Who could have predicted that the prairielands would be home to a minimalist hotel packed with maximalist art?
Location: Downtown Minneapolis, a short drive from Herzog & de Meuron's Walker Art Center extension and Jean Nouvel's electric-blue Guthrie Theater.
Pedigree: The Midwestern sister of the six-year-old Chambers in New York, with interiors by David Rockwell and a restaurant helmed by Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Style Design: It's all about the eye-popping contemporary art from the collection of owner Ralph Burnet. There's a Damien Hirst at the front desk, video art in the halls, and original paintings and photographs by up-and-comers in the 60 guest rooms.
Service Amenities: All the perks of a fashionable hotel (24-hour room service from the Vongerichten restaurant, three trendy bars), with arty extras such as a gallery off the lobby and a gift shop specializing in design magazines and artist multiples.
Rooms to Book The loftlike Penthouse Studio rooms have balconies that extend over the sculpture-filled courtyard; in the evening, the courtyard is packed with stylish locals sipping ginger margaritas and milling around the Angus Fairhurst-designed one-armed bronze gorilla.
901 Hennepin Ave.; 877/767-6990 or 612/767-6900; www.chambersminneapolis.com; doubles from $450. 
These properties - lighthouses, barns, rectories and castles - have all been transformed into magnificent homes. (more) 
