New Art Hotel Opens In Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne Australia will be getting a series of very interesting art-themed hotels over the next two years. There will be a total of six Art Series Hotels, representing a $300 million investment in the city. The name and design of each hotel will be inspired by a famous Australian artist and no two properties will be the same. The Cullen was the first to open its doors in Melbourne last week. The $48 million luxury boutique hotel was inspired by Australian artist Adam Cullen and features more than 450 of his works which are cared for by an in-house curator. Two of Cullen's custom designed cows also grace the foyer. The hotel offers 115 rooms, several eateries (including Hutong, a 140-seat Asian dumpling restaurant, and The Terrace, serving Mediterranean fare) a rooftop garden and a cocktail bar with uninterrupted views of Melbourne's skyline. The entire hotel is dedicated to Cullen's aesthetic, everything from the restaurant menus to the bikes and Smart cars available for hire to guests have received the Cullen touch. Cullen's prints, which are featured throughout the property, are also for sale. Rates start at $208 USD per night.

Next up for the group is the $90 million hotel, The Olsen, slated to open in February 2010. The hotel was named for renowned painter John Olsen and will have 239 rooms and the world's largest glass bottomed swimming pool, which will hang over Chapel Street. The third hotel in the series, The Blackman, is set to open in April 2010.