Discover the Diversity of Art Around the World with Sofitel

Benin, along with neighboring Nigeria, is an area of West Africa where traditional artistic forms reached exquisite levels. Pieces created from techniques like bronze casting and wood carving are among the most admired works by African artists throughout history. Artists in contemporary Benin continue this heritage, enriching it with new ideas, like the Benin realism master Dempsey Eguae, who creates captivating artwork that holds your gaze.

Any rewarding journey through West Africa includes a stop along Benin’s south coast. Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa, the first five-star hotel in Benin, embodies Sofitel authenticity and French zest blended with colorful African art culture. Rooms and public spaces form part of an exhibition of 150 African artworks selected by the Agency for the Development of Contemporary Art, making the place feel like an art gallery and hotel all in one. Stop to admire artworks in detail as you pass, or simply absorb bold pieces as part of the vivid, enlivening surroundings along this lush section of the Gulf of Guinea coast.

Fashion should always feature prominently in discussions on the history of French art. The attention to detail required in any art form is essential when creating clothing of exceptionally high quality, and such detail is part of French haute couture culture in Parisian fashion houses. Indeed, France has been synonymous with fashion since the early 17th century. The link between fashion and art became tangible in 1965 when Yves Saint Laurent designed a collection of cocktail dresses that paid tribute to Dutch painter Piet Mondrian, drawing inspiration from his abstract paintings.

Surround yourself with the most refined examples of Parisian fashion at Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg. The 19th-century townhouse now encompassing the hotel was the former headquarters of Marie-Claire magazine, and the interior is fittingly decorated. Elegantly chic rooms feature images of prom scenes by Vogue photographer Cecil Beaton, while the bar is adorned with photographs of Pierre Cardin models from magazines of the 1960s and 70s.

Fashion is about elevating daily life. It’s also about major events. Through partnership with the Confederation of Crafts and Luxury Goods and the French Federation of Made-to-Measure Couture, Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg infuses its in-house exhibitions with the essence of Fashion Week. Stroll among designs at changing exhibitions, such as the Anne Fontaine winter collection in black, white and gold, or Najib Alioua garments inspired by the cities of the Near and Far East.

Pursuit of the arts has a long history in Philadelphia. After independence, this city so influential in American politics had the ambition to also lead the way in the arts, earning the name “the Athens of America.” In Pennsylvania’s largest city, art took shape in many mediums, from the pioneering Carborundum printmaking technique developed by Philadelphian artist Dox Thrash (1893-1965) to the monuments of Philadelphia architecture.

French architect Paul Philippe Cret had a vast influence on the city’s architectural landscape. Along with the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Rodin Museum and the National Memorial Arch, Cret redefined Rittenhouse Square. Around 1913, fountains, pools, stone railings and gardens were added to evoke Paris. The brutalist structure of the former Philadelphia Stock Exchange, built in 1911, also enhanced the aesthetics of this area of the city.

Today, the former Stock Exchange has been transformed into one of the most art-focused hotels in the United States. In the interior of Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square, entire rooms are like art installations. Unique, breathtaking designs draw inspiration from both Philadelphia and Paris—fitting for a hotel in Philadelphia’s French Quarter. Don’t miss the floor-to-ceiling artwork and sculptural lighting pendants in the lobby. In the adjacent bar, the décor is inspired by the Second Empire movement, with eclectic design elements reminiscent of the age of exploration.

Cambodian art history begins with ancient traditions and folk art, much of which is preserved at the Reyum Institute of Arts and Culture in Phnom Penh. Such traditions are continued by the masters, like the silversmith Som Samai and the mask maker An Sok. Local traditions later merged with French artistic influences, each adding to the other in a manner that’s so familiar at Sofitel hotels.

Cambodian culture is integrated into the design and décor at Sofitel’s address in the capital, Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra. A remarkable feature inside the hotel isThe Gallery by Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, which celebrates Cambodian artists with rotating exhibitions each quarter. Previous artists in focus include Ponleu Prom from Siem Reap, who is known for his striking paintings of the Cambodian countryside, and Channy Chhoeun, famed for bold and colorful depictions of birdlife.

A significant feature of The Gallery is its Multi-Arts Competition, open to people from across Cambodia. The competition centers around themes such as “Water—L’eau—Teuk” and invites entries using any materials, including digital graphic art. The Gallery opens to the public so that votes can be cast and a winner chosen.

Become further immersed in the contemporary art scene of Phnom Penh with a visit to Artspace, a collection of multiple galleries and studios within a broader creative complex called Factory. Here, artist-in-residence programs encourage young Khmer artists to flourish, and breathtaking exterior murals welcome visitors to the buildings.

• Factory Phnom Penh (#1159 National Road 2, Khan Mean Chey, Phnom Penh) is 15 minutes by taxi from Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra.