1970s Iconic hotels where musicians and writers lived and created legendary works
Iconic 1970s hotels where artists, writers, and musicians lived and created legendary works, shaping art, culture, and creative tourism worldwide
This article is part of our special editorial series celebrating the 90th anniversary of Istituto Marangoni. In this chapter, we examine a 1970s trend of converting hotels into spontaneous cultural spaces for artists, creatives, and intellectuals.
Hotel Chelsea New York: The 1970s Bohemian Hotel for Artists and Icons
The legacy of Hotel Chelsea in New York is shaped not only by the spirits of the great artists who lived or died here, but also by the creative minds who realised their artistic potential within its walls. Today, you may still encounter some of them being interviewed and photographed for glossy magazines in the very same rooms.
Originally designed as a commune for intellectuals and artists, Hotel Chelsea attracted countless talents in the 1970s. It has long served as a temporary home for writers, musicians, and creatives, all of whom contributed to the hotel’s bohemian atmosphere and enduring creative environment.
“The atmosphere was encouraging. You could do anything as long as you didn’t hurt people. And you weren’t supposed to keep them up all night,” said Judith Childs, who lived here with her late husband, the artist Bernard Childs.
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Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick: icons of Hotel Chelsea
Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Janis Joplin all stayed at this hotel during the same period. The spirits of Arthur Miller, Dylan Thomas, Jackson Pollock, and Bob Dylan still linger in the hotel’s rooms and corridors, alongside fashion photographers, celebrities preparing for the Met Gala, and visitors eager to experience the legend.
“Great generosity prevailed in those doomed decades” – Leonard Cohen, singer, songwriter, musician, poet, novelist, and painter, during a brief setup for the song Chelsea Hotel #2 in a live performance
La Fenice Venice: A 1970s Cultural Hotel for Opera and Horror Lovers
Do you enjoy a quiet stroll along Venice’s canals at dawn, accompanied by the haunting presence of cinematic ghosts or memories of opera singers? You can immerse yourself in this atmosphere through cult films from the 1970s that were shot here, such as “Anonimo Veneziano” (1970), and the horror classic “Don’t Look Now” (1974).
Alternatively, you could stay at the Hotel La Fenice et des Artistes. Close to Venice’s La Fenice Theatre, this hotel has hosted famous opera singers and musicians since the 1970s. Notable guests from that decade include Igor Stravinsky, Luciano Pavarotti, Miles Davis, Maria Callas, Duke Ellington, and Charles Aznavour.
Art can be found in every corner of the hotel, with more than 200 paintings adorning the walls. The hotel occasionally welcomes directors, musicians, and artists seeking to soak up its vibrant intellectual atmosphere.
Hilltop Hotel Tokyo: Japan’s Iconic Writers’ Retreat from the 1970s
Struggling with writer’s block? The Hilltop Hotel in Tokyo, also known as the Yamanoue Hotel, could be the ideal solution. Perched on a hill, it served as a retreat for writers from the 1950s to the 1970s, thanks to its proximity to publishing houses in the Jimbocho district.
More than a strategic spot for residencies, the hotel became a “literary prison” for Japanese authors struggling to complete their manuscripts, including notable figures such as Yukio Mishima and Yojiro Ishizaka. Nobel Prize winner Kawabata Yasunari also worked here.
Recently rescued from obscurity by nearby Meiji University, the hotel now serves as a dormitory and residential space for teachers and students. With numerous restaurants and bars in the vicinity, guests have access to a variety of amenities, and on clear days, Mount Fuji can be seen from the windows.
Columbia Hotel London: Where 1970s Rock History Was Made
The Gallagher brothers’ first-ever song was titled “Columbia”, a nod to the hotel where they spent countless nights—until they were banned midway through the recording of Definitely Maybe.
Oasis’s debut track “Columbia” pays homage to the London hotel that hosted, then banned, the band
The Columbia Hotel in London is a historic gem overlooking Hyde Park, exuding a rock ‘n’ roll attitude while showcasing authentic Victorian charm. Since the 1970s, it has been a popular spot for touring musicians and rock bands. During the Britpop era of the early 1990s, it became a favourite haunt for rock stars.
According to The Guardian, Marc Almond practically lived there, and the Killers had a bathtub reserved for their wild nights of revelry and excess. Oasis, Blur, Amy Winehouse, and Kings of Leon also stayed here.
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A funny story: Leonard Cohen often used the hotel’s elevator, claiming it was one of the few technologies he had ever mastered. One day, he ran into Janis Joplin, who was looking for Kris Kristofferson, and he tricked her into believing he was Kristofferson. Later, Cohen dedicated his song “Chelsea Hotel” to her.
Leonard Cohen performing his song "Chelsea Hotel", dedicated to Kris Krisofferson
Chateau Marmont: The 1970s Celebrity Hideaway for Artists and Musicians
In May last year, Miley Cyrus invited her TikTok fans to a private listening session at the Chateau Marmont, a legendary hotel in West Hollywood that has been iconic since the late 1920s. Designed in the shape of a French castle, the hotel has hosted numerous celebrities over the years, including Johnny Depp, Kate Moss, Helmut Newton, John Belushi, Lindsay Lohan, Marilyn Monroe, and Jim Morrison, some of whom also tragically passed away there.
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Leonard Cohen backstage in 1979, wearing the original Chateau Marmont Castle T-Shirt
The hotel’s fame peaked between the 1960s and 1980s, during Hollywood’s era of splendour and decadence. Recently, director Ryan Murphy and designer Trevor Cheney were tasked with redesigning the former Led Zeppelin suite at the Chateau Marmont. They opted for a 1970s rockstar-inspired aesthetic, reflecting one of the iconic styles associated with the hotel.
“I believe (Led Zeppelin) stayed there on and off for five years, and the lore goes that they finally were kicked out when they set that hallway on fire. Also, Stevie Nicks supposedly stayed in that room. But we also studied The Chateau in the 70s. The thing that we found in our research was that there was just so much brown,” Murphy told Interview Magazine.
How Hotels Today Are Shaping Global Art and Culture
Today, the transformation of hotels into cultural centres provides art lovers with immersive experiences in “museum hotels” filled with artworks, attracting a clientele of art enthusiasts.
Many contemporary hotels function as art galleries, displaying original works not only in guest rooms but also in lobbies, bars, and public spaces, blurring the lines between hospitality and the art world.
Hostels in particular serve as community hubs, integrating diverse cultures and appealing to digital nomads seeking a home away from home and connections with interesting people.
Publicly accessible spaces are designed for social interaction and host art cafés, workshops, and cultural events, which foster local talent and make art more accessible.
“Art hotels are increasingly providing an opportunity for creative artists to exhibit their artworks and collections within their premises...” – The Artification of Hospitality: Art Hotels as the New Frontier of Sustainable Cultural Tourism
1970s Cultural Hotels vs. Modern Art Hotels: What’s Changed?
In the 1970s, guests played an active role in transforming hotels into cultural spaces. Today, however, the situation has reversed: hotels now take the initiative to expand their functions beyond mere accommodation, focusing on community engagement through artistic and cultural programmes.
Some hotels that were fortunate enough to become cultural spaces are now just ordinary establishments lacking uniqueness... Conversely, for $100,000, guests can spend a night in the Empathy Suite at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, designed by Damien Hirst in 2019, which itself qualifies as a work of art.
Additionally, leading fashion brands are increasingly investing in hospitality fashion brands investing in hospitality, often collaborating with artists to create immersive artistic experiences.
Hotel Artist Residencies: How Hotels Inspire Creativity in 2025
Hotel residencies are the closest modern equivalent to the cultural spaces of the 1970s, capturing a similar spirit and atmosphere.
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21c Museum Hotels pushes the boundaries of both the museum and hotel worlds to create a new kind of travel experience
Young artists can meet and connect with like-minded creatives at hotels around the world that offer residencies, such as 21c Museum Hotels and Faena Hotel Miami Beach, which organises multidisciplinary art events, installations, and performances.
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Last but not least, Paramount Hotel Dubai offers specific residencies for creative figures in the cinema industry, as it represents one of the largest movie studios and hosts a film festival that supports local filmmakers.
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Paramount Hotel Dubai hosts film residencies and supports local cinema talent