The art of hospitality never fails to inspire zealous discussion among hotel junkies like me. Design, decor, and dedications to services excellence attribute to an unparalleledsojourn, yet statement arts in a hotel, from Stark furniture to sculptures signed by Dali equally exhilarate discerning jet setters. Stellar architects conjure luxury imaginarium, and artists immortalize an address, be it the Palazzo Talia reimagined to deliver the timeless aethetics of Luca Guadagnino or the Morpheus crafted by Zaha Hadid.
Andy Warhol, in the Factory studio in New York (1985)
Art hotels go beyond brands and destinations, and always appeal to hospitality enthusiasts, whether they are art aficionados akin to curators or simply laymen who suck luxury.Two distinctively ultra luxury hotels, Le Royal Monceau and the Dolder grand epitomize the art hotel concept.
The Restaurant, the Dolder Grand Hotel,©thedoldergrand
Le Royal Monceau Raffles is a contemporary take on the ultra-luxe Palace-grade hotel, with Philippe Starck-designed décor and fusion food offerings from Nobu Matsuhisa, as well as rotating art exhibits and a stylish 'concept store.
The grand Art Deco awning nods to the history of the property, which opened in the 1930s, but inside the feel is thoroughly contemporary. The lobby houses a rotating roster of art exhibitions and installations.
Jean Cocteau's handwritten notes preserved in the guest room©leroyalmonceau
Nicolas de Gols, the spirited General Manager of Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris, greets me with a knowing smile on how art resonates with a palatial grande dame."Art on the wall? That’s merely a starting point. Our guests deserve interaction—dialogue with the art itself."
Ray Charles Suite, named after the American composer Ray [email protected]
With a loose 'Alice in Wonderland' inspiration, Starck plays with angles– think striped optical-illusion wallpaper in the corridors and a maze-like mirrored spa – without going too strong on the concept. Public spaces on ground level give on to a smart courtyard, where summery tables and chairs are arranged around a porthole looking down into the large turquoise pool. The multi-coloured illuminated bar forms the chic focal point of the restaurant.
©leroyalmonceau
Julie Eugene, a former curator and now the iconic Art Concierge stationed in le Royal Monceau shares her view with such sparkles,” First of all, I remain at the disposal of the guests for any request regarding contemporary art. I propose tailor-made programs and exclusive experiences such as privatisation of a museum, private visit of an art gallery, or discovery of an artist studio. Besides, I am a cultural mediator and I provide art tours of the hotel presenting through the design of Philippe Starck, the private collection of the hotel and the temporary exhibition we are hosting in the Art District gallery.”
Art Museum, Julie Eugene, Art Concierge [email protected]
Evocative turrets emerge from the forest at this award-winning grand dame that dates back to 1899. Don’t mistake established for stuffy, however – a contemporary refurbishment by British architect Norman Foster brings it into the 21st century. Expect Michelin-starred gastronomy and service that goes above and beyond.
©thedoldergrand
©thedoldergrand.com
The Dolder has seen notable guests such as Winston Churchill, Sophia Loren, and now the England women's national football team, who are staying during the 2025 European Women's Championship. Its reputation as one of the finest luxury hotels in Switzerland was secured in 2008 when two new, Norman Foster-designed wings were built in steel and glass to flank the old belle époque building.
A painting by Swedish artist Ferdinand Hodler©thedoldergrand
Inside, it melds the past with the present, combining sweeping staircases and opulent chandeliers with an extraordinary collection of around 100 works by 90 renowned artists, including Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, and Max Ernst. QR codes tell you more about each piece, and during my stay I enjoyed an art tour to rival major galleries.
"Art is in the vein of the grande dame,"says Markus Granelli, the general manager of the Dolder Grand. "It is why we pride ourselves an art hotel— the legacy and the triumph of art de vivire."
Author：Joseph Wan
Photo: Joseph Wan/ instagram@leroyalmonceau、@thedoldergrand/thedoldergrand.com/raffles.com
