21c Museum Hotel Louisville

I was in Louisville for work. In the 2 days/​3 nights I was there, I went to 21c 4 times — 2 for lunch, 1 for dinner, and 1 for drinks. It’s that awesome. The space is fantastic. The people and level of customer service are top notch. The art is awesome. The food is great. And the drinks are excellent. I did not stay at 21c, but I absolutely will if I ever find myself in Louisville again. Actually 21c is so great, I may almost find an excuse to go back with my boyfriend so he can check it out too.

Of all the bars around town I found they had the most dramatic looking mint julep… it was pretty delicious and expensive but the hotel/​museum is worth a visit — even to take in the artwork — they had quite a collection when we were there last year.

21c Hotels charge you an additional $ 100 per night for incidentals when you arrive, separate from your quoted cost. You must also pay extra for parking, since the hotel itself does not offer parking. They tell you to use a nearby parking garage.
In my opinion, the extra $ 100 charge implies that they do not trust their customers to pay for incidentals at the end of the stay. I also feel that having a discounted or validated parking system would make more sense when you are already paying a lot for the hotel room.

This hotel is my absolute favorite! My friend booked a room for my daughter and I for a Mother’s Day surprise. It is definitely fancy and when we first walked in I felt I should have been dressed in my Sunday best. We both thoroughly enjoyed the ambience and our stay. The only thing I would have wished for was a small fridge in the room. We hope to return soon!

What a fancy hotel! Didn’t stay here since we were just looking around Louisville for few hours but the things in their museum were just so unique and amazing. It was great seeing something different. We were there after coming back from Goldsboro for habitat for humanity. Didn’t get to hike but this was a great choice. Thank you!

Great, FREE place to kick it.
Wonderful before or after dinner at Proof which is attached to the hotel lobby/​bar/​museum. Go in and pick out your favorites. We personally loved the current Al farrow exhibit (pic attached).

After many travels around the world, c21 remains one of my most favorite places to visit. Fearless loyalty to frequently controversial modern art is not that rare in a gallery, but a combination with a hotel is quite unique.
The rooms are spacious with a lot of attention to small detail (lots of electrical outlets, soft blue light in the bathroom, comfy robes, Nespresso coffee maker) and lots of playfulness. Red penguins may stalk you in the hallways or right outside of your window. Of course you wanted a rubber ducky in the bathroom. Yes, the elevator contains a modern piece of art as well — don’t miss your floor while you are staring at it. And no, you can not drag your kids away from the waterfall of letters…
Our experience with staff had been fantastic from valley parking to front desk to the restaurant staff — patient with families and passionate about the art.
Oh yes, the art. Beware, for it will get into your head and maybe even nightmares. Many iconic installations, such as the tornado in the main hall, seem to be permanent, other exhibits rotate. Not a single one has left me unmoved. Al Farrow exhibit of houses of worship replicated using guns, bullets and bones is exquisite and definitely thought provoking.
Bottom line, an excellent choice downtown Louisville.

Great massage by Natasha!!! But trying to find the spa/​massage area was a bit of a maze. No signs that indicates where the massage place is. It looked like just a common bathroom walking into it. All in all great massage.

What a random & awesome museum! Love mixing cocktails & art – hence all the photos I take! This museum consists of interesting bullet & gun/​rifle art. It’s in the hotel lobby and on the way to the bar’s entrance (Proof on Main). The men’s bathroom was even incredible – according to my husband (didn’t get a chance to peek!). Thanks for the complimentary experience!

Probably the best holistic hotel experience I’ve had. Every single person on the staff was incredibly friendly. The art is top notch (there was an Al Farrow «Wrath and Reverance» exhibit which was new to me and totally fascinating). The drinks at Proof were delicious. The beds were comfortable and even the interior courtyard view from our room was cool. It’s pricey, but absolutely worth it if you’re in town for a special occasion. Will definitely stay here whenever I can.
One side note: if there is anyway to identify the two gentlemen that were cleaning up puke after the Bruce Springsteen show (2÷21÷2016), I’d love to give them some praise. Some incredibly rude patrons were berating these men about why there was only one elevator operating after a show, WHILE THEY WERE CLEANING UP PUKE IN THE OTHER ELEVATOR. They truly could not wrap their heads around why they had to wait five whole minutes for the elevator to come back down while these men were in the middle of one of the worst cleaning jobs out there. These people don’t deserve to stay in such a wonderful establishment, but unfortunately there’s not a whole lot I can do to prevent them from staying there again. I cannot believe how little perspective some of the entitled, baby boomer snobs have. Bravo to the two men for handling the situation with grace and keeping their cool.

This was my third stay at this 21c and I was a bit disappointed this time around. For dinner, I ordered room service from Proof On Main and I found a dark hair in my pasta dish, which put me off from dinner entirely. Staying on a second floor room facing the front of the hotel meant that I had the pleasure of hearing everyone’s conversation at the hotel’s entrance through the exterior windows. It’s unfortunate that I could also clearly hear regular level conversations in the adjacent room and in the hallways throughout the night. Very disappointing and definitely not worth the $ 500+ I paid for the night. Other than the hair in my dinner and the noise, I will say the staff is very friendly; although, the young lady who checked me out of the hotel did not bother to ask if I enjoyed my stay.

Stayed here on the 31^st with the NYE package and it was absolutely worth it.
Great location, great lobby and galleries, and fantastic room. The staff at the desk were all great!

We got this on Hotwire. One of the best places we’ve stayed. So much fun. Lots of great restaurants close by. Fun touches like the rubber ducky and the Penguins everywhere … Go. You won’t be sorry.

Luxury hipster hotel. I give them credit for fabulously rehabbing an old brick building leaving no detail out. I would love to give five stars for this alone; it’s a really great use for an old industrial building with a great location. However, our room faced an interior courtyard where there was some kind of wedding or party on a Saturday night. The music was so loud our windows shook late into the night. The overnight valet parking is also overpriced at $ 27. Self park and save the cash. I might even go as low as 2 stars but bump them to 3 because they are a small outfit and not a national mega hotel chain. I like to support local business and they clearly put a lot of thought into their concept.

My husband is the best guy in the world, hands down. For my birthday, he splurged on a trip to Millionaires Row at Churchill Downs with an overnight stay here at the 21c. It was quite the experience.
21c is a very small chain of hotels that combine contemporary art and lodging in one. It makes for a very unique, boutique experience. The building itself is a contemporary art museum with changing exhibits. This is also combined with one of the top restaurants in Louisville, Proof on Main, which, I suppose, is art also itself. The museum, as like the hotel, is open 24/​7, so to access the hotel, the elevators are run by keycards to provide for privacy for the hotel guests. The rooms are slightly smaller than other hotel chains, but the hotel has unique quirks that other hotels do not offer. There is also the option to book for «art» rooms, in which the rooms are actually the palette for the artwork and you get to «sleep» in the art. Pretty neat.
The good:
*The service. The front desk is amazing. We had lots of questions, and they answered each one. We also had some problems with the hotel room, but they were all smoothly and quickly solved by the staff. For one, they had to rebook us into a king room, which was easily done. When we also first entered the room, I flipped the light switch down and managed to either blow a fuse or the light bulb (not sure which, but it might have been both because i killed the phone too), but maintenance fixed it for us within 10 minutes. They couldn’t deliver on a fork request though (or they forgot, not sure which).
*Wi-​fi is free. Um, how many boutique hotels do you know that offer free wi-​fi?
*Valet parking is $ 27. However, park in the same garage and walk ½ a block for $ 7 a day. The meters on the street are also free at night and before 7 AM. Where in the world in a metropolitan area can you park in a garage for $ 7/​day?
*24 hour work out room. 24 hour sauna. 24 hour steam room. Would even be better if they provided disposable flip flops or robes. Also, the tvs in the exercise room are behind the machines. Which is extremely weird.
*They provide complimentary water in the rooms.
*Bathroom includes bathrobes.
*Bathroom toiletries are MALIN+GOETZ, and they are nicely sized. The bathroom also comes with a rubber ducky, but no tub… so rubber ducky sat on the sink quite lonely.
*Nepresso machine.
*Comfortable, clean, nice rooms
The interesting:
*The art. I like some contemporary art, and in some cases, it goes over my head. All the exhibits during this visit went over my head. They were a bit freaky, actually: like a chicken juxtaposed over a rabbit. Really not my kind of art. However, they do have a glass waterfall that is also the men’s urinal on the first floor. That is pretty fun. And we had a penguin in our room!
*They have a tricked out red bling-​bling limo that you can rent. It is quite possibly the tackiest and the most astounding thing I have ever seen… at the same time.
The Bad:
*Minifridge was pressure-​sensitized for the wet bar so we didn’t want to use it and accidentally incur charges for it.
*While the bathroom is sleek and modern, the shower glass does not completely keep the water in the shower. I found myself with a soaked bath rug after my shower.
*The business center consists of two Apple computers. Which goes with the art theme, but for someone who does not use a Mac, it was really hard to me to figure out how to get my work done.
*The windows are blinds and then a sheer curtain. Neither kept out the sun very well.
*Room door was extremely hard to open — had to sharply pull down quickly to open the door.
*Since it is in an industrial sort of building with cement walls, noise cushioning is horrible. There wasn’t much street noise, but you could hear bathroom noises from next door. Worse was the woman who decided to go in the hall at 7 AM and proceed to lay it into some employee of hers over the phone. Your sleeping partner may have appreciated it, but we sure didn’t.

ART ART ART. If you are at all interested in contemporary art, definitely check out the 21c Museum. If you aren’t? You should probably still check it out. I mean, it’s free, it’s open 24/​7, and it may make you realize that there is a lot of contemporary art out there that is just, well. .. fun. Out-​of-​towners should visit, and locals should stop by with their out-​of-​towners and show them some of the culture Louisville has to offer.
I have also had the pleasure of staying in the hotel – and not just in any room. No, my boyfriend treated us to a night in Asleep in the Cyclone. As others have mentioned, this is a supremely cool room. Although all of the 21c’s rooms feature art, this room doesn’t feature art, it IS art. It’s an installation piece by Jonah Freeman and Justin Lowe that YOU CAN SLEEP IN. The inspiration is ‘60s utopian communities. It’s weird and fun and fabulous and in no other place would I recommend a hotel room in a basement, but there you have it.
And, as others have mentioned, dudes should be sure to use the first floor bathroom. The ladies’ has art, too, but it’s not nearly as fun.

Only stayed one night on a pass through trip…
Great room and loved the art! The design carried into the room and made for a great experience.
Amenities (toiletries, steam room, bathrobes etc) were well enjoyed. Staff was very friendly and helpful.
We had dinner outside the hotel but after dinner cocktail in the bar… nice selection and priced like most downtown spots.
Wish I had more time to spend there to enjoy the art and all it had to offer.

Wow! Proof. I didn’t eat in the restaurant, but I was hanging out at the bar. It definitely has a Super modern, sleek, big city feel that made me feel just a little bit hipper. I was meeting a couple of crazy chicks there and they were already drunk by the time I got there. They were talking to these square corporate suits who turned out to be totally cool and ended up picking up the expensive bar tab. $ 300 for 6 people for 2 hours. At a swanky place like this you’re paying for the atmosphere and these prices keep out the rif-​raf. The trip to the restroom takes you through the museum which is actually a gallery which is a pretty weak attempt with no real art to speak of. The best art is actually outside in a space between buildings where the artist set up these devices that blow gigantic smoke rings but there is no sign telling you about the piece.

Louisville has so many great places, and 21c Museum Hotel is definitely on that list. I have not stayed at the museum as a guest, but I’ve perused the art galleries on several occasions. The staff is always very friendly, and really encourage you to check out all of the art. It’s a great place for downtown workers to visit on their lunch break, or to even have a walking meeting. The exhibits are changed quite frequently, so there is almost always something new to see. I’d definitely recommend stopping in for a look!

As a local, I have explored more of 21c art’s exhibits rather than the hotel itself. The art is thought provoking and modern. It really pushes the boundaries of art, and the possibilities available. The latest exhibit, hybridity is really interesting. I love a reason to come visit, and 21c always seems to find one for me to visit.

Wow, what an incredible hotel! 21c is a real experience. From check-​in, this boutique art hotel delivers superior customer service. It was a seamless process arriving to our hip and funky room which had lots of space and an absolutely luxurious shower. The two-​floor exhibit in the lobby was super cool with lots of interactive components. It not only inspired an evening of insightful and invigorating conversation, it also had us running around like small children with smiles on our faces. In addition, the hotel’s restaurant and bar were exceptional, arguably the best food we had during our visit, and there was a lot of competition. Whether on business or vacation, I highly recommend this unique hotel; it’s a gem of the city.

Really great hotel to stay at, or a museum to visit. The customer service here is outstanding.
Kyle is the man!
Definitely will come back here next time I’m in KY.
Thanks guys!

Awesome concept.
Came here for nice dinner with my brother and was incredibly surprised and pleased!
Great service– we ordered the cheese platter and a nice Malback and loved the southern spin and were completely stuffed. Afterwords we took our left over wine and walked around the gallery! Great option if you are looking for something different to do!

I love this unique boutique hotel, where every wall is filled with captivating modern art. There are extensive galleries off the lobby and downstairs, and many different media are represented. There is also an excellent restaurant, Proof on Main. Many of the city’s most interesting attractions are within two blocks. This is definitely the place to stay when passing through Louisville.

Museum only review:
Excellent contemporary art museum. I loved the artwork, especially some of the interactive stuff. Great way to spend 30 – 45 minutes in downtown.

A must see. Must go. Must experience.
What an interesting concept. A museum that is a hotel.
And this place doesn’t hold back. They bring the art full blast. Every where you look you will find something interesting and unusual.
They rotate the art work every 6 months and try to keep local artist as their high lights and majority of what they exhibit.
The art work that has displayed during my stay was unique and wonderfully refreshing.
The hotel staff were incredibly nice. And honest. My buddy left a bag that had a couple expensive watches and they called us to let us know it was left behind. Really awesome. That would of ruined our trip for sure.
Proof on main (attached restaurant) is also a great addition. Wonderful food menu and an extensive bourbon and whiskey menu as well. Try at least 2 different flights, when in Rome.
Next time I come here I will have to stay in their suite. Beautiful and unique in its self.
Definitely spend the time and visit this museum and if you get the chance, stay in the hotel. You will be most delighted.
Ps. Penguins rock.

One of my favorite spots in Louisville. I love stopping in here. Free to look around; no charge. They get some really interesting exhibits too.
When you walk in there’s a gift stop to the right and check-​in for hotel to the left. And blue meerkat statues. And red penguins, of course. There are a few big exhibit spaces upstairs and then several more exhibit spaces downstairs. The whole place has lots of interesting kitschy things to look at. Whether it’s a smoke ring maker outside or a screen with letters that fall onto your projected head in the hall, there’s lots to enjoy.
The last exhibit I saw had pieces touching on animal extinction; it hit me so hard I almost cried. I know this place gets some buzz, but not nearly enough in my opinion. You want deep art without steep cost? Look no further.

21c is a go-​to spot for me. I work downtown, and I frequent this place. The museum is wonderful, because it gives you a place to walk around, experience beautiful and interesting art, visit with friends, or just spend your lunch hour. The art exhibits change frequently, so you’ll never get bored. Plus, they have a cute little gift shop in the front, so it’s a nice place to pick up interesting gifts.
I’ve stayed in the hotel once. I live in Louisville, so a couple of friends and I got a room here just for the experience. Our room was nice, but it really wasn’t everything I would have expected for the price we paid for just one night. Of course, you can always expand your budget and get a really cool art installation room. I’m sure those are awesome!
Now, on to the food. There’s a restaurant inside 21c Museum Hotel called Proof on Main. It is amazing. Levon Wallace is the executive chef, and this man is a genius with food. Do yourself a favor and go check out something he’s created. You’ll be happy you did! You don’t have to go to the museum or be a guest of the hotel to dine here, so check it out for dinner if you’re ever in the downtown area. They also have amazing breakfast/​brunch that I highly recommend. Of course, if you are a guest of the hotel you can dine here at almost any hour and you can even order a package that includes fresh cookies and milk to be delivered to your room. Heaven.
I’ll leave you with one last bit of delicious information. During the summer months Proof on Main brings a gelato cart out onto the sidewalk in front of its doors on Main Street every Thursday. It’s called, of course, «Gelato Cart Thursday.» They have the most to die for flavors (Like smoked vanilla and toasted marshmallow, spiced chocolate peanut brittle, and blackberry lime sorbet. Yum!) and you can step right up and enjoy a small sample spoon of each. Once you decide what you’d like you get a hefty scoop for $ 3.00. (But remember, cash only!) They put up information and a menu on their twitter page: @proofgelato. If you’re hankering for some gelato now, or on any day other than a summer Thursday, they also offer it inside the restaurant. Enjoy!

I have never stayed at the hotel, but I have visited the museum many times. And I absolutely adore it!
It is free to walk around and take in all the exhibits. They change their exhibits, I think, about 3 times per year. And there is *always* something interesting to see. The staff has always been friendly and helpful.
If you are looking for something to do as a local, with a visitor, or you’re bored and downtown… stop by! It’s worth the time!

As someone who was born and raised in Louisville, I know it’s easy to forget some of the gems in your own backyard. 21c is one of those gems. I knew it was there, I had wanted to visit, but just hadn’t made it out until recently.
Boy have I been missing out! I’m so glad I was able to make it there recently and see the place — it’s pretty impressive. Rotating art exhibits give visitors a reason to come back and see what may be new. The theme while I was there was Cuba, and the museum featured works by many Cuban artists. The works had a purpose, often juxtaposing something familiar (eg: high-​end name brands) with something less familiar (eg: the high-​end name brand printed on an image from Cuba’s past). One of my favorites from the exhibit, was a candle with a light cord and plug attached, but exhibited far away from an outlet. This was intentional, as the artist married past and future technology with no way to use either of them (no match, no outlet — the light can’t work).
The hotel is connected to Proof on Main, so if you get an appetite while you’re there, you can pop next door for a little something to munch on. I had a slider and some fries, both of which hit the spot for a traditional burger and fries. Still, the garlic/​parsley flavor and perfect texture on the fries, along with the seasoning on the slider patty (oh, plus the bacon!) made it something special instead of just a «meh» meal.
I’ll keep my eye out for the next exhibit at 21c and you can be sure I’ll head down there to check it out!

What a great place to stay. Three nights of bliss in a comfy, contemporary room with a posh atmosphere and luscious bed.
My bathroom came with plenty of space, a tall drinking, robe and was perfectly accented with a rubber ducky!
The staff always smiled and acknowledged while offering assistance. Not once did I find anything out of place. They really hold to high standards here.
Around the property are red plastic molded penguins that are pieces of art themselves. They are the real residents on site, and add to the unique character of the property. You’ll find them in pairs, or solo, looking out windows, waiting outside your door, or riding up and down the elevator.
Proof, the in house restaurant, served a yummy spread for our crew while we stayed. (Breakfast only)
The oddest thing? Pigeons.
Yes. Pigeons.
They’re inside. They’re party of an art display. The irony of pigeons inside this hotel really comes to light after the first night. Stunning rooms, impeccable décor and tidiness– never could you convince me without my seeing them, that pigeons would be anywhere near this hotel!
The doorman in the morning was so nice, and personable. There’s always one person that goes above and beyond, he’s the guy. Very outgoing and friendly, always smiling and prompting good conversation.
While I’m not sure how often I’ll find myself in Louisville, if I come back, I won’t stay anywhere else!