Luxury hotels have long been about more than just plush bedding and Michelin star restaurants. The world’s finest establishments now often double as fine art galleries, curating museum-quality art collections that rival some of the most esteemed institutions. Whether you’re a seasoned art collector or someone who likes to sip a negroni while staring at a Picasso, these hotels offer a stay that is as visually enriching as it is indulgent.
The Dolder Grand, Zurich
Perched high above Zurich with postcard-perfect views, The Dolder Grand has mastered the art of blending old-world charm with cutting-edge aesthetics. Originally opened in 1899, the hotel retains its fairy-tale turrets and Belle Époque grandeur, yet a meticulous renovation by architect Norman Foster has infused it with sleek, contemporary design. This harmonious blend of heritage and innovation extends beyond architecture to the hotel’s extraordinary art collection, which adds a bold, avant-garde dimension to its timeless elegance.
Housing over 100 works of art, the collection is spread across the hotel. From the Andy Warhol 11-metre “Big Retrospective Painting” hanging in the lobby to the Salvador Dalí lurking in a corridor, walking through the hotel feels like an exclusive, private tour of an elite collector’s dream.
The Connaught owns over 3,000 classic and contemporary artworks and continues to grow its collections. The Connaught has taken on the Tate’s advice, that to get the most out of a piece art ‘you have to spend time with it’. The hotel’s famous Red Room bar has been designed with a collection of women-led art that they believe is best enjoyed slowly, over a glass of wine, with friends at a table.
La Colombe d’Or Hotel & Restaurant, Saint-Paul de Vence
La Colombe d’Or, nestled in the charming village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, is as much a sanctuary for art as it is a historic retreat. Since its founding in 1920 by Paul Roux, the hotel has been a beloved gathering place for artists, writers, and intellectuals, drawn to the region’s luminous landscapes and creative energy.
Over the decades, an extraordinary collection of artworks has taken shape within its walls, gifted by or acquired from legendary guests such as Picasso, Matisse, Miró, and Calder. This deep-rooted passion for art is woven into the very fabric of La Colombe d’Or, where masterpieces casually adorn the dining room and garden, creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and museum-worthy.
Silo Hotel, Cape Town
During her travels across Africa, Liz Biden, the owner of The Silo, curated a distinctive and diverse art collection for The Silo Hotel. This collection beautifully complements the works showcased at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA), located directly below the hotel.
Tucked beneath The Silo Hotel lies The Vault, a private subterranean gallery that redefines the concept of an underground art space. Originally conceived to make creative use of the hotel’s private parking level, The Vault has evolved into a dynamic hub connecting The Silo and Cape Town’s vibrant art scene.
Each year, The Silo Hotel partners with a different local gallery to spotlight two exceptional African artists, turning this industrial space into an immersive, ever-changing exhibition. With its raw, urban aesthetic, The Vault is a striking backdrop, transformed to reflect each artist’s vision and offers guests an intimate, thought-provoking art experience.
Le Royal Monceau – Raffles, Paris
Not many hotels offer an entrance into Paris’ art world, quite like Le Royal Monceau. The in-house art concierge, Julie Eugène arranges private gallery tours and even helps guests purchase their own masterpieces. Within the hotel is La Librairie des Arts, the first contemporary art bookshop in a Parisian luxury hotel, offering a carefully curated selection of over 700 titles.
Complementing this literary haven, the hotel’s art gallery and in-house cinema, which screens avant-garde films, contribute to an atmosphere where art and sophistication seamlessly converge. Staying at Le Royal Monceau Paris makes it impossible not to be immersed in the city’s vibrant art scene.
The hotel’s pub, filled with striking and often provocative artworks, adds a vibrant contrast to the rustic setting. It’s the perfect escape for those who appreciate both fine art and fine dining by a roaring fire. The hotel’s sister pub, The Suffield Arms, just a mile down the road, has an equally eclectic art collection for guests to enjoy with their Sunday Roasts.
Whether you’re sipping champagne beneath a Murakami, enjoying breakfast under a Basquiat, or simply admiring a Hirst between spa treatments, these hotels prove that art shouldn’t just be kept to admire on museum walls but adorned in hotels and public spaces for people to enjoy their everyday lives.
