Chor Bogie Light Well at Hotel des Arts in San Francisco
If you or your friends are into art and want a memorable stay in San Francisco, view the painted rooms, make a reservation and experience luxury as written in the New York Times in 2005.
“The luxury is in having a gallery of underground art at your doorstep, on your door, and, in some rooms, dangling over your head.”
Log Cabin street art installation at Hotel des Arts in San Francisco
Where the building is the art.
A few months ago, someone mentioned that I must see the log cabin that is affixed to the side of a building on Bush Street. It is no longer there. At the time, I couldn’t imagine who would suspend a wooden cabin on a downtown urban building a block from the financial district. I was surprised and delighted to find the cabin on the side of a building occupied by a hotel completely painted by street artists – Hotel des Arts. There was even a flyer about the cabin conveniently placed at the hotel door.
Bedroom at Hotel de Arts in San Francisco, Ca
Hotel des Arts is a narrow five story building on Bush at Grant Avenue; a block commonly known as the French Quarter in San Francisco. When I stepped inside I discovered this is no ordinary boutique hotel. The hotel name is reflective of its’ niche. It is an art hotel where the art just doesn’t hang on the walls. The walls are the art. I was greeted at the reception desk in a bright airy room and introduced to the hotel manager, who enthusiastically informed me about the hotel and showed me several rooms.
Jeremy Fish Bedroom at Hotel de Arts in San Francisco, Ca
Back in 2004 the general manager wanted to create a hotel where the art did not match the decor and blend into the background. He wanted to showcase it and have revolving art shows in the public areas of the hotel. He approached a local art entrepreneur who took the idea one step further and proposed that every room be painted by a different emerging artist. The first artist lined up was local graffiti artist Sandro Tchikovani (MSK) who painted the elevator. His work was an immediate success. From there the project took off with 36 of the rooms being painted by a different artist during the first year. Each artist gave their selected room their own aesthetics, resulting in the guest having a unique experience in each room.
Shepard Fairy bedroom at Hotel de Arts in San Franciso, CA
Now almost every room in the hotel is painted by a different artist. Some rooms are painted by local artists such as APEX, Jeremy Fish, Sam Flores and Jet Martinez while others are painted by Shepard Fairey, Dave Kensly and Sugarlux to name a few. No two rooms are alike in style or in amenities. Standard rooms have a sink in the room and shared bathroom, while other rooms have a full bath. Guest can view photos of each room online and if making a reservation directly with the hotel can request up to 3 choices.
Not only are the rooms a piece of art, but so are the corridors and other common space. The air well is painted by Chor Boogie and can be viewed by all the rooms on several floors with windows overlooking that space. Art lines all the corridors. Some belongs to the hotel’s private collection while other art is curated by the Method Makers. That art is by several local artists in mixed mediums and is rotated every couple of months. The art may be purchased and is open to the general public. Thanks to Hotel Des Arts for providing some of the images for this article.
About Hotel des Arts
Hotel Des Arts is a boutique hotel that has murals painted in every room. It is located in the heart of San Fransisco and is a great alternative for those who are looking for something a bit different.
Location: 447 Bush Street San Francisco, CA 94108
Telephone: (415) 956-3232
Website: http://www.sfhoteldesarts.com/