Well, I'm here with John Blanco, the manager of 21c Museum Hotel here in Durham.

John, thank you so much for hosting us.

Tell me a little bit about the concept of merging contemporary art into a boutique hotel.

- Thank you, Deb.

Yeah, it really is an opportunity to make contemporary art available to the public, free, open 24 hours with a belief that contemporary art has the ability to create space for difficult conversations, possibly indifference or to experience something that you may not have thought of.

- [Deborah] John took me for a tour.

I loved the clouds floating along the stairway.

So being a hotel, certainly you can stay the night here - [John] In a stunning contemporary art museum.

Over 125 guest rooms in this boutique hotel.

- [Deborah] 21c Hotels are famous for their penguins and they show up everywhere.

21c offers a Dining With Art experience at their acclaimed Counting House restaurant.

And the bar has an amazing piece right over your head.

The small but elegant spa is a great place to unwind.

But back to the art Be sure to sign up for a personal tour.

I learned so much from John and it was really fun.

- And there's, unlike other museums, there's no, you know, there's not like docents or guards standing in each gallery space.

And so there's really a trust and empowerment making contemporary art that has a lot to say, you know, available to anyone who can come through the building, you know, into the door.

- The 21c Museum Hotel is at 111 North Corcoran Street in Durham.

To find out more about their latest art installation, book a room or get reservations for dinner at Counting House, go to their website at 21cmuseumhotels.com/durham.