Hotel and Resort Art Provides Travelers Fresh Perspectives of the World

Hotel and Resort Art Provides Travelers Fresh Perspectives of the World

Art travel is on the rise, fueled by a desire to re-engage with the world and see it from fresh perspectives. And as hotels and resorts across the world increasingly take on the role of museum and exhibitor, travelers might find that the first stop on their art-focused itinerary lies just beyond their guestroom door. Here are a few of the best:

Just a short stroll from Broadway theaters, galleries and the Museum of Modern Art, Sofitel New York evokes the creative energy of the Manhattan arts world in every aspect of its design, from its award-winning architecture, the work of Brennan Beer Gorman, to its Pierre-Yves Rochon interiors, to the shelves stocked with French and American art books. The hotel’s Signature Tony Awards Suite is a theater lover’s fantasy. Among the ovation-worthy offerings are a Tony Awards songbook, scripts from award-winning plays, photographs from famous opening numbers, programs, invitations, and Playbills from 1960 and beyond. Personalizing the experience are embroidered pillowcases, bathrobes and towels, and a 1996 Tony poster by Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo. If you are a collector who travels a lot and can't seem to collect while on the road you can check Artlisti.

Tarrytown’s landmark Castle Hotel & Spa is the perfect base for an arts-focused Westchester County weekend getaway just a short drive or train ride from New York City. The hotel’s historic vibe, magnificent grounds and Hudson River views just might inspire guests to take brush to canvas themselves. From there, head to ArtsWestchester—the County’s official arts council and a center for art exhibits, installations, performances and workshops in downtown White Plains. Next stop is Neuberger Museum of Art at State University of New York Purchase, whose 6,000+ works include a famed collection of mid-century American art and rare African pieces. Then drive north to Katonah Museum of Art, where upcoming exhibitions include an exploration of the carnivalesque work of contemporary artists Simon and Nikolai Haas (March 13—June 26). Insider tip: Once it reopens, Tarrytown’s Union Church is a can’t-miss gem with its stained-glass windows by European masters, including Henri Matisse’s last work, the Rose Window, and nine windows by Marc Chagall.

A mid-century icon rebuilt from the ground up. Scottsdale’s Mountain Shadows Resort draws artists and art aficionados for its architecture and stunning desert surroundings at the base of Camelback Mountain. The resort’s own curator, CeCe Cole, presides over The Gallery, where a new museum-quality exhibition showcases the works of local artists or those with ties to Arizona every two months. At opening receptions for each exhibition, guests are invited to mingle with the artist(s) over conversation and complimentary wine. Many works are available for purchase and the resort has sold more than a quarter million dollars in art to date. The current exhibition, Abstract Artist, features artwork by former and star athletes and military veterans. It will run through March in tandem with Arizona’s baseball spring training season. Every weekend, resort guests seeking more artistic fuel can browse design, art and fashion books while they sip coffee drinks from a pop-up library coffee cart in The Living Room.

Pebble Beach Resorts has a rich tradition of art, thanks to a spectacular setting on California’s central coast that has long inspired painters, poets, photographers and filmmakers. Salvador Dali spent a great deal of the 1940s at Pebble Beach—a period that proved to be among his most productive, and visitors today can view an expansive collection of his works at The Monterey History & Art Association. Another frequent Monterey visitor was photographer Ansel Adams, whose Morning Fog in Del Monte hangs in The Lodge at Pebble Beach. By the early 1900s, neighboring Carmel-by-the-Sea was already well established as an artist colony, and guests will find works from this era throughout the resort alongside more contemporary sculptural, photographic and landscape pieces. Among the most noteworthy: Adobe in Monterey by Charles Rollo Peters and Monterey Shore by Henry Joseph Breuer.

Hotel Arts Barcelona (pictured) is located in one of the city’s major attractions, on the beachfront and in front of the Olympic Port. In addition to having large terraces and gardens, it is perfectly integrated into the city and its extraordinary location offers magnificent views of both Barcelona and the Mediterranean. Supremely positioned and towering 44 floors above the sea, the 5-star urban resort is a striking tower of blue glass and steel with beautifully designed accommodations, a two Michelin-star restaurant and outstanding facilities, including a rooftop spa, two outdoor pools that overlook the sea and lush gardens.

St. George Lycabettus Hotel in Athens is a hub for all things creative arts showcasing a dedicated art and cultural space, the SG Art Gallery hosting both Greek and international exhibitions, the new 30-seat VIP screening room, and its eclectic interior design that draws inspiration from global and Greek art, fashion and photography. With a new on-property exhibition in March, and a rotating film series highlighting Greek art and culture, and its stunning views across the Greek capital to the Acropolis, it's easy to see why this iconic hotel is a must stay in Athens. 

The hotel features a yearly, long-standing collaboration with the prestigious Kappatos Gallery, where an entire floor is transformed into a dedicated gallery under the title “ROOMS.” All rooms are converted into artistic venues and host projects and installations by established and emerging Athenian artists. The property’s overall artistic aesthetic permeates the hotel where corridors double as exhibitions showcasing an extensive Greek art and culture collection. Each floor is themed and dedicated to classic and contemporary Greek artists, composers, photographers, and fashion designers, further celebrating Greece’s artistic and cultural legacy.