Art aficionados staying at London's historic Savoy hotel have been experiencing a short lived treat this week: Monet's "Waterloo Bridge," sketched from Room 618, was recently returned to the Savoy over 100 years after it was first drawn. The room offers prime panoramic views of the Thames River, and Monet's creative interpretation of the scene has been on display at The Savoy Museum since December 13th.]]>
Over in Melbourne, a trio of hotels known as the Art Series Hotels (The Blackman, The Olsen and The Cullen) are running a rather bizarre contest that rewards the burgling abilities of its guests. Which is probably something The Carlyle or The Ritz-Carlton wouldn't consider in a million years.
Hidden somewhere inside one of the buildings is an authentic Banksy painting titled "No Ball Games" (above). The guest who manages to find it, grab it, and of course, not get caught, gets to go home with the $15,000 prize.
The most important part? You gotta be cool. Among the contest's rules: each participant must "be a polite, respectful and sophisticated art crook." ]]>