Name: 21c Museum Hotel
Telephone: (919) 956-6700

Visit Website

Phone: (919) 956-6700

Directions 4.3

Overview

Standing tall and proud in the center of downtown Durham, 21c Museum Hotel is a multi-venue contemporary art museum offering a full-service boutique hotel with luxurious guest rooms, more than 10,500 square feet of art-filled exhibition and event space, and it's home to Counting House restaurant.

Built in 1935, this 17-story skyscraper was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, the same NYC architecture firm responsible for designing the Empire State Building.

Over 10,500 square feet of art-filled exhibition and event space, many with cutting edge audiovisual technology and large light-filled windows. 21c is the perfect venue for board retreats, executive meetings, cocktail gatherings, reception dinners, charitable events, intimate weddings or any other special occasion.

Conference Room (Seats 14)

Area: 482 square feet
Maximum Occupancy: 14

Gallery Five

Occupancy: 39 - 60
Area: 847 square feet
Maximum Occupancy: 60

Configuration	Occupancy	Area
Gallery Five	55	847 sq ft
Gallery Five	39	847 sq ft
Gallery Five	46	847 sq ft
Gallery Five	60	847 sq ft

Gallery Four

Occupancy: 24 - 50
Area: 602 square feet
Maximum Occupancy: 50

Configuration	Occupancy	Area
Gallery Four	32	602 sq ft
Gallery Four	24	602 sq ft
Gallery Four	32	602 sq ft
Gallery Four	50	602 sq ft

Gallery One

Occupancy: 16 - 40
Area: 588 square feet
Maximum Occupancy: 40

Configuration	Occupancy	Area
Gallery One	18	588 sq ft
Gallery One	18	588 sq ft
Gallery One	16	588 sq ft
Gallery One	40	588 sq ft

Gallery Seven

Occupancy: 6 - 6
Area: 172 square feet
Maximum Occupancy: 6

Configuration	Occupancy	Area
Gallery Seven	6	172 sq ft

Gallery Six

Occupancy: 20 - 30
Area: 462 square feet
Maximum Occupancy: 30

Configuration	Occupancy	Area
Gallery Six	26	462 sq ft
Gallery Six	20	462 sq ft
Gallery Six	24	462 sq ft
Gallery Six	30	462 sq ft

Gallery Three

Occupancy: 34 - 100
Area: 1,677 square feet
Maximum Occupancy: 100

Configuration	Occupancy	Area
Gallery Three	64	1,677 sq ft
Gallery Three	34	1,677 sq ft
Gallery Three	48	1,677 sq ft
Gallery Three	100	1,677 sq ft

Main Gallery (All)

Occupancy: 90 - 250
Area: 3,066 square feet
Maximum Occupancy: 250

Configuration	Occupancy	Area
Main Gallery (All)	180	3,066 sq ft
Main Gallery (All)	90	3,066 sq ft
Main Gallery (All)	176	3,066 sq ft
Main Gallery (All)	250	3,066 sq ft

Private Dining Room

Area: 588 square feet

Configuration	Occupancy
Private Dining Room	32
Private Dining Room	50

The Vault (All)

Area: 848 square feet

Configuration	Occupancy	Area
The Vault	20	848 sq ft
The Vault	50	848 sq ft

Google Rating

4.3

Davey Pilley 4 months ago

Wonderful hotel and museum! The staff was excellent from greeting us at the door, and all the way through check-in and departure. There is so much history in this building and city, and they have showcased fabulous artwork for an even better hotel experience!

Than you 21c for a great stay, and I highly recommend this hotel for your stay in Durham!
Dylan Cogan 2 weeks ago

I rarely leave negative reviews, but our experience at 21c Durham was disappointing from start to finish.

We called multiple times before arrival to inquire about an earlier check-in, only to arrive around 3:00 PM and be told our room was not ready. While we understood that early check-in couldn’t be guaranteed, it was frustrating that even the standard 4:00 PM check-in time came and went without a room being available. We returned at 4:00 PM and were again told our room wasn’t ready. To their credit, the staff eventually accommodated us with a different room, but having no room available at the official check-in time is unacceptable for a hotel at this price point.

To make matters worse, we were informed that the restaurant and bar were closed due to HVAC issues. Later that evening, after returning from a show, we attempted to order room service because we had been told it was available. After calling multiple times, we learned that room service wasn’t actually available.

The staff members we interacted with were polite, but the overall experience was marked by poor communication, lack of preparedness, and unmet expectations. Between the delayed check-in, closed food and beverage options, and conflicting information about room service, our stay fell well below what we expected from 21c.
Sarah Thorn a month ago

Let me start by saying I previously lived in Durham and ALWAYS wanted to stay at this hotel. Luck had it when I was getting married in April 2026 that I had the chance to stay there with my now husband.

Arriving we were greeted by the doormen who helped valet our cars and made us laugh and smile in the process. Lovely experience.

From there we went upstairs to check in. First it was a problem with the multiple cards used to secure our spot. "Declined," the man at the counter said VERY loudly, I must say. Puzzled, we called our card providers and saw that not did we have the money but the transition did infact go through.

Okay, no problem. We were given a voucher for $50 to spend at the restaurant downstairs. Fantastic - used and loved every minute. The restaurant staff are lovely, kind people.

Alright, we go upstairs. No air conditioning. Hmm... strange. At over $200 per night, I'm a bit confused. We call down. After several calls back and forth with promises of moving our room, having a credit on our account, we're told NO there's nothing we can do for you besides another $50 to spend downstairs and 2 box fans.

Seems to me that if they have box fans on the ready that this issue is not new. Why in the hell would they put us in a room that they know PROBABLY does not have working AIRCONDITIONING.

Just a reminder that this was the weekend of our wedding and we were paying over $200 per night.

Fast forward to checking out. We were told because of the issues we experienced, we would have our valet fees waived. When I get the bill that has not been done. The Front End Manager was mystified and quite rude in his approach in updating the bill. I had to push back and ask for the entire valet fee waived and after almost 30 minutes I was paid in full and on my way.

All in all, I love this gallery and restaurant but the hotel, no. I do not recommend you stay here. I say you can spend your money on a really cool AirBNB or a little bit outside of town. I know in the future I will NEVER stay at this hotel again.
Dr. Ally Hughes 4 months ago

My trip started very well. Room service was excellent. My room was somewhat dirty upon arrival (unvacuumed rug with accumulating debris and dirt). When my roommate arrived at 1:20am on the first night she stepped on a giant shard of glass in the bathroom. She had trouble stopping the bleeding. For the record, she is a nurse. The front desk didn’t apologize and sent a few first aid items to our room. When we returned in the afternoon of the next day, there was wine in our room. I have been sober since 2021 and was caught off guard to find that in our room. No one was sent to clean our room so I visited the front desk. Again. The glass was never addressed until I asked. Once the housekeeping staff finally arrived, our room was quickly “cleaned”, including the bathroom floor with the glass. Hours later I stepped on glass. Thats two different people stepping on glass over multiple days in the same room after it was supposedly cleaned. Due to my health, I have to be really careful about my feet and the entire time I stayed there I was anxious I would step on glass again. I hope the hotel takes this as a learning opportunity. The majority of the staff needs extensive hospitality training and the only people that were helpful were Aloe (the restaurant) and Joseph. He deserves a raise and promotion because without him, I would have left and gotten an Airbnb.
Antrell McLean 3 months ago

From check in to check out, our experience was amazing! The staff was ultra friendly and super helpful, even bringing our door dash order directly to our room. Touring the museum was a great addition to our anniversary trip, and it has art on every floor! The room was beautiful, as well as the view of the city from our window. I can’t wait to go back for a luxury date night! Even the restaurant was full of unique art! I enjoyed every moment of this hotel & experience!