Many people don’t consider whether an accommodation has mesmerising paintings and sculptures on its walls when booking a stay. However, it would be remiss of us to miss out on this aspect of a room or hotel, especially if we happen to stay for more than a night. After all, experiencing beauty in all its manifest forms not only brings us joy but also taps into our curiosity and playfulness. Thankfully, India is home to a growing number of hotel chains and lodges that take art seriously.
From dedicated art galleries within the property to craftsmanship that is embedded into each and every corner of the architecture, here’s a list of the top art hotels in India that will make your stay one to remember.
All of The Leela’s properties across India feature larger-than-life paintings and striking sculptures, making the company one of the top holders of the finest and fastest-growing collections of contemporary art and revived artisan craft that chronicles ancient and modern Indian narratives.
For instance, The Leela Palace Udaipur brings to life the ancient art and craftsmanship of Mewar. Dedicated craftspeople worked to give the hotel's interiors an ancient regal look, which is adorned with forgotten Indian crafts like Tarkashi, Tekhri, and Bidri.
At The Leela Palace New Delhi, artist Satish Gupta has created two murals of the lotus flower using three metals—copper, pewter, and gold. The theme is part of the lobby design where lotus-shaped bridges arch artistically over water ponds. Other noteworthy art includes a 16-ft Goddess Devi statue fashioned from bronze.
A stay at The Taj, part of the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), not only offers unmatchable hospitality but also a commitment to the preservation of heritage. Their assortment of art echoes India’s history and showcases burgeoning new artists. Beyond aesthetics, the Taj’s art portfolio boasts an enormous collection of over 4,000 artworks with over 100 museum-quality masterworks.
At the Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai, a bespoke art gallery hosts an ever-evolving roster of solo and grand group exhibitions put on by individual creators like Jehangir Sabavala and Laxman Shreshtha, as well as commercial gallerists. Guests will also be awed by M F Husain’s “Three Musical Stanzas of the Millennium” that is displayed in the lobby.
The Rambagh Palace in Jaipur hosts heritage walks inside the hotel where visitors can witness the region’s valorous history come to life. Spanning over two and a half centuries of royal Rajput traditions and heritage, the artwork here is etched into every brick and pillar of the complex.
Le Sutra Hotel promises more than just luxury; it offers a vivid immersion into India’s rich cultural legacy. The property is the collective dream of a league of artists, designers, curators, and philosophers with a shared passion for art and tradition. Employing the Indian concept of trigunas ("three qualities of nature") as its muse, each room in the hotel is uniquely themed around Indian art, philosophy, and mythology, creating an immersive experience with carefully curated décor and artwork.
One of their offshoots in Visakhapatnam, the Andhra Art and Craft Hotel, was globally recognised as the first-ever handicrafts hotel. It seamlessly integrates elements from four time-honoured crafts native to Andhra Pradesh—Etikoppaka, Bommalata, Kalamkari, and Budithi—into its 24 uniquely designed rooms. Every piece of art and décor was made by local artisans, revealing the nuanced evolution of the region’s artistic legacy.
This eco-beach resort and wellness retreat located in Puducherry sprawls across 35 acres of lush gardens and untouched nature. It is composed of 62 uniquely designed bungalows, rooms, and suites where traditional and modern architecture blend together. In a bid to promote art, culture, and education, the property has an artist-in-residence program that provides working spaces, studios, and material for an international selection of multi-disciplinary artists, including painters, photographers, film-makers, sculptors, designers, authors, and more. The use of local resources and opportunities to work with local craftspeople is encouraged. Residences are available for a month from December to March every year.
Located in the city of Kochi, The Malabar House effortlessly combines old and new tradition and contemporary design in its 17 rooms and suites. The result is a cosy and personal haven amid the vibrant chaos of this harbour city. The accommodation's history dates back to 1755, when Dutch national Jan Herman Clausing bought the property. It was subsequently owned by spice traders, tea traders, and bankers, and in 1997 became Fort Kochi’s first boutique heritage hotel. Billing itself as “an art hotel,” the property houses a fine collection of artwork that highlights Kerala’s culture as a passage between East and West.
