Where to indulge a love of melodies and sounds? Whether it’s listening to your favourite song on a cross-country road trip or flying to a new destination to attend a once-in-a-lifetime concert, music plays a crucial role in the life of a traveller. These eight hotels stand out among music lovers for having hosted famous artists, or for being close to top venues, and are the perfect spots for music lovers to hit the right note. 

Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth is an elegant hotel located in the heart of Montreal. The famous John Lennon and Yoko Ono Suite is the site of the 1969 ‘bed-in for peace’, where the song ‘Give Peace a Chance’ was composed and recorded. Today it’s been revamped into a luxury suite that can accommodate up to four people and features a virtual reality experience and plenty of in-room surprises. 

The staff at this super cool five-star Sydney boutique hotel are ‘cast’ not hired and their outfits are worthy of a slick music video while the opulent design is rock star ready and the location reigns supreme. It is located next door to Sydney’s State Theatre which first opened in 1929 and has hosted music legends such as Prince, Shirley Bassey, Harry Connick Jr and Chris Isaak. The QT itself attracts creative guests who appreciate its Gothic- and Art Deco-influenced architecture. You may spot a star staying in one of the 200 guest suites or drinking champagne at the Gilt Lounge, which is popular for after-parties among the trendy set.

Just a five-minute walk from the lively Sunset Strip, the Andaz West Hollywood has hosted world-famous musicians throughout the years, including musical superstars Led Zeppelin, Jim Morrison and Keith Richards. The hotel developed a rock ’n’ roll reputation during the 1970s, but today features a modern restaurant that serves seasonal Californian cuisine and a chic bar with signature cocktails. The property was also one of the filming locations of Almost Famous, a coming-of-age movie about a teenage journalist covering a band for Rolling Stone magazine during the early 1970s. 

Europe’s first music hotel, nhow Berlin is located directly on the banks of the river Spree and just a five-minute walk from MTV Berlin and Universal Music, the world’s leading music company. nhow Berlin offers its guests two professional music recording studios and the hotel’s electric guitars can be borrowed at no extra charge. You can even order a DJ booth to your room. The hotel also hosts weekly concerts and DJ sets, perfect for soaking up Berlin’s popular techno atmosphere.

Not only was the world-famous Singapore Sling invented here by Raffles bartender Ngiam Tong Boon in 1915, there’s been a slew of famous guests including Rudyard Kipling, Ernest Hemingway, movie genius Alfred Hitchcock and music icon Michael Jackson since the hotel opened its glamorous doors in 1887. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been guests and Ava Gardner also stayed there for the opening of her 1950s movie Barefoot Contessa. There’s fantastic live music on weekends at this stunning luxury hotel, which is reopening in mid-2019 after an impressive refurbishment. Make sure you chat to the resident historian to hear some of the stories about famous musicians who have also stayed there.

Built in 1913, the Gstaad Palace has earned an unrivalled reputation for discreet, refined hospitality over the years, and has always welcomed the most discerning international musical clientele. Musical legends Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald are some of its famous guests of the past, who have also performed in the hotel’s elegant lounge. A few years ago, singer Madonna was spotted celebrating New Year’s Eve at the hotel’s renowned GreenGo nightclub.

Situated only two minutes from Amsterdam’s popular concert venues Paradiso, Sugarfactory and Melkweg, the BackStage Hotel is adorned with furniture and decorations from the music industry. Not only will the friendly staff provide its guests with the latest info about concerts in town, guests are also welcomed to star in their own impromptu jamming session using one of the many guitars hanging on the wall. Other music venues such as The Amsterdam Arena, Ziggo Dome and Heineken Music Hall can be reached within 30 minutes by public transport.

Featuring a rich music history, the Phoenix Hotel is a quirky boutique hotel located at the intersection of San Francisco’s Tenderloin, Civic Center and Little Saigon districts. It’s also a stone’s throw from the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and the Great American Music Hall. Over the years, it’s been known to welcome generations of travelling musicians including major figures David Bowie, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and R.E.M.

This article first appeared in Reader’s Digest. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, here’s our best subscription offer.