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Tidbits for travelers: Merlion Hotel and other offers

A couple of fun, hotel-related, tidbits for you today:

MERLION

If you’ve been to Singapore – or seen photos from there – no doubt you’ve seen the country’s mascot: an imaginary animal that has the body of a fish and the head of a lion. The sculpture sits in Merlion Park, overlooking Marina Bay.

For the upcoming Singapore Biennale, – an arts celebration running from March 13 through May 15, 2011 – Japanese installation artist Tatzu Nishi has created the one-room Merlion Hotel: an upscale, temporary suite with a double-bed, a bathroom and a full-range of amenities, including a Merlion Hotel Butler.

Here’s what it will look like:

(artist’s rendering, detail), 2011. Image courtesy of the artist.

Reservations for Merlion Hotel opened last week and sold-out immediately, but you can still get a look inside: the suite will be open to the public each day of the Biennale.

Can’t fly to Singapore right now? Here are a few other unusual hotel events in other cities:

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is hosting a Paw-parazzi Pet Photo Contest: You have until May 31, 2011 to submit a photo of your pet and, every two weeks, prizes will be awarded to the five photos that get the most ‘Like’ votes.  At the end of the contest, one lucky pet (and their persons) will win the grand prize, which will include airline tickets, a hotel room, dining credit and assorted goodies. Here are the details about the Paw-parazzi Pet Photo Contest.

Prefer watches to watchdogs? The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas may be able to help. Once each month from now through Labor Day, a guest booked at the Suite Dreams rate will be find a complimentary Bulgari watch under his or her pillow.