21c Museum Hotels St. Louis

Preservationists and contemporary art collectors Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson founded 21c Museum Hotels in 2007. The couple also owns and operates Hermitage Farm, a thoroughbred and sport horse operation in Goshen, Kentucky. The company's first hotel opened in Louisville, intended to help revive downtown. According to the company, contemporary art can bring a community together and spark discussion, and every property is designed around that belief.

Several buildings have a history of their own: the Cincinnati hotel occupies the former Metropole Hotel, the Louisville hotel preserves the history of bourbon and tobacco warehouses, and the Durham building has Art-Deco origins.

Rooms and suites differ by location. Lexington guest rooms have high ceilings, large historic windows and downtown views. Cincinnati guest rooms include custom tiles made by Rookwood Pottery Company. It is offered as an artist suite in Bentonville, Cincinnati and Lexington.

Food and drink are a large part of each stay. The six food and beverage outlets are described as farm-to-table and highlight the brand's Kentucky roots. Hotels host meetings, corporate conferences, weddings and cocktail parties in their event spaces.

The company says it believes contemporary art can anchor a community and start conversations, and it describes its art access as radical access to contemporary art.

Historic buildings, large windows and art installed throughout give each hotel a museum-like setting in its downtown.