But Wait—There's More
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Yet another insipid still-life "painting" of inert flowers on your hotel-room wall? Feel as if you'd shoot yourself if you saw another ponderous oil painting in a resort lobby? Hotels have long fallen victim to bad art, often sticking up stuff so bland as to offend (and interest) no one. A new wave of owners, though, have realized that intriguing, even controversial works draw a savvy, art-obsessed clientele—and noticed that the same big spenders feeding the boom in the art market are also usually happy to drop money on big suites, spa treatments, and expensive wines. No question that a Warhol on the wall is nice, but a clutch of properties have gone one step further, commissioning artist-designed rooms, transforming common areas into galleries, and offering VIP access to top-flight museums. See our selection of the best of the art hotels—just don't be tempted to add that Old Master to your own personal collection.
Pictured: A guest room at the Rome Cavalieri Hilton
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