Museums Aren't the Only Places to Find World-Class Art in Orlando
When you think of hotel artwork, your first thoughts may be of pastel beach scenes or still-life paintings of flowers and fruit. But at many of Orlando's highly acclaimed hotels, the works of world-renowned artists adorn the lobbies, restaurants, spas and guest rooms. From Oriental vases to carved stone sculptures, 19th century oil paintings to artistic water features, stunning trompe l'oeil murals to celebrity caricatures, Orlando hotels have a passion for immersing their guests in fine art.
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
At The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, stately lioness figures which once guarded thresholds of Chinese temples now greet guests with a welcoming grin as they enter the hotel. These decorative but historical works are just a few in the hotel's amazing collection of more than 1,000 pieces of Oriental and Contemporary American artwork valued at an estimated $1 million.
Throughout the resort, other time-honored Chinese pieces can be found such as wood-carved Recumbent Monks (shown left) paying homage to the Buddha, Seated Bodhisattvas - one symbolic of the intellectual and the other of love, and a traditional Hotai depicted as the protector of children.
Contemporary American art has also made an impressive showing at the Grand Cypress. An organic, intertwining subway canopy made of steel and brass created by Albert Paley adorns the entrance of La Coquina restaurant while at the Cascades restaurant, Richard Ellis' Mermaid Fountain splashes cool water and emanates playful sounds of children in a fantasy world of giant shells and waterfalls.
The Peabody Orlando
The Peabody chain of hotels is known for rolling out the red carpet for the famous Peabody Ducks. However, the ducks' daily "water ballet" isn't the only thing to see at hotel. The Peabody displays a variety of works ranging from paintings that date back to the mid-19th century to contemporary American artwork and antique artifacts from around the world. Encompassing a range of styles to please any artistic palate, The Peabody's collection includes the vibrant colors of Alice Felows' "Garden of Eden" (shown right), a simple tropical-themed lithograph by David Hockney and an undated stone rhinoceros, hand-carved in Mexico. Of course, The Peabody would be remiss not to honor its mascot with a series of hand-colored duck prints, circa 1850, by Reverend Morris. A collection of exotic orchids in the atrium lobby adds to the hotel's ambiance.
Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
According to the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, "casual elegance" is the inspiration for its décor. Featured throughout the resort are works by Zoe Hersey, Betsy Eby, Robert Phillips, Jeremy Cline and Mark Burleson in mediums ranging from canvas and tile to iron and glass. Although most of the work is large scale, the pieces' fine details, nature-inspired presence and "Florida" hues complement, rather than overpower their surroundings.
To further immerse guests in an artistic environment, each piece represents the area of the hotel in which it is located. The Asian restaurant features a collection of photography of chopsticks and kimonos, while the kid's camp is filled with bold, youthful pieces. Serenity is the theme for the spa, where quiet and delicate pieces bring all the elements of luxury to life through art.
Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal Orlando Resort
Inspired by the quaint Ligurian fishing village that became a favorite getaway for Europe's rich and famous, Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando, A Loews Hotel, transports guests to Italy from the moment they enter the property until the time they leave. Artists who painted the exteriors of the buildings used the same elaborate painting technique, trompe l'oeil, used hundreds of years ago in Italian fishing villages. An elaborate dome, marble floors and elegant furnishings imbue the hotel with the ambiance and romantic harborage of the Mediterranean.
In keeping with the Italian tradition and theme, the art throughout the public areas of Portofino Bay Hotel consists mostly of murals, with each mural adding to the Old World experience. For example, the mural in Bice Ristorante is a 360 degree landscape of a rural Italian scene and Trattoria del Porto's mural tells the story of the "other" Portofino, the world that exists in the sea around Portofino, Italy.
Italian posters are used in places like Bar American to add to the Italian theme, while the art in Mama Della's Ristorante consists of photographs of Italian families, in keeping with the concept that at Mama's, you are a guest in an Italian mother's home.
"From the moment you arrive at Portofino Bay Hotel, you are immersed in Italian traditions," says Paul Leclerc, general manager of Portofino Bay Hotel. "A stay at our hotel tantalizes the senses with the sights, sounds, smells and tastes that capture the essence of Italy, allowing guests to escape to a Mediterranean oasis, right here in Orlando."
Rosen Plaza Hotel
The Rosen Plaza Hotel boasts one of the area's best kept secrets. Jack's Place, a fine dining restaurant, features the world's largest collection of autographed caricatures of stars and dignitaries. The restaurant is named after the hotel owner Harris Rosen's father, Jack. Jack graduated with a degree in art but went into the hotel business and worked at the famed Waldorf Astoria for 30 years. At the Waldorf, Jack perfected his craft by sketching the caricatures of the celebrity guests who agreed to sign these historic pieces of art.
Jack captured the likenesses of more than 100,000 guests including Jackie Kennedy, astronauts, Elizabeth Taylor, Ghandi and numerous presidents.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels
You don't have to be an architect to know that the Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin hotels are works of art in themselves. The whimsical creatures that top the respective hotels have become Orlando landmarks. The hotels were designed by world-renowned architect, Michael Graves, most recently known for his cool and kitschy home designs for Target stores. Graves' vision for the hotels was to immerse guests in an underwater fantasy experience, including a cascading nine-story fountain which flows through five seashell-shaped troughs into a 54-foot clamshell.
The Dolphin Hotel recently opened Galleriá Sottil, which features the original paintings and sculptures of the brilliant creator of "naturalismo" art, Luis Sottil. Sottil uses brilliant and bold colors to bring animals to life, emphasizing the eyes of the animals by painting them larger than scale. Located in the Dolphin lobby, the unique glass-enclosed gallery also features the works of several other world-renowned artists.
Further enhancing the guest experience, the hotels recently redesigned the guest rooms and corridors with more soothing, opulent furnishings.
Grand Bohemian Hotel
Dubbed Orlando's "arts hotel," the AAA Four-Star Grand Bohemian Hotel displays more than 100 rare works of art from world-famous artists, offset by luxurious furnishings of Italian tile, dark Java wood and richly hued velvet.
In addition, the in-house Grand Bohemian Gallery boasts the area's most eclectic mixture of fine art. Pieces include European work from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, work from contemporary and local artists, as well as art glass, sculptures, artistic jewelry, and gifts. Featured gallery artists include Jean Claude Roy, Michael A. Zerivitz, Michel Chemin, and Mitchell Lee Kolbe. Tours of the gallery and information on the artists and works are available upon request.
At the Grand Bohemian, art is not just a theme or a gimmick - the dedication to the display and promotion of art comes straight from the top. The owner, president and CEO of The Kessler Collection of hotels and owner of the Westin Grand Bohemian Hotel, Richard Kessler, has been an avid collector of art for more than 35 years.
"Collecting art for my personal collection as well as for my hotel collection has always been a passion for me." Kessler states, "I purchase art to fit each of my hotels personally, and I want my guests to enjoy a unique art experience."
The Grand Bohemian Gallery has extended its magnificent collection to its sister hotels as well. The Celebration Hotel features an art wall provided by the Grand Bohemian with pieces available for purchase and the Doubletree Castle on International Drive displays art from the Grand Bohemian in its lobby as well.