* Museum Art Hotel is now QT Wellington *

I’ve read that interior designer Michael Nolder was tasked with creating ‘New Zealand’s best bar and something completely over the top’ when redesigning Hippopotamus Bar at Museum Art Hotel in Wellington. In my opinion he nailed it, here it is in all its elegant glory ……..

Hippopotamus Bar, Museum Art Hotel

The rooms at the hotel are currently undergoing a ‘Coco Chanel inspired’ renovation. The Classic Rooms we’ve stayed in were definitely missing the quirky and creative touches apparent throughout the public areas of the hotel. There was nothing at all wrong with the rooms, but it sounds like the renovation will align the style closer to the style of the entire hotel. Given that renovations are in process the photo below is not necessarily an accurate representation of a Classic Room.

Classic Room at Museum Art Hotel

Walking around the hotel is like visiting an art gallery, you may see a gleaming racing motorbike alongside a painting by David Knowles, or recycled taxidermy by Angela Singer.

Bejewelled stuffed duck by Angela Singer

Hippotamus Restaurant

As far as I’m aware Hippopotamus Bar and Restaurant aren’t being included in the renovation, I hope not as Hippopotamus is my favourite bar just as it is. I drank my first Captain Cooker manuka beer there and loved it, the beer has never tasted as good since, so the decor I like so much obviously worked magic on my taste buds.

Hippopotamus Bar, Museum Art Hotel

Only Mike has had the pleasure of taking his taste buds to Hippopotamus Restaurant but I’ve been promised a share of the Chateaubriand (I followed the link to find out what that was) next time we’re in town.

Eye catcher on the exterior – gold hippopotamus

If you’re looking for a creative place to stay in Wellington I recommend checking out QT Wellington. The hotel is opposite Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand) and nearby are New Zealand Portrait Gallery and Wellington City Gallery if you’re interested in seeing more art in our cool little capital.

Art work on the exterior of Museum Art Hotel