Four Seasons Houston invites art patrons to experience new exhibit

Four Seasons Houston is teaming with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston to bring a revered English collection to the United States for the first time.

The exhibition, "Houghton Hall: Portrait of an English Country Home," will be on display at the museum this summer. Guests of Four Seasons Houston will be able to enjoy a package that aims to enhance guest’s immersion in the British culture of the exhibit.

“We have been searching for an opportunity to partner with the Museum of Fine Arts and when the Houghton Hall exhibit was announced that it was coming to Houston, we knew it would be a perfect fit,” said Elysia Sutherland, PR manager at Four Seasons Houston, Houston.

“Given everyone's fascination with the PBS show Downton Abbey, this exhibit could not have come at a better time,” she said.

Britain in Texas
Houghton Hall: Portrait of an English Country Home hosts a collection of paintings, sculptures and decorative arts from the home of England’s first prime minister, Sir Robert Walpole.

The exhibit honors the art, architecture and patronage from wealthy families and country houses in 18th-century English homes. It will feature 18th- and 19th-century portraits by famed artists.

Houghton Hall exhibit

Over 100 items will be showcased including porcelain, sculptures, costumes, metal work and furniture.

The exhibit opens June 22 and will remain at the museum through the summer until Sept. 22.

Four Seasons Houston is celebrating the exhibit’s arrival to the U.S. and Houston by offering the overnight "London Calling" room package.

Four Seasons Houston

The accommodations include two tickets to the Museum of Fine Arts and the exhibit, complimentary transportation to the museum and afternoon tea in the guest’s room.

Beginning on July 7, the hotel will host a social media campaign with the museum where followers will be able to enter to win a complimentary package for a weekend stay.

The partnership between the museum and hotel will likely help the exhibit gain recognition and attract art enthusiasts to the hotel.

Artists around the globe
Four Seasons hotels have previously been involved with art celebrations all over the world.

For example, Four Seasons Hotel Dublin tapped into Ireland’s artistic culture by hosting a “Sculpture in Context” event that likely piqued the interest of art enthusiasts.

The national exhibition featured 35 pieces of art that ranged in price from $200 to $40,000 from figures such as Limerick figurative artist Mike Duhan. Hosting Sculpture in Context demonstrates that the property is invested in the local and national culture, a move that further authenticates its offers (see story).

Also, Four Seasons Hotel Seattle drove traffic to the Seattle Art Museum, right across the street, with a new offer for art enthusiasts.

The “Art & ART” offer centered on the “Miró: The Experience of Seeing” exhibit featuring 50 paintings, drawings and sculptures made in the period between 1963 and 1983 by Spanish artist Joan Miró. Since exhibitions only visit a handful of cities and the atmosphere of the viewing space depends on the sensibilities of curators, hotels can promise an original experience by linking up with local museums hosting a special exhibit (see story).

Celebrating and supporting local art exhibitions with special packages and hosted events will likely bring positive attention to the brand and the individual hotel.

Art exhibits often bring additional tourists to a location, so by being connected to the exhibition, hotels can attract guests.

“With travelers coming in from all over the world to see this exhibit, we can provide that high level of service that our guests and the MFAH guests expect, with tickets provided at check-in and a beautiful afternoon tea amenity this package makes it easy,” Ms. Sutherland said.

“Located only two miles from the exhibit, we are able to offer our guests complimentary transportation to and from the Museum of Fine Arts, based on the hotel cars availability,” she said. “Our concierge can also arrange for a VIP group tour with advanced notice.”

Final Take
Nancy Buckley, editorial assistant on Luxury Daily, New York