Hotel design can be considered an art form all on its own. Art by definition is personal, using creative skill and imagination to then give life to a painting, sculpture or photograph. Luxe Lodgings contributors Angela Fairhurst and Natalie Compagno found six hotels with interesting hotel design, unique artwork, and even creative pastries modeled after modern art.
The Milestone Hotel, London
The Milestone Hotel is a mansion in the heart of London overlooking Kensington Gardens. Each of the 44 rooms and 12 suites are individually designed with unique character and charm. With its museum-type architecture, it’s only fitting that artwork adorns all the public spaces as well as guest rooms. The owners, Mr. & Mrs. Tollman, are prolific collectors of art, picking up original paintings at art auctions throughout the world. The collection includes works by James Joseph Tissot, Louis Icart, Romaine de Tirtoff (Erte), and a collection of 50 Sem cartoons in Cheneston’s Restaurant.
Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta is set right on the warm beaches of Mexico. While most Mexican luxury properties nod to the Spanish influences of the past, Fiesta Americana greets you with clean lines and an urban sensibility. Mid-century modern furniture is featured in the lobby, juxtaposed with sleek Millennial sandstone tile and lighting. The owners of Fiesta Americana have a certain style and aesthetic, one of them a former architect, and this is reflected throughout the space. The art in the guest rooms has an 80s flavor with enhanced lifestyle and camera-ready girl prints while easy metal wicker loveseats beckon in the hall. The real artistic tour de force is the street art spray paint murals on each level near the guest rooms. What was once an unattractive cement retaining wall is now the artistic focal point. Muralist Alberto Gomez wanted to recreate “an analogy of existing contemporary pop art with sensual vibrant colors.” By taking the elevator to the top floor, guests can peek down and see the mural series-a man’s face, a woman’s body-stacked, leading down to the bottom level.
The Merrion, Dublin
Located in the heart of Dublin’s city center, The Merrion Hotel was created from four restored Georgian Townhouses. The collection of 19th and 20th century Irish art is hung throughout the hotel and is considered one of the most important collections in Ireland outside of the National Gallery. Our favorite touch was that they honor the art in the form of an Art Tea at the hotel, where pastries are inspired by the artwork.
The Garland Hotel, Los Angeles
The Garland Hotel in Los Angeles was named for its owner, Beverly Garland, an actress and style maven. Throughout the property guests are transported to the 60s and 70s through carefully chosen and commissioned art inspired by Beverly’s taste. A creative highlight is the tile mural designed by Bjorn Wiinblad, lead designer for Rosenthal china. Guest rooms have original pencil drawings of LA attractions, such as the Hollywood Bowl, and larger-than-life Fellini paparazzi scenes in the closets. The art of those decades is everywhere on property-tennis rackets as art installation in the lobby, photographs of Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan and others along hallways, Suzani textiles in the St. James Suite, the restaurant, and of course macrame in the front yard. If guests wish to create some art of their own, macrame classes are held weekly during the summer by the pool.
The Savoy, London
In 1246, the Count of Savoy was gifted a piece of land between the Strand and the Thames and built a palace. About 600 years later, Richard D’Oyly Carte coined it The Savoy Theatre. After a visit to America, D’Oyly decided to re-purpose The Savoy, converting it into a luxury hotel in the heart of the theatre district. Artists, writers, diplomats and celebrities frequented the hotel then, and Designer Pierre-Yves Rochon undertook the task of restoring the Edwardian style of the original buildings while incorporating the Art Deco style of the 20s and 30s into its design. The hotel is a piece of art. Fresh flowers adorn all the public rooms with crystal chandeliers glistening from the high ceilings and black and white checkerboard floors across the lobby, and original art and photographs on all the walls.
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is designed to reflect the local flavor and aesthetic. Set in a modern beachfront building, the hotel adds character and color with many works from local artist Elisa Lejuez-Peters. Her paintings are prominently featured in the Tradewinds Club, guestrooms and the lobby. Her art consists of contemporary neo-pop paintings in bright colors, mixed-media elements and silkscreen printing.
