There was a time when
the art found on hotel walls, subtle and soothing,
was meant to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, rather than
deliberately draw the attention of guests. But that aesthetic is
swiftly becoming a thing of the past. Connoisseur hoteliers now
hone their properties’ collections and take great pride in the
unique and priceless pieces they’ve amassed. Indeed, one might say
that the following art galleries offer the added distinction of
overnight accommodations.
Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
Miami
During an early-2000s revamp of this
vintage 1950s property, part-owner Diana Lowenstein commissioned
more than 40 artists to produce works such as the etching
“Jeroglifico” (pictured), by Antonio Tapies, to grace the walls.
The 375-room hotel also offers a 10,200-square-foot ballroom, 10
meeting rooms and a 16,000-square-foot spa. (786) 276-4000; www.ritzcarlton.com
Gallery One - A Doubletree
Guest Suites Hotel
Fort Lauderdale
Since January 2007, following a $25 million propertywide
renovation and name change, the 231-suite Gallery One has offered a
lobby that doubles as a revolving art gallery. To keep things
fresh, management welcomes a new exhibition every few months, and
“meet the artist” events are scheduled regularly. Receptions for up
to 75 attendees can be held among the collections; pictured, “The
Heart of the Matter,” by Linda Prud’Homme. Also available are a
3,800-square-foot ballroom and 3,000 square feet of waterfront
event space. (954) 565-3800; doubletree.hilton.com
21c Museum Hotel
Louisville, Ky.
At 21c, developer Steve Wilson and wife
Laura Lee Brown display their $10 million art collection, along
with works chosen by guest curators. Adorning the lobby and parts
of the 9,000-square-foot gallery are multimedia installations such
as “Text Rain” (pictured), by Camille Utterback and Romy Achituv.
This piece is created with video projections of falling letters,
while shadows of participants’ figures appear to direct where the
letters land, sometimes forming words. A total of 9,000 square feet
of meeting space, including seven meeting rooms and four private
dining rooms at the acclaimed restaurant Proof on Main, accommodate
groups of up to 500. (502) 217-6300; www.21cmuseumhotel.com
Chambers Hotel, Minneapolis
This Midwest jewel is a haven for some 250 pieces of artwork
collected by hotel owner Ralph Burnet. Artists with a thirst for
color, like Britain’s Gary Hume (whose “Seabird” is pictured), tend
to dominate. In addition, four major cultural institutions are
close by, including the dazzling new Guthrie Theater. The Chambers’
1,700-square-foot Art Room, 1,400-square-foot Burnet Gallery, a
rooftop lounge and a courtyard can accommodate private events.
(612) 767-6900; www.chambersminneapolis.com
NYLO Plano at Legacy
Plano, Texas
This 176-room property, the first from Atlanta-based NYLO
hotels, opened last December and showcases six local artists who
won a competition to display their works in the guest rooms,
corridors and public spaces. Meeting facilities comprise 1,800
square feet spread over five rooms, dressed with art such as Nicole
Marrow’s “Live, Learn and Loss” (pictured). (972) 624-6990; www.nylohotels.com/plano
Hotel Murano
Tacoma, Wash.
Glass clearly reigns at the 320-room Hotel Murano, the latest
addition from boutique chain Provenance Hotels. Named for an
archipelago of islands in Venice known for glassmaking, the
property displays the work of more than 45 glass artisans from
around the world, including Seattle’s Dale Chihuly and Greece’s
Costas Varotsos. Each floor is devoted to one artist’s work.
Pictured: Massimo Micheluzzi’s mirrored glass chandelier, which
hangs in Murano’s high-ceilinged lobby. The hotel features 28,000
square feet of meeting space, including a 5,725-square-foot
ballroom and an 18,000-square-foot outdoor pavilion. (253)
238-8000;
www.hotelmuranotacoma.com
Hotel Lucia,
Portland, Ore.
The 127-room Hotel Lucia, another
Provenance property, displays a series of 680 works by Pulitzer
Prize-winning photographer and Portland native David Kennerly in
the common areas and guest rooms. The hotel’s decor emphasizes
clean lines and minimal frills. Luxe amenities include “pillow
menus,” with 10 degrees of firmness from which to choose. Two
meetings rooms, at 1,160 and 870 square feet, and an excellent Thai
restaurant are on the premises. (503) 225-1717; www.hotellucia.com