If music be the food of love, how should we think about a music-inspired luxury hotel? Surely, they must be romantic, exciting, even intoxicating. No matter the genre — classical, pop, chamber music, hip-hop, jazz, or rock-and-roll — across the globe there are unique hotels that will bring you closer to the music, fellow-music lovers, and performers. And perhaps even to the very best version of yourself.
We’ve previously written about luxury hotels and resorts inspired by a love of books. We got such an enthusiastic response that we thought we’d explore the world of luxury properties inspired by melody, song and music. Whether through curated playlists, rooms devoted to iconic artists or even the simple act of providing instruments to guests, all around the world, hotels are finding new and interesting ways to incorporate music into their guest experiences.
So if you’re looking for musical inspiration, are a super fan looking to explore your favorite artists (or their former hang outs) or are just looking for a distinctive place to stay, we’ve found 8 luxury hotels that will help you unplug and tune in to the sounds of jazz, hip hop, pop rock and beyond.
1. Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, Texas. It’s only fitting to have a music hotel in the city known as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Located in the historic Travis Heights neighborhood is Hotel Saint Cecilia. Created in honor of the patron saint of music and poetry, the property takes inspiration from the great era of the late ’60’s and early ’70’s, when rock and roll and beat poetry overran the hallowed halls of established conventions. Each room is outfitted with a Rega turntable, a Geneva sound system and a massive lending library of vintage LPs and rock biographies. On request, the hotel’s concierge will arrange guitar loans, and private vintage vinyl LP shopping, at both Gibson Guitars and Austin’s all-vinyl record store Breakaway Records.
Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, Texas
2. Sunset Marquis, Los Angeles, California. Home to one of the best recording studios in the area, NightBird, where Ozzy Osbourne, Aerosmith, Slash and many others spent time recording, is the Sunset Marquis. The hotel has a longstanding relationship with rock and roll, starting during the ’70’s when Neil Diamond performed at its pool to pay his tab. More recently, legends like Elton John and Bruce Springsteen have stopped by for a bite to eat or an overnight stay. Guests don’t even have to walk the few steps to the House of Blues, The Comedy Store, the Viper Room or Whisky a Go-Go to see some of the biggest names in rock and roll. A stroll to the lobby’s Morrison Hotel Gallery provides a view the hotel’s collection of famous images of past and present music icons.
The Sunset Marquis Hotel, Los Angeles
3. Riad Star, Marrakech, Morocco. The home of legendary performer Josephine Baker in the ’40’s, the Riad Star is a luxuriously intimate 13-room hotel in the heart of Marrakech’s walled Old Town. There are seven themed rooms decorated with memorabilia and artifacts from Baker’s time in Morocco, including her purple saxophone and her wardrobe of original costumes. This is no stale shrine to the star, though. Guests are invited to play the saxophone and clarinet displayed in the Jazz Room, and are even encouraged to try on some of her costumes during their stay.
Riad Star, Marrakech. Photo Credit: Alan Keohane
4. Aria Budapest, Budapest, Hungary. The musically-themed Aria is located just steps away from St. Stephen’s Basilica in the historic city center. It’s home to a rare Boganyi piano, the first redesign of the famous instrument in over 100 years. The lobby welcomes guests with a beautifully tiled piano walkway leading to a glass-enclosed Music Garden Courtyard. Upstairs, guest rooms reflect classic, opera, contemporary and jazz – including a full suite dedicated to pianist Franz Liszt. Each room features an ensuite iPad loaded with a massive digital music library curated by the hotel’s full-time musical director. Guests are free to listen at full volume, as all rooms are soundproof.
Aria Hotel, Budapest
5. Metropole Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco. Countless musicians, ranging from Justin Bieber and Rihanna to Robbie Williams and Seal have stayed at the Metropole in Monte Carlo. That’s due in part to the property’s sound designer, Béatrice Ardisson. Ardisson is one of the world’s best known mix composers, and was brought in to enhance the musical ambiance throughout the hotel. At the property’s Michelin-starred Yoshi Japanese restaurant, she created music that feels “airy and zen.” For the outdoor Karl Lagerfeld-designed pool, she opted for a dreamlike atmosphere during the day and a sprightly, festive playlist at night. Every quarter Ardisson creates a new mix for each of the restaurants and lounge areas, developing original soundtracks to fit the mood of each space.
The Hotel Metropole, Monte Carlo Photo Credit: W. Pryce
6. The Mercer Hotel, New York, New York. If you’re a tried and true fan of hip hop, you already know the Mercer: its where Jay-Z and Kanye set up a studio in three completely gutted rooms to record their collaborative album Watch the Throne. You might also recall the lyrics from the song Otis, where Jay-Z gives a shout out to the hotel itself, saying “I’m about to call the paparazzi on myself/uh, live from The Mercer/run up on Yeezy the wrong way I might murk ya.” If that’s not enough to solidify the hotel’s spot in music history, Frank Ocean also set up shop here while he was working on his 2016 album Endless.
7. Aria Hotel Prague. Prague is one of the world’s leading music destinations, with its rich cultural heritage, so it’s only natural to have a hotel inspired by music located there. Each floor of the Aria is dedicated to a different musical genre, from opera and jazz to pop. The rooms are named and decorated after artists including Louis Armstrong, Puccini and Mozart, who was a regular visitor to Prague. Within each room there is music, books, and artwork inspired by each musician or composer. In the entrance hall, there are Italian tiles forming the score of an ancient Gregorian chant. Completing the experience, guests will also find a music library and a winter garden with a grand piano.
The Aria Prague
8. The Carlyle, New York, New York. This iconic hotel’s musical history began when Richard Rodgers became the hotel’s first tenant in 1930. Since then, Café Carlyle has hosted performers from Eartha Kitt to Woody Allen to the legendary Bobby Short. If you prefer performing yourself, 23 of the hotel’s suites feature a Steinway or Baldwin baby grand piano. And for guests who can’t bear to be parted from their newly found baby grand? Each room has a direct line to Sothebys, for discreet bidding on the perfect souvenir of your stay.
The Carlyle Hotel, New York
If music be the food of love, play on. Any one of these lovely properties should ring your chimes.
