Damien Hirst’s $100,000-a-night Empathy Suite Opens at Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas

Image courtesy Palms Casino Resort

As part of its ongoing $690 million plan to completely reimagine the property, Palms Casino Resort (“Palms”) has unveiled the Empathy Suite, a Sky Villa designed by and featuring the works of world-renowned artist Damien Hirst.

With many original pieces from some of Hirst’s most notable series, a custom butterfly-motif mosaic tiled cantilevered pool overlooking the Las Vegas Strip and Venus grey marble featured throughout the villa, this 9,000 square-foot, two-story hotel suite is the first and only one of its kind featuring a collection of contemporary art at this scale.

Designed in collaboration with award-winning firm Bentel & Bentel, Hirst’s personal touch appears in nearly every aspect of the villa: from specially designed furniture and textiles that incorporate Hirst’s signature spin designs, butterfly and pharmacy motifs, to large scale works of art, including a large pill cabinet filled with diamonds.

Image courtesy Palms Casino Resort – Photo credit: Clint Jenkins

The Empathy Suite is one the world’s most expensive hotel accommodations at $200,000 for a two-night stay, or reserved exclusively for million-dollar casino players. Overnight accommodations in this extraordinary suite also involve a highly personalized and exclusive guest experience while at the property, including 24-hour butler service, over-the-top welcome amenities, a private behind-the-scenes art tour of the suite and entire property, chauffeured car service throughout the stay and A-list access to Palms’ premier amenities such as KAOS Dayclub & Nightclub, the Pearl Concert Theater and the Palms’ world-class recording studio and a $10,000 credit to utilise at the resort.

“I love what Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta have done with the Palms. It’s amazing being able to work with them because they are great collectors and totally understand art,” said Damien Hirst. “They have allowed me to create a suite in the hotel and design everything and completely fill it with my art.”

Image courtesy Palms Casino Resort – Photo credit: Clint Jenkins

In addition to Hirst’s bespoke furniture, six original works are showcased in the Sky Villa, including Winner/Loser (2018), two bull sharks suspended in formaldehyde in a white tank set into the wall of the suite, Casino Royal (2018) a ten panel collection of his butterfly motifs on monochrome gloss-painted canvases, a medicine cabinet called Vegas (2018), The Winner Takes It All (2018), and Money (2018),

The expansive layout of the villa, with soaring ceiling heights, features a 13-seat curved bar created by the artist and filled with medical waste, contrasting with the meticulous ordering of objects that are seen in the various pill cabinets on display throughout the villa. Hanging directly above the centre bar is Hirst’s Here for a Good Time, Not a Long Time (2018), two vitrines, one containing a marlin skeleton, the other a taxidermy marlin.

Butterflies

The bar is flanked by two luxurious lounge and media/theatre areas, accommodating up to 52 guests, with Hirst-designed furniture, drapery, carpeting and serpentine-shaped Italian leather sofas, which feature his butterfly motif. A large dining area seats eight guests for the ultimate culinary experience. The outdoor veranda features a cantilevered Jacuzzi with mosaic inlaid butterflies and pill decals on the surrounding glass.

Image courtesy Palms Casino Resort – Photo credit: Clint Jenkins

“The Empathy Suite designed by Damien Hirst is the pinnacle of luxury combining museum-worthy art and a truly legendary hospitality experience for the discerning hotel aficionado and casino guest looking for a once-in-a-lifetime Las Vegas stay,” said Jon Gray, General Manager of Palms Casino Resort.

Unique artwork is not the only impressive element of this villa; both expansive master bedrooms are fitted with California-King beds, spacious closets and spacious bathrooms with double sinks and ample lighting for makeup application. Guests can enjoy the accommodation’s private healing salt room, two massage rooms and fitness room, promoting overall wellness. The outdoor terrace also features comfortable lounge seating overlooking scenic Las Vegas.

The Empathy Suite designed by Damien Hirst joins the hotel’s other five Sky Villas, all of which have been completely re-imagined from top to bottom by Award-Winning Bentel & Bentel Architects, making them some of the most luxurious (and expensive) hotel accommodations in the world, ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 a night.

Intersection

“Our work with Damien Hirst and his talented team began with our architecture, design, and furniture for the entire suite. Over the course of a few months, we explored with Damien’s team every opportunity for the intersection of our work and Damien’s – including locations for his commissioned art, modifications to the furniture we chose, and superimposition of his motifs on our material palette. Uncovering those opportunities together was the essence of ‘play’ with an added dose of ‘why not?’” said Peter Bentel, of Bentel & Bentel Architects.

Image courtesy Palms Casino Resort

Palms’ extensive art collection consists of some of the most notable and unique contemporary, blue-chip and street art rarely displayed publicly in one setting. The collection includes original pieces by globally renowned artists Damien Hirst, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Andy Warhol, on loan from the personal art collections of Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, alongside commissioned creations by leading contemporary artists such as Adam Parker Smith, Jason REVOK, Eric Haze, Scott Hove, Felipe Pantone, James Jean and Timothy Curtis. Other artists whose work is prominently displayed include Dustin Yellin, Takashi Murakami and KAWS.

Those looking to book a one-of-a-kind experience in one of the world’s most expensive hotel suite are encouraged to contact Palms’ luxury sales team at 702-942-1222 or by emailing empathysuite@palms.com. For more information visit www.palms.com.

See also:

Luton Hoo Hotel Announces 2019 Artist in Residence

A Fashionable Stay: Hotel Industry

Luxury Developments Around the World

Louvre and John F Kennedy Library architect IM Pei dies at 102

 

 

 

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