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State of the art: our edit of the hotels with museum-worthy offerings

State of the art: our edit of the hotels with museum-worthy offerings

Travel / / By Ella Marshall

We can think of no better way to appreciate a masterpiece, than to live with it for a while. From Dali to Warhol, these gold list properties house some of the finest art collections that give museums a run for their money. So forget gallery-hopping and take our tour of hotels with the most impressive art.

Pictured: Female torso, by Florian Wozniak at Ellerman House, Cape Town

Ellerman House, Cape Town

An Edwardian mansion, once owned by shipping magnates and investors Sir John and Lady Ellerman, Ellerman House is now one of Cape Town’s most iconic hotels.

180 Kloof Road; Tel: 27.2 1430 3200; www.ellerman.co.za; rates from: R7000

Pictured: 'Belina', by David Bromley

Ellerman House, Cape Town

A spa, pool, library, whisky bar and tiered gardens provide guests with ample distraction, but the jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the hotel’s selection of art, which totalled nearly 1000 pieces at last count.

180 Kloof Road; Tel: 27.2 1430 3200; www.ellerman.co.za; rates from: R7000

Pictured: Paintings by Maggie Laubser​

Ellerman House, Cape Town

The latest addition to the property is the Ellerman House Contemporary, a modern art gallery that features a rotating collection of South African art; guests are invited to explore the rest of the hotel’s pieces — which span mid- nineteenth century to present — via a curated house tour, which takes in work by artists such as David Bromley and Maggie Laubser.

180 Kloof Road; Tel: 27.2 1430 3200; www.ellerman.co.za; rates from: R7000

Pictured:  'Black South Easter I, II, III', by John Meyer

The Dolder Grand, Zurich

Located in an art capital, it makes perfect sense that Zurich’s longtime grand dame, The Dolder Grand, would house an art collection worthy of most major galleries.

Kurhausstrasse 65, Tel: 41.44 456 6000; www.thedoldergrand.com; Rates from: 750 CHF

Pictured: Bronze figure by Albert Carrier-Belleuse; and clock by Eugène Farcot, ca. 1870

The Dolder Grand, Zurich

Collaborating with the Gallery Gmurzynska, the 176-room hotel, designed in part by Foster and Partners, is home to more than 100 paintings and sculptures; Keith Haring, Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol are just some of the artists on display here.

Kurhausstrasse 65, Tel: 41.44 456 6000; www.thedoldergrand.com; Rates from: 750 CHF

Pictured: left, 'Tous les dessins' by Miquel Barceló (1985); middle, sculpture by Jean Tinguely-Der Hexerich, (1991); and right, 'Big Retrospective Painting', by Andy Warhol (1979/1980)

The Dolder Grand, Zurich

Henry Moore’s Three-piece reclining figure: Draped resides on the terrace of the hotel’s Garden Restaurant and is beautifully framed by vistas of the city.

Kurhausstrasse 65, Tel: 41.44 456 6000; www.thedoldergrand.com; Rates from: 750 CHF

Picured: Three-piece reclining figure: 'Draped', by Henry Moore

 

The Peninsula, Paris

The revived classical interiors of a Haussmanian building provide the framework for Peninsula Paris, which opened in 2014 after four years’ restoration. Formerly a grand hotel, that dates to 1908, the property has now been meticulously updated and upgraded.

Avenue Kleber; Tel: 33.1 5812 2888; www.paris.peninsula.com; Rates from: €795

Pictured: 'Life Force', by Deçan (2013)

The Peninsula, Paris

The oak panelling, imposing mirrors and high ceilings at the historic Bar Kléber look better than ever, while below ground a 20 metre pool and two jacuzzis have been added to form the modern Peninsula Spa. Yet whether classic or contemporary, art remains the consistent thread that runs through all spaces.

Avenue Kleber; Tel: 33.1 5812 2888; www.paris.peninsula.com; Rates from: €795

Pictured: 'Rouge', by Otto Zitko (2011)

The Peninsula, Paris

Curated by Sabrina Fung of Sabrina Fung Fine Arts Ltd, the Penninsula’s collection spans French artists, like Patricia Erbelding, whose mixed media works can be found in every guestroom, to Ran Hwang, whose sculptural crystal pieces are literal show-stoppers.

Avenue Kleber; Tel: 33.1 5812 2888; www.paris.peninsula.com; Rates from: €795

Pictured: 'Moon River', by Xavier Corbero​

The Ritz Carlton Millenia, Singapore

For most hotels located in Singapore’s Marina Bay, the views of the water are the pièce de résistance. At the Ritz Carlton Millenia however, the views are secondary, thanks to the hotel’s accessible 4,200-piece contemporary art collection that includes works by Frank Stella, Andy Warhol and Dale Chihuly, all ready to explore via a complimentary self-guided iPod tour.

Raffles Avenue; Tel: 65.6 337 8888; www.ritzcarlton.com; Rates from: 390 SGD

The Ritz Carlton Millenia, Singapore

Ninety percent of the works were specially commissioned for the hotel, and once guests have finished perusing pieces like Frank Stella’s scene-stealing sculpture, Cornucopia, in the lobby, the 608 luxe rooms, featuring marble bathrooms, walk-in closets and soothing neutral palettes, offer the ultimate solace.

7 Raffles Avenue; Tel: 65.6 337 8888; www.ritzcarlton.com; Rates from: 390 SGD

Pictured: 'Moby Dick', by Frank Stella

The Ritz Carlton Millenia, Singapore

For a glimpse of nature’s own art, explore the hotel’s seven acres of landscaped gardens and tropical plants: a rare treat in such a busy metropolis.

7 Raffles Avenue; Tel: 65.6 337 8888; www.ritzcarlton.com; Rates from: 390 SGD

Pictured: 'Cornucopia', by Frank Stella

The Surrey, New York

Epitomising all the glamour of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, The Surrey was renowned for playing host to glitterati such as JFK, Bette Davis and Claudette Colbert in its heyday.

20 East 76th Street; Tel: 1.212 288 3700; www.thesurrey.com; Rates from: $495

Pictured: 'Untitled', by Helen Amy Murray

The Surrey, New York

Since then, the 1926 property has undergone an extensive modernisation that now sees it incorporate a Daniel Boulud restaurant, the Cornelia Spa and 189 luxe rooms and salons outfitted in a neutral palette by interior designer Lauren Rottet.

20 East 76th Street; Tel: 1.212 288 3700; www.thesurrey.com; Rates from: $495

Picured: 'Smoke Rings Suite of 4', by Donald Sultan​ (2001)

The Surrey, New York

Capitalising on its location on Museum Mile, the hotel has it’s own art programme led by Art Expert in Residence, Natasha Schlesinger, who can provide curated tours of local museums and galleries.

20 East 76th Street; Tel: 1.212 288 3700; www.thesurrey.com; Rates from: $495

Pictured: wallpaper by De Gournay​

The Surrey, New York

Closer to home, the hotel’s own collection encompasses the work of American greats including Richard Serra, Claus Oldenburg and Chuck Close, whose Kate, a jacquard tapestry of Kate Moss, hangs in the lobby.

20 East 76th Street; Tel: 1.212 288 3700; www.thesurrey.com; Rates from: $495

PIctured: 'Kate', by Chuck Close (2007)

The Thief, Oslo

The Thief boasts the unique distinction of having its very own art curator, Sune Nordgren, who has handpicked pieces from the Oslo hotel’s collection for each room and suite.

Landgangen 1; Tel: 47.2 400 4000; www.thethief.com​

Pictured: 'Draw', by Antony Gormley​

The Thief, Oslo

As such, all 120 accommodations feature contemporary art by an eclectic mix of Norwegian and international artists, including Anthony Gormley, Andy Warhol, Olav Christopher Jenssen, and Niki de Saint Phalle, whose The Horse Thief sits in the hotel’s lobby.

Landgangen 1; Tel: 47.2 400 4000; www.thethief.com​

Pictured: 'The Horse Thief​', by Richard Prince

The Thief, Oslo

Nordgren has taken care to ensure that the art on display goes beyond the obvious: guests can expect video installations by Charlotte Thiis Evensen, while animations by British artist Opie Julian were commissioned to liven that drab staple of all hotels: the lift.

Landgangen 1; Tel: 47.2 400 4000; www.thethief.com​

Pictured: 'Ladies and Gentlemen', by Andy Warhol

The Thief, Oslo

Despite the hotel’s new addition of a spa — featuring as 12m pool and a handful of saunas — Nordgren’s displays remain the main draw.

Landgangen 1; Tel: 47.2 400 4000; www.thethief.com 

Pictured: 'Death Love and Life', by Charlotte Thiis Evensen

Humble House, Taipei

Led by Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore’s trope, ‘Let life be beautiful like summer flowers’, interior designer firm Hirsh Bedner Associates worked in collaboration with hotelier and art consultant Ellie Lai to create a suitable backdrop for Humble House’s 600 works of art.

8, Songgao Road, Xinyi District; Tel: 886.2 6631 8000; www.humblehousehotels.com; Rates from: £126

Pictured: 'Seeing The World In A Flower: Taipei City', by Yang, Yong-Liang​

 

Humble House, Taipei

The 235 subdued rooms and suites, finished with wooden accents and dotted with bespoke furniture, are brightened by English artist Alexander James’ Butterfly series.

8, Songgao Road, Xinyi District; Tel: 886.2 6631 8000; www.humblehousehotels.com; Rates from: £126

Pictured: 'Butterfly', by Alexander James

Humble House, Taipei

Paintings, illustrations and sculptures abound in public spaces, including the hotel’s restaurant, La Farfella, home to Italian artist Paola Pivi’s hanging installation.

8, Songgao Road, Xinyi District; Tel: 886.2 6631 8000; www.humblehousehotels.com; Rates from: £126

Pictured: 'Crazy Ball', by Paola Pivi​

Humble House, Taipei

At 24 stories high, the glass and aluminium structure epitomises the emerging face of Taipei as a modern metropolis, though a spa and sixth floor roof garden both offer peaceful refuge from the city’s din.

8, Songgao Road, Xinyi District; Tel: 886.2 6631 8000; www.humblehousehotels.com; Rates from: £126

Pictured: 'Nature Tower', by Zadok Ben-David

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