For art enthusiasts, a visit to one of the world’s great art museums — be it the Louvre in Paris or MoMA in New York City — can be the focal point of a cultural getaway. But one needn't venture into the hallowed halls of a museum to be visually wowed.
Another option: stay at hotel with its own in-house, museum-quality art collection.
It’s a growing trend that has reached many corners of the globe, from Beijing to Cape Town. You’ll find hotels with stellar private collections in cities with established reputations in the art world, such as Paris, Rome and New York. Hotels in smaller communities are getting in on the act too, with stimulating collections.
Some hotels offer tours of the art under the guidance of a curator, as well as experiences such as hands-on painting classes with the artist-in-residence and self-guided tours with the help of an iPad. Other properties let the artwork unfold in a more casual, self-directed manner.
At these dazzling hotels, feast your eyes on pop-art photos, classic marble sculptures and surrealist paintings by Picasso, all while you check-in at reception, sip an evening cocktail at the bar or relax by the pool.