
Byblos Art Hotel, Verona
Byblos Art Hotel in Verona is a beautiful riot of art, design and history. The current building dates back to 1700, the work of the architect Ignazio Pellegrini. However, part of the original villa dates to the 1400s and is done in the Venetian style. The interiors, therefore, preserve paintings and original artefacts from both periods, but cleverly combine the richness of Venetian decorations with contemporary objects. This inventiveness of woven styles is the brainchild of the great designer Alessandro Mendini. The hotel hosts a permanent exhibition of some of the most important contemporary artists and designers, such as Philippe Starck, Marcel Wanders, Ettore Sottsass, Eero Saarinen and many others.
The Thief, Oslo
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Norway's first five-star hotel, The Thief promises to "take you away from everyday life" and art certainly plays a key role in this. The hotel even boasts one of the most important art curators in the world, Sune Nordgren, director of Norway's National Museum of Art. He is responsible for the incredible selection of works in different areas of The Thief, from the Peter Blake in the corridor to the Richard Prince at reception and the Warhol near the restaurant, not to mention the animations of Julian Opie in every lift, and the wonderful sculpture Le Grand Rossignol by Niki de Saint Phalle in the lounge area.
The Ritz Carlton, Singapore
See also: Travel the World Through Art
Here we play it safe: the Ritz Carlton, Millenia Singapore boasts one of the largest collections of contemporary art in all of Southeast Asia. The hotel houses 4,200 museum-quality works that integrate perfectly with the characteristic architecture, designed by Kevin Roche. The hotel lobby welcomes guests with a wonderful hanging work, the Cornucopia of Frank Stella, made of fibreglass.
