Feel the flavor and history of Massachusetts through the art of objects

The name says it all: Artistic expression is one of the passions that went into the creation of The Porches Inn at MASS MoCA. Part of that is location, across the street from the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Part is architecture: The boutique inn consists of a row of exquisitely detailed 19th century Victorian row houses. Part is decor and design, with each room’s palette and artwork reflecting individual personality and the inn’s famous “granny chic” design sensibility. And part of it is just whimsy, from the vintage plates and paint-by-number artwork on the walls to quirky rugs, vintage TV lamps and visually engaging color blends throughout. With modern comforts and historic surroundings, the inn really is a work of art.

At the Briar Barn Inn, guests are not only surrounded by a relaxed country setting and elegant, rustic comfort: They are also surrounded by art. The inn’s 30 guest rooms and common areas and cozy gathering spaces are filled with curated local artwork, from contemporary pieces by Claes Oldenburg to the lush 19th century landscapes of the Hudson River School. More than 100 hand-picked artworks and furnishings help provide that enchanting and engaging experience guests are seeking, whether they are visiting the marvelous (and newly expanded) Peabody Essex Museum in nearby Salem, strolling through the galleries of scenic Rockport or visiting the vast variety of antiques and artisan shops scattered across the North Shore.

Inside its beautiful 1903 Beau Arts building on Beacon Hill, the elegant XV Beacon hotel boasts more than exquisitely appointed rooms, fine dining and exceptional service. It also is home to a distinguished art collection, ranging from the contemporary work of abstract painter Maggi Brown to the canvases of famed 18th century portraitist Gilbert Stuart. From Jules Olitski’s joyful “Green Dot” canvas that greets guests in the hotel lobby to the fascinating fourth-to-fifth-century Roman mosaic in Moo.... restaurant’s The Wine Cellar to commissioned artwork from Martha Lloyd Tony Evanko, Ben Freeman and others adorning guest rooms, the XV Beacon seeks to demonstrate its commitment to the past, to the future, and to its belief that art enriches lives.

You could say the Hotel on North has lots of surprises in store, and it would literally be true, since the boutique hotel’s two 1880s buildings once housed a menswear and sporting goods store. That might explain the tin ceilings and birdcage elevator, now the stationary site of a cocktail table for two. It also explains the hotel’s dedication to its deep Berkshire roots, which means art, textiles and furniture in each room crafted by local artisans. The accent on art also is highlighted in the Gallery on North, a rotating exhibit of art, sculpture, photography and other curated pieces just off the lobby. And then there’s the library suite, with 125 bookshelves and a rolling ladder to help make your selection.

They say every room tells a story at the Red Lion Inn, and art certainly plays a role in the narratives. In each room, in every hallway, guests will find a collection of portraits, landscapes and antique objects from lamp fixtures to vintage dolls and plates that reflect the region and the inn’s proud sense of history. Every summer, the inn hosts an artist in residence, who creates work on and off site, using the Red Lion spaces as a studio and in inspiration. And of course the famous inn with its welcoming porch sits in the middle of the beautiful Berkshires, an area renowned for its art galleries and museums, from MASS MoCA to the Norman Rockwell Museum.