International hotels with vibrant art scenes, inside and out
Three new hotels open in vibrant international locations, and each features a robust collection of curated art that celebrates the local culture and local artists, in addition to standing in exciting areas, so guests can explore all the art within and beyond the hotel space.
From boutique to lifestyle to luxury, these new and renovated spaces offer an immersive atmosphere, no matter what size meeting you’re holding and what type of hotel experience you seek.
Eye-Catching in Ireland
Dublin welcomes its first luxury lifestyle hotel with the grand opening of The Leinster. Just off Merrion Square, the hotel is in an ideal location for guests to visit art galleries, design studios and museums. The hotel space aims to ignite curiosity and encourage guests to explore their vibrant surroundings.
The Leinster’s design fuses classic architecture with Parisian boutique décor, blending classical and contemporary styles, with bold modern patterns, tactile materials and marble veining. It offers 55 chic guest rooms and suites featuring botanical flourishes, tasseled bedside lamps, copper bathtubs and more stylish elements. The hotel includes over 300 curated pieces of original painted art from more than 80 artists, whose work celebrates Ireland’s growing contemporary art scene.
Diners will be wowed at the rooftop restaurant, Jean-Georges at The Leinster, curated by acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who has restaurants in London, New York, Paris and Kyoto.
At the O’Dwyer event suite, planners will find a versatile space that can host between 10 and 100 people in any kind of gathering, from business meetings to social corporate events. It also includes a dedicated food and drinks menu that includes The Leinster’s signature sips and small plates, as well as wines, champagnes and banquet dinners.
Urban Sanctuary in Nairobi
JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi opens its doors to bring 315 guest rooms and over 18,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, made up of eight spaces, to Kenya’s capital city. The new hotel also features five internationally inspired dining destinations, a luxury Spa by JW, a swimming pool and a fitness center.
The hotel’s interior design builds on the concept of “urban sanctuary” that brings the outdoors in, inspired by the Kenya’s beauty, heritage and great outdoors. Unique artworks—everything from sculptures and handmade ceramics to wall murals and regional textiles—decorate the property. Dining concepts offer a wide array of culinary experiences, from a sports bar and grill setting at Hudson Tavern Bar & Grill to an evening hot spot, with Pan-Asian cuisine and upscale mixology, at Mr. Pang Sky Bar & Lounge.
Meeting and event space is equipped with the latest in technology. The pillarless Grand Ballroom can hold up to 800 guests. The hotel also offers a sustainable meeting program to help planners reduce waste, ensure responsible waste management and maintain energy efficiency in order to create events with a lower carbon footprint.
Read More: Hotel Art: More Than Just a Pretty Picture
Fun and Sunshine in Barbados
From Ocean Hotels Barbados comes brand new boutique hotel, The Rockley. This Barbados south coast hotel emphasizes a hip, local atmosphere to match its surroundings of lively bars, signature restaurants, authentic island experiences and location just across the street from Rockley Beach. The hotel space occupies what was once the South Beach Hotel, bringing in a playful and wonderfully modern new design.
The hotel’s 42 guest rooms feature colorful local touches, such as Bajan sayings on throw pillows. Social spaces build on the island’s culture, such as through the new outdoor covered bar area, which features daily and nightly entertainment in a beach club-like atmosphere, where guests can enjoy snacks and coffee. The reception, pool deck, the fitness room, play space, and guest hospitality suite have also all been updated. Throughout the hotel, guests can enjoy local artwork as well as an “Art for the People” gallery with rotating installations by local artists. The Rockley also introduces a “Dine and Sign” program, through which guests can dine out at partner restaurants and charge the meal to their room.
Multiple meeting and event spaces are available at its sister properties, O2 Beach Club & Spa and Sea Breeze Beach House, and Ocean Hotels Barbados will gladly arrange transportation between the hotel and venues. These spaces offer a versatile range of options from traditional meeting rooms to ample outdoor spaces. The Rockley itself is home to one private meeting room.
Read More: New and Renovated: Innovative Spaces for Small Meetings
