Hotel or museum? West Salem Art Hotel is both. Creations inside the short-term rental units at 912 Albert St. are designed to delight guests during their stay — and can be purchased to leave with them.

Haydee Thompson is the hotel's owner + interior designer. The graduate of UNC School of the Arts opened the first art hotel above Krankies Coffee, and relocated to the West Salem neighborhood during the pandemic. After renovations were complete, the artist curated items and art for each space.

"That's the fun part. What can you — how do you reuse this stuff to make it look like it's always meant to be there?" Thompson said.

She works with artists, many of whom are personal friends, to make each room come to life. Let's take a tour:

The Rose Room

Greensboro mural artist Gina Franco painted the flowers that adorn the walls of the downstairs apartment. Thompson made the lamps above the bed. Liz Simmons' "Vulture Series" is displayed + for sale.

You'll be 'blown away' by art for sale, like this Nicole Uzzell piece. | Photo by WStoday

The Art/partment

The Art/partment's entryway leads into a living room where National Geographic photographer Greg Vore's "India" collection is featured. There is also a full kitchen, king-size bed, and full bathroom with pieces from Thompson's personal art collection on display.

The Parisian Suite

Located upstairs off the gallery, the Parisian Suite is a private bedroom with blue walls. Thompson made the bathroom sink vanity using flowers from a flower farm next door to the hotel.

Guests gain access to rooms at West Salem Art Hotel by keypad using a unique code. | Photo by WStoday

The VHS Suite

The newly completed suite comes complete with a VCR where you can watch bootleg films. Local artist Tegan Rae created the bed canopy and giant light in the dressing room.

All guests have access to a shared gallery space, kitchen, and outdoor solarium. Thompson is working on two additional rooms upstairs to open in March. The hotel will host its first live performance in the gallery on Saturday, Jan. 20.

Ready to book your stay? Guests can contact the hotel directly or check availability on Airbnb.