Art isn’t just decoration—it’s the pulse before you even unzip your cutest carry-on. A lobby can hum with life, a hallway can whisper a story, a room can feel made for you. Without it, a hotel is just walls and furniture. With it, everything changes—your senses sharpen, your curiosity kicks in, the place feels alive. I spoke with Judith Tatar, founder of Tatar Art Projects and the go-to hospitality art consultant for properties from Waldorf Astoria to Rosewood, and she told me, “Art isn’t an accessory. It defines how a guest experiences a space. The right piece can energize a lobby, spark curiosity in a hallway, or make a room feel unforgettable.”
Curated by the founder of Tatar Art Projects (TAP), Judith Tatar. At The Conrad DTLA there is a collection of artworks by prominent local artists—such as Mimi Jung, Ben Medansky, and Brian Wills. Additionally, Casper Brindle celebrates the theme of California culture with bright and inviting portal-glyph paintings, and artist Jon Krawczyk brings his reflective sculpture work to life on the property’s event lawn, placing guests into the scene.
Judith Tatar
Art isn’t only about aesthetics—it drives guest satisfaction, strengthens brand identity, and even nudges revenue upward. Hotels that thoughtfully integrate curated art collections often see occupancy above the industry average. Featuring local and immersive art boosts engagement and creates emotional connections that turn a one-time stay into a lasting memory. In 2024, Dr. Maksim Godovykh’s Hospitality Art Experience Model found that visual art in hotels significantly enhances guest emotions, satisfaction, and likelihood to return.
And it isn’t just for luxury hotels. Boutique properties, mid-tier stays, and even smaller urban gems are discovering that a thoughtful art program can elevate a guest’s experience, foster community connections, and boost cultural relevance. From the immersive murals of The Radical in Asheville to the local Southern Oregon artists at the Columbia Hotel, art can transform any space, proving its magic isn’t reserved for million-dollar suites or loyalty points—it’s for anyone with curiosity and eyes to see. (Yes, even you with the mid-week layover.)
“Art isn’t just decoration—it’s strategic. As Judith Tatar explains, ‘When art becomes inseparable from architecture, it doesn’t just elevate a space visually—it activates it, engages visitors, and creates lasting impressions.’ Hotels, like today’s smartest retailers, are learning that thoughtful integration can boost guest engagement, brand perception, and even revenue.”
Tatar Art Projects (TAP) is a global art consulting firm that connects clients to its community through artwork. We curate art programs that amplify diverse voices in visual art and its representatives of the communities they serve. Integral to a successful art program; whether hospitality, corporate or public, is that it enriches the experience for the viewer and maximizes return for our clients’ investment by unlocking the value of storytelling through visual art
Judith Tatar
It doesn’t have to be limited to luxury hotels or curated museum-level collections. Imagine if Airbnbs around the world embraced art—local murals, handcrafted ceramics, photographs, or even a single striking painting. It doesn’t need to be an Elizabeth Payton or a Warhol. Even a modest piece can transform a space, create conversation, and make a stay memorable. Art has that little touch of glory that turns a roof over your head into a place that surprises, delights, and makes you pause to think. And, honestly, if your hotel walls aren’t doing that, what are you even paying for?
Columbia Hotel Ashland Showcases Local Art And Soulful Creativity
I wanted people to come in and see this piece and just be like, “Wow. I like staying in this room partially because there’s this gorgeous being on the wall who’s blissed out,” shares Micah BlackLight.
Micah BlackLight
The Columbia Hotel is Ashland’s historic heartbeat with a rebellious soul. Born in 1910 and boldly reimagined, the hotel is more than a place to sleep—it’s a living love letter to art, music, and mountain-town magic. Owner Jay Bowen told me, “Every room is its own canvas, every night has a soundtrack, and every guest adds to the story. We want visitors to leave inspired, challenged, and charmed.” And trust me—she means it. Art here is unapologetically local. Murals and installations by Micah Blacklight, Rhino, and Alex Brehmer (aka TOOTHCAR) transform hallways, guest rooms, and public spaces into immersive experiences. Blacklight’s multidisciplinary work—spanning visual arts, fashion, and performance—ignites creativity, while Rhino’s pop art-inspired murals draw from graffiti, cartoons, and skate culture. Brehmer’s interactive large-scale sculptures add whimsy and narrative depth, connecting guests to Ashland’s vibrant artistic community. Bowen emphasizes conscious hospitality, supporting local makers and adventurers while integrating art into every corner of the property. Judith Tatar told me, “The way Columbia integrates local artistry with the guest experience is brilliant. This isn’t just decoration—it’s a hotel that lives and breathes art. And it actually makes you feel like you’re part of something.”
Artist & Thinker. Find him at artofmicah.com/hub and on Instagram @micahblacklight
Micah BlackLight
The Radical Asheville Preserves Industrial Roots With Immersive Art
The hotel’s commitment to its local community, which includes promoting displaced artists and integrating the River Arts District (RAD) ethos, further enhances its cool factor…I said it.
The Radical
The Radical occupies a 1923 warehouse on Asheville’s French Broad River, once a cereal factory and even a Cold War-era bomb shelter. Hatteras Sky transformed it into an art-forward hotel, working with Suomi Design Works for architectural and interior vision, while veteran local artist Ian Wilkinson led the curation and creation of a world-class collection. Over 200 original works of art now fill the hotel, from immersive murals in guestrooms to large-scale installations in common areas. Artists involved include Ishmael, Patch Whisky, KOMBS, Brett Bell, Brian O’Rourke, Gillian Maurer, Stacy Kraft, Colton Dion, Dan Reid, Roan Allen, Shannon Owens, Maryanne Pappano, Emery, Joey Hindi, Mason Arana, and Wilkinson himself. Their diverse styles—graffiti, pop, figurative, and sculptural—honor the building’s industrial past while energizing Asheville’s contemporary arts district. Judith Tatar told me, “By engaging local artists to narrate the building’s layered history, hotels ensure every guest’s stay tells a story. You walk in, and it’s not just a room—it’s a conversation, a show, a museum, and sometimes even a little bit of mischief.”
Casa De Las Artes Madrid Brings Spanish Art To Life
These are the incredible works from Dali. But also, don’t miss that above every bed there are illustrations of different scenes from Don Quixote by the French artist Gustave Doré.
Casa de las Artes
At Casa de las Artes, genius comes to life. In 1957, Joseph Foret commissioned Salvador Dalí to create 12 lithographs inspired by Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes, greeting guests immediately in the lobby. Beyond Dalí, contemporary Spanish artists bring the collection alive: Ángela Gavilán, Fabio Hurtado, Mateo Maté, Teresa Moro, Yo