Raja Ravi Varma’s 19th-century masterpiece ‘Yashoda and Krishna’ became the most expensive Indian artwork ever sold, fetching ₹167.2 crore at a Saffronart auction, signalling a renewed global appreciation for Indian art and heritage. This mirrors a larger cultural shift, with the global art tourism market projected to reach USD 54.44 billion by 2030, and a growing demand for art-driven, design-led travel experiences.

For a new generation of Indian luxury travellers, art is no longer confined to galleries—it’s becoming an integral part of how they experience the world. From the Maldives to the French Riviera, travellers are keen to experience hotels where creativity shapes every moment of the stay.

This World Art Day (on April 15), here are three iconic art-immersive luxury stays where every space is a canvas, inviting guests to experience art at every turn.

JOALI Maldives, Maldives

This Michelin Key-recognised ultra-luxury resort in the Maldives is the country’s first art-immersive island resort. Home to over 60 bespoke art installations, JOALI Maldives is conceived as a living gallery where art, design, and gastronomy come together to create deeply immersive luxury experiences. Curated around liveable and interactive art created in collaboration with world-renowned artists and artisans, such as Porky Hefer’s life-sized treetop manta ray where guests can climb in for private dining, alongside equally imaginative experiences like the turtle-shaped dining installation at its sister property, JOALI BEING, where art and dining seamlessly converge..

At the heart of the resort is its Artist-in-Residence programme and ongoing global collaborations, which bring international and regional creatives to the island to co-create, exhibit, and engage with guests. The Art Studio hosts daily workshops led by resident and visiting artists, allowing guests to create, learn and engage directly with the creative process.

With rotating installations, curated residencies, and collaborations with artists such as Studio Penn and Sophie Kitching, JOALI Maldives extends the spirit of an art fair into a fully immersive, stay-long cultural experience, making it one of the best destinations to celebrate World Art Day.

The Claridges New Delhi

In the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi, The Claridges New Delhi stands as a quiet sanctuary for the capital’s creative spirit — where architecture, design, and culture come together to create an art-led stay that extends beyond art fair season. Defined by its colonial façade, the hotel weaves heritage into every detail, with interiors that feature hand-painted murals, layered textures, and thoughtfully curated design elements that shape the overall atmosphere of the stay.

This artistic sensibility continues across its rooms and suites, where antique English artworks and classic design influences reflect a blend of British-era elegance and contemporary refinement.

The artistic expression extends into the hotel’s dining spaces. Erawaan features Ramayana-inspired artwork and intricately detailed mandalas across its ceiling, while Jade showcases artist Ankon Mitra’s hand-painted dragons and sculptural brass “Fu Dogs,” adding layers of symbolism and visual detail.

The hotel has also engaged with India’s art ecosystem through collaborations with art galleries  such as DAG (Delhi Art Gallery), which has operated a dedicated gallery space within the property and hosted curated exhibitions, reinforcing its position as a cultural hub in the capital.

Carlton Cannes, France

Art has always been an intrinsic part of Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel, one of France’s most iconic heritage landmarks’ identity. Following its transformation in 2023, the hotel now houses nearly 2,000 curated works by In’Art (founded by Sylvie Amigo-Soulet) across suites, corridors, the spa, and public spaces. Working closely with a network of contemporary artists, the curation spans ceramics, photography, engraving, painting and glass sculpture, creating what is intended as “a genuine means to escape from reality for a moment” through art.

As Indo-French cultural exchange grows through exhibitions, design collaborations, and an increasing appreciation for art among Indian travellers, Carlton Cannes offers a natural extension of this dialogue. For culturally curious Indian luxury travellers, the hotel becomes a gateway into the artistic legacy of the Côte d’Azur.

Each guest experience unfolds as a journey through art with intimate pieces in rooms inviting quiet reflection, while larger installations across the hotel encourage exploration and discovery. Set on the French Riviera, Carlton Cannes brings together heritage and contemporary creativity to create a stay that is both culturally immersive and distinctly memorable.