Music isn’t just something we stream—it’s something we seek out. In an era where live experiences are more coveted than ever, travelers are chasing sound in all forms: flying to Europe to catch Taylor Swift on the cheap, crisscrossing the country to see Dead & Co. on their (latest) farewell tour, or mapping out itineraries around festivals, crate-digging sessions, or that perfect late-night set. Gig tripping may be a deemed a recent trend, but fans have been doing this for decades.
Hotels have taken note. Music programming is becoming more intentional, and properties are investing in everything from intimate performance spaces and analog listening rooms to in-house vinyl libraries. Some are designed around musical eras, with suites named for opera characters; others curate playlists to pair with tasting menus.
I get the appeal. My first job out of college was at an indie rock magazine. I married a former music writer and DJ, and together we’ve amassed a vinyl collection in the thousands. We even produced a toddler so into music that we’ve built entire vacations around exposing him to new instruments and genres (sitar in India, qanun in Saudi Arabia, and dancehall in Jamaica). What follows are 10 hotels where music isn’t just background noise—it’s the whole reason to book.
Our top picks:
Best for shredding in your suite with a borrowed Fender: Hotel Ziggy
Best for grunge pilgrims and indie rock fans: Hotel Crocodile
Best for classical connoisseurs: Schloss Elmau