There’s no shortage of art hotels choc-a-bloc full of priceless art and antiques, but the Museum Hotel in Wellington, NZ goes the extra mile to satisfy even the most nitpicky art critic. 

Museum Hotel & Te Papa, Wellington, NZ

Not only is it named the Museum Hotel and offers art tours of the 70+ art works in the premises, but they also offer a professionally created guide for the hotel’s art collection, comprised mostly of paintings by artists from New Zealand.

The hotel’s owner – businessman Chris Parkin, commissioned Lynne Sandri, one of the local artists whose work is showcased by the hotel, to create the art guide for the hotel. The guide even maps out a one hour walking art tour to see the artwork.

To make the experience even more of an artfest, the Museum Hotel is located directly across from New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa.

And here’s something new – the hotel was actually on the current site of Te Papa, on the other side of the road. In 1993, the 5 storey, 3500 ton structure was picked up off its foundations and moved to the other side to make room for the museum.

As for the accomodations, the boutique hotel offers 165 guest rooms with king-size beds, oversize bath towels, a refrigirated private bar and views overlooking Wellington Harbour.

Facilities include two bars and a restaurant named Hippopotamus which offers French cuisine,  an indoor heated pool and a Cathy Davys spa.

Photos by miss_rogue

 Info: 90 Cable St Wellington 6011 NZ; +64 4 802 8900; www.museumhotel.co.nz/