Yes, art is everywhere, but there are places where it flourishes and enriches travel and stays in Latin America, with stories, legacies, and initiatives that keep creativity alive. We’ve selected five art-filled hotels in Latin America where, in addition to a luxury room, a view of the ocean or the cityscape, and an evocative travel experience, you might come across an art installation, a contemporary artwork, or an artist leaving their mark.
Atix: Gastón Ugalde’s Universe in La Paz
This hotel is located in the modern and welcoming residential neighborhood of Calacoto—which means “pile of stones.” The neighborhood is part of the Southern Macrodistrict of La Paz, Bolivia. Atix incorporates Bolivian art into its hospitality offerings. The works of Gastón Ugalde—the “Andean Warhol” or the enfant terrible of the art world—take center stage in the hotel’s interiors. They offer guests a glimpse into the artist’s visual universe during their stay.
Here, exploring the spaces invites visitors to pause and reflect on the artworks and discover how they interact with the surroundings. For those looking to stay in a place where art is part of the experience, Atix offers a glimpse into Bolivian art.
The journey continues at Ona Restaurant, whose menu celebrates the country’s biodiversity and culinary traditions. On the top floor, the bar features a pool and a hot tub, offering a place to enjoy a cocktail with panoramic views of La Paz.
The Art Hotel Medellín: Art Within Brick Walls
Located in El Poblado, The Art Hotel Medellín incorporates original artworks into spaces defined by brick, solid wood, and natural light. The building’s industrial and contemporary design completes the ensemble. The artworks coexist with the guest areas and contribute to the arty character that the hotel’s name embodies. The hotel supports the talent of young people from local communities and local artists: its hallways and rooms feature murals, graffiti, and original pieces that are even available for purchase.
The tour can begin inside the hotel and continue through one of Medellín’s most exclusive neighborhoods. The interplay between the artworks, the architecture, and the furnishings creates an experience that invites you to linger over the details as you journey through Colombia.
Located on the top floor, The Up Garden Rooftop offers views of the Antioquia mountains and the El Poblado cityscape. Its terrace is the perfect spot to enjoy breakfast, cocktails, and evening brunch, accompanied by live DJ music.
Club Hotel Casapueblo: The World of Páez Vilaró
Casapueblo is directly linked to the life and work of Carlos Páez Vilaró. The Uruguayan artist designed this oceanfront structure, which combines the concepts of a hotel and a museum. The Museo Taller preserves and exhibits paintings, ceramics, and sculptures from different stages of the artist’s career, ranging from figurative to abstract works.
Arriving at the Club Hotel Casapueblo allows you to experience a complex where architecture is an integral part of the visit. Its terraces, passageways, and irregular shapes invite you to view the building as a creation that blends with the landscape of the Punta Ballena area. A visit to the museum complements the stay by offering insight into the architect’s work.
The resort also offers rooms, suites, and apartments with ocean views. It features three swimming pools—one of which is heated and equipped with hydrojet jets—a gym, a sauna, a spa, and a solarium. The Terrazas bar and restaurant round out the experience. Every afternoon, the traditional Ceremony to the Sun invites guests to watch the sunset from the museum, in this world created by Páez Vilaró.
Hotel B: A Collection to Explore in Barranco
Hotel B sees art as a visible part of its identity as a Lima institution. In this Belle Époque-style mansion, built in 1914 in Barranco, works by Latin American artists line the corridors, the library, the courtyard, and the reception rooms. The private collection features more than 300 original works. It also includes handicrafts and objects that give guests a sense of the artists’ spirit.
Originally designed by French architect Claude Sahut and restored under the direction of David Mutal, the building retains classic elements such as Italian marble, high ceilings, and balconies, which blend seamlessly with a contemporary design. The location enhances the experience: the area offers galleries, historic buildings, and cultural spaces that allow visitors to continue exploring beyond the premises. Thus, a visit here can serve as an introduction to Lima’s art scene, with the collection as a starting point.
The experience is consistently top-notch at the restaurant—which features a Peruvian-Mediterranean fusion —and at the bar, which offers a selection of signature cocktails. The library and rooftop round out the spaces at this boutique hotel, a member of Relais & Châteaux, where art enhances every moment of your stay.
Hotel El Ganzo: A Place Where Art Continues to Unfold
At El Ganzo, art is part of a program that includes residencies and artistic collaborations. Artists transform rooms and other spaces through murals and projects that alter the guest experience. Artistic creation has been integrated into the lodging experience as an ongoing initiative since the property opened in 2013. Among the artists who have participated are José Dávila, Pedro Reyes, Marco Rountree, Mauricio Limón, and Aldo Chaparro.
Music also has its own space in its underground studio, Underground Studio, where musicians create and record sessions, while initiatives like Ganzo Radar provide a platform for independent musicians. For those seeking an experience centered on creative processes, El Ganzo offers a convergence of visual arts, music, and community.
The stay is complemented by a rooftop pool and a spa. A short boat ride takes you to the hotel’s beach club, which offers exquisite cuisine and cocktails. The hotel is exclusively for guests 18 and older. It allows you to alternate between creative pursuits and moments of relaxation overlooking the waves of the Pacific Ocean.
Homes That Could Be Works of Art
These destinations are just a flight away—or, if you’re already in one of these countries, a road trip—to get in tune with the landscape. From Gastón Ugalde’s works in La Paz to the murals in Medellín, Páez Vilaró’s world in Punta Ballena, the collection at Hotel B in Lima, and the creative residencies at El Ganzo in Los Cabos, there are many ways to make art a part of your stay.
Discover more destinations in AW Magazine and find new reasons to travel: a work of art that intrigues you, a story you want to learn about, or a place where creativity continues to flourish.
