Stockholm hotel lets guests 'pay' with art

The Clarion Hotel in southern Stockholm is offering guests the chance to stay a night for free - provided they donate a piece of self-made art.

• Pirate Swede in 'biggest ever' hacking trial (20 May 13)
• 'Sweden next in line for housing market crash' (17 May 13)
• UK Olympian dies in Swedish boat accident (10 May 13)

The hotel has drawn inspiration from the famous Chelsea Hotel in New York, which allowed well known artists and musicians to stay in return for their art.

“It all started with the fact that our general manager’s grandfather was an artist,” Clarion Hotel’s PR and marketing manager Tess Mattisson told The Local.

“He actually had some of his work hanging in the Chelsea Hotel and now that their hotel has closed down, the manager was so inspired that our hotel will continue the tradition.”

The concept is being launched on Friday and according to the hotel – anything goes - provided it fits on an A4 piece of paper.

Mattisson explained that there are absolutely no limitations to the art and that poetry, paintings, even meaningless squiggles would get you a room.

“Who are we to be judgmental about art? Accommodation is what we know and we’re happy to provide it. Everyone is welcome here, from young and upcoming artists to those that are already established,” she told The Local.

Mattisson claims the public has answered the call and that the art has come flooding in – even though the opening night isn’t for another day.

“We’ve had an overwhelming response, probably because this has never been done in Sweden, as far as we know.”

The art will be stored in the hotel, which will own the full rights to each piece.

“We want to build an atmosphere for artists to meet, and we want our hotel to be the number one art choice for people who come to Stockholm – and even Sweden!” Mattinsson told The Local.

The only condition, according to Swedish law, is that the artists leave a credit card with the hotel at check-in.

Oliver Gee
Follow Oliver on Twitter here