banksy opens 'the walled off' art hotel in bethlehem

banksy makes a monumental return to the art world with the opening of an art hotel in bethlehem, steps away from the controversial west bank separation barrier. ‘the walled off hotel’ includes nine unique rooms and one presidential suite, with facilities including a colonial period-themed piano bar, and an on-site art gallery dedicated to showing works created in palestine.

a banksy mural in one of the guest rooms depicts an israeli border policeman in a pillow fight with a palestinian man

visitors to the walled off hotel find themselves sleeping inside a work of art, with customized guest rooms outfitted with pieces by banksy, palestinian artist sami musa and montreal-based artist dominique petrin, with more to follow. ‘scenic rooms’ ‘boast floor to ceiling views of graffiti-strewn concrete from almost every room. and for the exhibitionists amongst you — many are within range of the army watchtower,‘ the hotel website discloses. 

banksy, sami musa and dominique petrin have customized guest rooms

‘budget rooms’ start at $30/night and are outfitted with surplus items from an israeli military barracks. in contrast, the hotel’s single ‘presidential suite’ is equipped with a plunge bath, original artwork, library, home cinema, roof garden, tiki bar and a fountain made from a bullet riddled water tank. an on-site gallery features a permanent collection of work from notable palestinian artists over the past 20 years, while an adjoining space is dedicated to temporary shows by upcoming artists.

the hotel ‘boasts floor to ceiling views of graffiti-strewn concrete from almost every room’

a print by dominique petrin lines a bathroom wall 

‘scenic rooms’ are within range of the army watchtower

the presidential suite can sleep up to six guests 

original artwork, library, and a home cinema are part of the presidential suite

‘budget rooms’ are outfitted with surplus items from an israeli military barracks

the low-cost option starts at $30/night

facilities include a piano bar with banksy artwork and security cameras lining the walls 

the piano bar is themed as a colonial british outpost, where guests can peruse banksy artworks