Time magazine’s top 100 destinations list includes Damien Hirst’s $100,000-per-night Las Vegas suite

Eyebrows were raised at the announcement that the venerable magazine Time had included the Empathy Suite at Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, in its Worlds Greatest Places list, a choice roster of 100 top global destinations. The two-storey, in-your-face suite is designed by the Brit artist Damien Hirst whose exquisite signature touches abound, including a pair of bull sharks suspended in formaldehyde and a terrace dotted with spot-painted columns. Don’t miss also the cantilevered pool and a Himalayan salt room. Throw in a 24-hour butler, and you have the perfect holiday package—all for the princely sum of $200,000 for two nights (what a bargain!). Time says that it solicited nominations across a variety of categories—including museums, parks, restaurants, and hotels—from editors and correspondents around the world as well as industry experts. “Then we evaluated each one based on key factors, including quality, originality, sustainability, innovation and influence.” V&A Dundee, the National Museum of Qatar in Doha and the multidisciplinary arts space The Shed in New York also made the grade.