21c Museum Hotel Louisville

"Why book? This boutique hotel is the flagship of the 21c Museum Hotels—a brand of hotels that double as museums. The hotel is a gathering place to enjoy local and rotating contemporary art exhibitions while sipping on bourbon from Kentucky's finest distilleries. It’s like stepping into an artistic playground with pieces on every corner of the atrium. Set the scene Opened in 2006, 21c Louisville’s 91-room boutique hotel is nestled in downtown Louisville on historic West Main Street, along Museum Row. Walking into the hotel, you’re immediately greeted by eccentric art pieces, from sculptures to paintings and photographs, as well as the hotel’s staple mascot, the four-foot red penguin sculpted from recycled plastic. Colleagues, groups of friends, and wedding parties gather at the bar, restaurant, or main museum space downstairs. Guests and non-guests alike can wander through the museum while sipping on drinks from the bar. The museum is open 24/7, so there is plenty of opportunity to spend the day and night marveling at 21st-century contemporary art. The backstory Founded by contemporary art collectors and preservationists Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson, the hotel was born as part of a revitalization of the area, as well as to foster a deeper appreciation of contemporary art. They refurbished a tobacco and bourbon warehouse built in the 1800s, keeping original elements of the building like exposed wood beams and vintage ductwork. 21c Museum Hotels is North America’s largest multi-venue museum dedicated solely to collecting and exhibiting the art of the 21st century and has more than 78,500 square feet of exhibition space. The art is open to the public daily, free of charge. The rooms The 580-square-foot Atrium Suite has high ceilings and plenty of space. After walking down a short hallway, the room opens up into a dining room, bedroom, and living room area. Feeling like a residential home, the room features original historic features such as exposed-brick walls. Equipped with two TVs, a king-size bed, and original artwork lining the walls, the best part of the room is the bathroom’s double vanity sinks, a combination bathtub-shower, and second walk-in shower with LED lights. Aluminum water bottles are provided in the room and can be refilled with filtered water on each floor. Entry room rates start at $189 per night. Food and drink Restaurant Proof on Main highlights the bounty of the Ohio River Valley with a bar that features more than 180 Kentucky Bourbons—roughly 89 of them hand-picked from private select barrels. The restaurant and bar have different designs depending on where you are seated; the bold, colorful artwork represents the LGBT community, Louisville in the early 1900s, and pre-colonialism. Savor the fried frondosa mushrooms mixed with goat cheese and garlic gastrique, a dish that pairs nicely with Written in the Sand, a cocktail made with rye, rum, amaro, pineapple, passionfruit, green tea, cinnamon, and milk. While the white-tablecloth restaurant gives off a fine-dining vibe, it is truly a come-as-you-are space. If you’re looking for an evening activity, the hotel hosts Nightcap at the Museum every evening at 8:00; the complimentary tasting allows you to toast to Kentucky’s bourbon culture. If you’re looking to sit at the bar, it does get quite crowded in the evening. Grab your sample of Angel’s Envy Bourbon and walk around the museum exhibition. Wander around the gallery, meet new people, or take the drink back to your room. The neighborhood/area You have all of downtown Louisville at your fingertips. Walk around the corner and you’ll find Blackbeard Coffee serving gluten-free pastries, seasonal drinks, and a delicious chai latte. You’re steps from the Muhammad Ali Center, Kentucky Science Center, Waterfront Park, and KMAC Contemporary Art Museum. Head down Main Street and you’ll come across Whiskey Row for those in need of a drink. The hotel sits on a quiet corner, so your beauty sleep will not be interrupted. The service Very casual. Going up to the front desk is like talking with a friend. The front desk was responsive and always quick to answer calls. Many staff members come in their own style and there are seats at the front desk so that you can sit down and chat with them instead of having to stand. The desk has maps and information about Louisville and 24-hour valet service. Accessibility 21c Louisville has elevators that provide access to every floor in the building. The museum is flat, and has plenty of space to maneuver a wheelchair. Anything left to mention? With a beautiful view overlooking the Ohio River, the 21c Apartment Suite can be used to host parties and events. Don’t miss out on the museum shop where you can take home your own red penguin souvenir, along with bourbon and other local goodies. The walls of the hotel rooms are quite thin, so be prepared with earplugs. The property is pet-friendly." - Kayla Brock

"Book a room at 21c Louisville for an artsy stay in the center of the action." - Travel + Leisure Editors

"Bed down at museum hotel 21c or the Grady Hotel, a swanky new boutique hotel in an 1883 building whose former tenants included the original designer for Kentucky Derby hats." - Travel + Leisure Editors

"The 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville was created from five 19th-century warehouse buildings used for bourbon and tobacco storage. It now functions as a contemporary art museum and a trendy boutique hotel with 91 custom-designed rooms and an acclaimed restaurant, Proof on Main." - Sarah Buder