From Science to Art: Unique Hotels for Intellectual Travelers
It’s that time of year again—back-to-school season. While I don’t necessarily miss the grind of homework and exams, I occasionally get nostalgic for the excitement of a new class schedule or diving into a fresh subject. As an adult, I’ve found that travel satisfies my academic cravings, but I never really considered that my choice of hotel could play a role. Turns out, it absolutely can. Whether you’re into science, literature, history, or art, these hotels do more than just offer a place to sleep—they stimulate your intellectual senses.
Hotels For Science Geeks
Hotel EMC2, Autograph Collection (4-star) - Chicago, IL ♿
Named after Einstein’s famous equation, Hotel EMC2 blends art and science in a whimsical and immersive way. Step into the lobby and an eclectic mix of bookcases and filing cabinets greets you. As you move through the hotel, you’ll notice rotating digital art installations and custom carpets designed to mimic the appearance of molecules under a microscope. The guest rooms take inspiration from 1920s science laboratories, complete with an open bathroom concept that the hotel refers to as a “wet lab.” (Don’t worry, there are curtains for privacy.) Tech lovers will appreciate the gramophone amplifiers that sync with your mobile devices and the robotic attendants, Cleo and Leo.
Hotels for Lovers of Literature
Photo courtesy of the Library Hotel Collection.
Library Hotel by Library Collection (4-star) - New York, NY ♿
Just a short stroll from the New York Public Library, the Library Hotel is a dream come true for bibliophiles. With a collection of 6,000 books spread throughout its premises, each of the ten guestroom floors is dedicated to a Dewey Decimal category. The 60 rooms are individually decorated with art and books that align with a sub-topic within its floor’s Dewey classification. (For example, the Arts floor has 6 rooms dedicated to fashion design, music, photography, performing arts, paintings, and architecture, respectively.) When you’re ready to unwind, head up to the rooftop Writer’s Den and Poetry Garden, which transforms into the Bookmarks Lounge at night, serving up literature-inspired cocktails.
Hotel Monteleone (4-star) - New Orleans, LA ♿
Step into literary history at Hotel Monteleone, a New Orleans landmark that has been family-owned for five generations. Since 1886, the hotel has hosted literary giants like Truman Capote, William Faulker, Ernest Hemingway, and Eudora Welty. With over 173 stories and novels featuring the hotel as a setting, it’s no surprise that Friends of Libraries U.S.A. designated it a Literary Landmark. If that’s not enough to satisfy your inner bookworm, you can choose to stay in one of the five suites dedicated to these legendary authors. And even if you’re not staying here, the hotel’s Carousel Bar & Lounge, home to New Orleans’ only rotating bar, is a must-visit.
Potential perks for booking with me:
Breakfast for Two Daily
$100 Hotel Credit per Stay
Room Upgrade & Priority Check-In/Check-Out, based on availability
Rotating bar in the Carousel Bar & Lounge. Photo courtesy of Hotel Monteleone.
Hotel Pavillon des Lettres (4-star) - Paris, France ♿
If you’re looking for a literary escape with a Parisian twist, Hotel Pavillon des Lettres is your spot. Each of its 26 rooms is dedicated to a renowned author, one for each letter of the alphabet. Three rooms offer views of the Eiffel Tower.
Potential perks for booking with me:
Complimentary welcome drink per guest, per stay
Complimentary daily breakfast for up to two guests
Upgrade to next room category, subject to availability
Historic Hotels
Exterior of The Hermitage Hotel, photo courtesy of the hotel.
The Hermitage Hotel (5-star) - Nashville, TN ♿
History comes alive at The Hermitage Hotel, a Nashville icon that played a critical role in the fight for women’s suffrage in 1920. Serving as headquarters for both pro- and anti-suffrage groups in the weeks leading up to Tennessee’s pivotal vote on the 19th amendment, the hotel was designated a National Landmark in 2020. (Tennessee ultimately became the 36th and final state to ratify the amendment.) Today, it honors this legacy with suffragette-themed cocktails and by weaving the color yellow throughout the hotel’s decor–a nod to the yellow roses that were a symbol of the suffrage movement.
Potential perks for booking with me:
Breakfast for Two Daily
$100 Hotel Credit per Stay
Room Upgrade & Priority Check-In/Check-Out (Based on availability)
The Drawing Room at Brown's Hotel, photo courtesy of Rocco Forte Hotels.
Brown’s Hotel, A Rocco Forte Hotel (5-star) - London, England ♿
Having never been renamed, rebuilt, or relocated since it opened in 1832, Brown’s claims to be the longest-operating hotel in London. Over the years, it’s played host to the likes of Agatha Christie, Rudyard Kipling, Haile Selassie, and Mark Twain. It was at Brown’s Hotel in 1876 that Alexander Graham Bell made Britain’s first telephone call. Even if you don’t stay the night, consider booking an afternoon tea in The Drawing Room, where Queen Victoria is rumored to have sipped her tea.
Potential perks for booking with me:
Daily Full Breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
$100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit
Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Art-Forward Hotels
The Cafe Boulud Dining Room at Rosewood Baha Mar, Nassau, Bahamas, photo courtesy of Rosewood Hotels.
Rosewood Baha Mar (5-star) - Nassau, Bahamas
Do you think you can’t find a stimulating art experience at a Caribbean resort? Think again. At Rosewood Baha Mar, John Cox, the resort’s Executive Director of Arts & Culture, has curated over 100 pieces of original Bahamian artwork throughout the resort’s public areas. For those looking to dive deeper into the art scene, there are guided tours led by Cox himself and Sip & Paint sessions for guests who want to create their own masterpieces.
Potential perks for booking with me:
Daily American breakfast for two
One Time 125 USD resort credit
Upgrade Upon Arrival, subject to availability
The Merrion (5-star) - Dublin, Ireland
Dating back to 1756, The Merrion Hotel is home to an impressive private collection of 19th and 20th-century art, which guests can explore with an audio guide. Even if you’re not staying here, the onsite Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, which boasts two Michelin stars, and the two-hour “Art Afternoon Tea” make it well worth a visit.
Potential perks for booking with me:
Daily Full breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant
Complimentary lunch or dinner from a set menu served in The Garden Room for up to two guests per bedroom, once during the stay (excluding alcohol, taxes, and gratuities) (minimum 3 courses & value of $100)
Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Hotel Éclat Beijing (5-star) - Beijing, China
Recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as the No. 1 hotel in China in 2023, Hotel Éclat Beijing is a treasure trove for art enthusiasts. With an extensive collection of original sculptures and paintings by numerous Chinese contemporary artists as well as Western artists like Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol, the hotel offers an art concierge service to guide you through its impressive offerings.
Potential perks for booking with me:
Daily Continental Breakfast for Two
$50 USD credit per room
Afternoon tea
Minibar (except Champagne)
Room upgrade subject to availability
Early check-in or late check-out if requested at the time of booking, subject to availability
If any of these stimulating stays have piqued your interest, I can help you secure your spot—and maybe even a few extra perks to make your stay even more memorable. Let’s start planning your next adventure! Drop me a line and let’s get started!
