Some hotels run real photography exhibitions. Curated, rotating, with monograph-style catalogs and visiting artists.
The hotels
Hotel Costes Paris
Costes is the photography flagship hotel. Rotating exhibitions in the bar and corridors. Strong photographer relationships — Helmut Newton, Mario Testino, Jean-Baptiste Mondino have all exhibited.
EDITION properties (Marriott)
EDITION's design programme includes rotating photography. New York, London, Tokyo, Bali properties.
Soho House properties
Curated photography programme. Members and guests can attend openings.
The William Vale NYC
Brooklyn-based hotel with rotating Brooklyn-photographer programme.
The Beaumont London
Boutique London hotel with photography focus.
Hotel Sanders Copenhagen
Scandinavian photography programme.
NoMad Library NYC
Library setting for photography exhibitions.
W New York Times Square
Rotating contemporary photography.
What makes a hotel photography programme worthwhile
Rotation
The programme rotates — typically every 2-3 months. Otherwise it's permanent collection (still good, but different).
Catalog
A small printed catalog accompanying each exhibition. Free for guests.
Openings
Some hotels host opening events — photographers in conversation, drinks, prints available for purchase.
Print availability
Many hotel exhibitions have prints for sale. €500-€5,000 range typical.
How to plan around exhibitions
Check the hotel's exhibition calendar before booking. The photographer may be exhibiting only during specific weeks.
Hotel website usually lists upcoming exhibitions. Subscribe to the hotel newsletter for openings.
Five rules
- Check the exhibition calendar before booking
- Catalog is free — pick one up
- Openings are worth attending — meet the photographer
- Prints are negotiable — gallery rates with hotel discount
- Tip the gallerist if attending opening
For more, see the hotel art and culture pillar.
