5 places designed by artists
Accommodation shapes how we travel. It determines how we arrive, how we perceive a place, and often how long an impression lasts. This is particularly noticeable in places that have not only been planned but also designed – for example, by artists who have translated their ideas into spaces.
These accommodations are personal, sometimes quirky, and always an expression of a creative vision. We therefore present five places designed by artists that are sure to impress you with their unique style.
Hotel Altstadt Vienna
In the heart of Vienna's creative 7th district lies a hotel that combines art and hospitality: The Hotel Altstadt ViennaHere, every room tells its own story, every corner is personally designed, and between the salons and suites, you can feel the signature style of the artists and designers who have worked here. The historic patrician house, dating back to 1902, also houses private apartments, so guests live side-by-side with Viennese locals. The hotel has been family-run for over 30 years, and this personal atmosphere permeates daily life: guests receive a warm welcome, can enjoy homemade cakes in the Red Salon in the afternoon, or participate in yoga classes on the rooftop terrace. At Altstadt Vienna, you not only experience art but also a commitment to the environment and sustainable practices: electricity comes from renewable sources, water and energy consumption are minimized, breakfast and the bar offer regional, seasonal, and organic products, and the team is fairly employed, trained, and involved in social projects.
More information about the accommodation is available here. here.
Madonnella Agricola
In the morning, the rooster wakes us up; the view from the window overlooks green hills, flowering bushes, and the wide, open landscape. Whoever in Madonenella Agricola Upon arrival, one immediately senses the tranquility that Mariangela and Giulio have created here. Giulio is an artist with a great imagination and a feel for colors, and Mariangela has always had a passion for good food and entertaining from friends. This small agriturismo just outside Rome is their dream: a place where art, nature, and rural life converge. Originally designed by a noble artist, the property has been further developed by the couple. Each room, adorned with paintings, personal belongings, and natural materials like wood, clay, and lime, reflects their vision. The culinary approach is equally conscious: fruits, vegetables, and eggs are homegrown, bread and jams are homemade, and everything else comes from local producers. Madonnella Agricola is a retreat for those seeking to slow down, unleash their creativity, or simply reconnect with nature and sustainable living. Workshops, a pool, and a hot tub complete the experience.
You can find creative workshops here here.
More information about the accommodation is available here. here.
Master room
Right in the middle of the legendary grounds Leipzig Cotton Mill Here lies a place that, like few others, demonstrates what artistic transformation can mean. Where once industrial entrepreneurial euphoria reigned, over 120 artists now work, and almost all of Leipzig's galleries are located here. Workshops, theaters, an art-house cinema, shops, restaurants, and a large garden make the area a vibrant microcosm between art, everyday life, and utopia.
The master's room itself tells this story in a particularly evocative way: one of the first post-industrial spaces transformed from a ladies' washroom to a studio and finally to a guest apartment. Seven original washbasins, old lockers, and early artistic interventions are still visible today – traces of a new entrepreneurial spirit that invites reading in the sun, yoga, dreaming, or working. There are four apartments of varying sizes and styles, accommodating up to eight people.
During the lockdown, the Meisterzimmer project went a step further: artists were invited to live and work there – their accommodation was paid for with newly created art. The four loft-style apartments with high ceilings, huge factory windows, kitchens, and bathrooms offer both open space and a place to retreat. For breaks, the Café Mule next door beckons with its artisan bakery and garden.
More information about the accommodation is available here. here.
Saveriako Farm Stay
High up in the mountains of Agia Pelagia, nestled in a tranquil olive grove, lies a place where art, sustainability, and Mediterranean joie de vivre come together naturally. From the verandas of the Apartments of Saveriako and Lidian The gaze sweeps over flowers, herbs and olive trees to the deep blue Aegean Sea, which merges with the sky on the horizon.
Saveriako, a native Italian, globetrotter, and trained chef, transformed the former farmhouse into a creative retreat starting in 2005. The apartments are entirely constructed from recycled materials – inspired by found objects that would be considered trash elsewhere. The light-filled studio, at 75 square meters, is particularly spacious and ideal for groups of friends or families. Hammocks in the olive grove, breakfast on the sun terrace, and barbecues featuring local produce are all part of everyday life here.
The interior design also reflects an artistic flair: Dutch artist and designer Lidian is responsible for the modern, "easy-chic" style of the Agia Ateliers. Handmade objects, vintage pieces from old Cretan houses, painted carpet patterns on concrete floors, and lamps made from collected PET bottle caps speak of creativity with conviction. The experience is further enhanced by Saveriakos Bistro, Italian coffee, cooking classes, and olive oil tastings – a place that demonstrates how a relaxed vacation and artistic expression can intertwine.
Saint Martin walk
Just outside the walls of Montepulciano, at a spot that served as a lookout point in the Middle Ages, lies the small agriturismo. Saint Martin walk, which combines tranquility, vastness, and creative inspiration. The view across the rolling hills of southern Tuscany is spectacular – and remains the heart of this special retreat.
The hosts took over the property about sixteen years ago and have lovingly transformed it into an oasis. Inspiration seems to kiss every corner of the Fattoria, reflecting Karin's joy. Many of the textiles, decorative elements, recycled objects, and prints are direct products of her own creative work.
In the kitchen, vegetarian and vegan dishes are conjured up at the highest level. Everything seems well thought out and authentic.
The expansive garden, with its flowers, ancient trees, and a swimming pond full of water lilies—almost like something out of a Monet painting—invites you to linger, read, and meditate. Those seeking creative pursuits will find ample space in the "Creativity Labs," offering everything from upcycling workshops and experimental drawing to meditative work with clay. Evenings are spent dining by candlelight, accompanied by the fragrance of flowers and the glow of fireflies. A place for sharing and creating.
You can find creative workshops here here.
Mehr Information TO ACCOMMODATION.
© Photos: Hotel Altstadt Vienna / Marisa Vranjes Madonenella Agricola, Meiseterzimmer / Manfred Muelhaupt; Saveriako Farm Stay, Nick Putzmann, Fattoria san Martino / Nadja Hudovernik
Nadine Pinezits
Nadine is a freelance editor and copywriter. She lives in Austria and commutes between Salzburg and Vienna. This means she is either in the mountains or in the urban jungle, but at the same time tries to spend as much time as possible in her beloved country, Portugal.
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