For many years, I’ve been an appreciator of hotel art. I don’t mean that I value or esteem the works found in hotel rooms, but simply that I make myself aware of it. I pay attention to it and attempt to consider it with a discerning eye.

As you may recall, I’ve written about specific hotel art previously. But while that was very bad, most hotel art is just very bland. It exists not to stimulate, but to soothe and sedate. If hotel art catches the eye, it has failed. It hangs there because a blank wall would be distracting. Most hotels would likely prefer their wall adornments go unnoticed, and certainly prefer that they go unremarked upon.

And yet, when I’m in a hotel, I make it a point to inspect the art. As I enter my room, I’ll give the walls a once-over. Occasionally, even a twice-over. Someone chose to put these particular pieces in these particular places, and I like to consider why. I have even found myself asking “Is it art?”.

Is this hotel bathroom art or towel hooks? Even the hotel itself did not seem to know.
[Photo courtesy of P. Kafasis]

Perhaps my single favorite piece of hotel art is one I refer to as “The Cheerios”. This picture should make it obvious how it earned that name:

Yes, fine, the holes are larger than those found in Cheerios. Nevertheless, the name has stuck.

This painting can be found at the Wynn and Encore resorts in Las Vegas, where duplicates of it hang in literally thousands of guest rooms. At night, it‘s possible to look up at the illuminated windows of the hotel towers and see copy after copy after copy of “The Cheerios”. To me, that is its own fascinating meta work of art.

Hotel art isn’t just confined to generic nonsense in the rooms, however. Lobbies at upscale hotels sometimes contain art that is more renowned, or at least more valuable. This is particularly true in Las Vegas, where the aforementioned Wynn and Encore has exhibited many very expensive pieces. Similarly, the nearby Bellagio has Dale Chihuly’s famous “Fiori di Como”, consisting of thousands of glass flowers, and many other Vegas hotels feature pricey works.

So when I recently found myself waiting at the fancy Intercontinental hotel here in Boston, I thought I might be seeing something of similar renown. This line drawing reminded me of the works of Matisse and Picasso:

However, the piece bore no signature. With a bit of sleuthing courtesy of Google Lens, I was able to locate it on the web. It turns out this is not the priceless work of a master, or even a print of one.

Instead, this abstract face can be purchased from 7ArtPrints on Etsy, for a grand total of 2 dollars and 50 cents. It comes as a digital download which can then be printed out (faux canvas background and all), framed, and hung in the just-renovated lobby of a very expensive hotel.

If this was done with intent, it would indeed be a very subversive work of performance art. However, I suspect it was done simply out of cheapness. Ah well. Perhaps our enjoyment of this dross is the true art? Let’s go with that.

The next time you find yourself in a hotel, take a minute or two to soak in the art. You, too, can be a hotel art appreciator.