21C Museum Hotel: Luxurious Art Gallery Hotel In Cincinnati, Ohio

Spacious, well-appointed guest rooms

Guest comfort is obviously a top consideration at 21C Museum Hotel in Cincinnati. The rooms are spacious, the beds are luxurious, and a plush robe is waiting to increase your level of royal treatment. An alarm clock with a docking station, Nespresso Coffee Machine, free wi-fi, a well-stocked minibar and a modern flatscreen TV heighten the guest experience. In keeping with the purpose of the hotel as an art gallery, individual rooms display stunning works, too.

Bathrooms with quirky tiles

Plush towels and toiletries by Malin + Goetz await in the bathroom, where hot water is plentiful in the shower and quirky tiles can be found along the walls. The tiles were commissioned by the Rookwood Pottery Company, based in Cincinnati. How fun it is to find a nose, an ear, a mouth, or a woman’s breast as you look around the room.

Location near Cincinnati's cultural center

Cincinnati’s Contemporary Art Center is a few steps down the sidewalk from 21C Museum Hotel, and the Aronoff Center for the Arts is directly across the street. The address on Walnut Street positions the hotel perfectly for art lovers to continue their enjoyment after attending a performance or an exhibit.

A museum open 24 hours a day

The exhibition spaces inside 21C Museum Hotel are open to the public 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and this offering is completely free. In fact, all 21C hotels have similar exhibit areas, and most of the buildings have historic significance and have been renovated and repurposed. Because art is such a high priority, guests are likely to find paintings, sculptures, photographs and other media not only on the walls but in the floor, the stairwells and elevators. A stay at 21C provides rest for your physical body and a feast for your senses.

All of the art is from the 21st century, which explains the name for these boutique hotels.

Visionary, passionate founders

Steve Wilson and his wife Laura Lee Brown opened the first 21C Museum Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky in 2006. Both are natives of Kentucky. In addition to collecting and promoting contemporary art, they also share a passion for horses, farming and philanthropic contributions. Wilson even extends his love of art to the clothing and accessories he wears.

There was such a tremendously positive response in Louisville, that they decided to expand the concept to other cities. Nine are now scattered across the United States with two more in development. In mid-2018, 85% of the ownership for the hotels was acquired by Accor Hotels for their MGallery Collection. Wilson and Brown still maintain 15% and will continue to provide creative guidance as Accor expands the brand.

Fun, colorful mascots

Guests to 21C Museum Hotel in Cincinnati will immediately notice yellow penguins scattered in likely and unlikely places. The adoption of penguins as 21C’s mascot began in Louisville with an exhibit of Cracking Art’s red penguins. The public was drawn to them immediately and soon made them into social media superstars. As each hotel was opened, a new color of penguins was included. Now, depending on which 21C you visit, you’ll find blue, green, red, fuschia, purple, teal, sky blue and yellow penguins.

Sophisticated restaurant

Metropole, the upscale restaurant near the lobby, derives its name from the 100-year-old hotel that formerly occupied the 21C building. Former executive sous chef, David Kelsey, was recently promoted to Executive Chef of Metropole and brings a passion for putting a contemporary twist on New American cuisine. The restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or dessert, and it offers a full range of craft beers and cocktails, wines and Kentucky bourbons.

Gift shop with more than the usual products

As you might expect, the gift shop at 21C stocks more than the expected items of toiletries, snacks and t-shirts. Here you can also find unique art items for sale as well. This is just another example of the hotel being a completely immersive art experience.

For art lovers and beyond

Cincinnati is a bustling, revitalized city with much to offer visitors beyond art. Many locals and guests to the city are also passionate about the professional sports teams, such as the Cincinnati Reds who play at the Great American Ball Park and the Cincinnati Bengals with Paul Brown Stadium as their home base.

Cincinnati is also known for several culinary specialties: Graeter’s Ice Cream, goetta (a meat and grain combination often served instead of traditional sausage), and a unique style of cinnamon-laced chili piled on spaghetti and smothered with cheese and onions.