Museum Hotel, Lexington
Art-forward boutique hotel with a historic banking grandeur backdrop. White walls, bold contemporary art, pops of color (a lot of UK blue), and those famous penguin sculptures. Feels decidedly residential despite being a 15-floor 'skyscraper' by 1914 Lexington standards.
Every night from 8pm, hotel guests get a complimentary sip of bourbon at the Lockbox bar — don't miss it
Why It Matters
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this building was designed by the prestigious McKim, Mead & White firm. 21c acquired it in 2012 and spent four years on the renovation. The result is one of Lexington's most distinctive cultural destinations — 7,000 square feet of exhibition space, the Nightwatch artist suite you can actually sleep in, and Lockbox restaurant tucked inside the original bank vault.
A 1914 former bank building turned 88-room boutique hotel, 21c Lexington stacks a fully functioning contemporary art museum on top of its hotel bones. The Fayette National Bank's original marble floors, arched windows, and ornate plaster details are still intact — now sharing wall space with rotating exhibitions and three permanent installations. It's the kind of place where you can stumble into a thought-provoking art show on your way to grab coffee at 2am, since the museum stays open free to the public around the clock.
Where You'll Stay
9 room types available
21c Suite
The flagship suite at 1,245 sq ft — the largest in the building. One king bedroom with a dressing area and powder room, double vanity en-suite, and a separate dining/work area. The bedroom TV is a clever vanishing HDTV hidden in the mirror, with additional HDTVs in the living room. Great views of downtown Lexington in every direction.
1 King
City Queen
The entry-level room — compact but efficiently designed with floor-to-ceiling blackout drapes. One queen bed and a desk. Think of it as your base camp rather than a living space; the museum galleries and Lockbox are where you'll spend your time anyway.
1 Queen
Corner King
Corner exposure means windows on two sides — more natural light and better downtown views than standard rooms. Good pick if you're paying for the building's architecture and want to feel it from inside the room.
1 King
Deluxe Double Queen
Two queen beds with a loveseat and city views — the best option for families or two guests who want their own sleeping space. At 357 sq ft it doesn't feel cramped for four people.
2 Queens
Deluxe King
A comfortable step up from the City Queen — king bed, loveseat, small table, and floor-to-ceiling blackout drapes. More breathing room without going full suite.
1 KingDeluxe Suite
King bed with a separate dining and work area, floor-to-ceiling blackout drapery, and two HDTVs. A generous footprint that works well for extended stays or anyone who needs space to spread out.
1 KingNightwatch Artist Suite
This is what makes 21c Lexington genuinely singular. The Nightwatch suite is a bookable, ADA-compliant hotel room that is simultaneously a site-specific art installation by artist Chris Doyle. The walls are alive with projected imagery — a realm where art and technology blend while you sleep. King bed, separate dining/work area, blackout drapery you control, two HDTVs, free WiFi, and Malin+Goetz amenities. Worth noting: the installation includes gently pulsating projections, which can be switched off. Not ideal for guests sensitive to flashing lights, but truly like nothing else you'll sleep in.
1 KingSkylight Suite
The unique skylight sets this suite apart — natural overhead light floods the space. Separate living and dining area, king bed, and HDTVs in both rooms. A real suite feel without the full premium of the larger options.
1 KingTwo-Bedroom Suite
At 800–1,245 sq ft, these suites run large. Two separate bedrooms, two en-suite bathrooms, a living room with sofa, and dining table. The big bathroom has heated tile floors and a spa shower. Corner windows on two exposures give you downtown views from almost every room. Options for 2-4 bed configurations depending on the booking.
Multiple configurations (2-4 beds)The Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Over 7,000 square feet of exhibition space spread across the hotel, featuring rotating solo and group exhibitions alongside three permanent site-specific installations. The museum is free and open to the public around the clock — guests and walk-ins alike. Permanent works include 'Spectralline' by SOFTlab (the dramatic LED crystal sculpture in the lobby entrance), 'Totally in Love' by Dutch artist Pieke Bergmans (two intertwined lampposts out front), and 'Brass' by Lyons and Wilson inside the Lockbox private dining room.
Guided tours of the museum galleries run some weekday afternoons. A good way to get real context for the rotating exhibitions. Check the hotel's 'What's On' page or ask the front desk for the current schedule.
Seven event spaces totaling 7,000 sq ft with cutting-edge AV technology. Individual spaces range from 252 to 1,860 sq ft — suited for board retreats, cocktail gatherings, weddings, and everything in between. The on-site Events Team handles custom catering through Lockbox.
Every guest gets a complimentary sip of bourbon at the Lockbox bar starting at 8pm — every night of their stay. A signature 21c Lexington touch that makes the most of being in Kentucky.
Book the Nightwatch room and you're sleeping inside a site-specific installation by artist Chris Doyle. The projected environment wraps the space in shifting imagery. The projector can be turned on or off at guests' discretion — so you control how immersive you want the night to be.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Business center available around the clock for guests.
Complimentary high-speed WiFi in all rooms and public areas.
Full in-room dining available through Lockbox restaurant. Order via phone (dial 6877) or through the Lockbox website. Breakfast and dinner available every day.
$5 sustainability fee per stay. Funds sustainability initiatives including PATH reusable aluminum water bottles provided to every guest.
Same-day laundry and dry cleaning available Monday through Friday. Items must be at the front desk by 8:30am.
All rooms stocked with Malin+Goetz bath products.
Lavazza coffee machines in all rooms.
Bathrobes provided in all rooms.
Pets always welcome. Fee is $50 per stay (not per night). A pet waiver form must be signed at check-in.
There is no swimming pool at this property.
On-site ATM available for guests.
Front desk staffed around the clock.
Valet parking available at $30 per night with in/out privileges. The hotel is valet-only — no self-park on-site. Street parking is available nearby as an alternative.
Open around the clock for guests. Basic gym equipment — functional, though some guest reviews note it's on the smaller side.
BUILD YOUR 21C MUSEUM HOTEL, LEXINGTON PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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