Wednesday, August 28, 2019

 the most expensive hotel room in the world, a 2-story sky villa designed by Damien Hirst that runs $100,000 per night 

empathy suite
A view of the Las Vegas Strip from the Empathy Suite balcony, including Hirst-designed dotted pillars and a private Jacuzzi.
 Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort
  • The Empathy Suite, designed by artist Damien Hirst, is the most expensive hotel room in the world at $100,000 per night with a minimum two-night stay.
  • The suite was included in Time Magazine's Greatest Places of 2019 list.
  • Located off the Las Vegas Strip in the Palms Casino Resort, the two-story sky villa features two luxury master bedrooms, a 13-seat bar, and six standalone Hirst art installments.
  • The suite was unveiled on March 1 with a private party hosted by Hirst.
  • It is one of six recently renovated villas at Palms, part of a $690 million remodel for the property.

The world's most expensive hotel room doubles as an art gallery.
Featuring work by world-renowned — and oftentimes controversial— contemporary artist Damien Hirst, the Empathy Suite at the Palms Casino Resort is now available for booking. At $100,000 per night, the Empathy Suite tops last year's high-ranking Royal Penthouse Suite at the President Wilson Hotel; the Geneva hotel charged $80,000 per night for its top accommodation.

The two-bedroom, 2.5-bath villa was recently included on Time Magazine's 100 Greatest Places of 2019 list.
Keep reading for a complete look at the exclusive suite, from the Hirst-designed balcony pool to the in-house bar.

The Empathy Suite is the crown jewel of the Palms Casino Resort.

The Empathy Suite is the crown jewel of the Palms Casino Resort.
Palms recently underwent a $690 million renovation.
 Wirepec / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus

It's located just off the infamous Las Vegas Strip.

The hotel includes 1,200 rooms across three towers, several restaurants, a concert theater, and, of course, a casino.

The Empathy Suite is located in the resort's middle building, known as the Fantasy Tower.

The Empathy Suite is located in the resort's middle building, known as the Fantasy Tower.
The Fantasy Tower (center) contains all of the resort's luxury villas and suites. The tower was completed in 2005, not including recent renovations.
 Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort
All six of Palms' sky villas were renovated as a part of a $690 million upgrade to the hotel, which was first established in 2001 and is now owned by the Fertitta brothers of Station Casino. Other villas range from $25,000 to $50,000 a night.

The suite's designer, Damien Hirst, is a well-known contemporary artist whose work first appeared in the late 1980s.

The suite's designer, Damien Hirst, is a well-known contemporary artist whose work first appeared in the late 1980s.
Butterflies and spiral patterns commonly appear in Hirst's work.
 REUTERS/Luke MacGregor
Hirst is known for boundary-pushing collections, ranging from formaldehyde preservations to carefully arranged pill bottles. In 2017, his work filled the Palazzo Grassi and the Punta della Dogana in Venice, two art museums funded by billionaire art collector François Pinault.

On March 1, six of his art installments were unveiled in Palms Casino Resort's newest sky villa, also designed by Hirst.

On March 1, six of his art installments were unveiled in Palms Casino Resort's newest sky villa, also designed by Hirst.
Guests order drinks from the sky villa's bar on March 1, 2019.
 David Becker / Stringer / Getty Images

Damien Hirst hosted the party ...

Damien Hirst hosted the party ...
Hirst (center) with the Fertitta brothers, who own the hotel and casino.
 David Becker / Stringer / Getty Images

... which included several celebrity guests, such as chef Gordon Ramsay and architect Peter Bentel.

... which included several celebrity guests, such as chef Gordon Ramsay and architect Peter Bentel.
Gordan Ramsay (left) and Peter Bentel (right) at Hirst's launch party.
 David Becker / Stringer / Getty Images
Bentel's firm, Bentel & Bentel, is responsible for projects including MoMa and Yale University cafes, and the Garden Terrace Room at New York Botanical Gardens.

Upon check-in to the Empathy Suite, guests receive 24-hour butler service, chauffeured car service, a private art tour of the hotel property, and a $10,000 credit to use at the hotel.

Upon check-in to the Empathy Suite, guests receive 24-hour butler service, chauffeured car service, a private art tour of the hotel property, and a $10,000 credit to use at the hotel.
The living room in the Empathy Suite.
 Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort
The Empathy Suite was formerly known as the Hugh Hefner Suite, and in 2012, CNN Travel ranked the suite No. 5 on a list of most expensive hotel rooms. Originally $40,000 per night, the new luxury renovations have spurred a $60,000 price increase.

At 9,000 square feet, the villa features plenty of seating space throughout its two floors to entertain up to 52 people.

At 9,000 square feet, the villa features plenty of seating space throughout its two floors to entertain up to 52 people.
Another view of the suite's living room, with additional seating.
 Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

The center point of the villa is a 13-seat curved bar, below one of six standalone Hirst art pieces.

The center point of the villa is a 13-seat curved bar, below one of six standalone Hirst art pieces.
"Here for a Good Time Not a Long Time" (2018) hangs above the bar.
 Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

Guests can walk from the bar out to the balcony ...

Guests can walk from the bar out to the balcony ...Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

... which includes a Hirst-inspired pool overlooking Las Vegas Boulevard.

... which includes a Hirst-inspired pool overlooking Las Vegas Boulevard.Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

Both of the master bedrooms include California king beds, along with glass windows that overlook either the lower level of the suite ...

Both of the master bedrooms include California king beds, along with glass windows that overlook either the lower level of the suite ...Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

... or the lights of the Las Vegas Strip.

... or the lights of the Las Vegas Strip.Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

The bathrooms are just as luxurious ...

The bathrooms are just as luxurious ...Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

... complete in gray marble with Hirst-style accents.

... complete in gray marble with Hirst-style accents.
A total of 104 inlaid stone butterflies in the marble floors are scattered throughout the Empathy Suite.
 Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

The villa includes a game room complete with a pool table ...

The villa includes a game room complete with a pool table ...Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

... and butterfly embroidery decorates the villa's massage chairs. The suite also includes a gym.

... and butterfly embroidery decorates the villa's massage chairs. The suite also includes a gym.
One of two massage rooms in the villa, one per master bedroom.
 Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

The dining room seats eight people comfortably ...

The dining room seats eight people comfortably ...Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

... with additional space in the media room nearby.

... with additional space in the media room nearby.
Couch seating around the television in the media room.
 Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

The large windows include Hirst-inspired decals ...

The large windows include Hirst-inspired decals ...Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

... to complement Hirst's original artwork ...

... to complement Hirst's original artwork ...
"Vegas" (2018)
 Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

... which can be found scattered throughout the villa.

... which can be found scattered throughout the villa.
"Winner/Loser" (2018)
 Courtesy of Palms Casino Resort

Hirst gained recognition in 1991 for his first art installment utilizing animals preserved in formaldehyde.

Hirst gained recognition in 1991 for his first art installment utilizing animals preserved in formaldehyde.
Hirst in front of "The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living," made from a 14-foot tiger shark.
 REUTERS/Toby Melville

The technique soon became a series called "Natural History" and included a variety of animals preserved through taxidermy over 22 years.

The technique soon became a series called
"Mother and Child Divided" in the Tate Modern in London, 2012.
 REUTERS/Toby Melville

Hirst's work has appeared alongside other notable contemporary artists such as Jeff Koons and was recently displayed at several Venice galleries. The Palazzo Grassi art museum hosted Hirst's exhibition during the summer of 2017.

Hirst's work has appeared alongside other notable contemporary artists such as Jeff Koons and was recently displayed at several Venice galleries. The Palazzo Grassi art museum hosted Hirst's exhibition during the summer of 2017.
Koons (left) and Hirst (right) in 2016.
 REUTERS/Hannah McKay

His artwork can also be found in restaurants, including a pharmacy-themed restaurant of his own creation. Pieces of the now-closed restaurant sold at Sotheby's auction.

His artwork can also be found in restaurants, including a pharmacy-themed restaurant of his own creation. Pieces of the now-closed restaurant sold at Sotheby's auction.
"Molecular Structure" at Sotheby's auction in 2004.
 REUTERS/Stephen Hird

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