Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Walled Off Hotel

The Walled Off Hotel is a boutique hotel designed by anonymous artist Banksy alongside other creatives and notable academic Dr. David Grindon.

Established in March 2017, and initially set out to only be a temporary exhibition, the hotel has since attracted nearly 140,000 visitors, in part because of its location opposite the Israeli West Bank Barrier. Banky’s artwork can be seen all over the inside of the hotel as well as outside on the wall.

While the reaction to the hotel as a work of art and social intervention has been mixed, especially given its location and subject matter. Critics have argued that such a building profits of tragedy, and is a case of war tourism. Evidence has suggested that the hotel has brought more tourism to areas of the West Bank, in turn raising awareness of the realities of those affected by the conflict.

The hotel is considered to be a key piece of social commentary on the conditions of those affected by the Israeli-Palestine Conflict and the historical impacts of territorial colonialism within the region.

I had heard about the hotel before the trip and as a long time Banksy fan wanted to check it out. After our group did a tour of the wall art we stopped in at the hotel and it was a fantastic experience with so much artwork inside. This stop actually was probably the highlight of my entire trip and I am still always in search of Banksy artwork all over the world as he continues to highlight social injustice issues.

Latest

From Bubble Kisses to Reef Tales: Newport Aquarium’s Mermaid Exhibit Captivates All Ages

Located just across the river from downtown Cincinnati in...

The Radical Hotel Joins the Tapestry Collection by Hilton 

The Radical Hotel, located in Asheville’s River Arts District,...

Why Lotusland is One of the World’s Most Unique Botanical Gardens—And How to Visit

Ganna Walska Lotusland, also known as Lotusland, is a...

From Festival Fare to Napa Favorites: Where to Eat Like You’re Still at BottleRock

After three days of high-energy performances, celebrity chef demos,...

Newsletter

Don't miss

From Bubble Kisses to Reef Tales: Newport Aquarium’s Mermaid Exhibit Captivates All Ages

Located just across the river from downtown Cincinnati in...

The Radical Hotel Joins the Tapestry Collection by Hilton 

The Radical Hotel, located in Asheville’s River Arts District,...

Why Lotusland is One of the World’s Most Unique Botanical Gardens—And How to Visit

Ganna Walska Lotusland, also known as Lotusland, is a...

From Festival Fare to Napa Favorites: Where to Eat Like You’re Still at BottleRock

After three days of high-energy performances, celebrity chef demos,...

From Emperors to Dragons: The Timeless Allure of Split Croatia

On the coastal strip of Croatia sits the second-largest...
Amy Harris
Amy Harris is a writer and photographer who has been traveling for 20 years and flown over 2 million miles to visit over 80 countries on 6 continents. She is a freelance photographer for Invision by Associated Press, AP Images and Rex/Shutterstock. Her work can be seen in various publications and websites including: Rolling Stone, AP Images, National Geographic Books, Fodor’s Travel Guides, Forbes.com, Lonely Planet Travel Guides, JetStar magazine, and Delta Sky Magazine.

From Bubble Kisses to Reef Tales: Newport Aquarium’s Mermaid Exhibit Captivates All Ages

Located just across the river from downtown Cincinnati in Newport, Kentucky, the Newport Aquarium is a world-class aquatic attraction that brings visitors face-to-fin with marine life...

The Radical Hotel Joins the Tapestry Collection by Hilton 

The Radical Hotel, located in Asheville’s River Arts District, is one of the newest additions to the Tapestry Collection by Hilton. With vibrant murals...

Why Lotusland is One of the World’s Most Unique Botanical Gardens—And How to Visit

Ganna Walska Lotusland, also known as Lotusland, is a hidden oasis in a Montecito, California residential area. This non-profit botanical garden is 37 acres of...