Hotel Items to Covet
Back in the day when things were a lot less sophisticated, and thieves settled for less, hotels lost a lot of towels. These days there’s so much more to want from a hotel as they spend lavishly on art, decor and wine. While no one in their right mind would think about lifting any of these objects, there’s no prohibition against coveting. Here’s what you may want to pay closer attention to next time you pass through Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, Saigon and Taipei.
1 The Reverie Saigon (Vietnam)
The staff may look twice if you were to try to pass off the ‘Isidoro’ vintage-travel-trunk-style minibar as your own luggage when you leave this plush Vietnam hotel. A prominent feature in the Saigon Suite, the hotel’s top abode, the Pelle Frau® saddle leather Isidoro is a vintage luggage-inspired bar designed by Jean-Marie Massaud for Poltrona Frau (entrusted by prestigious car manufacturers such as Ferrari with the upholstering of their interiors). The stylish item has transformed the guestroom minibar into a chic conversation piece. www.thereveriesaigon.com
2 Palace Hotel Tokyo (Japan)
With over 1,000 pieces making up Palace Hotel Tokyo’s extensive art collection, there are more than a fair few that guests wouldn’t mind relocating to their homes. Upon check-in, visitors are captivated by the large Echoes-Crystallization wall installation by Shinji Ohmaki, which depicts an endangered species of Japanese flowers through crystal powder and marble. Another sizeable piece, a bit too large to tuck into luggage, is Masahito Katayama’s Sunflower painting, which would bring a bit of sunshine and warmth into anyone’s living room. www.palacehoteltokyo.com
3 The Sanchaya Bintan
Adjacent to The Sanchaya’s book-laden wine, cheese and cigar lounge is a glass-walled library showcasing hundreds of bottles of premium wine, including a certain 2000 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Imperial 5000ml. Priced at a cool US $16,000, this remarkable bottle of red ranks as the Pauillac estate’s most expensive wine of the past 30 years. The Sanchaya has two of only 5000 ever produced, and the bottle in itself is a collector’s item, adorned with a gold reproduction of the Augsburg Ram, a chased silver-gilt drinking vessel created around 1590 by master goldsmith Jakob Schenauer. www.thesanchaya.com
4 Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit (Thailand)
Given that Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit is the only hotel in Thailand’s capital with an art gallery, it’s no surprise that Sofitel Luxury Hotels’ flagship property in Southeast Asia houses some of the coolest pieces this side of Paris. The most coveted might just be the very symbol of the City of Light itself -- a miniature Eiffel Tower, which sits on a table in the ballroom foyer and has undoubtedly beckoned the kleptomaniac in every guest to notice the remarkable little replica. www.sofitel.com
5 The Grand Hyatt Taipei (Taiwan)
Taipei’s most seasoned luxury hotel is well-known for its sizeable collection of contemporary art and calligraphy works by Taiwanese artist TK. Many of TK’s black and white paintings adorn the walls of the hotel’s 853 guest rooms and suites, including one of a large swirl, which is proudly displayed in the entrance to one of the corner suites. The framed painting might be a little tricky to squeeze through the hotel’s revolving doors undetected, but it would certainly make for a cool souvenir to brag about to your friends back home. www.taipei.grand.hyatt.com