Best Hotels for Music Lovers

Examples range from hiring sound designers to create musical “moods” for public spaces to coordinating live, on-site concerts featuring local acts.

Music Lovers Paradise: The musically themed Aria Hotel Budapest by Library Hotel Collection carries the theme throughout its décor and amenities while giving guests a one of a kind experience. The luxury hotel is located just steps away from St. Stephen's Basilica in the historic city center on the Pest side of the Danube River and is home to a rare Boganyi piano, the first redesign of the famous instrument in over 100 years. Aria's extraordinary hotel lobby welcomes hotel guests with a beautifully tiled piano walkway that leads guests to a glass enclosed Music Garden Courtyard where the rare piano is housed. Guestroom décor reflects musical legends from four different genres: Classic, Opera, Contemporary or Jazz, including a full suite dedicated to pianist Franz Liszt. Guests, who care to do so, can select the legend of their choice (based on availability) to enjoy the in-room, art and books dedicated to the artist. To help piano loving guests further enjoy music, Aria's Music Director, Kornel Maygar, will even curate the perfect playlist of popular and rare pianists that guests can enjoy over the duration of their stay.

Sound Designer: Knowing background music can enhance a guest's experience, Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo in Monaco appointed an in-house Sound Designer, French composer Béatrice Ardisson, to specially curate the melodies played throughout the restaurants and lounge area. Béatrice creates a new mix for the hotel each quarter, developing original soundtracks with a mix of melodies from popular artists (the Beatles to Adele) that fits the mood for each individual space. For instance, at the Michelin-starred Yoshi Japanese restaurant, she concocted music that feels “airy and zen” while for the outdoor Karl Lagerfeld-designed pool, Odyssey, she opted for a dreamlike atmosphere during the day and a sprightly, festive playlist at night. Since joining the team at Hotel Metropole, Béatrice has created 65 mix tapes and continues to craft new options from her London home.

Learn to DJ: The Surfjack's Hotel & Swim Club offers on-site experiences for music lovers like poolside DJ sessions and talk story sessions with local artists. The property's “Director of Aloha” Casea Collins-Wright and Honolulu-based blog-turned-record label and DJ crew Aloha Got Soul teach guests how to spin vinyl. While mingling with locals, music junkies will become exposed to a selection of rare and relatively unknown Hawaiian, soul, and funk while sipping cocktails and noshing poolside.

Island Beats: Located off the coast of Puerto Rico, guests at W Retreat & Spa – Vieques Island can feel the pulsating island beats at the two-leveled infinity pool which features an underwater sound system streaming a custom mix directly through the water via the W Hotels app. The stylish pool talent is on-hand with an endless wish list of poolside necessities like Netatmo June sun care tech bracelet, Mood Menu that pairs guests with cocktails that match their mood, massages and bottle service.

Curated Relaxation Playlists: The Inns of Aurora, a lakeside oasis in the Finger Lakes offers guests a selection of relaxation playlists curated by the property's Director of Serenity, Laura Coburn. Playlists are available for general relaxation as well as more specific activities, such as “Snowga.”

Live Music Sessions: This season, W South Beach announced the return of W Live Music Sessions, featuring various local artists for a series of exclusive live performances in one of the hotel's unique spaces, such as the lush garden Grove, oceanfront lawn and poolside WET deck. In partnership with Chateau d'Esclans, all guests enjoy a glass of Rock Angel rosé upon arrival and delectable bites from a specially curated music-inspired menu.

Karaoke Nights: Hotel Indigo Lower East Side hosts live band karaoke at its 15^th floor restaurant and bar, Mr. Purple, on select Sundays from 2pm-6pm. Guests are encouraged to sign up and sing live with the band as a way to further become immersed in the neighborhoods vibrant culture.

Acoustic Guitar Sessions: Boasting a private rooftop terrace flanked by views of the Charleston harbor, the historic HarbourView Inn offers weekly live acoustic guitar sessions played by local musician and composer Lee Barbour. Guests can relish in 360-degree views of the Holy City while taking in southern tunes and sipping on house-made cocktails from the rooftop bar.

Lounge Music and Lessons: Music lovers seek out AKA Sutton Place, which offers guests live music every Wednesday evening in its intimate lounge, a.lounge by Sam Favata and saxophonist, Steven Kortyka (who has performed in Lady Gaga's jazz band), who play a variety of genres from Classical music by Chopin all the way to Pop and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. AKA residents can also get involved with music lessons through AKA's Live It! Program, which encourages guests to live their dreams by taking a music classes, dance classes, photography lessons, improve classes, etc.