Sleep With Art: Louisville’s 21c Museum Hotel
If you have a soft spot for life-size red penguins standing guard outside your hotel window, boy do I have the perfect getaway for you. Located in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky’s, historic downtown, 21c Museum Hotel is part boutique hotel, part contemporary art museum, and about as unique as the iconic red penguins that grace their property.
On a recent weekend getaway, I was utterly charmed by this one-of-a-kind property. Founded in 2006 by philanthropists and contemporary art collectors Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson, 21c is a testament to the value add of putting 21st Century art into every day life. The free of charge 9,000-square-foot museum offers rotating exhibits and installations from living artists, making 21c a true cultural mecca to both locals and tourists alike. I love how the art isn’t contained to a singular gallery, rather intertwined within the entire hotel, ensuring you get the full immersion experience.
The rooms are just as impressive as the museum itself. A fluffy feather duvet, work space with tons of sunlight, and plush bathrobes assured a comfortable and functional stay. On the corner of my bathroom tub smiled a little yellow rubber ducky, and placed on my pillow every night was artfully presented artesian chocolates. It’s thoughtful touches like these that make the occasional southern weekend getaway so very necessary. You just don’t get hospitality with a smile like this in NYC.
Another amazing highlight of 21c is their restaurant, Proof on Main. Through partnerships with Brown and Wilson’s farm, Woodland Farm, the menu offers heritage foods straight from farm to table. I started with the Warm Ricotta cheese sauce, combining just the right amounts of oregano, horseradish and truffle oil to make your mouth explode into a whole lotta happy. My main course was the Ricotta Gnocchi (what can I say? I LOVE cheese!), blending candy cane beets, heirloom carrots and wild mushrooms to create the perfect combination of local flavors with just the right amount of foodie flair. My compliments go to Executive Chef Levon Wallace, as I’m already anxiously anticipating my return to cheese-lover’s paradise. Actually, make that cheese, comfort, contemporary art, AND cute penguin lover’s paradise. No wonder they call Louisville “Possibility City”.
Know Before You Go
-The museum is free, and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
-Located in such a central downtown location, most major museums and tourist attractions can be reached on foot. There’s plenty of restaurants and shopping within walking distance as well, so a car is really not necessary.
-Make sure to stop by the ground level men’s bathroom. It gives a whole new meaning to one-way-windows.
-Free wireless internet is available in your room and throughout the property.
For more information on reservations and rates, please visit 21c’s website.
WHERE: 21c Hotel Museum 700 West Main Street Louisville, Kentucky Ph. 502.217.6300
By: Jessica Tiare Bowen
A very special thank you to the wonderful folks at the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau!
Be sure to visit the spa and get a massage while you are there!! A fabulous way to relax!
I will DEFINITELY have to check out the spa next time! I’m sure it’s divine!:-)
Sounds fabulous and dreamy! You have very well managed your hotel, look so pretty all of it. And I like much the room & all facilities are fantastic. Food looks so tasty. Very nice place!
It really was quite dreamy! There was even a room where you could plop down on bean bags and watch an artsy movie of girls dancing…so cool!
What a wonderful and whimsical thing to wake up to! I love the idea of interspersing art within a city. It reminds me of Barcelona where you’d be walking in the plaza and all of a sudden see the most amazing sculpture or artistic, colorful apartment building.
It’s the small touches that mean so much. Any hotel that includes a yellow duck smiling back at me would definitely get a return visit and word of mouth
.
So glad I just finished eating a delicious brunch because I’m game for anything that include ricotta.
Great review!
Linda Esposito recently posted..Are You Addicted to Anxiety?
Thanks Linda! It truly was one of those hotels that makes you NOT want to leave the hotel to go explore the rest of the city…although the rest of Louisville was pretty amazing too, so I’m glad we ventured out some:-)
Sounds like a great place to relax, you have to love a place with hospitality and unique art work
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It definitely was!:-)
I just love Louisvile! Have you ever been to the derby?!?! and have that same picture on the projector screen! I tought I did a post on that trip – but I can’t seem to find it…. Newly following!
here is my derdy post: http://singlelife2marriedwife.com/2011/05/04/kentucky-derby/
I haven’t been, but after visiting Churchill Downs and the Derby Museum it’s definitely on my list of things to do! Heading over to check out your Derby piece now:-)
As a frequent traveller to Louisville, I’m going to check this place out next time I’m there. I enjoy the downtown scene very much. Thanks for sharing, Jessica.
Awesome, I’m certain you’ll love it just as much as I did! Enjoy, and happy travels!
What a fantastic place!! Who knew! Great post!
Thanks Dwight! It truly is such a gem!