For travellers who would rather linger over a Picasso than squeeze through a museum crowd, some hotels offer an unusual alternative: art collections that are part of the stay itself. Across Athens, Bermuda, and the Scottish Highlands, properties are bringing paintings, sculptures, antiques and installations into spaces where guests actually live, dine, and unwind. Here, art is not necessarily confined to a white-walled gallery. It might sit above a fireplace, greet you at reception or appear unexpectedly along a corridor.
The appeal lies partly in the access. At these hotels, guests can take guided tours, explore collections independently or simply encounter significant works as part of their everyday surroundings. The result is a different kind of cultural experience, where a hotel stay can double as an informal art trail. From a Highland inn filled with thousands of artworks to a Bermuda landmark with contemporary works by internationally recognised artists, these three hotels make a compelling case for booking a room with a little more culture built in.
The Fife Arms, Braemar, Scotland
Set in the small Highland village of Braemar, The Fife Arms is less a conventional country hotel and more a fully realised creative project. Once a 19th-century coaching inn, the property was reworked by gallerists Iwan and Manuela Wirth, founders of Hauser & Wirth, with an approach that brings together Scottish history, contemporary art, antiques, and design.
The setting is integral to the experience. Located within the Cairngorms National Park, the hotel draws heavily from its Highland surroundings, with tartan, tweed, and references to Scottish culture woven through its interiors. Yet the property does not feel like a traditional heritage hotel. Its rooms and public spaces are deliberately eclectic, with artworks and objects appearing alongside the hotel's distinctive interiors.
The collection is its biggest draw. More than 14,000 pieces are spread across the property, ranging from major works by internationally known artists to antiques, curiosities and site-specific commissions. Guests might encounter a Pablo Picasso in the Drawing Room, while a wax figure of Queen Victoria sits in the library. The variety is part of the appeal: the collection does not behave like a conventional museum display, where works are separated from everyday life.
Each of the hotel's 46 rooms and suites is individually designed, with themes drawing from Scottish history, nature, poetry and the surrounding landscape. This means the art experience continues beyond the hotel's public areas and into the accommodation itself.
Guests can also join guided art tours, offering a closer look at the collection and the stories behind individual pieces. For travellers interested in both art and the Highlands, the combination makes The Fife Arms an unusual cultural base from which to explore Braemar and the Cairngorms.
The Information
Address: Mar Road, Braemar, Ballater AB35 5YN, United Kingdom
Tariff: INR 82,370 to INR 4,00,305 per night
Contact: reservations@thefifearms.com
Website: https://thefifearms.com/
How to get the best deal on the hotel: Compare rates across your travel dates and check the hotel's official website for packages, seasonal offers and direct-booking inclusions before making a reservation.
Things to do nearby: Explore Braemar and the surrounding Cairngorms National Park, visit Balmoral Castle and experience the area's Highland landscapes and outdoor activities.
Hamilton Princess, Bermuda
Known as the "Pink Palace," Hamilton Princess has been part of Bermuda's hospitality landscape for more than 140 years. Its pink exterior and island setting are instantly recognisable, but inside, the property offers another reason for art-loving travellers to linger.
The hotel houses more than 500 works of contemporary art collected by the Green family, with pieces displayed throughout its public spaces. Rather than being restricted to a dedicated gallery, the collection forms part of the hotel's everyday environment. Guests can encounter works while walking through the lobby, relaxing in common areas or moving between different parts of the property.
The collection includes British and American art, with works associated with artists such as René Magritte, Jasper Johns and Banksy. Sculpture is also an important part of the experience. Julian Opie's minimalist figures feature in the lobby, while Sylvestre Gauvrit's wave-like sculpture stands in the front garden. Another memorable work is Tom Price's carbon bench, which guests can actually sit on.
A particularly striking installation is KAWS' "AT THIS TIME," positioned to greet visitors arriving by boat. The hotel's approach makes art accessible even to travellers who may not have planned a gallery visit. The pieces are encountered naturally rather than as part of a formal museum itinerary.
For those who want more context, art tours are available, offering an opportunity to learn about the collection and the artists represented. The experience also reflects the hotel's wider location: the artworks sit against the backdrop of Bermuda's beaches, turquoise waters and distinctive island architecture.
Beyond its art collection, the hotel offers several dining options, including Crown & Anchor, Intrepid, 16O9 Bar & Restaurant and Duchess Café & Gelateria, as well as a beach club. This makes it possible to build a stay around both the collection and Bermuda's coastal attractions.
The Information
Address: 76 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton HM CX, Bermuda
Tariff: INR 38,870 to INR 1,74,250+ per night
Contact: Check the hotel's official website for current reservations and guest enquiries.
Website: https://www.thehamiltonprincess.com/
How to get the best deal on the hotel: Compare the hotel's direct rates with reputable booking platforms and check for packages that include dining, resort benefits or other stay inclusions. Rates can vary considerably by season.
Things to do nearby: Explore Hamilton, visit Bermuda's beaches, experience the island's historic attractions and spend time at the hotel's beach club.
THE DOLLI At Acropolis, Athens, Greece
In the heart of Athens, THE DOLLI at Acropolis combines a restored historic building with an eclectic collection of modern art and Greek and Egyptian antiquities. Located a short distance from the Acropolis, the 46-key hotel is as much about its interiors as it is about its location.
The building itself dates back more than a century and has been restored as a boutique hôtel-maison. Inside, artworks, and design pieces are integrated into the hotel's rooms and public spaces rather than being treated as a separate attraction. In the lobby, painted vases by Jean Cocteau and Pablo Picasso sit above a marble fireplace, while a Jean Dubuffet work hangs behind the reception area.
Elsewhere, guests can encounter works associated with artists including Amedeo Modigliani and Philippe Hiquily. The collection also includes an unusual detail: a Modigliani drawing bearing the footprints of his cat. Such touches give the collection a more personal quality than a conventional display of famous names.
The hotel's interiors combine contemporary works with Greek and Egyptian antiquities, creating a setting that reflects Athens' long relationship with art and history without turning the property into a museum. Guests can also take part in art and cultural tours, while the hotel organises experiences for visiting art collectors.
The art extends into the hotel's dining and social spaces. Le Salon and Le Bar Secret are designed as art-filled spaces, while THE DOLLI at Acropolis' rooftop restaurant offers views towards the Acropolis. That combination of art, architecture, and location is central to the property's appeal.
With only 46 bedrooms, pieds-à-terre, and private apartments, The Dolli has a more intimate character than a large city hotel. Its location also makes it particularly convenient for travellers who want to combine the collection with Athens' major historic sights, including the Acropolis and the surrounding historic centre.
The Information
Address: Mitropoleos 49, Athina 105 56, Greece
Tariff: INR 1,14,000 to INR 1,30,000 per night
Contact: +30 21 6004 7000
Website: https://www.thedolli.com/
How to get the best deal on the hotel: Check the hotel's official website alongside reputable booking platforms and compare rates for different dates. Direct-booking offers and experience packages may also be worth checking before reserving.
Things to do nearby: Visit the Acropolis and Parthenon, explore Athens' historic centre, wander through the Plaka neighbourhood and explore the city's museums, archaeological sites and galleries.
FAQs
1. Which hotels are featured in this list?
The Fife Arms in Scotland, Hamilton Princess in Bermuda and The Dolli in Athens.
2. Which hotel has the largest art collection?
The Fife Arms has more than 14,000 artworks, antiques and objects across the property.
3. Does Hamilton Princess have guided art tours?
Yes, guests can learn more about the hotel's collection through art tours.
4. Can non-guests visit the art at The Dolli?
The hotel offers art and cultural experiences, although availability and access should be confirmed directly with the property.
5. Which artists are represented at these hotels?
The collections include works associated with artists such as Pablo Picasso, Banksy, René Magritte, Jasper Johns, Amedeo Modigliani and Jean Dubuffet.
