As an art lover, I’m always on the look out for aesthetically pleasing things on my travels. In hotels, I search for small, quirky details but, best of all, are the hotels that are dedicated to art. By that I mean that each room is a gallery within itself, and there’s something to look at, whether it’s a vibrant painting, grand sculpture, or traditional wall-hanging, around every twist and turn. I’m yet to step foot in Asia, but I’ve curated this list of art hotels that I would definitely consider staying in when I do. Each one has been selected for its attention to detail, its collaboration with local artists, or its original design concept. Let me know if you have any more to add, or if you have stayed in any of these!
New Majestic Hotel, Singapore
With every room taking on a personality of its own, the Majestic Hotel in Singapore promotes new-age luxe art living. Every feature in each room is unique and original, from the vintage furniture, to the splashes of artwork that adorn the walls. It’s not just the decor that differs from room to room either, but also the design in general – some rooms feature private balconies, others are located in the loft, providing a whimsical world away from the bustling Singapore streets. Visit the website.
Mystic Palace, Bangkok
Mystic Palace is a boutique hotel in the Thai capital which is dedicated to combining creative, artistic expression with comfortable living. Each room is decked out in a different style or design, featuring work from a different artist that has been given free reign to do what they wish with the room. The result? No two stays are the same! I’d definitely want to check out all the rooms if I stayed here. Visit the website.
Grace – Beijing
The Grace hotel in busy Beijing mixes contemporary, stylish hotel design with dots of artistic creativity. Each room features a unique set of paintings of photographs on the walls, and the furniture is a mishmash of styles. Throughout the hotel, there are pockets of traditional Chinese trinkets, too, from small ornaments to larger sculptures. Visit the website.
Hotel Be Angkor, Siem Reap
The Hotel Be Angkor only has 3 rooms, but every effort has been made to make each one a unique, stand alone haven of art and design. The bamboo room piqued my interest the most, with its swirling, surreal sculptures, and selection of original, hand-drawn artworks. Visit the website.
J Plus Hotel by Yoo, Hong Kong
The J Plus Hotel by Yoo is apparently the first boutique hotel in Hong Kong, which has to count for something, right?! Set in a trendy part of Hong Kong, it was original designed by Phillipe Starck, but has since been updated to include artwork and designs by some of Starck’s artistic proteges. Visit the website.
Straits Collection, Georgetown, Malaysia
This is a funny one, actually, because the Straits Collection is not your typical hotel. Instead, it’s a series of residencies (and a shop!) located in a trendy part of Georgetown, Malaysia. Each residency has its own unique design, and is decked out with local artwork, traditional textiles, and hand-made sculptures and decorations. Visit the website.
Swatch Art Peace Hotel, Shanghai
The Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai, China, is actually an artist’s residency project. I thought as many of you readers are artists that you might be interested in this one. Artists have to apply to stay there, and whilst there they have access to all of the modern facilities which are set inside a well-designed, quirky building. Visit the website.
Nilaya Hermitage, Goa
The Nilaya is inspired by Moroccan elements, the creative artistic qualities of European artists, and traditional Indian culture. Featuring Gaudi-influenced mosaics and colourful wall-hangings, every room at the Nilaya is decorated in a different way, featuring eye-catching artworks and quirky furniture design. Visit the website.
Hey very interesting blog!
Thank you!