We want some of what Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson had for breakfast back in 2000 when the first 21c Museum Hotel was born in Louisville, Kentucky. Such has been the success of the venture that this Arkansas venue is the third incarnation of a fast-growing chain – there’s already one in Cincinnati and another two slated for Kentucky and North Carolina after this. World domination, or relatively remote North American cities to begin with anyway, seems assured.
Many hotels dabble in art, and some galleries have dabbled in the world of hotels, but the salient selling point of the 21c brand is their genuine fusion of hotel and contemporary art museum, in the case of the Bentonville branch delivered with panache by local architecture company Deborah Berke Partners. Featuring skylights, a central courtyard and more glass than The Crystal Palace, natural light comes flooding into all areas, and cool, minimalist and neutral furniture throughout ensures the two halves of 21c Bentonville – guest rooms and public/museum spaces – make a whole.
If you want more art-museum-hotel action, have a look at the other 21c Museum Hotels via their website.
Photo, GLINTstudios
Courtesy of 21c Museum Hotels
Photo, Rett Peek
Courtesy of 21c Museum Hotels
Photo, Rett Peek
Courtesy of 21c Museum Hotels
Photo, GLINTstudios
Courtesy of 21c Museum Hotels
Photo, GLINTstudios
Courtesy of 21c Museum Hotels
Photo, GLINTstudios
Courtesy of 21c Museum Hotels
Photo, GLINTstudios
Courtesy of 21c Museum Hotels
Photo, Rett Peek
Courtesy of 21c Museum Hotels
Photo, Rett Peek
Courtesy of 21c Museum Hotels
Photo, Rett Peek
Courtesy of 21c Museum Hotels
Photo, GLINTstudios
Courtesy of 21c Museum Hotels
Photo, Rett Peek
Courtesy of 21c Museum Hotels
