While we regularly publish articles that are meant to update our readers that are most fascinated with art at Museums, Galleries, Exhibitions & various types of independent manifestations of art, we have rarely covered topics around commercial establishments positioning themselves as artistic or of a particular artistic theme.
This is probably because due to the fact that people would like to associate art with purity, once it is mixed with commercial interests, the exclusivity of the art is often considered to be eroded and is largely influenced by business decisions.
However, that does not mean that we dismiss the several hundreds of hospitality and commercial businesses that are working their best in order to appeal to a very niche set of audience, often times keeping commercial interests in the back-seat in order to maintain their exclusivity.
In this article, we will cover a couple of the most artistic hotels, restaurants & cafes; what makes them so unique and what can any hotelier or owner of a small establishment do in order to appeal to a niche-artistic audience.
1. The Fife Arms Scotland
Scotland is known for the vast mountainous terrains and a mesmerizing landscape covered with greenery and gushing waterbodies all across. Scotland is also close to, if not the actual birthplace of traditional
Victorian designs that has been carried down since the 15th century.
Originally, the hotel was a hunting lodge which was consequently taken over by art afficionados that had a penchant for fine-art & antiques. One would not be surprised to find works of Piccasso & Gerhard Richter in addition to the several activities that the lodge itself provide. The furniture and décor has been steadily transforming to include a modern & much more sustainable aura while retaining the rustic appeal that has gained it so much popularity
2. La Colombe DOR In SAINT-PAUL-DE-VANCE, France
This list would be incomplete without featuring at least one work from France. The small boutique hotel that now spans 25 Rooms originally began as a restaurant & a café. Eventually, after the resounding success of the 3 rooms that were put up for guests, it became widely known as a boutique hotel that was refreshingly cosy, pleasant & an absolute treat during the spring, especially from the flower filled terrace.
The hotel boasts a rustic-chic theme and for a commercial set-up that boasts
Picasso &
Matisse, is is surprisingly unpretentious.
3. Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa In Uttarakhand
While this may stand out as an unusual entry to the list due to the fact of a lack of strong heritage and also due to the absolute absence of expensive & original artwork, Taj Rishikesh deserves a spot on this list simply because of the originality of the culture or the mixtures of cultures that the hotel has managed to retain.
The place furniture does not come from art galleries of world-renowned painters but only the most skilled craftsmen from the most premium
furniture suppliers in the country are chosen for setting up the furniture at the hotel.
The architecture of the hotel is absolutely striking in the backdrop of lush-green abodes of Uttarakhands landscape. The road adjacent to the hotel features Hindu pilgrims, back-pack seekers & beatles fans that seek relentless adventures in the holy land.
4. Bibo Restaurant, Hong-Kong
Bibo restaurant is a contemporary-art themed restaurant and arguably one of the most popular artistic restaurants in the world. A luxury-restaurants with a street-art theme may seem paradoxical, but Bibo restaurant manages to pull this off perfectly.
Top contemporary street artists from Damien Hirst to Bansky are said to have been involved in the design & set-up stages of this restaurant.
5. Vandal, New York
The first American establishment to feature on our list, Vandal is located on Bowery Street, in the innards of New York and is a melange of cultures that celebrates great food, urban architecture, the underworld graffiti movement and above all,
gothic art.
While Gothic art might be a turn-off for most, Vandal in New York manages to pull this off without being too brash. The restaurant includes a luxury restaurant, a bar, a private seating area & believe it or not a garden dining area.
It also features contemporary gothic art collections for interested visitors.
We hope this list was an interesting read and we hope that you liked our top picks. Please let us know in case you would add onto this!