A comfortable bed and well-appointed bathroom usually top the list for a high-end hotel stay. But a growing number of lodging options in Missouri offer far more than luxurious sheets and spa-inspired amenities. Boutique hotels featuring museum-quality artwork, cutting-edge design and other art-inspired touches – plus one-of-a-kind restaurants and lounges – make for an unforgettable stay in the Show-Me State.
Angad Arts Hotel
immerses guests in a creative environment that embraces the visual arts, fashion and fine dining. It’s the first hotel in the world where you can reserve luxury accommodations based on the colors of the rainbow. Located in the heart of St. Louis’ Grand Center Arts District, the hotel offers rooms bathed in color to reflect a specific emotion. Choose from Passionate Red, Tranquility Blue, Happy Yellow or Green Rejuvenation.
The 146-room hotel is home to several dining options including its signature restaurant, the Grand Tavern, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as small plates and classic drinks in the lounge. The Angad Rainbow Terrace, an indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge, offers handcrafted cocktails and small plates with a skyline view that includes the iconic Gateway Arch. The Chameleon Lounge, located in the 12th-floor sky lobby, features a giant Chameleon Lamp that provides a 360-degree video art experience. And in the Playroom, you can play your favorite board game or your favorite musical instrument while enjoying a cocktail.
Hotel Vandivort
describes its public spaces as downtown Springfield’s living room – a place where you can unplug and socialize or plug-in and get some work done. Featuring cast-iron pillars, hand-crafted light fixtures and multiple fireplaces, the open floor plan is furnished with communal tables crafted from 100-year-old wood reclaimed from the historic building that houses the hotel. Lounge areas with secluded seating were designed to meet a multitude of needs and nurture a creative culture and vibrant social space.
The hotel is located in a 1906 building that was once home to Springfield’s Masonic Temple. After serving as office space, a theater and various other purposes, the building now offers 50 guest rooms featuring contemporary design. The hotel restaurant, The Order, serves locally inspired cuisine, including craft cocktails and gourmet brunch, seven days a week. Be sure to take a selfie in the restroom where the lighting casts a complementary glow. (Google it – it’s a thing!)
21c Museum Hotel, located in the historic Savoy Hotel and Grill building between Kansas City’s Power & Light District and the River Market, fits well with the area’s vibrant art scene. The hotel is part of North America’s only multi-venue museum dedicated to collecting and exhibiting 21st
century art. From rotating, curated exhibits to site-specific displays and cultural programming, 21c showcases the work of today’s emerging artists.
The hotel museum is free and open to the public year-round. Guided tours are offered at 5 p.m. every Wednesday and Friday. The hotel itself has 120 rooms with contemporary furnishings and original artwork. Fine dining is offered at The Savoy at 21c. The oldest restaurant in Kansas City, the Savoy has hosted many notable guests, including President Harry Truman whose favorite booth is preserved in the historic lounge.
Hotel Ignacio features rooms that highlight the surrounding St. Louis arts district. Performing arts, fine arts, architecture and music themes can be found throughout the 49-room hotel, located close to many of the city’s most popular attractions. St. Louis University is located nearby, making it convenient for guests to tour the historical campus.
The hotel’s Baiku Sushi Lounge provides upscale dining, serving Japanese items with a St. Louis twist. The Triumph Grill is a motorcycle-themed restaurant offering American-style dining with an international flair.
The Fontaine, named for Kansas City’s many beautiful fountains, is located in the heart of the city’s famed upscale shopping district, the Country Club Plaza. The 132-room hotel boasts custom tile mosaics inset into its marble floors, intricately carved wood paneling, original artwork and hand-blown Venetian glass chandeliers.
Guests can enjoy dramatic, panoramic views of the west Plaza area and rooftop pool at Parker, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant. Offering progressive American cuisine, the restaurant features a new take on classic comfort food, gourmet breakfast and handcrafted cocktails.
You can find more information about boutique hotels and other lodging options in the Show-Me State at VisitMo.com.
Written by Liz Coleman