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.
The modern minimalist entrance to The Dolder Grand
The main staircase at The Dolder Grand
Works of art adorn each corner of the hotel
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.
Work by Anish Kapoor at The Dolder Grand
Work by Takashi Murakami at The Dolder Grand
The Connaught, London
Mayfair is synonymous with being the heart of London’s luxury art world, so it comes to no surprise that The Connaught fits right in. This storied hotel doesn’t just nod to art; it embraces it with a knowing wink. Before you even walk into the hotel, outside the entrance is a magnificently designed Tadao Ando water sculpture. Hélène Darroze at The Connaught is home to a Damien Hirst classic butterfly masterpiece and even the walls of the suites are adorned with original works from the likes of Julian Opie, Barbara Hepworth and Louise Bourgeois.
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.
The Silo Penthouse
The Silo Room
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.
The Royal Monceau's dining area
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.
Art District, Le Royal Monceau's contemporary gallery
La Librairie des Arts
The Gunton Arms, Norfolk
In the picturesque Norfolk countryside, The Gunton Arms offers an unexpected fusion of pastoral charm and contemporary art. Renowned for its impressive collection curated by Ivor Braka, a celebrated art dealer, this boutique hotel is home to works by Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, and Lucian Freud.
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.
Tracey Emin 'I said don't practise on me' artwork at The Gunton Arms
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.
