Lexington, KentuckyDowntown Lexington
21c Museum Hotel Lexington
Contemporary art skyscraper
Downtown Lexington Lexington, Kentucky
Opened
2016
Price
$$
Rated for
Design Heritage LocalOutside the door
The house
21c Museum HotelsContemporary art skyscraper
Curated museum galleries share space with daily hotel routines, keeping the art collection free and open to the entire city.
“Guestrooms have been treated as neutral living spaces, with hardwood floors, contemporary furnishings, contemporary art (of course) and are flooded by natural light.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Rotating contemporary art galleries and site-specific installations stay open around the clock.
Notable
Lexington's 1913 Beaux-Arts skyscraper preserves Ionic exterior columns and a steel deposit vault.
Listed
Lockbox sources Bluegrass produce, serving country ham hushpuppies beside local Kentucky bourbon.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler and Wallpaper*.
The guest rooms and suites are functionally the equal of any American luxury hotel, but with far, far more style… stylish all the same.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
West Main Street puts the historic courthouse and Rupp Arena just steps from the lobby.
The rooms
Original contemporary artwork hangs in each room, and tall windows let in plenty of natural daylight.
The gym
Cardiovascular machines, circuit training equipment, and free weights share the third-floor fitness room with a blue penguin sculpture.
Restaurant
Lockbox
Tall arched windows illuminate original marble floors and decorative plasterwork, with chefs cooking behind a brown marble counter.
The 21c Museum Hotel Lexington is the embodiment of the boutique property. There's a million different directions that your eye can wander to, with a plethora of art throughout the hotel.
Restaurant
The Safe
A long wooden table sits inside the bank's original walk-in vault, beside a glowing bar cabinet.
At the table
Floating blue globes illuminate velvet sofas in the lobby lounge, where bartenders mix drinks against a glowing back bar.
How it began
McKim, Mead & White designed the fifteen-story building in 1913 as the Fayette National Bank, Lexington's first skyscraper.
Lexington
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The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.