Y’all, I am obsessed with 21c Oklahoma City!  Why?  Well, what happens when you find an out-of-use industrial building in a redeveloping part of Oklahoma City?  And that building represents important Oklahoma City History?  You turn it into a museum, hotel, and farm-to-table restaurant, right?  That’s the fascinating formula for 21c Oklahoma City, a wonderful Oklahoma City Boutique Hotel!

First Published: March 28, 2018 Last Updated: July 3, 2019

21c Oklahoma City

I first experienced this progressive take on modern hotel spaces at the recommendation of fellow Blogger Tanya Foster.  She was invited to stay at 21c Oklahoma City a few years ago, and when she heard I was going to OKC on a college visit with my daughter, she recommended I do the same.

I enjoy interesting hotels, especially boutique hotels with history, and this Oklahoma City Boutique Hotel does not disappoint!  According to the web site, “21c Hotel OKC is situated in the former home of a Ford Motor Company assembly plant, which dates back more than a century.  It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  21c Oklahoma City takes full advantage of the scale and openness of its historical setting.”

The rooms have a New York loft feel, and are very sleek and contemporary, while also comfortable and incredibly quiet.  Oh…and there’s penguins.  The signature purple penguins seemingly move on their own throughout the hotel.  Which adds to the quirky and unique atmosphere of this excellent Oklahoma City boutique hotel.

In addition to being a hotel, 21c Oklahoma City is also a museum.  The ground-floor museum is free to the public, and the exhibitions change often.

The restaurant, Mary Eddy’s Kitchen Lounge, is spacious and cool.  The bar space is open and inviting, and the restaurant offers table seating.  There’s also counter seating, allowing guests to watch the chefs at work.  On my most recent stay, I enjoyed both dinner and lunch, and both meals were excellent.  The staff is incredibly kind, helpful, and attentive. There’s private dining spaces if you are hosting an event. And the hotel also offers spaces for larger events, weddings, and parties.

And, if the swanky cool aspect of 21c Oklahoma appeals to you, I encourage you to check out the Okie Mod Squad’s web site.  There you can find a treasure-trove of information and pictures of mid-century architecture throughout Oklahoma City.  Some sites are demolished and others are still standing. Some are near the 21c Hotel and Museum.  Don’t we all wish more architecturally interesting places were being preserved around the country?  I know I do!

For all my readers who have kids attending the University of Oklahoma in Norman, I would absolutely recommend driving a short 20 minutes north to stay in the 21c Oklahoma City!  And for my readers who live in OKC…can anyone say Weekend in Oklahoma City Staycation??????

Spend a Weekend in Oklahoma City

I fully endorse checking into 21c Oklahoma City and never stepping foot outside the hotel again for a solid 48 hours.  However, there are other fun things to do in Oklahoma City very close to the hotel.

• Bricktown Water Taxi:  Playful, narrated boat rides with historical information offered on the Bricktown Canal.
• Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum:  The Oklahoma City National Memorial is a memorial in the United States that honors the victims, survivors, rescuers, and all who were affected by the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995.
• Bricktown:  Industrial-chic Bricktown is a lively entertainment district, with repurposed warehouse spaces home to restaurants, piano lounges and chic wine bars. An eclectic mix of shops sell clothing, home decor and specialty food items.
• Oklahoma City University Performing Arts, Dance, Theater and Music Concerts and Performances:  I’m a little biased, because my daughter is a student at OCU, but some of the best talent on today’s American Stage is coming from OCU.  One notable alumni worth mentioning:  Kristin Chenoweth.

If you have the opportunity to stay at this excellent Oklahoma City Boutique Hotel, let me know what you think!  You never know…I might be in the room down the hall!