We Ran Away…….. to 21c Louisville

There are times in your life when you simply need to get away. Remove yourself from your daily routine and do something different. A change in scenery can often help you to forget about things which you are worrying about (it doesn’t take them away  – but helps you to see a different perspective). After spending a week in training in Louisville, James suggested we take off on Friday and do our already planned Christmas shopping in Louisville and spend the evening at the fabulous 21c Museum Hotel. Although Lexington’s shopping has improved greatly over the years, Louisville still has a few stores that we do not have and during this time of year it is nice to shop in stores that I do not have a history of shopping in with my Mom (which could be just about every store in Lexington). We were able to accomplish our shopping relatively easily and spent time finding things for ourselves (that we didn’t really need). 21c Museum Hotel – Louisville is a beautiful 90 room boutique hotel, contemporary art museum located in an old bourbon barrel warehouse in downtown Louisville. Most importantly, it is the home of the fabulous Red Penguin – who can be seen standing on top of the building and throughout the hotel. (If a Red Penguin will not make you smile, I’m not sure what will!) We had drinks at Proof bar last summer and viewed the art exhibit but this was our first time as guests and we weren’t disappointed. The valet and check in service were quick and amazing and we were greeted by one of the Red Penguins and a  Meercat and his friend the Turtle.

As I mentioned before, the hotel is a former bourbon barrel warehouse and you will find exposed brick and beams throughout the hotel. The room was superb and my photos do not do justice. You know you are in the home of the Kentucky Derby when you have silver julep glasses along with instructions for a perfect Mint Julep. The wall above the bed was made of cork and in each bathroom you will find another friend, a rubber ducky! Short little me could complain that the bathroom mirror was too high but as you can see there was also a huge mirror in the bedroom. In the collage below, the top right photo is from the ceiling of the elevator.
You are surrounded by beautiful pieces of art at each turn as the below piece located outside the elevators on our floor.(I’m so sorry I didn’t write down the artist or name of the piece). For my zombie loving friends (is that really possible to love a zombie), you have to love a hotel that includes what to do if a zombie Apocalypse occurs during your stay.
Yes, this really is in the hotel information book! Friday evening we started off with great drinks at the bar – where James had a bourbon flight of 12 year old bourbon and had dinner at Morton’s The Steakhouse. (sorry no pictures of our food as it was dim and I’m not that obnoxious). After dinner, despite the cold and some rain, we walked to Fourth Street in Louisville to see the lights.
In all, our night away was wonderful and what both James and I needed. The breakfast at Proof was fantastic, drinks are yummy and the bed uber comfortable. You can also find 21c Museum hotels in Cincinnati (yellow penguins) and Bentonville Arkansas (green penguins). In 2015 Lexington will have her own 21c and I’m only going to guess that the penguins will be blue. The museums at each hotel are free admission and open to the public with rotating exhibitions. As I said, you will find art all around you and can even be a part of it.  If you are talented enough, you can catch the letters to create words. (check out James in the bottom picture.
I’m so grateful for the time we had together this weekend and another new adventure. ]]>