ART & OBJECT with Nicole and Paul Gusé Meet 21c Museum Hotels, where culture and luxury fuse. Located in several US cities – with two new locations, Miami and Des Moines soon to open – the trendy 21c Museum Hotels pride themselves on providing cutting-edge site specific art installations, fine dining geared towards supporting regional farmers and producers, and high end accomodations. It’s a dynamic concept all its own, and one worth making a part of your next trip. We recently stayed at the 21c Museum Hotel Oklahoma City. Situated in a former Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant, the overall aesthetic is chic, open-air, and industrial. Greeted by the enthusiastic staff immediately upon arrival, we were whisked to the front desk for an effortless check-in. The lobby provides ample large-scale art installations on view, as well as an adjoined art gallery which is open to the public free-of-charge. The art museum style hotel gift shop allows you to purchase travel momentos, such as the almost four foot tall (they have smaller versions, too) iconic Penguin from Cracking Art which you will encounter throughout your stay, the TCHO chocolate you will find at turndown services, and full-size MALIN+GOETZ products – 21c's exclusive supplier of bath amenities. Each floor of the 21c Museum Hotel OKC provides a different gallery experience, as well as a high-energy sculpture installation which is fused throughout each level. The dimly-lit and expansive concrete hallways give way to the former feel of the once Ford factory, and yet feel as quiet as they do stylish. You might even encounter a surprise run-in with the mascot Penguin, which is stationed in quirky and unexpected spots throughout the hotel and a signature at each 21c Museum Hotel. Our large and unique room opened to an almost floor-to-ceiling original industrial window overlooking the city, light streaming through beautifully against the art deco styled column against the wall of our room. The plush boutique bathroom was stocked with carefully curated luxury amenities, as well as a generous oversized walk-in shower. Not a detail was missed in this eclectic, well laid out room.

Downstairs at Mary Eddy’s, the hotel’s kitchen and lounge, we sat in the quiet yet energetic art-filled bar while enjoying their house made pork rinds with watermelon hot sauce from their highly playful and inventive menu from executive chef Jason Campbell which features regional, seasonal products.

In the morning, we couldn’t wait to take advantage of their state-of-the-art gym facility, and then it was back to our relaxing, light-filled room for our scheduled room service delivery from Mary Eddy’s. Our breakfast included coffee, fresh fruit, housemade sausage, and scrambled eggs. Want to know what else there is TO DO, EAT, AND SEE while you’re staying at 21c Museum Hotel OKC? TO DO:

MYRIAD BOTANICAL GARDENS 301 W Reno Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 OKLAHOMA CITY ART MUSEUM 415 Couch Dr, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 FRED JONES JR MUSEUM OF ART 555 Elm Ave, Norman, OK 73019 THE FARMERS MARKET DISTRICT 311 S Klein Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73108 THE OIL TREE 7646 N Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73116 THE PASEO ARTS DISTRICT TO SEE: THE LIGHTHOUSE AT LAKE HEFNER TO EAT:

CLARITY COFFEE, just down the street from 21c Museum Hotel 431 W Main St, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 MAPLES BBQ 1800 NW 16th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106

THE FIT PIG 722 N Broadway Ave #100, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 GRAB & GO AT URBAN AGRARIAN 1235 SW 2nd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73108

KITCHEN NO. 324 324 N Robinson Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 For more travel essays, art, and culture, visit ART & OBJECT.